Online poker takes the game of poker and cranks it up to the next level. Now players can play from the comfort of their own homes or on the go with a mobile device. Whether you’re looking to play for fun, cash or satellite entries into the biggest tournaments in the world online poker can provide it all.

One thing to look for when choosing an online poker site is the software used to run the games. The table software should be easy to read and navigate, with large easily identifiable betting buttons and a clean interface. This is important because if you’re uncomfortable with the software then you’re not going to play your best poker.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is the variety of games offered by a site. Different poker sites will offer different types of games, from standard cash games to tournaments and sit-and-gos. The more options available to you the better, so make sure to check out a poker site’s selection before signing up.

Lastly, check out the bonuses and promotions offered by a poker site. Bonuses can really help you get started with a new poker site and make it worth your while to play there. However, before you sign up for a poker site make sure to check out the terms and conditions of their bonus program. Most of the time you’ll need to meet certain requirements before being able to withdraw your bonus money. This might include a minimum deposit amount, a required number of hands played or a certain amount of frequent player points earned.

If you’re serious about poker then it’s a good idea to use tracking software to study your hand histories and poker statistics. This can give you a big advantage over the rest of the poker population. If you can spot patterns in how a player bets, calls and folds then you can gain an understanding of their style of play and exploit any weaknesses in their strategy.

There are a few different programs that you can use to track your poker stats, but the most popular is PokerTracker. This has an incredibly user-friendly interface and allows you to view raw hand histories as well as filter for particular situations. Another great option is Hold’em Indicator, which doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of PokerTracker but offers most casual poker players everything they need to succeed.

The state of California is still a long way off legalizing online poker, as it faces many obstacles. A lot of the state’s various potential stakeholders have taken hardline positions on key issues, including the ability of state regulators to oversee the industry and what role the state’s horse racing industry should play. The lack of consensus has stalled legislative progress in the past few years, but things are beginning to pick up again.