Online poker is a fun, easy-to-play game that can be very lucrative. Unlike slots or the lottery, it rewards actual skill. The best part is that you can play it any time of the day or night and at almost any stake level from the comfort of your home.
Once you’ve decided to play for real money you’ll need to download a poker client, create a user account and then deposit funds. Most sites will allow you to do this via a number of methods including credit cards, pre-paid cards, wire transfers or third party eWallets. It is important to choose a site that has a good reputation for security and safety so your money and personal information are kept safe. Depending on where you live, some sites may require that you upload a copy of your driver’s license or utility bill to verify your identity.
Once you’ve got money in your account you can then join a table and start playing. In many cases you’ll be automatically seated at tables with players who classify themselves as beginners which can level the playing field dramatically for newer players getting used to the speed and features of online poker. Many online poker sites also have a dedicated “beginner” tab in their lobby which can be very helpful for new players. There are also tools available to help you learn the game faster such as a hand history tracker and HUD (Heads-up Display) which takes information from your hand history tracker and displays it on the screen during a game so you can see how often your opponents raise, call or fold.