Online poker has been around for several years. It was first introduced in 1998, and today, there are millions of hands played online. In those 23 years, the industry has seen many changes. In the United States, the UIGEA and Black Friday caused some big problems for the industry, but more states have been legalizing online poker. Some of these states are already showing success with online poker.

Most of these sites accept deposits and withdrawals made through a credit card. Other common options include money transfers and Bitcoin, which can be used without a bank account. These withdrawal methods can be very convenient for US players. Different online poker sites may offer different payment methods and minimum withdrawal amounts. Some may even offer free withdrawals once per month.

It is important to check the reputation of a poker site before making a deposit. You can read customer reviews about the site to determine its softness and reputation. If you see many bad reviews, there’s a good chance that the site is not legitimate. However, there are several tips that can help you find a trustworthy poker site.

Before you start playing online poker, you should have a few dollars saved for a test bankroll. If you’re playing on a computer, it’s best to open an internet bank account and download the poker software. You can also search for poker sites that offer free play, micro-limit games, or signup bonuses. Once you’ve found a good site, download the software, and try playing free games. Once you’re comfortable with the software, depositing money to play at micro-limit tables may be a good idea.