Poker online is a popular game that allows players to play for real money at any time of the day or night. It also offers a range of stakes and bonuses, so it’s easy to find a site that suits your playing style.

The most important thing to know about poker is that it’s a game of skill, and the top pros put in plenty of time studying their opponents’ behaviour. That’s why it’s so important to work on your poker strategy every session – even if you’re not winning any cash.

You can also use a heads-up display (HUD) to track your opponents’ betting patterns, which can give you more information about their hand than you would get from reading the cards themselves. For example, a HUD will show you if your opponent is raising pre-flop more often than he or she is folding to a raise. You can then make more informed decisions based on the information you’ve gathered.

A HUD can be a valuable tool in an online game, especially when you’re playing against multiple opponents. You can also use it to compare your results against the average of the other players at your table – this can help you determine whether you’re making the right call or not.

When you’re new to online poker, it’s a good idea to practice at low stakes before moving up to higher ones. This will ensure that you can win a few hands and make a return on your investment before moving up to the next level.

There are many training sites that offer free poker tips and advice to players who want to improve their game. These can include YouTube videos with the big names, and even interactive tools that let you test your strategy on the fly.

Some of the best sites will also offer a rakeback for loyal players. Rakeback is a way for online poker rooms to give back a percentage of the rake they take from the pots in their games, which can be very beneficial for break-even players.

In order to play poker online, you’ll need to create an account at a site. You can do this by downloading a software package or signing up through a web-based application.

Signing up for an online poker account is free and can usually be completed within minutes. However, you may need to provide some proof of your identity before you can start playing. This usually involves a scan of your ID and, if possible, a utility bill at the same address as you listed on your ID.

Once you’ve signed up, it’s a simple matter of depositing some money into your online account. You can then use that money to enter a game and win real cash.

The best poker sites will allow you to fund your account with a wide variety of methods, including bank transfer, PayPal and credit card. Some even accept Neteller, which is a great option for those who don’t have access to bank cards.