Poker is a fun, intellectual game that rewards actual skill unlike slots or the lottery. It has a long history of being played in back rooms of smoky bars but the popularity of online gambling has brought it to primetime and made it a real money game that can be enjoyed by anyone from the comfort of their own home.

If you want to play online poker for real money, first find a reputable site and download their software. This is usually virus-free and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes even on the slowest Internet connections. Once the software is installed you’ll need to create an account. Make sure to choose a screen name that you’ll be happy with because it won’t be possible to change it later on. You should also create only one account as multi-accounting is illegal and can get you banned from the site.

Once you’re ready to play, choose a game and start stacking chips. Then you’ll need to analyze your results and work on improving your game. You can do this by signing up for training sites such as Chip Leader Coaching or Upswing Poker, networking with successful pros and brutally analyzing your own play after every session. The best players also spend as much time studying the game as they do playing it.

When you’re ready to make your first deposit, look for a site that accepts your preferred method of payment. This will usually include traditional credit and debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller and, in some cases, cryptocurrencies. Make sure the terms and conditions of the site are clearly stated. If they seem unclear or overly complicated, it’s probably a sign that you should move on to another site.

When choosing an online poker site, you should look for a state-regulated and licensed option. This will ensure that your money is safe and that the games are fair. It’s also important to avoid offshore sites, which don’t have basic consumer protections and may shut down at any time. Once you’ve found a legit site, choose a game and start winning real money!