Online poker takes the classic card game and cranks it up a level. Players can play for the smallest stakes imaginable (literally pennies) all the way up to satellite entries into some of the most amazing live tournaments in the world. And you can do it all from the comfort of your home.

One of the main reasons people love online poker is because it is a skill-based, intellectual game that can be thrilling. It rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery and can be played at almost any time for any stakes. Online poker is also a very social and friendly game where people come together in a virtual community to compete against each other.

Getting money on to and off of an online poker site is very easy compared to the old days. Most sites offer a variety of ways to deposit and withdraw including credit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers. In addition, most sites have multiple customer support channels such as emails, Facebook and Twitter which makes getting help quick and simple.

There are some concerns about the security of online poker. However, reputable and licensed online poker sites operate in complete compliance with state regulations which ensures that your information and funds are secure. In addition, most states require geolocation software that prevents players from playing unless they are in the legal jurisdiction of the site.

A few years ago, there were a lot of scandals with rogue employees and players cheating their way to large winnings at some of the larger online poker sites. Fortunately, this type of cheating is now very rare and if you stick to licensed and regulated sites your money will be safe.

In order to play online poker you must have a computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Most online poker sites will let you sign up and create an account for free. Once you have an account, you can then choose which game you want to play and how much money you would like to play for.

Once you have an account with a poker website you can login to your account from any computer or mobile device that has an internet connection. Once you log in, you will see the lobby which is typically categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s. You will then need to locate the “Cashier” or “Deposit” button and follow the directions to deposit your desired amount of money.

In most cases you can add as much money to your poker account as you like within certain limits set by the online poker site. Once you have deposited the amount of money that you wish to play with, you can then find a table and start playing. Many online poker sites will have beginner tables that will seat you with other players who have classified themselves as beginners which dramatically levels the playing field for new players. In addition, most online poker sites have a built in bonus system that rewards frequent player action and loyalty.