Online poker is a card game that can be played at any time of day or night by anyone with a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. This makes it an ideal pastime for those who have busy schedules or do not want to travel to a physical casino. There are several ways to play online poker, including free and micro-stakes games. In addition, there are many poker training sites available that can teach players the fundamentals of the game and help them improve their skills.
Some of these training sites even offer free video courses that can be watched by the player at his or her own pace. These videos usually involve an instructor showing how to play a few hands of poker and explaining the basic rules. They also provide an overview of the poker hand ranking system and explain how to read your opponents.
If you are a newcomer to the game, it is best to stick to free and micro-stakes games until you have learned the basics. However, you can always move on to real money games once you have the hang of the game. Just be sure to check your local laws to ensure that you are not breaking any rules.
Many poker sites now have their own poker tracking software that allows the player to view their session stats and see where they are winning or losing. This can be a huge advantage for the player as they can learn from their mistakes and improve their game. It is also a good idea to track your bankroll as well, as this will help you manage it more effectively.
The most popular poker tracking software currently on the market is PokerSnowie, which offers a clean user interface and lots of filtering and viewing options for the hand history data. This is a great tool for analyzing your opponent’s tendencies and finding exploitable leaks in their game. PokerSnowie uses a GTO (game theory optimal) approach to help players get the most out of the game.
Another good option for poker tracking software is Poker Copilot, which works on most major poker sites. This tool is easy to use and allows players to scan active tables for known players and display past statistics from previous hands with them next to their name. It can also be used to calculate odds, equity and variance for the current hand.
There was a time when the distinction between live and online poker players was quite stark, with some top players avoiding online play entirely because they thought it wasn’t real poker. However, this trend is now less pronounced, and most top players at all levels engage in both forms of the game.