Online poker is a fun, easy-to-play game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. People choose to play it for many reasons – the games are available 24/7, you can play for any stakes you wish from the comfort of your home and the payouts are often fast. However, it’s important to know the risks before you start playing. You should also make sure that you choose a reputable site and read their terms of service carefully. They typically have requirements like requiring you to earn a certain number of hands first before you can withdraw any bonuses.

When you’re first getting started, look for an online poker site with a secure connection and strong security measures. This includes 128- or 256-bit SSL encryption for your personal and financial information. Additionally, you should only play on sites that have their random number generators audited by independent third parties. This ensures that the games are fair and not rigged in any way. It’s also a good idea to check whether the site has an anti-money laundering solution, as well as fraud prevention and geolocation services.

Once you’ve signed up to an online poker room, you can deposit funds into your account. Most online poker rooms will have a cashier tab that you can find in the lobby. From there, you can select the amount you’d like to add and follow the instructions on screen to complete the transaction. Some sites may require you to verify your identity, which can include sending a photo ID or proof of address.

The best poker sites online will offer a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, including credit cards and eWallets. Look for a poker website that offers your preferred methods of banking and supports your country’s currency. Additionally, make sure that the site is licensed and regulated by your country’s gaming authority. If you’re in the United States, check that your chosen poker site is compliant with state and federal gambling laws.

There’s a reason why the landscape of online poker has changed so much from when I first entered the game. Back then, there were a couple of poker forums worth visiting and only a few pieces of poker software to learn from. Today, there are nearly infinite poker forums to join (not to mention Discord channels and FB groups) and hundreds of poker books to choose from.