Poker online has had some great highs and some shocking lows. But it has a long life ahead of it and the most important thing is to keep learning, playing, and enjoying it. Be patient, stay humble, and don’t be afraid to re-buy (if you can afford it). If you are serious about becoming a great player sign up for training sites like Chip Leader Coaching or Upswing Poker, network with players who have proven track records, and analyze your play after every session. Also, make sure to set time limits for yourself and play within them.

A basic understanding of poker rules, hand rankings and the ability to read boards is a must for any serious online poker player. You’ll need to learn about things like position, calculating pot odds and assigning ranges too. If you don’t understand these basics then don’t bother playing poker online for real money until you do.

There are many different online poker sites to choose from. It’s a good idea to look for one that offers a wide variety of games and has a good reputation in the community. Also, be aware of any deposit or withdrawal fees and minimum and maximum stakes.

Most online poker sites invest the money that players put in. This is a legal practice and it’s a huge source of revenue for them. However, it’s important to remember that poker is a game of skill over the long run and the top pros spend as much time studying the game as they do playing it.