Online poker takes the idea of playing cards for money and turns it into a global industry that can be played from a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Players can play for cash prizes as low as a penny or play for satellite entries into world-class live tournaments. The game is available in a huge number of formats from the classics like Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha to newer fast-fold games and even some variants on the rules such as Speed Poker. Most online poker sites offer a download software client which gives players full access to the various game types but some also offer a quick and easy to use mobile app for iOS or Android phones.
Signing up to an online poker site is a relatively simple process and most sites accept a wide range of deposit methods from traditional credit or debit cards to prepaid vouchers and web wallets. Many sites will also ask for documents to verify your identity before you can begin to play and this is a normal part of the process but it should not be too much of a nuisance.
Once you have signed up to an online poker site the lobbies are usually clearly categorized by game type and format. There will be a section for Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s along with any special format games that the poker site runs. Many sites also have a separate “Beginner” tab for new players which allows them to be seated only with other players who have classified themselves as beginners. This dramatically levels the playing field for new players and allows them to get used to the speed of the games without being faced with more experienced opponents.
As well as the different game types and formats a poker site will also run promotions and rewards programs for their players. These can include rakeback deals which give back some of the money that is taken by the poker site from each player’s stakes. These deals can make a significant difference to breakeven players and some of the best online poker sites offer them as standard for their players.
The first step to getting into the world of online poker is finding a good poker site. Look for a site with plenty of traffic which will mean that there are always games to join and you won’t have to wait long to find one. Also look for a site that offers a free play area where you can practice your skills without risking any of your own money and also try out the software before you decide to deposit. Many poker sites also have a freeroll tournament section which is a great way to get started.