The history of online poker dates back to the early days of the Internet, when it was a novelty and played only in smoky bars. As technology advanced, it got more serious. Today, you can play on laptops, smartphones and tablets, and you can even take a satellite entry into a live poker tournament. But it isn’t all good news. In 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed by Congress. It made it illegal to process payments connected to online gambling, but not all online poker sites were destroyed. Several of the top companies stayed in business.

For a long time, only a select few states had legalized online poker. However, more and more states are passing legislation. Currently, there are three regulated markets in the US: Nevada, Delaware and the Garden State. These states have each passed laws to regulate online poker. While these laws aren’t a guarantee of online poker’s future, they have certainly helped to spur its popularity.

To participate in a real money online poker game, you must create an account with an online poker operator. You can then deposit funds via a credit card, check or an eWallet. Some sites also allow you to transfer funds by bank transfer. When playing online, you will most likely have to deal with the same players that you would in an in-person game, but with much larger stakes.

You may also have to provide personal information, such as your birth date and social security number, in order to verify that you are of legal gambling age. There is also a chance that the site you play on will require you to download a small application. Many poker operators offer this, but you can also find a poker app in the iOS App Store.

Most online poker sites will have a “starter” table that is ideal for beginners. This is a great way to get the feel of the game and level the playing field. Once you have established a hand or two, you can try multi-tabling.

Aside from the poker app, you will need to have a stable internet connection. The software will also need to be downloaded on your device. Your computer should be equipped with enough memory for the software. Alternatively, you can download a desktop client, which allows you to play more than one table at a time.

Online poker may not be as glamorous as other games you can find on the Internet, but it has become a major revenue source for many states. Because of this, many of them are considering making it legalized. One of the most exciting developments is the possibility of multi-state online poker. If a state is able to sign an agreement with other states, they will be able to pool player pools.

In the past few years, the number of licensed poker sites has increased. Licensed sites are regulated by government bodies that monitor their activities to ensure the integrity of the game and the safety of their users.