The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented spike in online poker traffic. The pandemic has resulted in the indefinite closure of many live gaming venues around the world, including many unlicensed ones. With so few options for live entertainment, many casual players have turned to online poker as a replacement. Online poker operators have experienced double or even triple-digit growth in traffic since the pandemic hit. While the DOJ has not yet acted to regulate online poker in the US, there are some efforts underway to limit the problem.

The best way to learn poker is to play at a low stakes table. This will allow you to practice your skills and learn your opponents’ strategies. Most poker sites offer beginner-only tables, which are free to play for new customers for 30 to 90 days after creating an account. As you become more familiar with the game, you can also upgrade to the RunItOnce video database, which features videos from top poker players. As poker strategy changes rapidly, it’s important to stay abreast of the latest trends in poker.

While playing online poker, beware that it’s important to set a limit. It’s tempting to play higher stakes just because you’ve got $1,000 to spare, but that’s not a wise move. In order to win cash, you should be able to beat your current stake level comfortably. Ideally, you should have 10 to 20 winning cash sessions. To maximize your ROI, aim to play more hands in the beginning.