The online poker industry in the United States has existed for decades, with the first websites appearing in the late 1990s. The popularity of the unregulated market skyrocketed after Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 World Series of Poker win. However, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act stifled the growth of this industry, forcing many sites out of the U.S. market. Despite these obstacles, the online poker sites PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker continued to welcome U.S. players for several years.

While there are many benefits of online poker, beginners should start out with low stakes games. This is the best way to learn the game, as the stakes are low enough to allow beginners to develop their poker strategies. Moreover, playing at low stakes is also completely free. Many sites also feature beginners-only tables for new players for 30 to 90 days after creating an account. This ensures that players do not have to compete against more experienced players.

Currency is an important consideration when choosing a poker website. Many online poker sites accept deposits in foreign currencies, while others only accept U.S. dollars. This ensures that players from the US do not have to worry about rounding issues. Moreover, some sites require players to convert their funds before depositing. Nonetheless, online poker sites can also convert funds in multiple currencies at a lower rate than banks, making it an ideal choice for those who frequently “top up” their chip stacks.