Online poker is a popular card game played over the internet using specialized software. It is very similar to real money casino games except that the player’s account funds are safe and secured with strict regulation. In order to play you need a decent computer with enough processing power to run the software. Some sites even have apps for smart phones and tablets.
In the past most poker was played in smokey bars and casinos but the advent of the internet allowed players to play safely from the comfort of their own homes. This new form of the game is more competitive and offers a variety of different formats to choose from.
There are also many different tools and resources to help players improve their game. Almost all serious online players use tracking poker software (Holdem Manager 3 is a good example) to collect and analyze the statistics of their opponents’ actions. This gives them a big advantage over the masses and helps them to find leaks in their own game and uncover the secrets of their opponents. Other tools include hand database programs that scan active tables for known players and display previous statistics from hands with those players next to their name (known as a heads up display or HUD). Some even offer quizzes and other study features.
It is important to find an online poker site that provides table software that is both functional and visually appealing. It may seem like a small detail but a great user interface will go unnoticed by most players and can make a huge difference in the quality of an online poker experience.