Online poker is a game that takes a lot of practice to master but it can be very enjoyable and rewarding. If you’re interested in learning how to play it we recommend starting off in free lobbies and getting used to the speed and controls before wagering real money. There are also plenty of educational resources available on the web such as rulebooks and guides to help you become a proficient player.
When you’re ready to start playing for real money you can choose from a variety of websites and download their software (if necessary). The software will take just a couple minutes to install and is virus-free. Once it’s done you can then create an account with the site and choose a screen name. You should only create one account as multi-accounting is forbidden by the sites and can lead to permanent bans from them.
Most sites will categorize their games by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s. In the tournaments section you should look for the beginner tables which are seated with players that classify themselves as beginners. This dramatically levels the playing field for newcomers and will help you gain experience at a low risk level.
Another way to improve your chances of winning is by using a piece of software like PokerHUD to analyze your opponents and find weaknesses in their game. This is an excellent tool and it is available for both Windows and OSX machines. It will allow you to see how long it takes your opponent to make a decision and can really give you an edge at the table.