Online poker is expanding on a global scale, opening the door to formats and stakes that wouldn’t be available in live venues. You can play small-blinds, fast-fold cash games, test satellite events for a major tournament series, and more. And you can do it all on your own schedule, not someone else’s.
In addition, there’s an opportunity to multi-table, which helps hone skills at the highest levels and boosts volume and edge considerably. Just be careful not to stretch your bankroll too thin, and only play when you’re ready to bring your ‘A-game’.
A great US site also knows when its peak times are, and is staffed to run plenty of games during that time. That means a busy lobby at evenings and weekends, plenty of action during the big tournament series, etc. This sort of consistent action shows that a site is healthy and well-maintained, and it feels alive when you log on to play.
The best sites also pay out reliably, within a stated timeframe (from a few hours to a couple of days depending on the method). That shows that they’re not playing with your money, and it builds trust. It’s also a sign that they respect their players’ privacy and security, so you can feel good about the way your money is handled. Then you can focus on the game itself, and hone your strategy without worrying about whether you’ll get your money back when you win.