Online poker is a game where you compete against other players. This can be either a free game or one played for money. There are different formats of this game, such as Seven Card Stud, and a variety of variants. If you are looking to start playing, there are a few things you should know before you play.

Having a good starting hand is important. While a poor hand can still win the game, you can have better odds by having a better set of cards. Also, it can help you avoid getting hit by a shark. In other words, it’s best to be aware of the most common types of hands in order to be a winning poker player.

There are several things to look for in a good online poker site. One is a solid fish to reg ratio. This means that the site has a healthy number of savvy recreational players, who are likely to be more invested than your average fish. Another thing to consider is their promotions and bonuses. The best online poker sites offer incentives for new players to try their hand at the game.

A number of sites allow you to track the number of opponents you’re facing at a table. These types of tracking tools are invaluable when it comes to evaluating your opponents’ poker skills. As an example, Hold’em Manager 3 has a cool feature that shows you the number of times your opponent folds. This isn’t exactly a sure-fire way to pick the best players, but it is a decent indication of how well you’re doing.

Other features to check out include a Quick Seat option, which allows you to jump to a table as soon as it’s ready. It’s a useful feature, but it doesn’t work with every site. However, it’s a nice touch if you’re new to the game and don’t want to wait around for a table to become available.

Some poker sites also allow you to display a heads-up display. These displays are handy for players who don’t want to put up with the wait-time associated with a heads-up poker table. But these screens can also be expensive, so it’s better to stick with a site that offers a HUD without a price tag.

Likewise, a good sign that a poker site is legitimate is if they allow you to deposit funds into your account using a valid credit card. You’ll also want to take advantage of a site’s smattering of freeroll tournaments. They’re a great way to make new friends and get a taste of the action.

If you’re new to the game, the same rule applies to your strategy. Start out with lower stakes and increase your wagers as you gain experience. Once you’ve won 10-20 cash games, you should think about making the move up. Although you may not be able to afford a $5/10 buy-in, you’ll likely be comfortable beating it.

Finally, the most obvious sign that an online poker site is legit is the fact that they use a secure server and accept deposits with a real-money account. Some sites also use digital device fingerprinting, which helps them recognize your account and block you from playing.