Unlike traditional poker games, poker online is played on your computer or mobile device, and you can win real money at online poker without even leaving the comfort of your own home. Whether you play poker online for free or for real money, there are some things you need to know before you start. In addition to learning how to play, you need to know how to track your results. This will allow you to determine where you are losing and where you are winning.
The first thing you need to do before starting is to choose a poker site. There are hundreds of different sites to choose from. Some of these sites offer a variety of games and stakes, while others are more focused on one type of poker. Some sites allow you to play for free, while others require you to deposit money. You should choose a site that you can trust, and one that allows you to play in your home country.
Once you have chosen your poker site, you will need to create a virtual bank account. Using a virtual account is much easier than it used to be. The site will deposit your money into the account. You then play in low-stakes games until you build up your bankroll. When you are ready to play for real money, you can deposit money into your account, and then use the money to play high-stakes games.
Before you start playing, you will want to make sure you are old enough to play in your jurisdiction. Many poker sites require you to be at least 18 years old. You will also need to check with your local laws to see if you can legally play poker online. You can also use a digital device fingerprinting feature to prevent you from being banned.
If you are new to poker, you will want to try out a “quick start” option at your chosen poker site. This allows you to select the stakes you are willing to play, and then you will be seated at a table instantly. This is great for new players, and helps level the playing field.
If you’re not sure what you should play, consider using the Which Hand Wins calculator. This tool will show you which hands you should play and which hands you should fold. To use the tool, you need to input your opponent’s cards and board cards. The results will be displayed on the screen, which should help clear up any confusion you might have.
One thing to watch out for is how much flops you are seeing. This is important because you want to make sure you are playing good hands, and not bad ones. When you see a lot of flops, you should focus on making a good hand. If you see a lot of flops but don’t make a good hand, you may be losing money. This is why you should pay attention to your win rate, and your number of times you go to a showdown.