Online poker is a fun and fast-paced game with plenty of variations available round the clock. Players can find everything from a quick cash game to a huge tournament with massive jackpots. The best sites are highly regulated, which means that they adhere to strict consumer safeguards and ensure that your money is safe.

Before you sign up to play poker online, make sure that the site offers your favorite game. Whether you like to play no limit hold’em, pot limit Omaha or Triple Draw 2-7 lowball, there should be a game for you. Once you have found the game that you’re comfortable with, you can start playing for real money. The first step in getting started is downloading the software from the poker website of your choice. This should not take long, even on old computers with slow Internet connections.

Once the poker client is installed, you’ll need to choose a username and password. You’ll then be asked to deposit funds into your account using one of the many methods that are available. Some poker sites also offer no download versions that require less memory and run faster.

One of the most important aspects of online poker is understanding starting hands. You should always try to play a hand that has a chance of becoming a winning hand by the river. In addition, it’s good to be aware of the rankings of your opponents’ hands so that you can adjust your play accordingly.

Another consideration is the amount of traffic that a poker site has. A higher volume site usually has more active games and a larger player pool, which allows for greater opportunities to win money against weaker opponents. A high traffic poker site is also likely to have the most attractive bonuses and promotions, which can be a big draw for new players.

The last thing to keep in mind when playing poker online is that you’re going to have some losing days. This is especially true when you’re moving up the stakes, but it’s important not to let these setbacks derail your progress. Instead, just move back down the stakes for a while and try again.

When selecting a poker site, be sure to read the reviews of other users. Look for comments about the site’s customer support, ease of use and security measures. You’ll also want to check out the terms and conditions of the site to ensure that you understand all the rules and regulations before making a deposit. Additionally, be wary of any poker sites that don’t have a license in your country. They may not be regulated and could shut down at any time. Fortunately, there are a number of great options for US players.