Online poker is a fun, easy to play card game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. It’s a great way to socialize with friends from the comfort of your own home and is available to players from all over the world.

Licensed and regulated poker sites process thousands of secure transactions daily. They’re constantly monitored by government and financial bodies ensuring game integrity, safe transfers and player data protection. The COVID-19 pandemic saw many live casinos and other venues shut down for the indefinite future, driving recreational and professional players to online platforms. The result was a huge surge in online poker traffic with many operators reporting their normal volumes doubled or more.

To play online poker you’ll need a computer or mobile device capable of running the software. Most poker sites will offer a no download version of their software but this is not as feature rich as the full client. Once you have a compatible device you’ll need to create a user account and verify your identity. You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old or the minimum legal age in your jurisdiction. All reputable poker sites will enforce this with ID checks and age verification tools.

Once you have a poker account you can access the lobby where you’ll find a variety of games. The games are usually categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s with the more popular options being displayed on the front page. If you’re new to online poker many sites will feature “beginner” tables that automatically seat you with other players who classify themselves as beginners – this dramatically levels the playing field for novices.