When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn The best online poker sites in the USA allow you to play real money cash games and tournaments across a range of stakes. Plus, they have great bonuses, rakeback, secure banking, and high-end software to ensure a great experience.
We give you the perfect overview of the top poker sites, covering traffic, poker games online, bonuses and rakeback, banking methods, and much more. Check out the best real money poker sites right below.
Best Online Poker Sites
- All
| Best Crypto Poker Site |
CoinPoker |
150% deposit bonus up to $2,000 |
150% deposit bonus up to $2,000
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CoinPoker
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Play Now
Copied
TECHO
Copy
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Ignition |
100% Poker Bonus + 100% Casino Combo Bonus |
100% Poker Bonus + 100% Casino Combo Bonus
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Ignition
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Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
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Americas Card Room |
New Player Bonus Up To $2,000 |
New Player Bonus Up To $2,000
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Americas Card Room
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Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
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Black Chip Poker |
100% up to $2,000 |
100% up to $2,000
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Black Chip Poker
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Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
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BetOnline |
100% Bonus up to $1,000 |
100% Bonus up to $1,000
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BetOnline
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Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
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Bovada |
100% Bonus up to $500 |
100% Bonus up to $500
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Bovada
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Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
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Ya Poker |
100% up to $2,000 |
100% up to $2,000
|
Ya Poker
|
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
- Show Full Guide
Reviews of Five of the Best Online Poker Sites
If you want to play poker in the US but can’t decide which of our top-rated real money poker sites is best for you, we will cover five platforms in more detail. These are premium US online poker sites that you can join for free and enjoy a variety of games.
1. CoinPoker – Best Online Poker Room for Real Money Play
- Payout time: Instant
- Established: 2017
- License: Curacao eGaming
- Restricted states: None
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
CoinPoker is a crypto-based online poker room that is available with ease. You don’t have to share any personal or banking details in order to sign up and play. In fact, the instant registration and the cryptocurrency deposit methods make it the best poker site in the US.
The bonuses and promotions are quick to stand out at CoinPoker. It has a massive welcome bonus on the online poker real money site along with 33% rakeback, loads of freerolls, and poker leaderboard events with real prizes.
The traffic is good and you can easily find tables for Texas Hold’em and Omaha on low and mid stakes. High stakes cash games are quite rare but you can check out the special tournament series that can award $1,000,000 in guaranteed prizes.
Deposits are free and you can also withdraw instantly without any fees. As a top online poker site, CoinPoker ensures safe and fair games, with an provably fair random number generator for every shuffle.
Features Overview
- Poker Cash Games: 10/10
- Poker Tournaments: 10/10
- Promotions & Rewards: 10/10
- Desktop Experience: 10/10
- Mobile Experience: 10/10
- Registration Process: 10/10
- Payment Methods: 9.5/10
- Customer Support: 9.5/10
Pros 
- Big welcome bonus for online poker for real money
- Leaderboard events with daily and weekly prizes
- Doesn’t require any personal details
- Instant withdrawals to crypto wallets
Cons 
- Can’t use cards to deposit on the site
- Doesn’t have a loyalty program at this time
2. Ignition – Big Bonus & Rewards when You Play Poker
- Payout time: 2 days
- Established: 2016
- License: Curacao eGaming
- Restricted states: NJ, NY, NV, MD, DE
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
Since launching, Ignition has made bonuses its business and is now one of the best US online poker sites. It offers a welcome bonus bigger than on other poker websites and has its own rewards program. You earn points known as Miles when you pay rake, which you can then use to unlock tournament tickets or exchange for bonus funds.
Ignition’s instant-play and desktop app feature a nice game selection full of Hold’em and Omaha games. Tournament players are also well catered to with a strong weekly schedule.
All of these features are enhanced by a high level of traffic and features designed to cater to new players when you play poker for money. The anonymous tables and quick seating feature discourage sharks and make for softer competition compared to the other top poker sites.
The banking methods are also welcoming for all types of players. You can deposit with cards or crypto through the user-friendly cashier. As is the case with most US online poker sites, it is best to use crypto for banking, which also comes with a bigger bonus at Ignition.
Features Overview
- Poker Cash Games: 10/10
- Poker Tournaments: 10/10
- Promotions & Rewards: 9.5/10
- Desktop Experience: 10/10
- Mobile Experience: 9.5/10
- Registration Process: 9.5/10
- Payment Methods: 9/10
- Customer Support: 10/10
Pros
- Generous poker online first deposit bonus for new players
- Soft poker games and online tournaments
- Exclusive freerolls for beginners on the site
- Great online poker experience on mobile
Cons
- Only a few withdrawal options in the cashier
- Not the flashiest client for online poker for US players
3. BetOnline Poker – High-End Poker Online Software
- Payout time: 1-2 days
- Established: 2001
- License: Panama Gaming Commission
- Restricted states: NJ
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
BetOnline offers a leading poker online real money platform that uses a modern software with frequent updates. It is available via an instant-play version and downloadable app for desktop, iOS, and Android.
This top online poker site has a great client with loads of features, including straddle, all-in cash out, and the option to run it multiple times.
In terms of gaming options, BetOnline Poker covers every major poker variant, including Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and Pineapple. It also has its own fast-fold variant known as Boost Poker.
