The online poker industry was widely popular in the United States before 2006, when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed. The law combined the 1961 Federal Wire Act and banned all forms of online gambling, including online poker. The interpretation of the law varies, but in general, it makes online gambling illegal in the USA.

To get started playing online poker, you must first download the poker software for your computer. This is generally a virus-free download and only takes a few minutes. Once you’ve installed the software, you should register an account. Often, poker sites offer a beginners-only table for new customers for the first 30 to 90 days after they create an account. This is an ideal way to learn the game without risking your money on better players.

Online poker is easy to play. Unlike live poker, online poker sites will automatically alert you when your turn is up. This is an advantage over live poker, where players can yell at one another if you take too long to act. However, it’s still important to learn the basics of poker before taking the plunge.

If you are interested in learning more about online poker, check out Ignition Casino. This is one of the best online poker sites for US customers. Despite the fact that online gambling is legal in some states, it’s not yet available in all. In Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia, you will have to make it through regulatory hurdles to gain access to online poker. Fortunately, more states are on the way.