When playing poker online, the rules are the same as in a live game but the game play is much faster and less intimidating. There is no waiting for a card to be shuffled and the discards are collected automatically. This makes the experience more pleasant for everyone, including the dealer.

Online poker sites are regulated by the states that offer the game, and this ensures that all games are fair and that players’ accounts and information are protected. It is important to check the reputation of an online poker site and choose one that offers multiple secure payment methods, high minimum and maximum deposit limits and quick cashout times.

There are a number of software programs that can be used to help with the playing of poker online. These include hand database programs that save, sort and recall all the hands played online. They can also scan active tables for known players and display previous statistics of those players next to their name (known as a HUD). Other programs can calculate odds or equity/variance.

The key to success when playing poker online is to monitor your wins and losses. It is advisable to play within your bankroll and not chase losses. This will not only ensure that you have a good time but it will prevent you from becoming addicted to the game and put unnecessary financial pressure on yourself. Also, make sure you set a limit on your spending and stick to it.