Online poker has revolutionized the gambling industry by making it possible for people from all over the world to play a game that once was only available in brick-and-mortar casinos. The popularity of the game continues to grow, and players are always looking for ways to improve their skills and get ahead of the competition. Fortunately, there are many free poker websites that can help you hone your game and increase your chances of winning big!

When it comes to playing real money poker, you want to find a site that accepts your preferred deposit methods. This could be a credit or debit card, a prepaid voucher, or one of the many web wallets that are available. In addition, you want to make sure the site offers a mobile app that is fast and easy to use. Finally, you should look for a site that offers a wide variety of games and tournaments.

The number of players at a poker site is an important factor to consider. A large player pool means more opportunities to win cash and participate in high-value tournaments. In addition, a larger player pool can mean softer opponents, which is particularly important for people who are new to the game or struggling to make money.

Moreover, the size of the player pool can determine how many rakebacks you are eligible for, which can make or break your bankroll. Several online poker sites offer a range of rakebacks, with some offering up to 60% cash back for low-rollers. While these perks aren’t as lucrative as winning the jackpot, they can still make a big difference for breaking even players.

In the United States, regulated online poker began coming back in 2013 after the federal ban on the industry was lifted. However, the first regulated online poker rooms only launched in the states of Nevada and Delaware. It wasn’t until 2017 that New Jersey joined the two to form a three-state compact known as the MSIGA, which allowed for player pools across state lines.

A large part of online poker involves betting, and this can be done with either coins or chips. The coin value is typically set at $0.01 and the chip value is usually fixed at $1. Some sites even allow you to choose between different denominations of coins.

888poker is one of the biggest online poker sites around and offers some great free training. This is especially true for its Texas hold’em games, but you can also find lessons on Omaha and short deck poker, which are not commonly found on other poker sites. The website also features articles released on a daily basis under the ‘Strategy’ menu option that can really take your game to the next level. You can also try its free ‘Beat the Pro’ challenges, where you can challenge some of the site’s most successful players (like Scott Clements, Qui Nguyen, and Mike Caro) to see how they would play certain hands.