Online poker takes the classic card game and cranks it up to a whole new level. It’s now a global, regulated industry where you can play for the smallest stakes (literally pennies) or for satellite entries into live tournaments around the world all from your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

The idea of playing real money poker on a computer or mobile device has made online poker a popular past time for millions of people worldwide. There’s a lot to love about it: it’s fun, easy to understand, intellectually stimulating and rewards actual skill unlike other games like slots or the lottery. And of course it can be lucrative if you’re lucky enough to win big.

To make the most of the online poker experience it’s a good idea to learn some basic strategy and tactics before hitting the tables. There are lots of resources out there from free online poker strategy sites to books like Harrington on Hold’em and Theory of Poker.

Once you know the basics it’s also a good idea to track your poker results. This way you can see where your strengths and weaknesses are. Luckily most poker sites have their own built in player stats so you don’t need to install any additional software. Depositing and withdrawing money is relatively easy compared to the old days too, with many sites accepting a wide range of credit cards, pre-paid cards, bank transfers or third party eWallets.