Online Poker – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Online poker is a great way to play the game of poker without having to leave the comfort of your home. It allows you to bet on games from all over the world, and the best sites have a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods. In addition, many of them offer a rakeback program to give you extra value for your time spent playing.
Safety and Regulation – The Good Parts
One of the best parts about playing poker online is that it’s safe and secure. The industry is regulated and the gaming regulators in each state have extensive rules and regulations to protect players. In addition, poker sites must have a partnership with a live casino in the state where they operate and have to meet certain requirements. This makes sure that you’re dealing with a trusted and respected brand and not a fly-by-night operation.
RNG and Fairness – The Good Parts
Another great thing about playing online is that the RNG (Random Number Generator) used by all of the best poker sites ensures that your hands are randomly chosen from a standard 52-card deck. This means that there is no chance of rigging the game or cheating at the tables.
The Random Number Generator is used by every trustworthy online poker site, and it’s a proven method that governmental regulators and auditors such as eCOGRA know to be reliable. It also allows you to cash out your winnings with a simple click of the mouse, and some even provide paper checks as a way to get your money back.
It’s also a lot safer than playing at land-based casinos or poker rooms. If someone were to take advantage of the random selection process by making a series of illegal moves, that would be a lot more difficult to prove than in a live setting where there are a number of things going on.
Software Tools & Support for Online Poker Players
There are a wide range of software applications available to help you play and win more hands of poker online. These include hand database programs that can scan the active tables and display previous statistics for known players. These can be very helpful, especially if you are new to online poker or have never played before. Some also have quizzes that can test your knowledge of the game and help you improve your strategy.
In addition, some of these programs can help you determine your odds and equity. They can even calculate the probability of you hitting a specific hand.
Rakeback and Bonuses – The Good Parts
Almost all the top poker sites offer a sign-up bonus for their new players. They usually give this to you when you clear a specific amount of your first deposit. This can be anywhere from 10% to 50% of your rake. You can then use this extra money to increase your bankroll.
A good rakeback deal is essential to making online poker fun and rewarding for the long-term. You should always search for a poker site that offers a high percentage of rakeback, and be sure to calculate how much you can expect to earn per year.