Online poker takes the concept of a poker game in a casino and cranks it up to an incredible level. Players can play for anything from free or the smallest stakes imaginable to satellite entries into some of the world’s most prestigious live tournaments and even multi-million dollar jackpots. The game is available from anywhere in the world as long as a player has an internet connection and a computer capable of running the software.
The first real money online poker hand was dealt on 1 January 1998 by Planet Poker, which was one of the first sites to offer it. Many different poker sites have since emerged, offering a variety of features to their players. The first of these was the ability to play multiple tables, which made it possible for players to earn much more than they would at a single table in a brick and mortar casino.
Another popular feature of online poker is the ability to use database software programs. These tools allow players to save, sort and recall all their online poker hands while also displaying previous statistics of opponents next to their name (known as a heads up display or HUD). Many of these programs offer additional features such as odds, equity and variance calculators.
Online poker players can also find a number of interesting learning and educational resources including strategy articles, videos featuring famous pros like Scott Clements and Qui Nguyen, games for mobile devices that improve knowledge of the game, and a poker forum. The site offers a number of free resources but it’s worth checking out their paid courses that feature instructors explaining the game and walking through sample hands.