Top tips for choosing legit online poker sites

Choosing a legitimate online poker site can be quite the task, especially if you are someone who does not have enough experience within the industry to quickly spot the red flags that many experts are accustomed to.

Not to worry – today, we’re going to be going through the top tips for choosing legit online poker sites, and how you can get yourself up to speed so that in the future, you won’t have to scour through the expert reviews and countless social media comments to get a good idea of what a site has to offer; you’ll just know.

Determining the best online poker sites

Playing poker online involves considering numerous variables and factors. Some players prefer to seek out established sites with big pots, while others want to put their cryptocurrency to use. Meanwhile, some will seek out social casinos, where live chat, voice notes and interacting with live dealers are the main attributes they look for.

Therefore, when experts determine the best online poker sites, they aren’t just looking for a site that has the most tables or hosts the biggest tournaments and prize pools; there are other considerations, too.

That’s not to say that brands like PokerStars and 888Casino don’t have extensive tables available. Still, for some gamers, they will seek out brands that consistently offer promotional ideas, matched deposits, free chips or those platforms that have a visible presence on social media where they speak directly to their customers.

In the modern market, this entire landscape has changed, with influencers and social media engagement now the primary currency for those working in iGaming marketing.

The importance of site security

An online gambling site needs to have a strong, structured and transparent framework that details its security protocol. Some of the main elements include a strong firewall, typically using 128-bit or 256-bit encryption, in addition to well-trained customer service staff, given that nearly 70% of breaches are the result of human error.

In addition to this, a license number from a reputable regulatory body, which can be clearly fact-checked if necessary, is also a solid indicator that the site is ticking all the right boxes and not cutting corners.

Another factor that has become more important in recent years is finding sites that have not been subject to a data breach. That’s not to say that there are sites out there that were once victims but have now cleaned their act up, but if security is crucial to you, then these are the first steps to undertake.

Casinos that prioritise their customer base

It’s not just the mechanics or design of the site that fall into this category, either. To keep customers secure, this also means protecting problem gamblers from themselves.

Those poker sites that have clearly detailed their self-exclusion policies and have signposts to prominent gambling charities, such as Gamblers Anonymous, and their contact details, are usually a cut above those poker sites that omit that information on their home page.

In some cases, this speaks to the underlying ethos, where a site may prioritise profits over consumer safety, and over time, it is not a good look, nor is it an approach that will win many friends within the industry. Effective bankroll management is vital, and if a site is legit, they will agree and make it easy for you to find the tools to manage your gaming.

Listen to the community and the professionals

When online poker first emerged, few thought it would be able to hold a candle to the conventional game. However, it quickly became an avenue for professionals to hone their skills without having to frequent the tables of a conventional casino. A big fish quickly becomes a target for other players, whereas the anonymity of an online room allows them to relax and work on specific elements of their game.

Those poker pros who spend hours refining their skills are not going to do so on a subpar poker site. They seek out the best, those with the best reputation. While they are also often incentivised to use these sites, there’s a direct connection between the platforms the professionals choose and their quality and legitimacy.

Summary

If you are somebody who enjoys the entire palette of casino gaming, then you can apply the same broad approach to legitimate casino sites as you can to a specific poker site, and its legitimacy.

Choosing online poker sites is usually a trial-and-error process; there are plenty to choose from, and more importantly, there are many legitimate ones to choose from. Often, it can boil down to personal preference; you might like the layout of the site, the banter that a specific live dealer has, or maybe it is the site of choice for your favourite poker pro. These are just a few examples.

To sum up, make sure the site is safe, uses the highest levels of encryption, holds the appropriate licensing and has a good reputation within the poker gaming community. As long as it ticks these boxes, then you’re unlikely to end up on a site that isn’t legit.