Before you sign up to play online poker, you should make sure you’re at least 18 years old. You must also be of legal age in your country. Some poker sites require users to create accounts before they can download any software. Once you’ve passed these requirements, you can start playing. If you’re not sure about this requirement, check with your local government to see if you can play. After you’ve signed up, you can visit a legal site to find out more about it.

Choosing a site that’s safe is important if you’re going to use your own funds. It’s important to use a site with a good reputation. There have been cases where poker sites went out of business with players’ funds still in their account. This should prevent you from having to deal with questionable operators. You should stick with quality websites. Here are a few things to look for before deciding where to play.

Legitimate online poker sites operate according to state gambling laws. They must prove they have secure systems to keep players’ money and timely process their payments. A licensed poker site also has a connection to an active brick-and-mortar casino or lottery program. This helps ensure that your money is safe. Black market sites have been plagued with problems that have prompted the state’s licensing bodies to suspend them. Despite the lack of legality, reputable online poker sites will pay their users.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to massive increases in online poker traffic. Since most gaming venues have closed, many players have turned to online poker as a replacement. Almost half of all live casinos have gone out of business due to the virus, and as a result, there are now few options for live entertainment. With more people turning to the internet for their gambling needs, many operators reported doubling or even tripling their traffic.

Most online poker sites have separate lobbys for different types of games. For example, the cash games, tournaments, and Sit-and-Go’s are the most popular types. The game lobbys of top sites usually have categories for each of these. Besides these, the games on these sites are easy to play and can be played on mobile devices. Moreover, online poker is an exciting way to spend free time on gambling. It’s also great for the health of your bankroll.

Unlike live games, online poker is not limited by geography. You can play the game from anywhere in the world with a computer and an Internet connection. You can choose the best site for you based on several factors. The largest sites are more popular because they have the most games and most players. However, a smaller site may be better if you’re more interested in playing a single game. The smaller ones are better for new players because they can access more games.