Online poker takes the game that’s played in casinos and other card rooms and cranks it up to a whole new level. You can play for pennies or for satellite entries into the biggest live tournaments on Earth from a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, or your mobile phone. And you can do it all in the comfort of your own home, at any time of the day or night.

There’s no doubt that the popularity of online poker has grown significantly over the past few years. The reason for this is quite simple: it’s a fun, easy-to-play intellectual game that rewards actual skill (unlike slots or the lottery). Whether you want to play for free or for the smallest stakes imaginable, you can do it all online at your convenience.

The first step to playing poker online is to sign up for a poker site. You’ll need to provide a valid email address, name, and other details that are used to verify your identity. You’ll also need a bank account or credit card to fund your account and withdraw your winnings. It’s important to use a reputable, secure, and licensed poker site as this will protect your money in the event that something goes wrong.

Getting started is a snap, as most poker sites have a quick start option that allows you to select the type of game and stakes you want to play and then instantly place you into a table. The poker software usually requires a small download and shouldn’t require too much memory on even the oldest devices. Depending on where you’re located, poker sites will support many different banking methods for depositing and withdrawing your funds. These include credit cards, pre-paid cards, wire transfers, third-party eWallets, and eChecks.

While there was a time when the contrast between “live pros” and “online pros” was stark, it’s now common for players at all levels to play both live and online. It’s also possible to take online learning courses that can help you improve your skills and make you a better player. These courses may be free or they could cost a few bucks, but they’re a great way to get started.

Bovada is a top-rated poker site for US players that was launched in 2011. It’s been around for over a decade and has gained a reputation for offering its players a lot of gambling goodies. This includes huge welcome offers, regular poker tournaments with massive cash prizes, and a variety of payment options. Bovada has a great customer service team that is available via email, Facebook, and Twitter, making it easy to get answers to your questions. The company accepts several cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, and pays out within 24-72 hours on average.