Whether you’re new to the game, transitioning from a land-based experience or are a seasoned pro looking for more action and better odds, online poker can help. But, before you jump into the fray, it’s important to understand what’s involved with playing poker online.

State regulations are incredibly strict when it comes to online poker and require operators to adhere to specific policies including age and identity verification, financial services, cyber security solutions, anti-money laundering solutions and responsible gambling advocacy. Software companies have sprung up to meet these requirements and provide the backbone for online poker operations.

Using database software to analyze your own play and your opponents’ is essential for any online player. Software programs like Hold’em Manager, PokerTracker and others offer a heads-up display (HUD) that calculates all of your and your opponents’ stats while you play. This data is extremely useful for spotting leaks in your own strategy as well as discovering ways to exploit your opponents’.

Unlike in live casinos, where you are limited to one table at a time, online poker players can typically play multiple tables simultaneously. This allows them to diversify their income and increase profits by taking advantage of softer competition. Moreover, online poker games are faster than live ones because shuffling and handling chips is less labor intensive. This fast pace makes the game much more volatile and it can take a while to adjust to the accelerated decision making.