Online poker takes the idea of playing a card game at home or in a bar or casino and cranks it up to the next level. You can play for anything from pennies to satellite entries into some of the biggest live poker tournaments in the world. And you can do it on just about any computer, phone or tablet with an internet connection.
To start playing you need a good poker site. The best ones have a clean interface that makes it easy to navigate and find the games you want. They also have a secure environment that protects your personal information from hackers. You can even get an IRS IP PIN to prevent identity theft from your poker site. This is important because you are giving out personal information and it is essential to keep your privacy protected.
Once you have a site picked out it is a good idea to check out their signup bonuses. These are usually tied to how many hands you play. It is generally best to play as much as possible in the first few weeks to make sure you earn your bonus. This will also give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the site and how it works.
After you have signed up you will need some poker software to help you play the game. This will help you collect data about yourself and your opponents and allow you to analyze your play. The best poker software will offer a heads up display (HUD) that shows you your and your opponents’ statistics as you play the game. This information will be critical for online poker players because it gives you an advantage over other players who don’t use this kind of software.
Aside from the HUD there is a lot of other information that poker database software can provide. It can show you how often your opponent raises vs calls, what kind of hands they are holding, when they are likely to bluff and more. This is invaluable for the serious poker player because it allows you to find leaks in your own game as well as exploit weakness in your opponent’s game.
Besides poker databases, there are also some excellent poker books that can teach you the basics of the game. There are also many free resources available, including strategy forums and online articles. These are great for beginners since they can help you learn the rules of the game and strategies that will work in both live and online poker games. Some of the most popular poker books include Harrington on Hold’em, The Theory of Poker, and Super/System. Some people prefer to take courses, but these are not necessary for most people who just want to learn the basics of the game. However, they may be more helpful for advanced poker players.
