For years poker was confined to the back rooms of smoky bars and casinos but since the early 2000’s the internet has made it possible to play poker online and even make a living doing so. But it’s not easy to become a good online poker player and the pitfalls of trying to jump right in are many. The first step is to find a reliable poker site and make a deposit. Only use reputable sites and never make any deposits at sites that are not regulated by the state you live in. Strict regulation is important to ensure that the games are fair and your personal information is protected.

Once you have a poker account with an established site it’s time to start playing. Before you do so though it’s a good idea to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the poker software. Look for the buttons and their functions, learn where the chat options are located and acclimate yourself to the pace of the game. This will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a computer screen can often be distracting. Whether it’s streaming something on the side or checking email, these non-game related distractions can cause you to lose valuable time that could be better spent improving your decision-making and overall poker skills.

As with any poker game, the top players spend as much time studying their game as they do playing it. They sign up for training sites, network with successful pros and brutally analyze their play after every session. Whether you’re playing at home or in the casino, working on your game consistently will increase your chances of success.

One of the best ways to improve your skills is to observe other players at the table. This can help you pick up on tendencies like consistent bluffing, raising preflop and folding in certain situations, and more. It’s also useful for analyzing your own tendencies at the table so you can spot leaks and make changes in your strategy.

Another key thing to remember is that when you’re playing poker online you will see far more hands per hour than you would if you were playing in person. This can be a major adjustment for newer players and if you’re not careful you can get frustrated by a dry spell and start making bad decisions. The best players know that this is just part of the game and they stick to their plans.

Finally, one of the most important things to remember when you’re playing poker online is that it’s not an instant-gratification game. It takes time to develop your poker game and when you’re first starting out it’s recommended that you stick to playing a single table until you’ve developed some consistency. This way you can focus on developing your game without sacrificing your bankroll too quickly. Once you’ve developed a solid foundation, you can begin to add tables.