When you play poker online you’re playing a game that requires a fair amount of skill to beat. Whether you play no limit hold’em, pot limit omaha or triple draw 2-7 lowball, if you want to be profitable over the long run you need to study the game and practice your strategy every day. It’s also important to understand that you’re going to have losing days as well. Many new players aren’t ready for this and end up losing their entire bankroll before they get off to a good start.

Almost all regulated major online poker sites offer some form of a free play money account. This gives you a chance to test out the software and learn the rules of the game without risking your own real cash. Once you register an account at a reputable site you’ll find the lobby is generally categorized by Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s with additional tabs for specific game formats like Spin & Go’s and other special events.

Once you decide to make the move from play money to real cash you’ll need to review the site’s banking options to see which methods work for deposits and withdrawals. You’ll also want to check out their minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal amounts as well as their fees per transaction and their typical payout time frame. Once you’ve found a poker site that works with your preferred banking methods you’re ready to play.

Most online poker sites will allow you to play a wide variety of poker games. The most common is No-Limit Texas Hold’em which was made famous by Doyle Brunson as “The Cadillac of Poker.” However you can play Omaha, 7 Card Stud and other variations depending on the poker site you choose to sign up with.

If you’re a serious player you’ll need to eliminate all distractions while you’re playing poker online. It’s easy to get distracted with the TV on, music blaring or family and friends calling you. The top pros treat their poker like a business and eliminate all distractions when they’re in the zone.

Poker is a game that requires skill over the long run but it can be very expensive to play when you’re not prepared for the ups and downs of the game. The best way to prepare for bad days is to study the game, network with successful players and brutally analyze your own play after each session. This will give you a leg up on the competition and help you avoid making costly mistakes. You’ll need to be patient and work hard but if you do, the rewards can be great.