Online poker takes the classic card game and cranks it up a few notches. Players wager with real money on casino-like games that run on secure and trustworthy sites. It is legal to play in many states and there are strict regulatory bodies that safeguard player information. Online poker also provides the opportunity for players to participate in tournaments and win satellite entries into live tournaments around the world.

There are a variety of ways to play poker online including on a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone. It is important to find a site that offers a wide variety of poker games and features secure encryption methods to safeguard your personal and financial information. Many online poker sites offer a welcome bonus of 100% of your first deposit up to a specific limit. These bonuses are a great way to start off on the right foot and build your bankroll.

Keeping the distractions to a minimum is key when playing poker online. It is easy to get distracted by the TV, music or family members while at home but if you want to be profitable then you need to treat poker like a business and eliminate all distractions as much as possible.

Being able to read other players is one of the key skills in online poker. This includes understanding their tendencies, betting patterns and when they are bluffing. It is also important to be able to mix up your bet size and make it harder for opponents to read you.