Online poker takes a classic card game and cranks it up to the next level. You can play for free or for the smallest stakes you could imagine (literally pennies) or you can compete for satellite entries into some of the biggest live tournaments in the world. You can play a variety of poker games as well, from Texas Hold’em to Omaha and even Crazy Pineapple depending on the poker site and network you choose.

The best poker sites cater to players of all skill levels. Some do this by offering a variety of different games and formats while others simply focus on attracting the largest number of players. Some poker sites are also able to attract the most skilled players by offering a high percentage of the pot back to the player, which is called rakeback.

When choosing an online poker site you should look at the available banking methods to see what your options are for depositing and withdrawing funds. Ideally, you want to use a method that can add and remove money quickly and easily. You should also look at the minimum and maximum amounts you can transfer along with any fees associated with each transaction.

Most major online poker sites accept a variety of credit cards as well as popular third-party eWallets such as Neteller and Skrill. Some also offer cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. You should always make sure that a poker site is secure before depositing your money and that they have a decent track record in handling customer support issues.

Some poker sites also cater to players in specific regions. For example, SportsBetting is a good choice for US poker fans because they support a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, and they also have a mobile app that makes it easy to play on the go. They are also one of the few online poker sites that pay out winnings instantly, which is great for players who want to get their cash quickly.

Once you have chosen a poker site you should look at the games and tournaments they offer to see what matches up with your skills. Most major poker sites will feature a large selection of cash games and tournaments with buy-ins from a few pennies to thousands. Some will also have a “beginner” tab that allows players to be seated with other players who classify themselves as beginners, which dramatically levels the playing field for newbies.

Another important factor is the amount of traffic that a poker site has, which accomplishes three things: it ensures there are active games you can play in, it increases your chances of finding weak players to profit from and it acts as a tacit endorsement of the poker site’s trustworthiness. The top poker sites are able to draw the most players thanks to a combination of factors such as their tournament schedule, promotional campaigns and reputation among poker enthusiasts.