When you play poker online you are able to access real money games from the comfort of your home. You can find a variety of stakes and tournament types all in one place. Whether you’re an experienced live player looking to transition to the online game or a brand new poker virgin, there are some basic tips to follow.

The first step is to sign up for a poker account with a recommended site. You’ll need to provide personal information and deposit funds to get started. Make sure the site offers a variety of banking methods to make it easy for you to add and remove cash. Pay attention to the minimum and maximum deposit amounts as well as any fees per transaction.

Once you’re ready to play poker online, find a table and join. Then select the type of game you’d like to play. Generally, poker sites organize the lobby by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s. Many also offer a dedicated Beginner’s tab where players are seated with other players that classify themselves as beginners. This can dramatically level the playing field for a new player and help you get accustomed to the online game.

It’s important to remember that poker is a skill game over the long haul. However, a lot of players forget this and become over-invested in making bad decisions with weak hands. This can lead to massive losses and may even result in bankruptcy. You can avoid this by learning to play poker smarter. For example, by understanding pot odds and how to read your opponents’ tells.