Online poker is a game of skill where players place real money wagers on the outcome of hands. The game follows the same rules as its live counterpart but operates at a much faster pace. The game also requires players to size up their opponents without being able to read physical tells as they would in a casino.

The game is popular with both amateur and professional players. It is available at most major online casinos and offers a variety of tournaments, cash games and Sit ‘N’ Go events. To play, players must be in a state that allows legal, regulated online poker and create an account to deposit funds for wagering. Then they can choose which games and stakes they wish to play.

Many states have legalized online poker, including Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. The Multi-State Gaming Compact allows players from those states to compete against each other, increasing the overall player pool and boosting revenues within individual states. Pennsylvania is moving towards joining the compact and will further expand the player pool when it does.

Players should always use a licensed, reputable online poker site with a good track record of keeping customer data safe and secure. A reputable operator will use strong firewalls and encryption tools to keep your personal information private. It is also important to avoid unlicensed operators that may not abide by US consumer protection laws.

One of the most important considerations when choosing an online poker site is how many real money players it receives. A high volume of traffic results in a greater selection of games and tournaments to choose from, making it easier for players to find a game that suits their skills. It is also a good idea to look for a site that offers mobile play.

The online poker market is dominated by large sites like Partypoker, PokerStars and WSOP. Each of these sites has its own unique offerings. Generally, the largest sites feature the biggest tournaments and the highest prize pools. In addition to these, the top poker sites offer a variety of promotions and bonuses for their customers.

A number of companies provide software and services to online poker operators. These range from identity verification, financial services and anti-money laundering solutions to cyber security, responsible gambling advocacy, and geolocation. Some of these providers also offer APIs and hosted service capabilities.

The legality of online poker depends on a number of factors, including state laws and federal regulations. Most states have passed laws to regulate the game, while others prohibit it completely. In addition, there are federal laws that prohibit the transfer of money for gambling across state lines. To comply with these laws, online poker sites must make sure that only people located in a particular state are playing for real money. In order to do this, they must collect personal information from all players and verify that they are located in the proper state before allowing them to play.