Online poker takes the game of cards and cranks it up to an all new level. It’s played on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device and it can be done for real money at the smallest stakes imaginable (pennies) up to satellite entries into the most lucrative live tournaments in the world.
Signing up to play poker online is relatively easy. A deposit is made into an account with a recommended cardroom and then the player selects a cash game or tournament. Money that is lost is deducted from the player’s account and money that is won is added to it. The rules of poker are similar to those that are followed in a live setting but online players require slightly different skills since they do not need to read physical ‘tells’ like body language.
The most popular poker game at online card rooms is No-Limit Texas Hold’em. However, online sites also feature Omaha, 7 Card Stud, 8 Card Stud Hi-Lo, mixed games and many other poker variations. Players should make sure they know what kind of game they’re getting into before making a deposit as there are different skill levels in the player pool and it can be difficult for a beginner to beat the median player pool consistently enough to turn a profit at the tables.
Most online card rooms have a lobby where you can select from various formats of games such as ring games, tournaments and Sit & Go’s. The lobbies are generally categorized so you can easily find the type of game you’re looking for.