Poker online is an entertaining and intellectual game that rewards real skill over the long run. The top pros spend just as much time studying the game as they do playing it. This includes signing up for coaching at sites such as Upswing Poker or Chip Leader Coaching, networking with successful players and brutally analyzing their own play after every session.
When choosing a poker site to join, make sure it’s trustworthy and follows all rules of the state in which you live. It should also have stringent consumer protections and a rigorous gaming commission. You should avoid offshore sites, which operate without basic consumer safeguards and can abruptly shut down at any time.
You should also look for a poker site that has a wide variety of games and tournaments to choose from. It should also offer a good variety of banking methods that allow you to add and withdraw money easily. Lastly, the poker site should offer low stakes games, which will help you learn the basics of the game without losing all your money.
Another thing to consider is the amount of rake per hand that the poker site charges. This is typically expressed as a percentage of the pot size. It is generally best to sign up with a poker site that has the lowest rake, as it will give you more money in your account in the long run. You can find this information on the poker site’s homepage, or by reviewing their FAQ page.