There’s a lot to love about poker; it’s a fun, easy-to-play game that rewards real skill unlike slots or the lottery. And you can play it at any time and for whatever stakes you want (or as little as pennies). You can even win cash prizes online if you’re good enough to make it. But if you really want to master the game, you’ve got to practice. And you can’t get much better practice than playing poker online.

The best online poker sites take this idea and crank it up a notch by offering players a chance to play for real money in any currency they choose. And they let players access these games from any computer, tablet or smartphone they like. They’re also safe, regulated and offer excellent customer service to protect players. And they’re available to people in countries all over the world.

If you’re new to online poker, start out on a small-stakes table to build up your bankroll. It will help you get accustomed to the pace of the game and get a feel for how to play. And most online poker sites have tables specifically designed for newcomers. They’ll have a marker in the corner of the screen to indicate that you’re a newcomer and will only seat you with other players who have marked themselves as newbies too. This leveling of the playing field can make a huge difference for newcomers to the game who might otherwise find themselves overwhelmed by the speed and complexity of the action on the table.

Once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s time to try playing for real money. To do this, you’ll need to sign up with an online poker site and create a player account with the website. This usually involves providing your name, address, phone number, email and creating a unique username and password. Many sites will also run a background check to ensure that you’re of legal age to play.

Online poker is very popular, and rightly so. It’s a safe, regulated activity with strict rules to ensure that your money and personal details are safe. However, be aware that not all online poker sites are created equal. You should only play at reputable online poker sites that are licensed and regulated in your country. This way you can be confident that the games are fair and your information is secure.

While it’s true that it was possible for rogue employees at a past online poker operation to cheat players out of millions, this type of activity is now nearly impossible when you stick with regulated operators. With so many checks and balances in place and top-ranked players always on their guard, it simply isn’t in the best interests of any reputable online poker site to run a scam. They know that they have a billion dollar industry to maintain, and running a scam would immediately damage their reputation. Plus, a few top-ranked players smelling a rat would quickly attract the attention of regulators and press.