Top tips into finding the best online poker site 2022
Gambling Worldwide
Gambling is a hugely popular pastime, with almost 10,000 casinos world-wide, and, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA) there are 2800 online casino sites active online, giving a world of choice to gamers or all demographics and styles. It is estimated that the worldwide casino and online gambling market was worth US$262 billion in 2019.
The Move Online
The move online has been of great benefit to the industry. According to Statista, the online gambling industry was worth approximately US$60 billion in 2019, and is expected to grow to almost US$93 billion by 2023.
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This growth has been attributed primarily to technological developments that have allowed operators and developers to create ever more impressive games, not just in poker but many industries like fitness applications. As a result users have access to better, cheaper devices, and increased connectivity. This has also led to a rise in a new demographic of gamer; the one that would not go to a land-based casino but will play casually on the phone.
Poker is one of the most popular games played online, accounting for around a quarter of all games played. Poker is a game that requires some skill but is easy to learn. 888poker CA offers a variety of different poker games and tournaments, as well as a range of promotions to players.
How to choose the right poker site?
Finding the right place to play can be the difference between a fun new hobby and hours of disappointment, and potentially issues that extend far beyond the poker table.
Reputation
This is a great place to start. Though looking at reviews can be a bit overwhelming, and many reviews must be taken with a grain of salt (it could either be a marketing ploy, or a disgruntled player who lost money), it is worth having a look to see what people are saying about the site. A quick internet search will allow players to get a feel for the site, and there are poker forums where players can discuss different sites. If the consensus is that there is something untrustworthy, it is best to stay away from the site.
- Site security
As well as reputation, players should also look out for sites that take their player security seriously. Players will need to provide personal data and financial information and need to ensure that these will be kept secure. The first thing to look for is the little padlock in the URL bar, and the ‘s’ in https// in the address bar.
- Payment options
Having a range of payment options is also something to look for, Linnworks lists some of the top payment methods. Most sites will accept major debit cards (they shouldn’t accept credit cards in the UK), some digital wallets (like Apple Pay), and Pay Pal. Some sites will even accept crypto currency like Bitcoin and Ethereum. As well as looking at ways to pay, players should look at how they cash out any winnings, and how easy the site makes this.
Customer Support
Although most online casino users will never have a problem, it is important to know that if there ever is an issue players will have a route into speaking to someone that can help. Courteous, accessible, and knowledgeable customer support is important. There is nothing worse that having a problem and struggling to find a resolution. Good customer support can be the difference between continuing to play poker, and leaving the site, and possible the market, altogether.
- Beginners Support
When looking for a site, new players should look for ones that offer support to beginners, with a range of resources that will help them learn. Many also have beginners’ tables, available to recent joiners, meaning that new players get the opportunity to learn the game without being destroyed at the table by an experienced player.
- Welcome Bonuses
Once a player has identified a reputable and safe site to play on, it is important to make the most of what is on offer. Welcome bonuses are essentially free money that players can use to do what they were going to do anyway.
They can be in the form of deposit matching, free games and so on. Players do need to read the small print to make sure that they can actually make the most of the free bonuses, and that they are appropriate for the way they want to play: regular players may be happy with bigger bonuses that take longer to clear, whereas casual gamers may be happier with a smaller amount they will be able to withdraw.
VIP Areas
Some sites even offer VIP areas that players can either pay to access, or that are provided to the top players (either in terms of money wagered or hours played). These areas can give players lots of free stuff, and access to exclusive prizes and events, so it is well worth looking into what operators have on offer.
- Accessibility
Finally, players should also look at the online options provided by the operator, including things like easy-to-use interface, ability to filter to find the right table, and whether the site has been designed for use on different devices, including tablets, computers, phones, and even apps.
