When you play online poker, you’re likely to share personal information with the poker site you choose. While some offshore sites are not required to protect this information, regulated sites are bound by law to do so. These sites also pay taxes on their revenue, which goes to good causes. So, before you play poker online, be sure to check the legitimacy of the site you’re considering.

There are various poker software applications available to make your poker experience easier. Many of these programs store hand histories, scan through active tables to identify known players, and display previous statistics next to their names. Most sites allow the use of these applications. They may also come with odds, equity or variance calculators, and even quizzes. Some can even flag possible mistakes.

You should also consider the bonus structure of the poker site. Some of these sites offer no-deposit bonuses, which are given to new players to try out the site. This is a great way to experience the online poker site before making a deposit. You can also benefit from loyalty schemes, which award points based on the amount you play and the rake you pay. These points can be converted to bonuses or cash.

One major advantage of online poker is speed. When playing poker online, you’ll have more hands per hour than if you’re playing live. A live game can be slow and boring, and playing online can allow you to make decisions quickly and efficiently. Many top players play both online and live. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Most of these variations are exclusive to tournaments, but some are available in cash games. In these games, the blind levels are usually higher. For example, you can bet 3,000 chips instead of one thousand. These games are usually half the cost of a standard 100bb table. If you win a hand, you can be sure to collect your prize.