Few card games are as popular as poker, and the popularity of televised tournaments has brought the game to the forefront of public awareness. Online poker has taken this idea to the next level, offering players of all levels the opportunity to play poker from home on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. In fact, this ease of access has helped to increase the number of new players entering the game.

The first step to getting into online poker is to find a suitable site. Then, you’ll need to register. Typically, this will require some basic information such as your name and email address. You may also be asked to provide proof of age. While most states have legalized online poker, many sites still have age verification systems in place to prevent minors from playing.

Once you’ve registered you can begin to play online poker for real money. Whether you’re looking to play for pennies or satellite entries into some of the world’s most prestigious live tournaments, you’ll be able to find a table that fits your budget. It is important to note, however, that many online poker tournaments are incredibly time-consuming and can take up to an entire day.

Most online poker sites offer a variety of learning and educational resources to help players master the game. These can include everything from detailed rulebooks to full sets of hand rankings and comprehensive A-Z lists of poker terminology. In addition, some of the larger sites have dedicated training rooms that allow players to practice with other members and receive coaching from professional coaches.

Another great resource is poker tracking software like PokerTracker, which lets you input your playing history from any online poker site and instantly reveal your strengths and weaknesses. This can be a valuable way to improve your game quickly and effectively, so it’s definitely worth investing the time to learn how to use it.

Finally, if you’re serious about your poker career it’s a good idea to develop a clear study methodology. This will ensure you’re focusing on the right areas and gaining the most from your studies. For example, instead of bouncing around between cbet videos on Monday, 3bet articles on Tuesday and podcasts about tilt management on Wednesday, you should be focused on ONE concept each week.

In the meantime, we can only hope that more states legalize online poker and bring more people into the game. As with all things, however, it will take a while for this to happen. For now, we must remain patient and continue to support the operators who are working tirelessly to bring regulated poker to the U.S. in the most efficient and safest manner possible.