There are a few legitimate concerns regarding online poker, including the use of collusion, bots, and superusers. However, most of the time, cheating is done by players themselves. Even though many online poker sites have been smeared by cheating claims, these are often the result of player error. Nonetheless, players need to be vigilant when playing online poker. Below are some ways to prevent cheating and maintain the integrity of the game.
The first step in ensuring the legality of online poker is to make sure it is regulated in the jurisdiction where the action will take place. In the case of the United States, there are several ways to determine whether an online poker site is legal. In some cases, online poker is not allowed in states where you are not over 18. For example, Pennsylvania is regulating online poker, but has yet to approve any sites. Other states have yet to legalize poker, including West Virginia and Nevada.
Another way to combat gambling laws is to ensure that online poker is legal in your state. This can be done by enacting a law. The UIGEA makes it illegal for US banks to process payments linked to gambling sites. This law was vague enough that many states did not take any action, but it did make online poker illegal in some states. Most publicly-traded sites pulled out of the US market after the UIGEA, but many returned when state laws began regulating online poker.
The US Senate did recognize the need for online poker regulation and passed the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act in 2011, but it failed to pass. Despite the legal challenges, new sites were launched and more advanced online poker software was released. After two years, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that sports betting and online gambling were illegal, despite the arguments of the Department of Justice. Despite these challenges, the online poker industry is still legal in New Jersey.
To play online poker for real money, you need to download the poker software onto your computer. This requires little memory and shouldn’t take long even on archaic connections. Moreover, many poker sites now offer no-download versions of their games. However, these versions lack the features and functionality of the full download version. If you don’t want to download software, you can always play real money poker using a smart phone or tablet. Many Android devices have online poker apps, including iPhones and iPads.
The best way to start playing online poker for real money is to join a site with low stakes. This way, you can learn the basics and develop a strategy. You can also play for free and with a minimum of money. A lot of poker sites offer beginner tables. Beginners can often access these tables for free for thirty to ninety days after creating an account with them. During this time, you’ll avoid being surrounded by better players.