Online Poker and the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Online poker has recently seen an explosion in traffic following the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus forced the closure of most live gaming venues worldwide. A number of unlicensed venues have also closed down, leaving many people with no other option than to turn to online poker. Casual players have turned to online poker as an alternative to the lack of live gaming. Many operators reported seeing double or more traffic after the pandemic was declared. While the numbers for these games continue to rise, these factors may be contributing to the spike in traffic.
Legal online poker sites require players to verify their identity and address. Many of them use casino-level security. Avoid playing at offshore sites, which may compromise your personal information. Also, make sure to read the site’s Know Your Customer policy. Legitimate poker sites adhere to strict protocols and rules. Unregulated sites may be more likely to manipulate their bonus offers, policies and game outcomes. To protect yourself, make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before making a deposit.
Another benefit of online poker is the ease of play. If you are new to online poker, it’s best to start with a basic understanding of the game’s rankings and starting hands. While the basic rules of the game are the same, there are more variations than just online poker. For example, a pair of eights with an ace kicker is a strong hand to beat. In addition, an ace kicker can be helpful for straight flushes.
Before you can begin playing idnplay, you’ll need to download poker software. The software takes up a small amount of memory, but shouldn’t take long to download if you have a good internet connection. You can also play poker without downloading the software on your computer. However, you’ll find that no-download poker games don’t have the same features as the full-download version. So, when you sign up to play online poker, you’ll have the chance to try out several different sites before choosing one to go with.
Once you’re ready to play, make sure you sign up for a real money account. Most online poker sites offer a welcome bonus based on the number of hands you play. These bonuses are not instant, so you have to play on the site for a few weeks before you get your first bonus. You’ll need to choose a screen name to play as a real-money player. It’s a good idea to check out the site’s regulations so that you can play for real money.
As for the timeline of launching a legal online poker website, most states anticipate the process to be in place by 2020. This will make it possible for players in all 50 states to participate in online poker. As with any new industry, this could mean a huge boom in the industry. And with online poker on the rise, so too will the number of licensed online poker sites. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes legal in every state.