Online poker takes the game of poker to a whole new level. It gives players the opportunity to play for the smallest stakes imaginable and even to win satellite entries into live poker tournaments around the world. Players can use their desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device to log on and play. And it’s available to people of all skill levels and budgets.

If you’re just getting started with poker it’s a good idea to sign up for a free account at an online poker room and play some practice games. This will help you get a feel for the game and see what kind of strategy you should employ. It’s also a great way to test out different poker sites and software and find one that works best for you.

Once you’ve decided to start playing for real money you can start by making a deposit at the poker site of your choice. Most sites offer a variety of payment options including credit and debit cards. It’s important to check the terms and conditions of each poker site before deciding which one to use. In some cases a poker site may ask for documentation to verify your identity. This is a normal and painless process that usually involves sending in a scan of your driver’s license and a utility bill with your name and address on it.

When playing for real money it’s a good idea to stick with low stakes games until you build up your skills and confidence. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions of a game of poker and start making bad decisions. This can lead to a big loss and you don’t want to ruin your bankroll before you’ve even had a chance to grow it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that online poker can have more ups and downs than live poker. This is because you play much more hands online and this affects your variance. It can be very easy to get discouraged by a string of bad beats but you should remember that this is all part of the game and just chalk it up to experience.

The bottom line is that if you put in the work by signing up for training sites like Chip Leader Coaching, networking with successful pros and brutally analyzing your own play after every session then you can have a chance of beating this game. Poker is a game of skill over the long run and the top pros spend as much time studying the game as they do playing it. The same goes for all of us if we’re serious about winning. So go out there and play some poker and remember to have fun! The math will take care of the rest. Good luck!