I really want get into bitcoin mining. What's a good pool and how do I join?
Is cloud mining still reliable and secure?
There are many pools out there to choose from but unfortunately, in reality, there are only a few pools that are trustworthy. Before choosing a pool to mine at, run a little check list:
Research the pool history thoroughly to ensure they are legit & safe.
Do they have fast, open & transparent support?
Do they provide support on this forum? (stay away from ticket systems)
Do they pay on time? (generally, stay away from PPS payout systems)
Is the pool OP trustworthy/reputable?
Is it stable?
Are miners there happy & helpful?
Also, biggest is not best, stay away from pools run by mining hardware manufacturers & help decentralise the network. Once you've made your informed choice, go to the pools home page here & all the instructions for joining will be there.
Good luck & be careful - it's a jungle out there......