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Online poker is a virtual game that allows players to wager against each other. It can be played on desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones and tablets. Players can play for real money or try it out for free. Players can also win satellite entries into live tournaments around the world. Online poker has exploded in popularity since the early 2000s when the Internet made it possible for poker to move out of the back of smoky bars and casinos into the light of day.

The first step to playing online poker is finding a reputable site. A good site has a clean, well-organized interface that is easy to navigate and uses high levels of encryption to protect players’ personal information. It also has a wide variety of payment options including credit cards, e-checks and third-party eWallets. Most sites also have their games and random number generators audited by independent third parties to ensure that they are fair.

Another important feature of an online poker site is the amount of traffic it receives. Traffic is a key metric that potential new players look for when choosing an online poker room to play at. If a site doesn’t have much traffic, potential new players may be skeptical and choose to play elsewhere.

A big part of being a successful poker player is being able to read your opponents and pick up on their tendencies. Tracking software makes this process much easier and can give you a huge edge on the competition. It provides a heads-up display (HUD) of your opponent’s stats that show you their calling and raising ranges, how often they 3-bet and how often they fold to 3 bets. It also gives you a full history of your own play so that you can spot leaks in your strategy and make adjustments.

Many poker websites have their own tracking software built into the client. This is an excellent option for casual players who don’t want to install a separate piece of software on their computer. Most online poker sites will also offer a full list of session stats that can be clicked on after each hand is finished.

Once you’ve chosen a reputable online poker site, the next step is to register and deposit funds. There are several ways to do this and most sites accept US credit cards, debit cards and e-checks. Some even have apps that allow players to play on the go from their Android devices or iPhones. If you’re a beginner, we recommend playing on a site with lots of traffic because this means that there are more seats to choose from. It’s also a great way to earn a welcome bonus, which is often tied to your number of hands played. This will help you get off to a strong start and hopefully increase your winnings!