There have been several legal challenges that online poker has faced in the United States. One of the most important hurdles has been enforcing US online poker laws. There are two major federal statutes that may apply to poker, PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) of 1992, and the 1961 Wire Act.

To start playing poker online, the first step is to create an account. You should choose a nickname and confirm your email address to complete your registration. Once you have registered, you can deposit with many different payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, or crypto currencies. Many sites also offer welcome bonuses for new players. The bonuses may come in the form of cash or tickets to newcomer tournaments.

The currency in which you play poker online is an important factor for determining a site’s reliability. In the United States, most online poker sites operate in U.S. dollars and accept players from around the world. However, poker sites can accommodate non-U.S. players by either using a different currency or by allowing players from other countries to play in their local currency.

If you play poker online primarily for fun, you might want to play in the lower limit tables. This way, you can increase your chances of winning big pots. It’s better to play at lower limits than at higher stakes because online players are usually weaker than live players.