Playing poker online is a safe, easy-to-use, intellectually challenging game that rewards actual skill unlike slots and the lottery. It’s a game that can be played at all levels and at any time of the day from anywhere with an internet connection. While it can be expensive if you don’t invest in your knowledge of the game by signing up for training sites, networking with successful pros and brutally reviewing your play after every session, it’s still a great way to have fun and make money at home.
Before you can start playing poker online, you must first sign up for an account. This requires providing personal details and a screen name. You’ll also need to deposit funds into your account. This can be done using credit cards, e-checks or third-party eWallets. Some sites even allow players to transfer money from one player to another. This is known as player-to-player transfers and can be an effective tool for increasing bankrolls.
Once your account has funds on it, you can choose to play any of the games offered at that poker site. Most poker sites offer some sort of sign-up bonus to new players. This bonus is usually tied to how many hands you play on the site. While some bonuses are instantly available, others are released over a number of weeks as you earn frequent player points. Most poker sites also have loyalty programs that give players rewards such as tournament tickets, score multipliers and free chips.