Online poker takes the old school game of cards and turns it into a virtual casino. You can play it on your desktop computer, laptop or mobile device for real money at any of a number of top poker sites. It’s not very demanding on your system’s memory and even an early 2000s-era desktop or laptop with a decent amount of processing power should be able to handle the games easily. There are also plenty of poker apps available for smart phones and tablets that make it easy to play from just about anywhere.
Once you’ve found a poker site you like you will need to create a user account. This process is usually simple and quick and you may be asked to provide proof of age. Most sites will have a link to their age verification page where you can upload a copy of your state or federal issued ID. You may also need to scan a utility bill that matches up with your address.
You will then need to fund your account with real cash before you can start playing for actual money. Many reputable poker sites offer secure deposit and withdrawal options including e-wallets, prepaid cards and bank transfers. If you’re playing at a regulated online poker site your funds will be held in separate accounts and not intermingled with operator or casino funds.
Most reputable poker websites will offer a good selection of games and tournaments for players of all skill levels. Some of them will offer free poker games that can be used to hone your skills without risking any of your own money.