Online poker is an online game where players wager real money against each other using a variety of different gaming options. This online version of the classic card game has become a global phenomenon. The best poker sites offer top quality games and services to their customers.

To get started with online poker, you need to register for an account with a recommended poker site. Once you’ve done this, you can deposit funds and start playing. You can choose from a variety of games including cash games and tournaments. When it comes to depositing, look for banking methods that allow you to add and remove funds quickly and easily.

When online poker first launched, it was a major success in the United States. Regulated states were able to share player pools with one another and players could play anywhere in the world. This was all before the US Department of Justice stepped in and tried to apply the Wire Act to online poker.

The legalization of regulated online poker in the United States was a slow process. It required legislation to be passed on a state-by-state basis, and even then there were some hurdles that needed to be cleared before multi-state poker was feasible. For example, California needs to pass its own laws to be able to join a multi-state poker agreement, and until this happens, players there will be cut off from the rest of the country’s player pool.