The Internet is everywhere. This is not new, even as the phenomenon grows. We do our shopping there, we book our next vacation ... and we play it too. Exit the card games with the buddies,it is now in front of his computer that we meet his opponents.
Among gambling, poker is gaining more and more followers on the web. There is nothing virtual about the sums to be won: it can even be substantial. We recommend online poker sites first, then we tell you more about this game that has become very popular.
Playing poker on the internet: what is it all about?
Poker is a card game with more than a dozen variants. Historically attached to saloons and then casinos, it is played from 2 to 10 players, with a set of 52 cards for the most practiced version, the Texas Holdem. It is a game that seems inaccessible at first, because it is played fast, with a specific vocabulary. But as soon as you master the fundamental moves, you'll do just fine. The games that used to take place with friends are now played on the internet, allowing more freedom: you play whenever you want, wherever you want.
The downside: you'll have a harder time judging whether one of your opponents is bluffing or not. The advantage: no need to organize, just connect to start a game.
How do I play online?
Before you start playing, it is essential that you know at your fingertips the rules of the game and the vocabulary attributed to the practice of poker online. You need to be able to react quickly in a game without making a mistake so as not to show your opponents that you are a novice.
The best way to train is to register on a site where you play for free, without betting real money, but with virtual bets. This will allow you to understand some of the basics of the game and increase the speed of your actions. You will then have to choose the site on which you will play by paying attention to illegal sites that could rip you off. Once you feel ready, choose a game table and get started!
Who regulates this activity?
A real social phenomenonIn France, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) controls gambling on the internet. Formerly ARJEL (the online gaming regulator), this organisation was created in 2010 to regulate and set limits on this practice. The ANJ licenses the most serious sites. To obtain the label, the offers must meet a strict specifications, the outline of which are:
- The obligation to ask the player for proof of identity, in order to protect minors and pathological gamblers known by the Ministry of the Interior.
- The prohibition of granting credit to a player.
- The site's commitment to disclose any suspicious actions that may amount to money laundering.
- The site's obligation to test its card distribution software, proving that the prints are truly random.
What you should never forget is that poker on the internet can make you money, but also make you lose money. For playing to remain a pleasure, you have to set limits on how much you're going to bet, but also how much time you're going to spend at a gaming table. Just because you're at home in front of your computer doesn't mean the amount you're playing isn't real: don't forget it and be careful!