While a number of countries have legalized online poker, others may be on the brink of doing so. In some cases, countries have separated their markets, banned international operators, or imposed licensing fees and taxes. These efforts have varied in success, but states like France, Italy, and Spain have largely succeeded in regulating the market. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, are still grappling with how to regulate the industry, while countries in South America are in varying stages of legalization.

Before playing online poker, you need to download the appropriate software. This software usually requires a small amount of computer memory and shouldn’t take long even on a slow connection. Most poker sites also offer a no-download version, but these don’t have all the features of a full download. To find the best free poker software, visit the poker room’s site and download it. Then, follow the instructions on the sign-up page to create a username and password.

Tracking your results is another great way to learn about online poker. You can see patterns in your hands and identify which hands are more profitable. Tracking your poker sessions is possible through most online poker sites. Just visit the session stats and pay attention to your win-rate, number of flops you saw, and number of times you’ve reached the showdown. Once you’ve mastered this, you can move on to better games.