Playing online poker requires little computer memory and is not particularly taxing on processing power. Even a computer from the early 2000s should be able to handle the game. Real money poker games can also be played on smart phones and tablets. Android devices and iPhones have poker apps. To maximize your chances of winning, it’s essential to track your session’s stats.
Several states have passed laws regulating online poker, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Other states are considering similar legislation. However, the majority of US states are still a long way from allowing online poker. While the federal government has succeeded in pushing the major global online poker sites out of the US market, several offshore online poker sites still accept US players.
A recent massive increase in online poker traffic has come on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. This disease caused many live gaming venues around the world to close. The sudden lack of live entertainment options in many countries led casual players to turn to online poker. As a result, many operators reported seeing double or more traffic than before.
Ignition Poker has a great selection of games that can be played for real money. Ignition Poker also has a feature called “Anonymous Tables,” which allows players to play poker without revealing their real identities to opponents. This helps new poker players avoid the shark-infested waters.
Despite the legality of online poker in the US, there are still many legal hurdles to overcome. Although the UIGEA has limited the number of online poker sites available to US customers, offshore sites continue to find creative ways to get around the law. Currently, four states have passed bills legalizing online poker in their fenced-in markets, and three others have signed agreements to share player pools with these states. One of the most popular US-based online poker sites is Ignition Casino.
The five states that allow online poker for real money in the US are Nevada, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. As of November, 2018, three more states have legalized online poker in their respective states. WSOP/888 US shares players among legal online poker states. These two poker sites are currently the top US online poker sites by traffic.
Unlike other US states, California has no laws restricting online poker. While it may be tempting to play on a social poker site, online poker in California is strictly social and sweepstakes-type game. One of the best sweepstakes-type sites available for US players is Global Poker. Global Poker has tournaments and virtual currencies. It’s free to join and participate.