One of the most popular card games of all time, party poker has become a huge industry since the introduction of online gaming in the 1990s. Online Party Poker has made the game available to anyone from anywhere in the world, making it the biggest contributor to the online gambling industry. In fact, at any given hour, there are approximately 60,000 people playing online party poker at the same time.

There are several reasons why online party poker is so popular. It offers several advantages over the traditional version in terms of speed, price, convenience, and gaming options. If you’re new to online party poker, read these tips to help you get started.

Choose a good host. Online games are played on websites that provide the software needed to run the game. Some sites are free for all, while others require a membership fee. When looking for a party poker site, consider their loading time, interface, security, and credibility. To start with, try Doing Poker, a poker site hosting a large community of players and offering resources to help you improve your game.

Look for tutorials. One of the best advantages of online party poker is its beginner-friendly approach. Most sites provide a tutorial or advice page where novices can learn the basics and experts can exchange game tips. Or if you’ve played before but are new to the online version, the site can also give you a user guide to help you along. Some also include a players’ forum, where you can chat with fellow players—even on non-poker related topics.

Explore your options. Just as there are many variations of traditional poker, online party poker also offers several game play options. You can choose from the common versions such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Seven Card Stud, change the user interface, or limit your preferences to players of the same skill level. You can also play up to ten tables at a time—an almost impossible feat in real-life casinos.

Consider security. A poker site may ask for personal information such as your name, location, and credit card or account number. Before providing any data, make sure the site has security features in place to keep your account private. Without a protective layer, it is too easy for an experienced hacker to access your information and use your account.

Try free money play. Free money poker is a different mode in which you bet “virtual” cash instead of real money. This is usually designed for beginners who want to practice before putting any real money at stake. It is also ideal for advanced players who want to play for fun rather than profit, or experiment on new techniques.