Whether it’s for the smallest stakes on earth or satellite entry into a major tournament, poker online is where everyone is. It’s a game that can be played on any computer, tablet or mobile device with an Internet connection and a credit card.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an online poker site. Look for a site that has high-quality software and is certified by an independent gaming commission to ensure it’s safe. In addition, the casino should promise to weed out bots and collusion to protect your funds. The best sites also have multiple banking options, including credit cards and paper checks. They also hold player funds in separate accounts and don’t commingle them with operator or casino funds.

A good poker strategy is a must, and that includes knowing what kind of starting hands are better than others. High pairs, A-A and K-K are good hands to start with because they give you a chance of making a straight or flush. But if you have a pocket pair and the flop comes A-8-2, then you are likely being beaten by a set of kings. You’ll need to improve your starting hand to avoid being mucked in the early position and exposing your hand to a bigger pot.

Another great way to improve your poker strategy is to track your results. Online poker sites make this easy to do by offering session stats. These stats show you how much money you are winning or losing, the number of flops seen and times you went to showdown. It will help you identify weak areas of your game and focus on improving those skills.

One of the hardest things about playing poker is ignoring distractions. It’s easy to get distracted when you play online with the TV on, music blaring or your friends leering at you over their drinks. It’s important to eliminate all of these distractions when you play poker online, especially if you want to win. Just like top athletes don’t allow themselves to be distracted when they’re on the field, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be distracted while playing poker online.

It’s also a good idea to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the poker room user interface. When you first sign up for a poker account, take some time to sit out at the tables and get a feel for how the interface works. Learn where the raise buttons are, where to find chat options and other features. This will speed up your gameplay and could prevent you from making a costly mistake.