Poker is a game of skill over the long run and you can be among the winners if you put in the work. This is why top pros spend as much time studying the game as they do playing it, signing up for training sites like Chip Leader Coaching and Upswing Poker, networking with other successful players and brutally analyzing their play after every session.
However, a lot of people can’t make the commitment to study and practice poker consistently due to life responsibilities. Thankfully, online poker has changed the dynamic. Now you can play from anywhere at any time using a computer, tablet or phone. You can play for free or for real money and you can even win satellite entries into major live tournaments. It’s a global phenomenon that’s here to stay.
There are many reasons why poker is becoming more popular in the age of the internet but one of the most compelling is its convenience. Unlike visiting brick-and-mortar casinos or poker rooms, where you have to pay for travel and hotel expenses, online poker is available at home. All you need is a decent computer or laptop with an up-to-date web browser and you can log on to your favorite poker site.
Once you’ve logged in to an online poker site you’ll see the lobby, which is generally categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments, Sit & Go’s and whatever special format games the room runs. You may also be able to select a filter by experience level to only see tables that are appropriate for your current skill set. Likewise, you’ll probably want to check the minimum and maximum buy-ins for each type of game as well as any fees that may apply for depositing and withdrawing funds.
The good news is that most of these fees are pretty minimal and you shouldn’t have to worry about them at reputable poker sites. In addition, most poker sites offer multiple ways to deposit and withdraw money so you can find a method that works with your preferred banking system.
Finally, you should be sure to review the security measures that a poker site has in place to protect your personal information and finances. You’ll want to look for SSL encryption and a secure connection, along with an easy-to-use poker client that works on your mobile devices. Depending on the site you might also be able to customize the client with different themes and colors.
