Online poker is a popular and exciting form of gambling that allows players to compete with other skilled players from all over the world. Whether you’re new to the game or an old pro, there’s something for everyone at every skill level.

In 2003, the game really took off when a Tennessee accountant named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker Main Event at a online satellite tournament. That victory, along with coverage on ESPN and other networks, turned the poker game into a nationwide obsession. Then the advent of hole-card cameras allowed live events to be filmed from all over the country and shown on TV, making them even more accessible than ever before.

While the rules of poker are essentially the same in all forms, online poker requires a different set of skills than playing in person. The absence of physical ‘tells’ means that online players must rely on other methods to size up their opponents, such as monitoring betting tendencies and reading preflop hand odds. Fortunately, there are a variety of software programs available for use on online poker sites to help improve your game and give you an edge over the competition.

The best online poker sites are reliable and secure, offering a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options that work with your preferred banking method. Some also offer free games and freeroll tournaments to give players a feel for the software before risking any real money.