The massive growth in online poker traffic is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down most live gaming venues around the world. The virus has also forced many unlicensed gambling establishments to close their doors and shut down. Because of this sudden shortage of live entertainment, many casual players have turned to online poker as an alternative. Operators reported doubling or tripled traffic, a sign that players have increasingly turned to online poker as an alternative.
In addition to being free to play, online poker can be played for small stakes, and can even be used as a satellite entry for live poker tournaments. It’s also possible to play from any device, from desktop computers to laptops and mobile devices. If you prefer playing poker on your mobile device, you can use a poker app on your phone or tablet. Both options allow you to play multiple games at once and enjoy the same seamless experience.
In addition to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, several other states are currently considering legislation to legalize online poker. Michigan recently enacted a bill to legalize online gaming, and online poker sites in Michigan should go live by early 2021. While the federal government has largely succeeded in preventing online poker in the US, several offshore operators still accept players from the US. These sites are backed by the government, but they aren’t necessarily run by the state’s authorities.
During the boom years of online poker, reload bonus promotions were very popular. Typically, these offers were in the form of freeroll entries and satellite tickets, with the possibility of reaching the Main Event with a qualifying hand. Most sites offered loyalty programs and these are still available. They generally work on a tier system, and earning points will move you up the tier and accelerate the rate at which you earn future points. This way, if you play poker at an offshore site, you can be sure that you’ll be rewarded with a great bonus.
Besides the basics of poker, learning about the rules of the game can also help you become a better online poker player. The odds are 12/1 and 4/1 respectively, and if you’re looking for more advanced poker tips, consider purchasing a cheat sheet and printing it. Depending on your skill level and budget, it’s better to invest in a video training database that has videos from some of the world’s top poker pros.
When playing poker online, make sure to choose a reliable website with software stability. Having unstable software can make the poker experience frustrating, especially if you have a run of bad luck. Stability is critical when playing online, and early online poker sites often had this problem. Nowadays, more advanced downloadable software means that stability problems are rare. However, mobile software and instant play software do have their limitations. You should always choose the website with the best support team.