Poker has been a popular game for years and it’s become even more popular online. There are a lot of different reasons for its popularity; it’s social, it can be played with friends and strangers, you can play for as little or as much money as you want (from freerolls to the highest stakes), and there’s a deep strategy element that keeps players interested over time.

One of the biggest factors in the growth of online poker has been the advent of new technology. For instance, a video platform called Twitch has allowed players to connect with each other and share advice and tips. It’s also made it possible for a number of top players to create content that helps players improve their game.

The first step in getting started with online poker is finding a good poker site that accepts your preferred deposit method. Most sites offer a variety of ways to fund your account including credit and debit cards, prepaid cards, third-party eWallets, bank transfers and more. All of these methods are secure and convenient and most are available around the clock.

Once you’ve found a site you like the next step is to sign up for an account. This will involve providing some basic personal details and a password to protect your account. After that you’re ready to play! There are a number of different poker games to choose from and most major sites have cash games and tournaments running around the clock.

Online poker isn’t available everywhere though and it’s important to check that a particular site is licensed in your country before you deposit any money. The best way to do this is by checking the license status on the poker site homepage or reading the review for that specific site on our website.

In the USA, most of the major poker sites are licensed in a handful of states. Professional Rakeback has a page dedicated to US poker sites that lists the most reputable and safe options.

Lastly, you’ll need to be mentally prepared for the ups and downs of online poker. It’s very easy to get caught up in bad beats and coolers but the only way to survive over the long term is to keep improving your game.

If you want to become a high-stakes player, then online coaching is the best way to go. The coaches at Mechanics of Poker have mastered the required skills and can help you get there too. They’ll teach you everything from how to read a table to how to play in the big games. So, if you’re serious about becoming a high-stakes player then make sure you check out our comprehensive guide to online poker coaching.