Online poker is a game of strategy where you compete against other players for real money. The rules of the game are very similar to those you’d find in your favorite hometown poker room, but there are some unique characteristics that set online poker apart from the live version of the game. For one, you won’t be able to read physical “tells” from your opponents since they aren’t physically present. Instead, you’ll need to size up your opponents based on betting tendencies and other information displayed in the online player window.

First, you’ll need to choose a poker site and sign up for an account. The sign-up process will usually ask you to provide some basic personal information, such as your name, address, email address and date of birth. You’ll also be asked to create a username and password. After you’ve completed this information, you can deposit funds into your account to start playing real-money games. Some sites may request additional documentation to verify your identity, but this is very common and should not be a cause for alarm.

Once you’ve established an account, you can access the poker lobby which will be categorized by cash games, tournaments and Sit & Go’s or whatever other special format games the site runs. The lobby will also contain a list of “beginner” tables which are great for newcomers to the game as you’ll only be seated with other players who have classified themselves as beginner players. This dramatically levels the playing field for players who are still getting familiar with the speed of online poker and other aspects of the game.

Another benefit of online poker is the ability to multi-table. While this might seem intimidating it’s actually quite easy and can be a huge boost to your bankroll. In addition, many reputable online poker rooms offer multiple deposit methods so you can easily move your winnings between accounts. Lastly, withdrawals are typically processed quickly. This is a stark contrast to the days of unregulated online poker, when withdrawals would sometimes take weeks or months to process.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent a lot of recreational and professional players who typically prefer to play live poker to the digital world, which is likely driving up traffic across most major online poker sites. As a result, the online poker industry appears to be on the verge of a major growth spurt.