Getting started playing poker online is relatively easy. You can download poker software that can save your hand histories, show you odds, and display equity. You can also participate in side games against “the house” for real money. Many online poker rooms allow you to play multiple tables at once, which can be a good way to improve your game. Some sites also let you deposit and withdraw in a variety of currencies. Some sites require you to convert your funds before you can play.
Some online poker rooms integrate online casinos into their software. This can be an attractive option for those who enjoy playing casino games but do not want to risk their money in a real casino. Often, online poker rooms will allow you to play multiple tables in separate windows. Some sites also allow you to see more hands per hour than you would see in a live game.
Some online poker rooms allow you to take action in the dark. This may be an attractive option for those who are new to poker and may prevent discouragement from seeing a bad beat. However, you should be aware that this is only possible with a few online poker sites. Other online poker sites will only allow you to take action when the lights are on. You may also face third party detection if you attempt to manipulate the dealing process.
If you are not an experienced player, you may want to start with a low limit game. A good rule of thumb is $10 per 100 hands. This may sound high, but it is considered good play in low limit games. You may also want to increase your limit for better opponents. This can help to prevent bad beats and rounding issues, which can be difficult to detect with a low limit game. However, you should still be aware that the odds in side games tend to be in favor of the house.
Compared to live poker games, online poker players are much more likely to see random large pots and bad beats. This can be due to the fact that most online poker sites do not allow players to show their hands before folding. In a live game, players are typically allowed to show their hands before folding. But this is not always the case online.
Another disadvantage of playing online is that you may not know who you are playing against. Some online poker sites may use “bots” to play against you. These bots may be programmed to sway the outcome of the game in favor of the site. Other poker sites may use sophisticated tracking software to detect unusual patterns. This can be an attractive option for house-employed players, but it may also be a bad idea.
Some poker sites allow you to deposit and withdraw using e-Wallets or transfer banks. This is a good way to ensure that you do not have to worry about conversion fees. Some poker sites only accept United States dollars, but some also allow you to convert your funds to a variety of currencies.