When it comes to online poker, the game has become more than just a hobby. Players can make real money from playing online poker games and enter tournaments. It is important to choose a good site that offers security and fair play. The best online poker sites are licensed and regulated by gaming authorities. They also offer secure and fast banking methods.

The first online poker rooms were created in the late 1990s and grew to popularity after Chris Moneymaker’s win at the World Series of Poker in 2003. However, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 forced some sites out of the U.S. market and the industry was due for a setback.

One way to increase your chances of winning is by playing at multiple tables simultaneously. While this is impossible in a brick and mortar casino, online poker rooms allow players to view up to four tables at the same time, with each table being displayed in a separate window on a player’s computer display. A player who can play four tables consistently and earns under $4 an hour in dealer tips can break even with a small profit on each hand played.

Another way to increase your profits is by taking advantage of rakeback, a rebate that online poker rooms redistribute back to loyal players. Look for a site that offers rakeback, as well as a wide variety of other promotions and incentives, including tournament entry tickets and cash prizes. It’s also a good idea to review the available banking methods to determine whether there are minimum and maximum deposit amounts, as well as transaction fees for withdrawals.