Online poker has grown enormously in popularity over the past two decades. It is legal in many states and is highly regulated, so players can be assured that the games are fair and their accounts and personal information are secure. However, some operators are not reputable and may violate the laws of their jurisdictions.

It is important to choose a poker site that offers the types of games you like. Some sites are designed to appeal to a general audience, while others focus on specific niches such as high-roller tables or televised events. In addition, look for a site that offers an intuitive interface and features such as chat functionality, player statistics, and customizable settings.

The first thing to consider when choosing a poker site is whether it accepts your preferred deposit methods. The best online poker sites offer a wide variety of banking options for both deposits and withdrawals, from credit cards to e-wallets. Some offer a free option to convert funds to the site currency, while others do so at a premium.

Some poker rooms also offer rakeback deals, which can make a significant difference for breakeven players. These are essentially loyalty bonuses that reward you for playing at the site, and are offered by most major sites. Some rakeback deals are direct cash back, while others take the form of tournament tickets or merchandise.

Another important factor to consider is the size of the poker room’s playing pool. A large player base provides a number of benefits, including a wider range of skill levels and more opportunities to win money against softer opponents. In addition, a large player pool increases the number of opportunities to win huge jackpots in special events.

If you play poker for real money, you should always make sure that the site is reputable and licensed in your state. If you are not a resident of the state in which you play, you should avoid sites that operate without licenses or basic consumer safeguards and are likely to be shut down at any time. It is also advisable to choose a site that uses digital device fingerprinting technology to prevent players from creating new accounts in an attempt to circumvent previous account bans, restrictions or closures.

While the game of online poker has been around for a while, it experienced a resurgence after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act in 2006. The law targeted payment processing companies and cut off the flow of money that fuelled many of the industry’s top websites. This created an opening for regulated states to fill in the gap with their own online poker markets. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have launched, and Michigan and Delaware are on the verge of doing so. Other states have sports betting bills that include provisions for online poker, and it is expected that these will pass and become available soon.