Poker online is a popular form of internet gambling, and you can play for real money at many top poker sites. These online poker sites are regulated in the countries they operate in, so you can be sure your money is safe and that the games are fair.

The best way to start playing poker online is to choose a good poker site that offers a range of games and stake levels. If you are a new player, start with low-stake games and improve your skills gradually until you are ready to move up to higher limits.

Finding a good online poker site is important for three reasons: First, it allows you to find games that suit your needs. Second, it lets you compete with players of a wide variety of skill level, and third, it gives you a chance to win big prizes in tournaments.

Traffic and player pools – The more traffic a site has, the better it is for poker players. This will ensure that there are always plenty of active games and a strong pool of weak players to exploit.

The best poker websites also offer a variety of bonuses and promotions to attract players. Some of these include free play and bonus cash for signing up. These can be a great way to increase your bankroll and help you start winning real money at online poker.

Rakeback – Some poker sites return some of the rake they collect back to players. This is a great incentive for newcomers and can be a huge bonus at higher stakes.

Multi-table action – A feature that is rarely available to offline players, multi-table action is becoming more and more common online. However, it’s important to remember that playing multiple hands at the same time can be costly if you don’t know how to play them correctly.

Tracking software and heads-up displays – Not all poker sites allow these, but they are worth looking into if you’re a serious poker player. They can be used to analyse your opponents’ betting patterns and help you decide when to call or raise.

Practice makes perfect – The more you play, the better you’ll get. This is especially true in online poker where there’s no physical tell and you don’t have any clue about your opponents’ body language.

Learn to put your opponent on a range – This is an advanced topic, but one that you should start learning about in your early sessions at poker online. There are a number of factors that can suggest what hands your opponent may be playing, including his time to act, the size of his sizing and whether he is folding or calling.

Use the time-bank – The online game is faster than live poker, and having a time-bank to give you a little extra time before making a decision can be a big adjustment for some live players. But it’s a great feature for online poker and can be a useful tool for beginner players to make more informed decisions.