Online poker is a fast, convenient, skill-based form of gambling that rewards real money winnings for players. It is popular for the same reasons as live poker is – it’s an easy to learn, intellectual game that can be thrilling. It is also safe to play and is regulated by state and federal laws that prohibit underage gambling.

Before playing poker online you must register with the site of your choice and create a user account. The process usually involves entering your personal information and verifying your age (a copy of your ID may be required). After your registration is complete you can deposit funds to your player account by visiting the cashier or bank section on the website. When you click on the deposit option you must enter the amount that you wish to add to your account and follow any instructions given to complete the transaction.

Once you have your account funded you can visit the lobby and choose a table to play at. The lobby is categorized by games including cash, tournaments and Sit & Go’s or any other format the poker site has chosen to offer. There are also usually some games available in free play which you can enjoy to build your experience before betting real money. Almost all poker sites have security personnel who monitor player patterns and use anti-fraud software to prevent collusion and other types of cheating. They are also able to view the IP addresses of players and block accounts when they suspect that there is more than one person using the same computer.