Consequently, you've got decided that you want to play poker Online, as well as your hunt for the perfect site has begun. But alas, you'll find literally hundreds of poker sites over the internet. How do you discriminate between all of these available sites, to find that desired site ? There are several key criteria that you should be aware of, within your quest to seek out the poker site that is perfect for you. Understanding these criteria, and being able to use them as a basis for comparison, will significantly simplify your selection process:
Free Poker - In the event that you are looking to play online poker for pure recreation, and not for money, ensure that the site you are considering accommodates "free" players. Most excellent online poker casino poker sites do appeal to free players.
Software Download vs. Web-based - Most, if not all, online poker sites require you to download their poker client software onto your computer system to run. If you're adverse to downloading such software onto your system, then you might want to check to find out should the poker site alternatively has a web-based poker interface, that enables you to play poker on the site from within your browser. Software installs run the potential risk of viruses and/or adware being loaded onto your system (although a lot of the reputable firms would never do that), but software installs on your computer generally run a great deal faster than web-based sessions. Software installations harness the power of the local PC's CPU, whereas web-based interfaces rely upon downloading any screen real estate updates over the web during play. This can be slow, particularly, if you are running over a slow internet connection (e.g., a dialup line). Hence, in the event that you are after speed, select local software installations; if you're worried about your computer's safety or can not afford the disk space employed by a software installation, select a web-based poker site.
Methods of Deposit/Withdrawal - In case you are preparing to play poker for money on the web, it really is essential consider the methods of deposit and withdrawal that a poker site supports. Many of these sites permit major credit cards to be used, which seem to be the universal deposit mechanism of choice. Others permit the usage of bank transfer, ACH transfer, checks, and wire transfer from banks. Most poker sites also support some form of 3rd party eWallets, which provide an intermediary between banking institutions as well as the poker site itself. The main criteria to look-at are: 1) What methods of deposit/withdrawal are supported by the poker site, and the way many of these methods are supported by the locale that you are living in ?; 2) Is it legal to fund/withdraw to/from a poker site, from the jurisdiction that you are playing in ?; 3) What will be the fees related to the 3rd party eWallet companies that you are able to use, and just how reliable are they (this latter question can be researched on some of the poker message forum boards) ?
Locale Restrictions - Some poker sites restrict the playing for money (and also free play sometimes), according to your locale, as well as the laws governing gambling in your locale. You should check with the laws of the local jurisdiction and check with the poker site, to find out if there are any imposed restrictions on play, determined by your locale.
Support - You should definitely look-at the methods of support that a poker site offers. Poker sites generally provide one (or more) methods of support that include: telephone support, fax support, Email support, and live chat support. The better of these that a poker site offers, the greater. For telephone support, check and see in the event the poker site offers toll-free support from your playing jurisdiction or not.
Game Variety - Depending on your level of poker playing expertise as well as your interest in variety, it is essential to determine which game types the poker site supports. Almost all of the sites offer Texas Holdem, but depending on your degree of interest, you should check to find out should they offer games like Five and Seven Card Stud, Omaha Poker (and all of its variations), Blackjack (not poker, but often included as a game option), Stud (and its variations), Draw poker, Tournament support, and limit and pot limit games. Tournaments in particular are certainly popular with online poker sites, and some site tournaments offer very large prize pools.
Bonuses - Most, although not all, of the poker sites offer some form of bonus to the player, whenever you initially sign up with the site. Each site's bonus is somewhat different, but of the one's which offer first time bonus, it is usually predicated on the very least initial deposit. Many bonuses will also be calculated based on the sum of cash deposited and spent on the site. As well, many sites offer reload bonuses, that are bonuses that will be offered to existing customers, beyond their initial deposit bonus, and as an incentive to keep you as a customer.
Graphics and Useability - This really is an extremely important consideration. Every poker site has another look and feel to it. In the event that you are going to be playing poker for money, it is important that you feel at ease with the screen graphics and your capability to navigate (via mouse or keyboard clicks) through the poker program. If you feel uncomfortable at all with the poker site, you should not consider playing at it for money. You should always test a poker site out in "free" mode first, before actually considering it for real-money wagering.
