Online poker takes the world’s favorite card game and cranks it up a notch. Now you can play for the smallest stakes imaginable (literally pennies) all the way to satellite entries into the world’s biggest live tournaments around the globe. And you can do it from anywhere in the world with an internet connection and a computer, smartphone or tablet.
There are a wide range of online poker sites to choose from and they all offer a different playing experience. Some are based on browser-based software while others require you to download and install an application. Once you’ve done this, you can start by creating an account. This will take a little time but once you have your details entered, it’s easy to get started.
Before you can start playing for real money, you will need to make a deposit. You can use your credit or debit card, e-wallet or bank transfer to fund your account. You will also need to agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the site. Some online poker sites also require you to provide additional documentation to verify your identity such as a scan of your ID or utility bill. This is normal and a pain-free process and it ensures that you are who you say you are and that the site can comply with local gambling laws.
The number of chips you receive when you sit down at a table will vary from one online poker site to another. This is because some sites operate under a “house edge,” meaning they will take a percentage of the pot or tournament buy-in to generate profits. While this is not something you can avoid entirely, it’s certainly worth comparing the amounts of chips you receive when choosing an online poker site.
Once you have some cash in your online poker account, you can decide which tables to play at. Unlike at a brick and mortar casino, where it’s physically impossible to play more than one table, most online poker sites allow players to view multiple tables at once. This allows players to maximize their earnings by playing at higher limits and potentially encountering better opponents in the process.
As you start playing more tables, it’s important to understand which hands beat which and how to play each hand effectively. This is especially true when it comes to mixed games like Omaha and Seven Card Stud, where the rules can be complicated and confusing. Using an online tool such as a Which Hand Wins Calculator can help new players gain a better understanding of the rules and strategy involved.
It’s also worth remembering that there is a short term luck element built into poker. This is why good poker players don’t take bad beats personally; they know that it happens to everyone and that a couple of rough hands won’t necessarily mean they should quit the game. In fact, if you are a new player and you find yourself getting smashed by a stronger player for 10 or more hands in a row, it’s probably best to move up a level or two, grind it back and try again.