In 2009, Nathan “BlackRain79” Williams published a bar chart of his online poker earnings, which went viral. It cataloged his profits and losses by game type and table size. On the most popular game, a $3/$6 blind, Williams made $57. On the other hand, a $5/$0.50 blind cost him only $40, and a $2/$4 table cost him $250. Clearly, the numbers are staggering.
The first step in learning to play online poker is to get some practice. You can practice by playing at beginner-only tables at poker sites. These are usually available for the first thirty days after you create an account. The low stakes are perfect for new players, as they won’t be preyed upon by better players. Once you’ve found a good game, you can upgrade to a video database such as RunItOnce or a similar product. Make sure to stick with free resources and upgrade when you become more experienced.
There are many benefits to playing online poker. You can deposit a small amount, play for fun, or enter satellites for live tournaments. And because you can play from virtually anywhere, you can enjoy your favorite game from a variety of devices. Your laptop, desktop computer, or even your phone can be used to play online poker. There are also numerous mobile applications for playing online poker. This makes it more convenient than ever to play poker on the go!
Several online poker operators have faced a lot of legal issues, including the UIGEA, which prohibits banks from processing payments relating to online gambling. Although the law doesn’t specifically ban online poker, it was ambiguous and has made the online industry more difficult to navigate. Some online poker websites were forced to close their doors in the United States, while others stayed open. In New York, players can still play sweepstakes poker. Most sweepstakes sites use a “Sweeps Coin” currency, which can be exchanged for real prizes.
However, this legal challenge has been overcome. While Pennsylvania is the first state to legalize online poker, Michigan, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania are putting together legislation to regulate the game. As more states consider regulating online poker, the industry will likely continue to evolve and grow. The key will be finding a way to regulate the game while ensuring its continued growth. And once legalized, online poker will become much more competitive. You’ll have a chance to meet some of the world’s best players in a safe environment.
There are several ways to ensure fair play, and the most important is to keep track of your results. Tracking your results will allow you to see if you have any pattern in winning and losing. Most online poker sites will provide some sort of tracking system, so you can check these stats before each session. Pay special attention to your win rate, flops, and times you went to showdown. You’ll want to avoid these situations and keep playing poker responsibly.