Online poker is legal in many states, including Nevada, West Virginia, Michigan, and Delaware. More states are expected to make it legal in the coming years. However, before players can play, they must be at least eighteen years old. This is the minimum legal age in their jurisdiction. Depending on the site, there may be an age verification process.

In 2013, state senator Leticia Van de Putte and representative John Kuempel introduced bills to regulate online poker in Michigan. These bills failed to advance past the committee stage, and no new bills have been introduced since. Nonetheless, the industry has continued to grow. Whether or not New York will follow suit is unclear.

One big difference between live and online poker is the quality of play. While live games tend to be looser, the online games are much more difficult to beat. This is because the player pool is much smaller and has less true talent. Furthermore, in live games, players put their money in the pot regardless of their hole cards. In online poker, multiway pots are more common and harder to navigate for a novice.

While playing online poker, players should try to extract as much information as they can about the players they are facing. Pros in the online poker world often write down important information about each player so they don’t forget it. Knowing which players are bluff-happy and which ones are weak and passive can make a huge difference in your winnings. However, it is important not to take too many chances, because in online poker, the game is based on incomplete information.

There are some free resources available to help beginners learn more about online poker. For example, you can download PokerTracker 4 or Hold’em Manager 3. Both of these tools overlay the table so that players can see real-time statistics. They can give players information about poker strategy and advanced techniques. They are also helpful for those who want to learn the basics.

If you have a passion for poker, you can qualify for major tournaments and win millions of dollars. Many poker websites offer low-buy-in satellites that can lead to a seat in the $10k WSOP Main Event. However, the competition is fierce, so it is best to get in early.

A significant disadvantage of playing poker online is the higher variance. This variance can lead to big short-term gains or losses. Therefore, it is imperative to take a different approach to managing your bankroll in the online game. You can also log more hands on the online version than you would in live games. This is why many players are more aggressive in online poker.

You can also take part in freerolls on your favorite online poker site. These tournaments are offered to select customers, for free. Unlike in a regular tournament, there is no entry fee and you can win real cash. A few sites even hold these events daily.