The rise in popularity of online poker has created a huge market for this game. Playing the game over the Internet has brought people from all over the world to enjoy a game they never thought they would enjoy. While this game is very different from a regular card game, there are many similarities. The primary difference between the two games is that players participate in the game from their own computer. The main difference is the amount of information that is available to the players, and the software required to play.

The software required to play poker online can range in size from a few megabytes to several megabytes, and it is free to download. The software should take no more than a few minutes to download, even on an archaic connection. Although no download versions are available at every poker site, it is still important to research a site’s security features. This way, you can be confident that the site you choose is reliable and secure.

Moreover, many sites feature leaderboards to allow players to compete with one another. These rankings are usually global, which means that players can compare their performance to the rest of the world. Some sites offer promotional packages involving bonus chips. It is a great way to become more involved in the poker community, and can help you earn cash prizes. If you’re a serious player, you can join leaderboard contests to earn more money.