It’s not too hard to find a poker website that allows real-money games, but many people are fearful they could get scammed if they join such a website. In reality, playing poker on the internet is typically very safe but it’s true that fraudulent providers are lurking in the shadows. Experienced players have no trouble spotting the fake offers, and newbies are advised to learn a few techniques that will keep them safe from the clutches of unscrupulous operators.
This article will teach you how to see the red flags, where to find legitimate poker providers, and how to manage your money responsibly so that you minimise the amount of risk you are exposed to. Here is how you can protect yourself from harm when you are playing poker online.
Do a Background Check of the Site
Choosing a safe place to play poker is not a five minute job, or at least it shouldn’t be. If you spend a couple of hours digging up information about a site that seems attractive, you will most likely be able to detect any warning signs in time. You can start the vetting process by looking at the About section on the site, but definitely don’t stop there. A lot of useful titbits can be found in online casino reviews at gambling blogs and social media groups where players familiar with the brand may give you an unfiltered review. Once you learn the name of the company that owns the poker site, you can also look which other online assets it controls. It won’t take long for the picture to become clearer, since dodgy operators are leaving a bad track record that stays online forever.
Avoid Offers that Are Too Good to Be True
Poker sites often hand out large bonuses and promise other perks to entice new players to join. Some of these promotions are legitimate, but that can’t be said for all of them. Huge bonuses may come with unrealistic wagering requirements and serve only to lock players into bad deals. Other aggressively promoted websites may be straight-up scams, so you should stay vigilant whenever you are not familiar with the brand behind the offer. It’s not rare for fake sites to emulate names and logos of well-known providers, making it mandatory to double check whether you are visiting the official webpage or a copycat site. With these precautions in place, it’s absolutely OK to go hunting for bonuses, just don’t get blinded by the gaudy numbers being thrown around.
Look for Websites That Host Tournaments
There are three different ways to play poker on the internet: full software simulations, live dealer games, and competing against other players in tournaments. The level of play is considerably higher in the tournament setting, while the prizes for good showing can be significant. Another reason to pick tournament-hosting sites is that you are far less likely to end up cheated out of your money during a large event that brings together hundreds of players, some of whom may be influential in poker circles or on social media. It’s even better to look for tournaments that are organised on a regular basis and already have a tradition, although you might need advanced skills to survive that level of competition. For any tournament you intend to enter, you need to carefully read terms and conditions and clarify everything about the buy in fees, prize pay-outs, etc.
Keep Your Deposits Reasonable
Online poker is a fun pastime, but it can get expensive real quick if you don’t put a cap on your spending. Even if you are playing on a trusted website, you should still keep your deposits small enough that you won’t miss the money in case you lose it. Deposits are processed quickly and you can always make another if you absolutely need it, while keeping a wad of cash in your online account is tempting fate. It’s also wise to look up all the deposit methods and use those that have the lowest fees and/or currency conversion rates. Learning how to manage your money online should go hand in hand with practicing your poker skills and could be just as impactful.
Test Withdrawal Methods with Small Sums
The most common complaint about poker sites is that winnings are paid out too slowly or not at all. To account for this possibility, you should do a test as soon as you luck into your first win. Withdrawing a part of it will show you how things work and reveal any transaction issues that might occur. Clearly, if you are going to get burned it’s much better to have a lower sum on the line, and you get to learn the truth about the operator at that price. Don’t let your guard down even if the first withdrawal goes smoothly, as some online casinos honour small obligations but try to dodge more substantial ones. Again, you can never be too careful but it’s not the Wild West out there anymore and established poker sites can mostly be trusted to let you cash out whenever you want.
