The best poker sites online offer a safe, secure environment and strict regulation in states where it’s legal. Players are required to verify their identity and account details using documents such as a driver’s license or utility bill. This process is usually a painless and quick one, and most of the top poker websites require this to prevent fraud and money laundering.

While poker is a game of skill over the long run, it is still a game of chance and there’s always a possibility you could lose some or all of your money. For this reason, you should never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose and be sure to play within your bankroll at all times. It’s also important to limit your playing time, as too much of it can lead to burnout and even worsen your poker game.

When playing online, the key to success is to understand player tendencies and making mathematically sound plays. This means studying pre-flop range charts and learning to read an opponent’s betting tendencies. It also helps to have a large screen so that you can observe more tells, particularly the speed at which your opponents react to different bet sizes. Also, try to avoid playing when you’re ticked off or irritated. It’s not a good idea to use poker as a way to unwind, as you will only end up bluffing at innocent 6s and being called by a pair of kings.