When you play poker online, you sit at a virtual table with a computer program that displays the cards and makes it possible to act in the hand with just one click of your mouse. You can also chat with other players and the dealer. You can play poker from home or at a restaurant and you can choose from a huge variety of stakes.

The first step in getting into the game is signing up for an account at an online poker room. This is usually done by entering your personal information such as name, address and social security number. Some poker sites require additional documentation to verify your identity before you can deposit money. This is normal and a good way to keep the site free of scammers.

Once you have a user account you can navigate the lobby of the poker site to find the games you want to play. Generally the games are broken down into categories such as cash games, tournaments and Sit & Go’s. Some online poker rooms even have special category’s for different types of poker games. For example, some poker sites have beginner tables where only players who identify themselves as beginners are seated together. This is a great way for new players to get used to the speed of the online poker game while leveling the playing field.

Many people struggle to adapt to the fast pace of online poker. This is especially true for new players who are accustomed to playing live poker with their friends where they have plenty of time to make decisions. Often times, new players make the mistake of playing too aggressively to overcome their inexperience at the tables and end up losing a lot of money very quickly.

In order to avoid this, new players should spend a few hands in the beginner section of an online poker site before they start betting real money. This will help them get a feel for how the software works and what to look out for at the table. This will also give them a better understanding of how to read their opponents.

Another important factor is finding the right poker game for your skill level. While there are plenty of high-stakes poker games at a variety of levels, it’s important to start off slow and work your way up. This will help you learn the game and build your bankroll over time.

Finally, it’s important to be aware of your emotions at the poker table. There are going to be plenty of big beats and coolers in the beginning but you have to remember that this is a game of skill and math will always prevail over emotion. The key is to not let these bad days interfere with your long term goals. Just keep working hard and eventually you will turn the corner into a profitable player. Then you can start laughing at all the fish who lost to you.