Online poker is a fascinating and addictive game that allows anyone to run up a small amount of money very quickly. The problem is that you’re going to have many losing days along the way and unless you have the right mental attitude it can be hard to come back from them. Many players who start out playing poker online get caught up in the excitement of running up big wins and lose control of their bankroll. This is known as monkey tilt and it’s one of the main reasons why so many people fail at this game.

Before you can play poker online you need to sign up at an online poker site and fund your account with real money. The process is usually quick and painless although some sites may ask for verification of your identity. This is just standard procedure and involves sending them a copy of your ID and utility bill.

Once you’re up and running with a decent bankroll you can then choose to play poker on desktop computers, laptops or mobile devices. Many poker apps have been greatly improved recently and now offer a similar experience to the desktop version. You’ll be able to open multiple tables and bet, check, raise and fold with just a few taps of the screen.

Most poker websites will also have some sort of support system in place for new players. This can include FAQs, email or phone support as well as video tutorials and forums. Some even have dedicated ring games with experienced players to help beginners learn the ropes.

Another great feature of online poker is the ability to track your results. There are a few different poker tracking programs available that will overlay your table and show you details like the percentage of hands that went to the flop, how often you raised pre-flop and so on. It’s a really useful tool to have and it can make the difference between winning and losing.

If you’re lucky enough to live in one of the states where online poker is legal then you’ll be able to access cash games and tournaments around the clock. This makes it easy to play the game whenever you’re free, whether it’s in the middle of the day or at 3am.

Online poker has also made it incredibly easy to deposit and withdraw money. Most sites accept a wide variety of payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards and even wire transfers and third party eWallets.

While Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker online you can also find games of Omaha and even crazy pineapple. You’ll also find plenty of sit & go and spin & go tournaments, these are smaller single table tournaments that allow for a fast paced gaming experience. They are also an excellent choice for new players who might not feel confident enough to compete in a larger tournament.