Poker is a game of skill over the long term and top pros spend as much time studying the game as they do playing it. It is a difficult game to master, but you can improve your skills by signing up for training sites such as Chip Leader Coaching or Upswing Poker, networking with successful pros, and brutally analyzing your play after every session. If you take the time to work on your game, you may eventually be able to beat the median player pool and make money online.
The first thing you need to do is find a reputable online poker site. A good poker site will have a variety of tournaments, different types of cash games and a generous bonus structure. It should also have software that is mobile-friendly and fast.
Once you’ve found a poker site that you want to sign up with, you need to deposit some money into your account. Once you’ve done that, you can start playing for real money. However, you should remember that playing for real money requires a lot more skill than playing for play money. Players will play looser when their own money isn’t on the line and they tend to call a lot more hands than they would if they had skin in the game. If you’re new to online poker, it’s a good idea to stick with play-money games until you get a feel for the game.
Most of the major regulated online poker operators offer mobile apps for their players to use on Android and iOS devices. Some also have an Instant Play option for players who don’t want to download an app. Regardless of which option you choose, the poker sites’ mobile apps require more processing power than their desktop counterparts and will need a decent internet connection to run properly. You should avoid downloading these apps on a phone with a slow data connection as the app will likely run slowly and crash frequently.
When it comes to actual gameplay, the mobile versions of poker sites are very similar to their desktop counterparts. There’s a tab or menu in the lobby for each type of game and players will generally be able to filter the games they want to see based on their stakes, format and more. Most online poker sites will also feature a beginner tab which allows players to be seated with other players who have tagged themselves as beginners and this can dramatically level the playing field for newcomers.
Actually getting money on and off a poker site is a lot easier than it used to be thanks to modern encryption technologies. Most poker sites accept a wide range of payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards and third-party eWallets. Some even allow you to deposit and withdraw through a bank wire transfer. However, if you’re from the US, be sure to only use legal, regulated sites that support your state gaming commission.
