You’ve heard the stories about online poker players who won millions playing at home while sitting at their desks at the office. They had no idea they had been taken advantage of because they didn’t realize they were being played against other sites. If you want to play online poker, you’ll probably need to go through some sites. Before you get started, it helps to know how to spot good sites from bad ones.
First off, look for an SSL certificate.
This is a security measure that ensures all data sent between your computer and the site’s servers will be encrypted so third-party hackers can’t intercept any information. You’ll also see a padlock icon next to the URL bar on sites that have the certificate installed.
Look into a gambling license.
Many countries regulate online gaming in one way or another, and there are many different types of licenses out there. The UK Gambling Commission has released a list with its version of regulations, including things like age restrictions, advertising rules and more.
Make sure the site uses secure payment options.
It’s great to give people free money, but you want to make sure they aren’t going to get scammed by using shady methods. Most reputable card processors offer these services, such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Check if the Poker site has different languages.
If you’ve ever tried to sign up for a website where you couldn’t understand everything written on the page, then you know what I’m talking about. You would think that websites would try to cater to people from around the world by offering multiple language versions of their pages, but that isn’t always the case. Some websites just choose not to bother translating anything. And others might translate something, but not correctly. Either way, it makes it harder to find information on those sites.
The Poker Site Is Not Hosted On A Dedicated Server.
A dedicated server is a web address that is meant specifically for hosting a website. When you visit a dedicated server, all traffic goes directly to that server instead of going through several computers along the way. That means you should expect better performance on a dedicated server, especially when compared to shared hosting accounts.
A Proven Record.
Some people like to gamble online, but others don’t feel comfortable doing it until they have a proven track record. You want to trust the company running the poker site, so you’ll probably want to check out reviews before signing up. Also, look into the history behind the company. Do they have a legitimate background? Are they licensed? Just follow the recommendations given by trusted sources, and you should be fine!
Live Chat Support is Available.
It’s important to have access to customer support during the entire process of making deposits, withdrawals, playing games and interacting with players. If you can’t reach a real person, then you will probably end up frustrated and dissatisfied. However, some online casinos encourage people to use the live chat option, because a lot of people prefer it over email.
Bonus Codes/Promotions for New Players.
Many online gamblers love getting bonuses for new clients. They like being rewarded for trying out their favourite casino game. But with so many sites out there, how do you know which ones care about this sort of thing? Take a look at any promotions the site has, and see if they use your preferred method of receiving bonus codes.
The Casino Offers VIP Programs.
As mentioned earlier, not every gambling site cares about its customers. Some companies only care about collecting as much cash as possible. These are usually referred to as “cash grab” or “pay-to-play”, but they are still casinos and they rely heavily on paying high rollers. One way they do this is through VIP programs, which reward loyal players with perks like bigger deposit amounts, more points toward bonuses and increased reloads. This is another reason why you should take a closer look at what other players say about the poker site in question.
It’s Easy to Make Deposits or Withdrawals.
Deposit methods include credit cards, prepaid cards, checks and eWallet. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks, but most importantly, your account balance is secure. Even though your money is stored online, the site is protected by SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption technology, meaning that data sent between the online casino and your computer is encrypted.
The Bottom Line.
So, now you know what to look for in an online poker site. And thanks to the tips above, you’re probably already well-positioned to choose the right one for you. Hopefully, you found something helpful here, and we hope you get more than just a few dollars from these best online poker sites.
