Online poker is becoming a major attraction for players from all over the world. Not only is it easy to play, but it is also faster than live games. This makes it ideal for players who want to get a quick fix of games without spending too much time on them.
Besides the speed factor, players can also enjoy a variety of other benefits. For starters, it allows them to play multiple games at once. Some sites, such as BetMGM, even offer non-hold’em options like Omaha Hi/Lo. In addition, it offers more hands per hour than live games. Players can also access statistical software that shows them the equity of their hand, which is an invaluable tool. Lastly, online games offer more opportunities for side games. These include tournaments and cash games. It’s not uncommon for an online player to log as many as 100 hands per hour, compared to the 25-30 hands that live players usually experience.
Another benefit is the lower overhead costs of online poker sites. They don’t have to worry about paying their players’ bankrolls or paying interest on them. Plus, they don’t have to pay hundreds of employees. As a result, the site is more likely to invest its players’ money, which means a higher return.
Another advantage of online poker is that it can be played anonymously. Especially for newer players, this can be an important protection against shark-ridden waters. If you aren’t comfortable revealing your real name, playing anonymously is a great way to make sure you are not tracked.
Despite its advantages, there are also some disadvantages to playing online. Some players have complained about the increased number of bad beats. However, math tells a simple story: Online poker has more bad beats. Aside from the sheer volume of hands played, the faster pace of an online game artificially increases the likelihood of having a bad hand. The more times you are dealt a bad hand, the more it is likely to cost you. Therefore, it is important to stay on top of your game.
In addition to the disadvantages mentioned, some players have reported being subjected to fraud. One example is the UltimateBet scandal, which involved unauthorized code that was incorporated into the software used by Excapsa Software. Once the code was found, it was discovered that the software had transferred other players’ hole-card information. Eventually, the star poker pro, Russ Hamilton, was charged with 20 million dollars in fraudulent activity.
It’s not uncommon for players to complain that their online poker experience isn’t as good as the experience they had in a live venue. While it’s impossible to prove that there is collusion between players, it is easier to set up such an arrangement online. Moreover, the increased variance of an online game can translate to larger short-term losses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused a dramatic increase in online poker traffic. As a result, it’s more difficult for live poker venues to open. Many have closed their doors. Luckily, several states have legalized online poker. Pennsylvania and New Jersey have already done so, and a couple of other states have expressed an interest in doing so.