Game Features - You should always consider the game features that are available with a given poker site. Game features for example hand history, multiple simultaneous playing windows, player notes, audible and visual indicators, player statistics, connection status indicator, player chat, turbo games, and screen options should often be considered.
Free Poker - In the event that you are looking to play online poker for pure recreation, and not for money, ensure that the site you are considering accommodates "free" players. Most excellent online poker casino poker sites do appeal to free players.
Software Download vs. Web-based - Most, if not all, online poker sites require you to download their poker client software onto your computer system to run. If you're adverse to downloading such software onto your system, then you might want to check to find out should the poker site alternatively has a web-based poker interface, that enables you to play poker on the site from within your browser. Software installs run the potential risk of viruses and/or adware being loaded onto your system (although a lot of the reputable firms would never do that), but software installs on your computer generally run a great deal faster than web-based sessions. Software installations harness the power of the local PC's CPU, whereas web-based interfaces rely upon downloading any screen real estate updates over the web during play. This can be slow, particularly, if you are running over a slow internet connection (e.g., a dialup line). Hence, in the event that you are after speed, select local software installations; if you're worried about your computer's safety or can not afford the disk space employed by a software installation, select a web-based poker site.
Methods of Deposit/Withdrawal - In case you are preparing to play poker for money on the web, it really is essential consider the methods of deposit and withdrawal that a poker site supports. Many of these sites permit major credit cards to be used, which seem to be the universal deposit mechanism of choice. Others permit the usage of bank transfer, ACH transfer, checks, and wire transfer from banks. Most poker sites also support some form of 3rd party eWallets, which provide an intermediary between banking institutions as well as the poker site itself. The main criteria to look-at are: 1) What methods of deposit/withdrawal are supported by the poker site, and the way many of these methods are supported by the locale that you are living in ?; 2) Is it legal to fund/withdraw to/from a poker site, from the jurisdiction that you are playing in ?; 3) What will be the fees related to the 3rd party eWallet companies that you are able to use, and just how reliable are they (this latter question can be researched on some of the poker message forum boards) ?
Locale Restrictions - Some poker sites restrict the playing for money (and also free play sometimes), according to your locale, as well as the laws governing gambling in your locale. You should check with the laws of the local jurisdiction and check with the poker site, to find out if there are any imposed restrictions on play, determined by your locale.
Support - You should definitely look-at the methods of support that a poker site offers. Poker sites generally provide one (or more) methods of support that include: telephone support, fax support, Email support, and live chat support. The better of these that a poker site offers, the greater. For telephone support, check and see in the event the poker site offers toll-free support from your playing jurisdiction or not.
Game Variety - Depending on your level of poker playing expertise as well as your interest in variety, it is essential to determine which game types the poker site supports. Almost all of the sites offer Texas Holdem, but depending on your degree of interest, you should check to find out should they offer games like Five and Seven Card Stud, Omaha Poker (and all of its variations), Blackjack (not poker, but often included as a game option), Stud (and its variations), Draw poker, Tournament support, and limit and pot limit games. Tournaments in particular are certainly popular with online poker sites, and some site tournaments offer very large prize pools.Bonuses - Most, although not all, of the poker sites offer some form of bonus to the player, whenever you initially sign up with the site. Each site's bonus is somewhat different, but of the one's which offer first time bonus, it is usually predicated on the very least initial deposit. Many bonuses will also be calculated based on the sum of cash deposited and spent on the site. As well, many sites offer reload bonuses, that are bonuses that will be offered to existing customers, beyond their initial deposit bonus, and as an incentive to keep you as a customer.
Graphics and Useability - This really is an extremely important consideration. Every poker site has another look and feel to it. In the event that you are going to be playing poker for money, it is important that you feel at ease with the screen graphics and your capability to navigate (via mouse or keyboard clicks) through the poker program. If you feel uncomfortable at all with the poker site, you should not consider playing at it for money. You should always test a poker site out in "free" mode first, before actually considering it for real-money wagering.
Game Features - You should always consider the game features that are available with a given poker site. Game features for example hand history, multiple simultaneous playing windows, player notes, audible and visual indicators, player statistics, connection status indicator, player chat, turbo games, and screen options should often be considered.