The popularity of online poker has increased tremendously since Chris Moneymaker became the first U.S. player to win the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2003. In a single tournament, Moneymaker won $2.5 million. His success revolutionized the game, and ESPN televised his win for millions of people. As a result, poker became ubiquitous on television and on the Internet, with ads for offshore poker sites being aired during commercial breaks.
There are some precautions you should take when playing online poker. First, you must be of legal age to participate in the game. Most poker sites require players to be at least eighteen years old to play, and some sites require players to prove their age. You can also choose to play at a beginner’s table if you are a complete beginner.
Although Connecticut hasn’t yet regulated online poker, state lawmakers there are considering the option. It’s unclear if this will happen, though. There are still regulatory hurdles to overcome, including the possibility of shared liquidity with other states. Despite this, it’s possible that online poker sites in Connecticut will open up in the fall of 2021. However, unexpected developments may push this date back.
Another hurdle for Connecticut to overcome is shared liquidity. While the current MSIGA between Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey is a great example of an online poker agreement, it’s not clear whether the agreement will be mirrored in Connecticut. Nonetheless, the availability of shared liquidity could make the state a competitive market. And if it does, it will likely result in multiple sites opening up in CT at the same time.
While legal online poker in the United States is still in its infancy, five states currently allow it. In fact, poker is now legal in five states: California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. Despite these limitations, online poker is on the rise in the U.S. Currently, Michigan, Nevada, and Delaware share their players with 888 and WSOP online poker rooms. As a result, players from each of these states get the opportunity to compete in larger tournaments and cash games.
Another advantage to online poker is that it’s faster than live poker. As a result, some players find that they prefer online poker for this reason. Live poker can be slow and tedious. But online games can handle up to 60 hands per hour, even more in shorthanded games. In addition, the multi-table feature of online games allows for more hands per hour than live games.
Connecticut’s online gambling legislation has only just begun to take effect, but all operators are hopeful for the future. The iGaming bill allows two commercial casinos to operate online poker websites in the state. This makes Connecticut the seventh US state to regulate online poker. Despite the challenges, the legislation represents an important step forward for online poker in the state.
