Online poker is a game that you can play for real money. Whether you are playing as a hobby or you’re trying to make it a career, poker is a mental intensive game and you need to be in the right mindset to perform well.
This means staying calm and having a solid bankroll management plan in place to help you survive long downswings. You also need to understand that variance exists and even the best players will occasionally bust. This is why it is important to focus on the long-term goal rather than getting frustrated after a bad session.
The first step is to find a reliable and secure online poker site. This will require a little research on your part. You will want to look for sites that are licensed and regulated in your jurisdiction, use SSL encryption to protect your data, and offer a variety of payment options. It’s also a good idea to check out the reputation of the site and read reviews.
Once you have found a trusted poker site, create a user account. This will typically involve creating a password and username, scanning your ID and possibly a utility bill (depending on the site). Some poker sites also do age checks to ensure that you are of legal age to play.
Once you’ve created your account, you can begin to play for real money. Start out conservatively and at a low stakes table so you can observe your opponents and learn the game. When you’re ready, you can move up the stakes as your skill level improves.