Online poker is a strategic card game played on computers and mobile devices around the world. It is a fast-paced, fun and challenging game that can be played for real money or play money. The games are often available round the clock and can be played in a variety of languages and currencies.

Before playing poker online, it is important to understand the rules and hand rankings. Also, it is essential to be able to read the board in order to determine which hands win. It is also a good idea to practice bluffing. While this may seem pointless, it can help you to win pots when you have nothing and to get your opponents to bet more when you have a strong hand.

Once you’ve registered an account with an online poker room, you will need to fund your player account in order to play for real money. This can be done by choosing your preferred banking method and entering the amount you wish to deposit. Some poker sites offer eWallets, which are designed for fast transactions online and can be funded using a credit or debit card.

Another way to fund your poker account is to use a wire transfer. This is a fast and reliable banking option, but it can take up to five business days for the funds to reach your poker site. Some poker rooms also accept prepaid cards, which are similar to eWallets but are preloaded with funds and can be used immediately at the table.