Online poker is an exciting game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. While the game is fun to play it can become expensive if you don’t spend as much time studying your game as you do playing it. The top pros invest as much time in their training as they do playing. By joining training sites, networking with successful pros and brutally analyzing your own play after every session you can increase your chances of beating the competition.

Many people are attracted to poker online for the same reasons they like live games – it’s an intellectually stimulating, easy-to-play game that can be very thrilling. Plus it’s something you can do anytime, anywhere from the comfort of your own home and for whatever stakes you choose. Getting started is as simple as finding a reputable online poker site that accepts your preferred method of payment and creating an account. Once you’re approved for an account you can begin depositing money to fund your bankroll. The best sites will offer a bonus when you make your first deposit that usually amounts to around 20 percent of your initial investment or more.

When you login to your online poker account you’ll see a lobby that’s usually categorized by cash games, tournaments and sit & go’s as well as any special format games the site runs. All the major poker sites will also have beginner tables which are a great way for new players to get the hang of the software and practice without risking real money.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase of traffic at most poker rooms online. This is because a lot of professional and recreational players normally prefer to play live but had to stop due to the indefinite shutdown of casinos, other licensed venues and even some unlicensed ones. Many of these players are now returning to their favorite poker rooms online and the traffic is expected to return to normal soon enough.

One of the most significant differences between live and online poker is that when you play poker online nobody will ever know who you are. This is a huge advantage for those who are sick of sharks studying tells such as your facial expressions, gestures and even breathing to figure out your strategy.

Fortunately, modern poker software is sophisticated enough to prevent these kinds of tells from being picked up by other players at the table. In addition, state-approved online poker sites must be run by reputable companies that meet stringent regulations and are public companies so that you have recourse if you experience any issues while gambling at an online poker site. This makes the best poker sites more trustworthy than shady, fly-by-night operators you might find on the black market.