Using a dedicated IP address is one of the best ways to play online poker. This way, you’ll be sure to play with your money in a safe, secure environment. However, you’ll need to use a VPN to connect to your chosen poker site.

Using a VPN allows you to bypass censorship restrictions, which can keep you from playing online. In some countries, it can even help you access foreign poker tournaments.

You should also look out for DDoS attacks, which are increasingly popular. This type of attack uses a network of servers to bombard your internet connection with requests, causing the connection to freeze. Once the connection is frozen, you will appear offline.

You can avoid DDoS attacks by using a VPN. A VPN server will hide your IP and replace it with the IP of the site you’re trying to access. Typically, a VPN will operate with thousands of IP addresses. To find out if you’re using a VPN, you should try to connect to several different servers. If you can’t, you’re likely using a VPN that isn’t suitable for you.

Another way to protect yourself from DDoS attacks is to make sure your device has a kill-switch. This will allow you to disconnect your device from the game in the event of a DDoS attack.

Many online poker sites monitor your IP for suspicious patterns. They can recognize new accounts, and can even identify banned players.

If you’re planning on playing big-time poker, you should consider a dedicated IP address. These aren’t easy to find, but they’re worth the extra effort.