One of the benefits of playing online poker is the ease of multi-tabling. This allows you to open two or more tables and focus on the one table that has a decent hand. You’ll double your profit in this way. This strategy is especially useful if you have a streak of bad luck and want to increase your bankroll.

Most online poker sites will offer several types of games, including cash games, tournaments, sit & go’s, and special format games. Most sites will also have “beginner” tables where you can start playing if you’re new to the game. These tables are usually populated by other newbies and have lower stakes, so you can learn the ropes without having to spend too much time in the poker lobby.

Before starting your game, make sure the site is licensed in your state. In addition, make sure to check out the player pool. The bigger the site, the more players it can attract. Also, make sure to select a site that’s licensed in all 50 states. This is one of the most important things you can do before starting to play.

Once you’ve decided to play online poker, you’ll want to set up a bankroll and a budget. This bankroll should be large enough to cover any losses. It is also a good idea to pick one poker game to master. No-Limit Texas Hold’em is a great way to get started with poker, and it’s one of the easiest games to learn.

If you’re new to online poker, you’ll want to start out with smaller buy-in levels, which will help you evaluate your skill level and determine whether or not you’re ready to play at a higher level. However, not all sites offer every variation, so it’s best to look for a site that offers as many games as possible.

As online poker has become more popular, a few states are considering legalizing it. Currently, online poker is legal in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but the state regulators are wary of the new laws. Hopefully, more states will pass their laws in time. And if legalization is a certainty, this will ease the way for online poker to spread across state lines.

Legalizing online poker in the US requires that operators meet state regulations and are located in a state where it is legal. Despite this, many offshore online poker sites are fully licensed and safe and can accept US players. The biggest international brands have US-based operations, which make them legal in the US. Furthermore, they are legally responsible for their actions in the US.

In the early 1990s, online poker sites began gaining popularity. Planet Poker and partypoker were the first sites to accept US players. Although these sites did not have US licenses, they grew in popularity. As a result, millions of people across the country thought they could be the next Chris Moneymaker and join the ranks of poker legends. Soon after, live games began airing on television. Hole-card cameras made the live games more enticing to watch, and commercial breaks featured ads for offshore online poker sites.