Online poker is a fun, easy to play game that rewards real skill unlike slots or the lottery. It’s available for players of all experience levels, from the smallest stakes to satellite entries into the world’s best live tournaments, and is accessible from almost any computer, tablet or mobile device. In addition, it’s a fun, social way to spend time with friends or family.
To get started you’ll need to find a reputable, licensed poker site. Most will require a bit of personal information and a valid ID, but once you’ve completed that process it should be as simple as creating a new email address and choosing your username and password. From there, you’ll need to make a deposit using one of the many options available. Once the money shows up in your account balance, you’re ready to start playing for real money.
Depending on your preference you can play at a download or no-download poker site. The software is usually quite small and shouldn’t take very long to load on even the most archaic Internet connections. Most sites will also offer a free, small cash bonus or match welcome bonus. The latter is where the poker site will match a percentage of your first deposit up to a certain amount, which is a great way to get started.
Another great thing about online poker is that it’s usually played around the clock. Whether you’re relaxing in the afternoon or looking for a tournament to join, there are usually always games available. There are also a variety of games to choose from including no limit hold’em, pot limit omaha and triple draw 2-7 lowball.
Once you’re in a poker game you’ll see a virtual table with all the players listed and their avatars. Then, you’ll either call or raise your bets and watch the other players react to your decisions. You can even ask for help if you’re struggling. Typically the dealer will announce who wins at the end and push the pot of chips to the winner.
It’s also worth noting that when you win at a poker site you will often be charged fees for withdrawing your winnings. These can range from a few dollars to $30-$60 or more, depending on where you’re playing and the poker site. It’s worth checking the terms and conditions on each site to understand what they charge for, and if you want to avoid any unpleasant surprises be sure to check out the cashier section of the poker site to find all the details.
