While there are some states where online poker is illegal, the number is increasing. Generally, the major sites are only available in select states, but there are also regional variations. Before playing, you should check to see if the site you’re interested in offers its services in your own country. If not, you can always try out smaller regional sites that may have a more local community, but be sure to check before you start.

To play online poker, you first need to download software to your computer. This software will only take up a small amount of memory and shouldn’t take too long to download. Then, you can start playing poker on your computer. However, you should know that no download games will not have as many features as those that require software.

Regulatory issues are another major concern when it comes to online poker. Many states have not legalized it, but others are considering legislation. The UIGEA ban has been a source of much controversy, and there’s still a debate on its legality in the United States. However, it is legal in many countries, including the United Kingdom and many Caribbean Sea countries.

While the UIGEA ban made it illegal for US banks to process transactions with offshore online poker sites, some sites continued to accept players from the US. Many of these sites eventually developed ways to circumvent the law and remain online. In the meantime, the industry has remained relatively unharmed. In addition, the UIGEA ban didn’t make legal online poker illegal anywhere else in the world.

In addition to avoiding shared machines, you should always keep your IP address in mind when playing online poker. It’s also important to make sure that the poker site is protected from fraudulent activities. This prevents fraud and money laundering. By ensuring that all players use secure computer IP addresses, online poker websites can prevent fraudulent activity.

Many online poker real money sites offer a variety of buy-ins and stake levels. You can start with a small bankroll and work your way up to the larger games. The most popular buy-in ranges are in the 5c/10c to $1/$2 range, although larger buy-ins are available at PokerStars NJ and 888/WSOP.

Once you’ve selected a site, the next step is finding a game. Most sites offer a “quick start” option that allows new players to find a table with no fuss. They also allow players to choose the stakes and number of players they’re interested in. Then, players can select their seat and be seated in the game.

Play money poker games are a lot simpler than real-money games. It’s simply fun to hit the flop and watch the other players hit the cards. However, a real-money game becomes a mental battle. When you play real money, it’s important to keep in mind that playing every hand is a losing strategy, and playing too few hands can be a recipe for disaster. In order to beat real money opponents, you need to learn the rules of poker and understand the math behind the game.