Online poker is a game that has evolved into a full-fledged casino experience where players wager real money. Whether playing for pennies or satellite entries into world-renowned live events, you can play from the comfort of your home on any device including PCs, laptops and mobile phones.

Getting started with online poker is surprisingly easy. First, you will need to create a user account with an online poker site. Once you have done this, you can choose the type of game you want to play and deposit funds using one of several available banking methods. Make sure to review the deposit and withdrawal limits for each option, as well as any fees that may apply.

After depositing your funds, you will enter the poker lobbies where you can find the games that are running. Once you have selected the game you wish to play, you will be automatically seated at a table. If you’re new to the game, it’s a good idea to start small and work your way up to higher stakes.

Once you’ve started playing, it’s important to track your results to see where you are winning and losing. This will help you fine tune your strategy and improve your odds of success. Fortunately, most online poker sites provide their own tracking tools to help you do this. You’ll want to pay special attention to your win rate, number of flops seen and the times you’ve gone to showdown.

Aside from tracking your results, it’s a good idea to study some basic poker charts. These will give you an idea of what hands beat what and which ones you should try to avoid. Knowing that a straight beats a flush or three of a kind beats two pair will help you make better decisions at the tables.

The key to becoming a successful poker player is not only to know the rules but also to be able to read your opponents. This can be difficult when you’re not looking at anyone in person but the good news is that there are still ways to get a competitive edge by studying poker strategy and reading books like Harrington on Hold’em, Theory of Poker and Super/System.