Depositing your money at an online poker sites is one of the first steps in getting started with real money poker. Over the years, I’ve found that some poker deposit methods work exceedingly well, while others are a real pain. The following deposit methods are the ones that I have found to be the easiest and fastest.

1. Debit and Credit Cards

Available In: USA, International

Debit cards and credit cards are one of the most popular deposit methods for a good reason: they are super easy to use. The process of depositing with your credit card at a poker site is basically the same as making a purchase at any online store. All you have to do is choose the type of card that you have, enter your name and address, then type in your credit card number.

I like credit cards and debit cards for making deposits, but this isn’t actually my all-time favorite deposit method. Why? Because you can’t cash back out to most credit cards. If you make some money, you’ll have to choose a different method to withdraw your winnings. Credit cards and debit cards are super easy for depositing, but they don’t work as well for cashing out.

2. Instant eChecks

Available In: USA (sometimes), International

Instant eChecks are one of my personal favorites because they are super-fast and simple. All you have to do is fill out some basic information, type in your banking info and you are good to go. USA players rarely have this option available nowadays, but every once in a while poker sites manage to get eChecks for USA players. International poker players almost always have this option available.

Cashing out with instant eChecks is very easy and fast as well. The poker site sends your money directly to your bank account. You don’t have to cash a check, call your bank or do anything. Just click on the “withdraw” button and wait a day or two for your money.

3. Neteller

Available In: Everywhere except USA

Neteller is actually my favorite deposit method of all time, but it gets third place here because it’s not as easy as the above options. Neteller basically acts as an online wallet for your money. You have to set up a Neteller account and link it to your bank account. Once you get that out of the way, you can send money from your bank to Neteller, and from Neteller to any poker site.

So why on earth do I like introducing a middleman to my deposit process? Because e-wallets such as Neteller make it easy for people to switch poker sites often. I like being able to cash my bankroll out and move it to a new poker site as quickly as possible. Neteller is the fastest way to do exactly that. As an added benefit, this keeps me from ever mixing my poker bankroll with my regular living money in my bank account.