Online poker is one of the most popular forms of the game in the world. It is safe and secure if you play on a regulated site. The games are fair and players’ account information is protected. There are a variety of online poker sites to choose from, many offering different types of real money games. Many also offer video poker.

The rules of poker are the same whether you play for play money or for real money. You’ll want to sign up with a secure site that uses high-level encryption to protect your personal information. You’ll also want to choose a site that accepts the methods you prefer to use for deposit and withdrawal.

Once you’ve signed up you’ll be asked to provide your personal information and create a username and password. You’ll then select a poker game variant and buy-in. The number of players at a table varies from site to site, but the maximum is usually 10 people. Any more than that and hands can take too long to play out.

Most of the online poker sites have a player lobby categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s as well as any special format games they run. You’ll want to check out the lobby in advance of playing as this can help you make the right choice of game to play and save you time. Many sites have “beginner” tables that are great for new players as you’ll only be seated with other players who have classified themselves as beginners. This dramatically levels the playing field and allows you to focus on your game without having to worry about other players.

When you’re ready to start playing poker online, you’ll need to fund your account. Fortunately, this is much easier than it used to be, as many sites now support a wide range of banking options. These include credit and debit cards, pre-paid cards, eWallets, bank transfers and even good old fashioned wire transfers.

Another important thing to consider is how easy it is to move funds on and off the poker site you’re using. You’ll want to be able to deposit and withdraw quickly so that you can get back to playing as soon as possible. Look for a site that offers the banking methods you’re most comfortable with, as this can make or break your experience.

The legality of online poker in the United States is a bit tricky. It’s a regulated industry, but players must be at least 18 years old to play and the rules are somewhat different than those in physical casinos. There are several reputable, regulated sites that accept American players and the number is growing. However, there are still a lot of unregulated sites that don’t follow basic consumer safeguards and could close down at any time. For this reason, you should always stick with a reputable site when playing poker online. If you’re unsure of which one to choose, ask around for recommendations from other poker players.