Online poker is a game played on the internet where players wager real money against one another. The game is regulated in some US states and is available to residents of other countries. It was previously a game that was only found in smoky bars and casinos, but the development of secure sites that can safely hold player deposits and allow them to wager against other players has seen it rise to prominence. It is now available on both desktop and mobile devices.

To play poker online, a user must first sign up with an online poker site. This will usually involve a simple process of providing contact information and creating a username and password. Then, the process of adding funds can begin. This can be done through a variety of methods, including credit cards and bank transfers. Once the funds are added to an account, the player can start playing for real money.

The game of poker has always been a game of skill, and the same principles apply when playing it online. While there are some differences, most of these pertain to the fact that players are not physically present with their opponents. This means that there are no physical ‘tells’ to read, and that it can be harder to tell when someone is bluffing. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to size up an opponent – there are plenty of ways to get better “reads” in online poker, and many of the same strategies that work in live games can be used on the virtual tables.

There are several benefits to playing poker online, not least the ability to compete against players from across the country and even the globe. This can make the game more interesting and help you improve your skills. Furthermore, it is easy to find a range of different games and tournaments, from free games to high-stakes tournaments. Lastly, online poker has lower overhead than live games, which makes it much easier for players to make a profit.

Regulated online poker returned to the United States in 2013, but it took a while for the first hands to be dealt. New Jersey was the third state to legalize it, but it wasn’t until October 2017 that the Garden State joined an interstate agreement with Delaware and Nevada that allowed for shared player pools.

There are still some states that have not opted to regulate the game, but it looks like the momentum is shifting in favor of legalization. Some lawmakers have even proposed a national framework to regulate online poker. If that happens, the game could become a multi-state industry within the next few years.