Choosing an online poker room that suits your needs and preferences isn't easy, as they have proliferated in recent years and not all of them are reliable or offer the experience a that meets a player's expectations.

One of the first things that should be taken into account is the time that a poker room has been around and the number of rewarding cash-outs or deposits that have been made there.

This serves as a guide to know how trustworthy it is, and so, choosing among the most famous poker rooms is usually a safe and wise idea as their reputation precedes them.

When it comes to choosing where to play poker online, next to this criterion there are other aspects that should be noted such as the amount of available payment options that the site offers, as well as the type of software used and the available security features. Along this line, some rooms use stronger verification methods than others that ensure the players' safety.

The largest and perhaps the most famous poker site is PokerStars, which was launched in 2001 and hosts a large variety of games. In addition to setting forth a series of necessary room policies, among its security measures, the company makes sure that the software that is downloaded from its page remains unmodified and to do so, it includes a series of built-in features.

Moreover, it issues certificates through its own CA (certificate authority) for server authentication and it never transfers private data to other players unless a specific games requires the site to do so. As far as withdrawals go, they depend on the player's location, but a large range of options is included and includes strong measures to avoid fraud and protect each of its customers' accounts.

Another widely recognized, yet smaller real money poker room is 888 Poker, which has been online since 2002. Its game offer is not necessarily as broad as its competitors, but this in fact may appeal to some players focused on more traditional games. Its security features are also strong, as well as its withdrawal methods.

A third option worth considering is William Hill Poker, which has been listed as one of the most reliable brands on several occasions. Although its games are mostly available only on Omaha or Hold'em, William Hill offers up to a €1,500 bonus on the first deposit.

Finally, another aspect that should always be considered when choosing where to play poker online is the quality of the customer service provided by the site as you will at times require their help, and will certainly appreciate if the assistance is fast, personalized and efficient. Most sites above offer qualified customer support, so that's a big plus.

Wherever you choose to play, you should always make sure you review all the aforementioned aspects - years online, security, software, reputation - so that you make the best choice and can then focus only on enjoying the game.