Poker online takes the game that has traditionally been played behind the bar and in casinos to the convenience of your own home or even during a lunch break. Playing poker online has some key differences to live casino games though, as the online world exposes players to a variety of different strategies and habits from all over the globe.
First of all, it is always important to remember that online poker is gambling and as such there is a chance you could lose money. Therefore, it is recommended that you only gamble with money you can afford to lose. You should also be aware of how much time you spend playing poker online to ensure it does not become an addictive activity.
Once you have registered and created a user account you will be able to log into the poker room using your username and password. The lobby is usually categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s, and there will be a variety of tables to choose from. For new players it is often a good idea to stick with the lower limits and work your way up. Many players tend to move up in limit before they are ready and then they suffer big losses and struggle to get back into the game.
Some online poker sites offer software programs that allow you to save and recall hand histories. These can be very useful tools to help you improve your game. Other programs can scan active poker tables and display previous statistics for known players next to their name (known as a heads-up display or HUD).