Hundreds of thousands of poker enthusiasts are playing the game on their computers and mobile devices. Online poker is a great way to make money while having fun. Some sites even offer satellite entries into live tournaments. The main attraction of online poker is winning real money. This may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually pretty easy.

First, you need to create an account at an online poker site. This will require you to provide your name, address, and date of birth. You will also need to provide a credit card or bank account. Then, you can deposit a sum of money into your account. The poker site will then match your deposit up to a certain limit. You may have to provide additional documentation to verify your identity, such as a utility bill or a social security card.

Most poker sites will offer a sign up bonus. The bonus is usually a small amount of money given to you in exchange for signing up. It will vary from site to site. Most sign up bonuses are based on the number of times a player has played on the site. You can also withdraw your cash through a variety of methods. Cheques are typically the easiest, but wire transfers are an option as well.

If you’re not sure what to look for in an online poker site, ask friends or relatives who play the game for fun. You should try to find a site that is available in your home country. There are also some interesting third party websites that offer bigger bonuses and special perks.

You should also check out the software that the site uses. This should be a simple matter of a few minutes. The software should have an impressive amount of features, including a hand history database. The software should also display a range of odds, equity, and statistics for known players. It should also be able to scan hands for mistakes, such as a missing a card.

The poker site should also be able to verify your identity, especially if you are using a debit or credit card to register. This is particularly important if you are a US player, who was cut off from the rest of the world’s player pool on Black Friday.

Lastly, you should use the site’s tracking feature. This will allow you to see a range of statistics on your session, from the number of flops to your win rate. This can be particularly useful if you are a casual player, as it will give you an idea of where you are winning and where you are losing.

If you are new to the game, it might be wise to start with a “beginner’s table.” This will allow you to play with a larger number of people, but will still keep the field at a level you can easily navigate. This will also give you a better chance of winning.