Almost all of the poker sites offer a “quick start” option, which is a fancy way of saying you can sign up and start playing poker right away. However, you should be aware of the fact that many sites require you to download and install a poker application before you can play. Some sites require additional documentation to verify your identity.
The big question is whether online poker is legal in your state. Despite federal efforts to legalize online poker, the market has yet to see any real regulations. In fact, only a few states currently have licensed poker sites.