If you are just starting out to play poker and don’t know where to begin, this is the place.  Finding a poker room, joining, depositing and playing your first hand of poker can be an intimidating and frustrating experience. I’ve created this list of frequently asked questions to help people just like you open their first poker account, start playing as quickly as possible, and get the most amount of free money.

Age Restrictions

How old do I have to be to play online poker?

This depends on where the poker site is regulated. Most sites restrict those under 18 years of age from playing, or those under the legal age in whatever territory they live in, whichever is higher.

How do poker sites verify my age?

When you join poker room, sites will ask you to enter your birth date to ensure only those who meet their age requirements play. If you think you can simply enter a fake date, think again. Sites will also ask players to submit identification for age and security verifications a various times. Though this generally happens when you either deposit or withdraw money, if you try and use someone else’s ID you risk losing your account and all money in it. Poker rooms do employ various fraud prevention tactics for verifying age and identity, and it’s not wise to provide false information.

How do I prevent underage members of household from playing with my account?

Make sure your poker software is password-protected, and that it is set not to remember your password after you log out. Never leave the software logged in and unattended.

 

Depositing Money

If you’re going to want to play with real money, you’re going to have to deposit some into your account first. There are many options for depositing cash, either via credit cards or online payment services, but they all vary depending on where you live.

How do I deposit money into my online poker account?

Most sites make it very easy to deposit money into your account. Once you’ve set up an account, click on the “deposit” or “cashier” button in your poker software. If you’re playing with a desktop client you’ll be able to do it from within the client itself; for mobile deposits, you’ll be sent to a website where you can enter in your details. From within the poker sites cashier  you’ll be able to choose from a variety of methods—credit cards like VISA and MasterCard, or services like EntroPay, Ukash, and Skrill—and it’s as simple as choosing the amount you want to deposit. Be aware that some services (MasterCard being a good example) may be available for depositing with but not for cashing out.

Is there a minimum amount I need to deposit?

Yes. Most sites do require a minimum deposit, though it varies from site to site. The minimum can range anywhere between $10-$50.

Can I limit the amount of money I’m able to deposit into my account?

Yes. Some sites offer an option to choose a weekly limit to what you can put into your account, which can be a handy way to keep tabs on what you’re spending.

Cashing Out

It’s extremely easy to deposit money into your poker account, but cashing out can be a bit more complicated. Depending on the method you use, you may not be able to access your money instantly, so keep that in mind before you cash out.

How do I cash out from a poker site?

Requesting a cash-out is generally as simple as depositing into your account. Head to the “cashier” section of your poker client, and select “Cash Out” and the amount you want to get back, and the payment service you want to use.

Can I cash out using the same payment service I used to deposit my money?

Sometimes, but not always, and frequently this depends on the territory you live in. MasterCard, for instance, allows you to deposit but not to cash out, due to their anti-cyber-crime measures. Other methods, like direct bank transfer or check, are the other way around—you can use them to receive money, but not to deposit it.

Do I need to first deposit money using a payment service in order to use it for a cashout?

Some services do require you make an initial deposit before you can use them to cash out, like Wallet One, EntroPay and Yandex.Money.

Is there a limit on what I can cash out?

Some services do limit the amount you can cash out. In the case you want to cash out more than your preferred service’s payment limit, or you want to withdraw a particularly large amount you’ll need to use a service such as bank transfer. These services often come with fees in the $10 range.

How long do I need to wait for my cashout?

Waiting times vary from as little as 15 minutes to several weeks. When using services like Instant eChecks, it can take 3-10 business days before the cashout appears in your account. If you request a check, you’ll obviously have to wait for it to be delivered, which can take up to several days or weeks, and usually is accompanied by a fee.

Can I cash out right after depositing?

Most sites require you to wait at least 48 hours after a deposit before cashing out—a method employed by the sites in order to prevent fraud and cybercrime. There might also be restrictions on your