To begin playing online poker, you need to sign up for a poker account. There are a number of ways you can do this. The first option is to visit the poker room’s website. Once there, you can find the “join now” link. This is usually at the top of the homepage. Some poker rooms may also include this link throughout the body of the website, or even in the footer. Once you’ve completed the signup process, check your email for a confirmation link, and you can then log in and fund your account.

After you’ve created your account, visit poker sites that have beginners-only tables. These are typically available to new players for the first 30 to 90 days after creating their account. These tables are a good place to practice your skills without being pushed by better players. It is also a good idea to play at multiple tables at once, as most online poker sites allow you to do so. You can view multiple tables in separate windows to improve your game and learn about strategy.

In the United States, the internet poker industry has existed for decades. In fact, some of the first online poker sites appeared in the late 1990s. After Chris Moneymaker’s victory in the 2003 World Series of Poker, the unregulated market exploded. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was signed into law by President Bush in 2006. The new administration is expected to repeal the UIGEA, which makes online poker illegal in the US. However, other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Caribbean countries, have legalized and regulated online poker.

However, online poker is not without its pitfalls. Compared to live poker, online poker has many advantages. It’s convenient and offers a large variety of stakes, which makes it a great option for beginners. The best sites also offer promotions and bonuses to encourage players. Regardless of where you live, online poker is a good way to learn more about the game.

Currently, four US states have legalized online poker, including Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Michigan and West Virginia have also passed legislation authorizing the online poker industry. While these are still relatively new laws, they will allow online poker sites to operate without legal hassles. However, online poker is still illegal in most of the states.

The differences between live and online poker players aren’t as stark as they used to be. Even in the past, some of the top pros in poker played online. While “live” pros were often critics of online poker, today, most of the best players play both online and live. However, playing poker online can be riskier than live poker.

Another benefit to online poker is speed. Live poker games often take hours to play, while online games are more convenient. With online poker, you can play up to 60 hands per hour. This is faster than live poker, especially in shorthanded games. You can also enjoy multi-table play, which enables you to play more hands at a time than you can with live poker.