Online poker takes the traditional game and cranks it up to the highest level. It’s played for the smallest stakes imaginable (literally pennies) all the way up to satellite entries into the best live tournaments in the world. All from your desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

A good online poker site should have a user-friendly lobby that is easy to navigate and finds games easily. It should also offer a variety of payment options and secure transaction methods. Look for the option to deposit and withdraw money in a few clicks, as well as any fees that may apply to each transaction.

The software used by an online poker site should be quick and easy to download, and should have a low memory demand. This means it should run on even the oldest computers and Internet connections. Some sites may ask for additional documentation to verify your identity, but this is a normal and pain-free process that should take no more than a few days.

Patience is vital to the success of your poker strategy, and this is especially true when playing poker online. You’ll always encounter players that are better than you, so the key is to focus on your own game and not let the bad beats get you down. Remember that the math will sort it all out in the long run, so don’t get emotionally invested in every bad beat or cooler you experience.