What You Should Know About Online Poker

Online poker takes the old-fashioned card game and cranks it up a few notches. It is played worldwide for real money and prizes including satellite entries into live tournaments around the globe, but it can also be played for free and for as little as pennies a hand. It is a difficult game to beat but top pros spend as much time studying their games as they do playing. They sign up for training sites such as Chip Leader Coaching and Upswing Poker, network with successful players and brutally analyze their play after each session.

Whether you’re a professional or an amateur, there are some things every player should know before attempting to win at poker online. One of the most important is that poker requires mental toughness. Watch videos of pro players like Phil Ivey taking bad beats and note how calm and collected they remain after a loss. This is key to a successful poker career, and the best way to improve your mental game is to play with the best players in your area.

The next thing you should know about online poker is that the best online poker sites will have a secure sign-up process. This means that they will ask you to provide proof of identity before allowing you to play with real money. This is a standard practice and shouldn’t be an issue, but it does mean that you’ll need to scan or take a photo of your ID or utility bill.