For years poker has been played in smoky bars and casinos, but now the game has moved to the internet where players wager real money against each other from the comfort of their homes or on the go using their mobile devices. The game has exploded and is now played for everything from pennies to satellite entries into major tournaments around the world. The game is not for the faint of heart but is very profitable if you know what you are doing.

To get started in the game you need to register at an online poker site and download their software. This is a very easy process and it should only take a few minutes even with the slowest of Internet connections. You will be asked for personal information such as your name, address, email address and a username and password. Once you have completed this simple process you are ready to deposit some money and begin playing.

While the rules of the game are basically the same, there are a few additional skills that are required to play well in online poker. One of the most important is understanding the position at your table. This will allow you to play a tighter range of hands because you can read your opponents better. If you are in early position, for example, then you should play a very tight pre-flop range and only open strong hands.

Another skill that is needed is a good bankroll management strategy. It is very easy to lose more money than you have in your account and this can put you at a huge disadvantage. You should always have a plan for how you will spend your money and stick to it. It is also a good idea to make sure that you have an emergency fund in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Bluffing in online poker is not as easy as it is in the casino or your home game because you can’t read any physical tells and because most players will call every bluff that they see. If you are bluffing frequently then your opponents will start to catch on and you will find it much harder to make profitable bluffs.

One of the most important things to remember is that you will have a lot of bad beats and coolers in online poker. If you let these events spoil your game then you will never be successful in the game. Instead, you should learn to keep your emotions in check and understand that variance exists. This will help you keep your focus at the tables and make the right decisions at all times. You will be a far more successful player in the long run.