If you’re interested in playing online poker, you’ll need to sign up with a poker website and download its poker software. The download process should be quick, and it will only require a small amount of memory. No-download poker games are also available at most poker websites, but don’t expect them to have all of the features that full-download games do.

Luckily, most poker sites accept players from all over the USA. However, you may want to stick to a larger site if you plan to play poker for real money. This is because larger poker sites typically have larger prize pools, as well as a broader selection of cash games. It’s also important to consider the legality of online poker in your state, as some states have made it illegal to operate in certain locations.

One of the best ways to determine the legitimacy of an online poker site is to look at customer feedback. It’s important to find out if players have experienced delays with payouts, or whether a particular poker site has a reputation for being too soft. If you find a poker site that has many complaints about pro grinders, it’s probably best to stay away from that site.

While online poker has advantages over live games, it’s important to note that players are much more likely to make mistakes than players in live games. Many players have reported that they’ve gotten worse beats online than they had in live games. This is especially true when playing online, where the stakes are low enough that players are encouraged to call with inferior hands.

Another big advantage to online poker is that it plays faster than live poker. This is one of the reasons some players prefer it over live games. Live poker can be slow and tedious, and online poker tables can deal up to 60 hands per hour. It is also possible to play multiple tables, allowing for more hands per hour than live games.

Although real-money online poker has become legal in some US states, it remains illegal in many others. This technicality has allowed offshore poker rooms to accept players from the United States. These sites are fully licensed and as secure as US-based online poker sites. Only a few states have publicly announced that they have legalized online poker, but most are already running online poker within their state borders.

When playing poker online, it’s important to play under a real name, even if you’re new to online poker. Your opponents can track your every move if they see it, which can be dangerous for newer players. Having an anonymous username is also helpful for new players. A good example of a poker website offering anonymity is Ignition Poker. Despite its anonymity, players don’t have access to Heads-Up Displays and can’t play against players they’ve never heard of.

California has a number of online poker laws that restrict its accessibility. However, players can play on social sites or sweepstakes sites. Global Poker, for example, is the leading sweepstakes site today. It uses virtual currencies to allow players to redeem their winnings for cash prizes. The site also offers free registration and is a good place to try online poker.