In recent weeks, there has been an unprecedented increase in online poker traffic, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease, which is causing an indefinite closure of most live gaming venues, has resulted in a severe shortage of entertainment options. Casual poker players have sought alternatives, and many operators have reported double or even triple their normal volume of traffic. Here are three reasons why online poker is booming right now:
A number of poker sites don’t accept credit cards, so players must open a virtual bank account. It’s recommended to select a bank that has many customers. Once this account is set up, players can make deposits into the poker site. Winnings and losses are deducted from this account. To play poker for real money, you should be familiar with the rules and strategies of the game. This way, you can avoid making mistakes that can cost you a lot of money.
One reason that the government is opposing online poker is that the UIGEA made it illegal for US banks to process payments from offshore online gambling sites. Despite the ban, some sites continued to accept US players and even found ways around the ban. Online poker continued to grow until April 15th, 2011.
If you’re a New York Hold’em player, you can also play poker in neighboring states – Delaware and New Jersey. These two states have passed laws legalizing online poker. So, if you’re interested in trying it out, you can drive over the border and set up an account with a New Jersey or Pennsylvania online poker site. Once registered, you can even play sweepstakes poker games in these states. Sweeps sites use Sweeps Coins, which are virtual currency that can be used in cash games and tournaments. Ultimately, these coins can be redeemed for real prizes.
In addition to being legal, online poker in West Virginia has a unique legal framework. The state’s small population makes it difficult for online poker to launch without a shared liquidity pool. However, this could be resolved through litigation concerning the federal Wire Act. If legal, you can play cash games at Global Poker. This is an excellent way to get a taste of the game and win cash prizes. But before you decide to play online, make sure you know what the laws are in your state.
Regardless of the site you play on, be sure to check out their low-buy-in satellites. They can lead to seats in major tournaments, like the $10k WSOP Main Event. Many of these tournaments are hosted every week, and are only accessible to select customers. To find these tournaments, you can visit PokerListings or other online poker forums. Then, choose your favourite online poker site and get started playing!
While the New York ruling led to the legalization of online poker in 2013, it’s not yet legal in every state. New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania have already passed legislation to permit online poker in their states. While other states have not yet done so, this may be in the cards for the future of online poker in the United States. However, if the New York ruling continues to prove correct, it could result in a shift in legality of online gambling in the US.