Online poker is a game of cards that can be played from any computer connected to the Internet. The game can be a fun and rewarding experience, whether you play for real money or just for entertainment. It is recommended to start with small stakes and increase as your confidence grows. It is also important to follow proper etiquette and be mindful of your bankroll when playing online poker. Many sites offer promotions and bonuses that can boost your bankroll.

The first step in playing online poker is to choose a poker site. A reputable site will have user-friendly software and a variety of games to suit all tastes. It is also a good idea to test out the customer support of a poker site by sending an email or contacting them through live chat to see how quickly and helpful they are.

Once you have selected a poker site, it is time to sign up for an account. This process should be quick and easy, and most poker sites will allow players to deposit funds using multiple methods. After you have funded your account, you can choose a game and join a table.

Several software applications are available to help with online poker play. These include hand database programs that save, sort, and recall all hands played on an online poker site. They can also scan active tables for known players and display previous statistics from hands with those players next to their name (known as a heads-up display or HUD). Other programs provide quizzes and odds, equity, or variance calculators.