Online poker is a popular way to play for real money. You can access online poker through your computer, your laptop, or your smartphone. Some sites even offer apps for smart phones and tablets.

To play poker online, you first need to register an account with an online poker site. Once you’re registered, you can start playing. Most online poker sites offer a quick start option, which lets you choose a game and the stakes you want to play at. This is especially useful for beginner players.

Some online poker sites allow multi-tabling, which is the practice of having more than one table open at a time. This increases your odds of winning. The only drawback is that this may eat up your laptop’s memory. However, if you’re willing to put up with a few extra minutes of downtime, this can be a very profitable option.

If you’re a new player, try playing “beginner” tables. These allow you to get a feel for the game and level the playing field.

A lot of poker sites have special freeroll tournaments for beginners. They’re the cheapest way to win big money. For example, one $10 buy-in online tournament has awarded over $200,000. Another option is to pay a little more to enter a tournament. This gives you a chance to qualify for the World Series of Poker Main Event.

The main thing to remember when you’re starting out is to play as many hands as you can in the first couple weeks. Doing this gives you an idea of your win-rate and where you’re losing.