Poker is a game of skill over the long run and becoming a top player requires a lot of hard work and study. The best players in the world spend as much time studying and analyzing their play as they do playing. This is why it is important for new players to come armed with a few simple poker betting strategy tips and tricks.

Before you can start playing poker online you will need to choose a site. The best sites will offer a combination of trustworthiness, game variety, generous bonuses, user-friendly software and secure payment options.

When you have chosen a site you will need to register. The registration process is typically easy and will require a few basic details like name, email address and date of birth. After you have registered you will be provided with a username and password and can begin playing for real money. Most poker sites accept a variety of payment methods including credit cards, e-wallets and direct transfers.

Once you have signed up and registered at a poker site it is a good idea to take some time exploring the different sections of the lobby. Most will be categorized by cash games, tournaments and Sit n Go’s as well as any special event formats they may run. You will also want to look for beginner tables which help level the playing field for new players.

One of the main advantages of playing poker online is that hands are dealt very quickly. This is especially true in turbo Sit n Go’s and fast-fold cash games. As a result it is very tempting to play a lot of junk hands but it is essential to only play strong hands.