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Poker is all the rage right now. On TV, poker players are the new celebrities, while online poker players are cashing in. The World Series of Poker keeps making millionaires out of new players and setting them up for life. Ditto some great online poker events.

But if you want to get a hold of that big pot, you've got to get into the game. Turning your hard-earned cash into poker chips has never been easier, thanks to the numerous options now available for depositing your money into your online poker account.

All a poker player needs is a credit card or a bank account and they can deal themselves in. There are still more depositing options beyond the basics, including money transfers, online checks, and online money depositors who keep your transaction safe and secure.

Credit cards are a hassle in some locales, so you might need to do the first deposit the old-fashioned way - bank wire or cheque. So, if you regularly clean up at your local nickel-and-dime poker game and would like to step up to a bigger table - and bigger stakes - don't let the fear of putting your financial info on the net scare you.

With the dozens of highly encrypted funding options available at poker rooms all over the net, anyone can find one that is right for them. Follow the links to the poker room. There is always action waiting for you, meaning the next important steps are learning where and how to play. But remember to play only what you can afford to lose.

Play with your head, not over your head:

• Limit Games instead of No Limit.
  Although the biggest poker tournaments these days are Texas Hold'em No Limit matches, as a beginning player you should stick to Limit games. Playing stakes where the betting is limited is less likely to be costly. Start in smaller limit games.
• Minimize your losses as you're learning.
  Only when you feel confident at the lower stakes games should you consider moving on to higher stakes tables. The same goes for tournament play. No need to make costly buy-ins, rather start at levels that you can afford. And remember, losing is part of the game.
• Watch better players.
  Before joining a table, observe the play of the players there, how they make their bets and which hands they choose to play. You can also learn about poker by watching televised competitions, but you'll learn far more by playing as much as you can yourself.
• Ask experts if you don't know.
  Never hesitate to ask questions when you're unfamiliar with rules, poker hand ranks, etc. Remember, everyone started out with no knowledge of the game, and you can utilize what others know to help yourself advance.
• Be patient.
  There is absolutely no need to play every single hand. Bad cards will only give you bad results. Wait for the good cards and the good hands. Then act as if you own the game.
• Play at smaller tournaments.
  Participating in smaller tournaments, whether they feed into larger cash tournaments or some of the prestigious land-based tournaments around the globe, is a good return for a small outlay. Playing in freerolls is also a good way to gain experience.
• Don't get upset when you lose.
  You have to learn slowly, improve bit by bit until you're able to win. Success doesn't come overnight. In poker, losing is part of the game, so be patient for the next deal.
• Let the game be fun.
  Don't take playing poker too seriously. It has to be enjoyable and not risky!
• Learn one game at a time.
  The best game for beginners is Texas Hold'em, and it's the most popular. Only when you reach a certain level of expertise in that game should you consider playing other poker variations like Omaha.
• Anybody can win.
  Remember that the biggest tournaments can be won by amateur players. Maybe you'll win the next World Series of Poker! Keep on playing at the smaller stakes games and in the small satellites and slowly, but surely, work your way up. Maybe next year you'll be in Las Vegas wearing a coveted WSOP bracelet!

Learn more and play at the best sites to improve your skills!