Online poker has a large audience. Around 15 million people play for real money, which is nearly 2.5% of the adult population. With the advent of the Internet, players can play multiple tables – some sites offer 40 or more – at the same time. They can choose from a variety of games, including cash games, tournaments, and holdem and omaha games. Regardless of your experience level, you’re sure to find a game to join.

Beginners can start small, and eventually advance to higher stakes games. To ensure that your bankroll isn’t completely depleted in one go, you may want to play a few games for free first before committing to a higher bankroll. Online poker can be played on a desktop computer, a laptop, or even a mobile phone. There are no restrictions, and anyone can play it – no matter where they live.

When you’re ready to start playing, find a poker site that offers real money games. Some sites allow you to deposit as little as $5, while others allow you to deposit hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, keep in mind that online poker sites vary in deposit limits and deposit clearing times. Some will take seconds to clear your money, while others may take hours or days.

In the United States, online poker has a long history. It first emerged in the late 1990s. After Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker, the unregulated online poker market quickly grew. In 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act pushed several sites out of the market, but sites such as PokerStars have managed to stay open for U.S. players for several years.

Today, five states offer online poker for real money. Pennsylvania went live on Nov. 4, 2019 and BetMGM will follow in January and March of 2021. Currently, the largest US online poker site by traffic is WSOP/888 US. If you’re planning to play online poker, check with the state’s laws first to see if there are any restrictions.

One of the most important aspects of online poker is managing your bankroll. Aside from winning, players can also win additional money by eliminating opponents. Managing your bankroll is a skill that can be learned fairly quickly with the right advice. In addition, you can take advantage of bonuses and other perks offered by online poker sites.

Another key element to good poker strategy is learning about starting hands. The best way to learn poker is to play low-stakes games. The stakes will be low enough to let you practice your tactics without sacrificing your bankroll. Moreover, many poker sites offer beginners-only tables. These tables are usually free to join for the first 30 days after creating an account. Furthermore, these tables are usually free of other players who are better at the game.

Live and online poker are similar, but they differ greatly in other ways. While the games are very similar, the pace of play is faster in online poker, while live games tend to be more tedious. For example, an online poker table can deal 60 hands per hour – or even more if the game is shorthanded. Furthermore, online poker sites support multi-table play, which allows you to play more hands per hour than in live games.