Online poker has become a popular pastime for many people from all over the world. It’s a fun and easy to learn game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. It can be played for free, for the smallest stakes possible or for satellite entries into live tournaments all around the globe. It’s all done from the comfort of a desktop computer, laptop or mobile phone/tablet.

First, sign up for a new player account. It’s usually as simple as entering your email address, choosing a password and then depositing funds. Once you’ve established a bankroll you can start playing real money games. There’s a wide range of games to choose from including cash games, tournaments and Sit & Go’s. Most major sites also offer free play money tables for players who want to practice before wagering their hard earned real money.

One thing to remember when starting out is that it takes time to build up a bankroll. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a large initial deposit will quickly get them started winning big money. In reality, it’s much more important to focus on learning the game and making consistent small wins. This way, over time, you’ll be able to build up your bankroll and maybe even earn some bonuses and rewards along the way.

Another important aspect of poker is knowing when to play. There are peak times for ring games and tournaments online and you’ll find that the larger the player pool is, the better your chances of winning. It’s best to try and stick to the peak times for a poker site you enjoy.

Lastly, you should know that there are some tools that pros use to give themselves an edge over their competition. These include a hand history tracker, which lets them log their results and analyze their play, and a HUD, or heads-up display, that displays information from the tracker during a game. This allows them to make informed decisions about calling, raising and folding with confidence.

Ultimately, whether you prefer to play poker online or at a casino or cardroom is a personal choice. Some players enjoy the anonymity of online poker while others like being able to look their opponents in the face as they play. Either way, there’s no denying that poker is a great card game for beginners and experts alike!