Not long ago, the difference between live and online poker players was stark. Most of the world’s top pros belonged to one group or another. While there were a few who had trouble with the online version, most of today’s top players play both ways. There are some benefits and disadvantages to playing online.

When it comes to winning games online, it is important to choose a poker network that has a high quality of players. While some networks have more experienced players than others, there are many crossovers between them. Ensure that the network you join ticks most of your requirements, and you’ll have an easier time beating the good players.

Online poker sites require players to provide personal information in order to play. This includes social security number, date of birth, and full name. Some sites may also ask for utility bills to verify that the name and address on the bill matches the information on file. Once you’re ready, you can begin playing for real money.

In the United States, real money online poker is still not legal in every state. President Bush signed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA, into law in 2006. Some online poker players hope that the new administration will change the UIGEA and make the online version legal. Other countries have legalized online poker, including the United Kingdom and several Caribbean countries.