Online poker is a card game that allows players to wager against each other with real money. It is a fun, exciting and intellectual game that rewards actual skill unlike slot machines or the lottery. However, poker is not as easy as it seems and to play well you need to learn the rules, variations, strategies, and how to read your opponents.

Online gambling has been around for years but it really took off in the early 2000’s after Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event. Since then the number of online poker sites has grown exponentially and has become a global phenomenon. However, despite the rise of online poker some states have yet to make it legal, but as technology improves and more people see how profitable the game can be this may change in the future.

There are a number of poker training websites on the internet and while many of them come with a price tag that can be prohibitive, if you sincerely commit to making use of these resources you will definitely be much better for it. Top pros spend almost as much time learning the game as they do playing it, and the more you learn the more you will be able to win.

The process of signing up for an account at an online poker site is relatively straightforward and should only take a few minutes. You will need to provide some basic personal details such as your name and address and a form of ID such as a drivers license or passport. Depending on the security levels of the poker website you choose you might need to provide further documentation such as an IRS IP pin to prevent identity theft and help with KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance.

Once you have signed up for an account you will need to choose a table and deposit funds in order to start playing. Most poker sites offer a range of different tables categorized by stakes and format such as Sit and Go’s and Tournaments. Some also have beginner tables where you will be seated with players who have tagged themselves as beginners, this can dramatically reduce the learning curve for newcomers.

There are a lot of poker books out there and some are excellent but if you want to learn quickly from someone who has actually been through the ups and downs of becoming a successful online poker player then look no further than Jonathan Little. He has an extensive knowledge of the game and provides weekly hand analysis that is both insightful and entertaining. He is a must follow for any serious online poker player.