We found a great schedule of poker tournaments at BetOnline. It has everything from freerolls to main events with $150,000 guaranteed. And that’s without counting the special series on the online poker site, like the $1.5M Masters, that take place several times a year.
Features Overview
- Poker Cash Games: 9.5/10
- Poker Tournaments: 10/10
- Promotions & Rewards: 9.5/10
- Desktop Experience: 10/10
- Mobile Experience: 10/10
- Registration Process: 9.5/10
- Payment Methods: 10/10
- Customer Support: 9/10
Pros
- New customers get a deposit match bonus
- Fiat and crypto payments with large limits
- Has fast-fold poker games for more action
- Good online poker real money traffic all week
Cons
- You need to wager the value of deposits once before withdrawing
- Minimum cash games start from $0.05/$0.10
4. Bovada – Unique Features for Playing Online Poker Anonymously
- Payout time: 1-2 days
- Established: 2011
- License: Curacao eGaming
- Restricted states: NJ, NY, NV, MD, DE, MI, CO
Our Verdict: 9.7/10
Bovada is one of the best online poker sites for US players, available on the PaiWangLuo Network. It has great traffic and offers a wide range of cash games and tournaments throughout the week. You will also find useful features for preventing sharks, like quick seating and anonymous tables.
Bovada’s online poker software isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but it’s impressive from a technical perspective. The instant-play and desktop app give you easy access to a roster of low and high stakes, cash games, MTTs, and SNGs.
Bovada’s edge in the gaming department comes from its fast-fold variant, Zone Poker. These games are incredibly slick and move you from table to table each time you fold, which speeds up the game dramatically. Adding to this edge are fee-free crypto payments, allowing you to play poker for money without any hassle.
Features Overview
- Poker Cash Games: 10/10
- Poker Tournaments: 9.5/10
- Promotions & Rewards: 9.5/10
- Desktop Experience: 9.5/10
- Mobile Experience: 10/10
- Registration Process: 9.5/10
- Payment Methods: 9.5/10
- Customer Support: 9.5/10
Pros
- Low rollover for the poker welcome bonus
- Top online poker real money site for recreational players
- Free payments with Bitcoin and other cryptos
- Monthly tournaments worth up to $2 million
Cons
- No phone number for customer support
- High transaction fees for fiat deposits
5. ACR Poker – Weekly Tournaments for Main Poker Variants
- Payout time: 1-2 days
- Established: 2001
- License: Costa Rica
- Restricted states: LA, KY, MD, NJ, DE, WA
Our Verdict: 9.8/10
Americas Cardroom, or ACR Poker for short, is one of the most popular US friendly poker sites for Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and more. It is known for offering some of the best online qualifiers for live events, giving players the full experience around the world.
The online poker room is very welcoming and you can practice with play money before claiming the sign up bonus and joining the real money tables. ACR has a solid welcome offer and larger prize pools than other US poker sites.
You can take part in MTTs costing between $1.50 and $600. In fact, if you’re a tournament player, you’ve got plenty of guarantees to play for, including a $25,000 GTD daily tournaments and series with prize pools topping $1 million.
The clean user interface on the online poker site makes it easy to browse the list of events. It also covers more game variations than other top 10 poker sites, including Seven Card Stud. The downside is that you will have to install the client to start playing since there is no instant play version.
Features Overview
- Poker Cash Games: 9/10
- Poker Tournaments: 9.5/10
- Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
- Desktop Experience: 8.5/10
- Mobile Experience: 9/10
- Registration Process: 9/10
- Payment Methods: 9.5/10
- Customer Support: 8.5/10
Pros
- First deposit match bonus when you start playing
- Great promotions for extra rewards and tickets
- Multiple game types available in the lobby
- One of the best poker sites for tournaments
Cons
- Seasoned players are active at all stakes
- Not the best poker experience in instant play
Comparing the Best US Poker Sites for Real Money
How do the best US online poker welcome bonuses stack up against each other? Let’s take a look at their deposit bonuses, poker games, and other features.
| Poker Site | Poker Bonus | Poker Network | Fast Fold Poker | Freerolls | Qualifiers | Guarantees |
| CoinPoker | 150% bonus up to $2,000 | Proprietary | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ignition Poker | 100% bonus up to $1,000 | PaiWangLuo Poker Network | ✅ (Zone) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ACR Poker | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | Winning Poker Network | ✅ (Blitz) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Black Chip Poker | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | Winning Poker Network | ✅ (Blitz) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetOnline Poker | 100% bonus up to $1,000 | Chico Poker Network | ✅ (Boost) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bovada Poker | 100% bonus up to $500 | PaiWangLuo Poker Network | ✅ (Zone) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ya Poker | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | Winning Poker Network | ✅ (Blitz) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Best Online Poker Sites by Category
The answer to the question “What is the best online poker site?” is not always the same for everyone. There are differences that can make a platform better suited for some players than for others. Let’s go over the key categories so that you can easily identify the best online poker site for you.
Best Poker Sites for Beginners
Probably the most difficult part is finding a top online poker room as a beginner. This platform should be easy to navigate, provide helpful guides, and have good traffic at low stakes. But even more importantly, you want a network without very experienced players that take advantage of beginners, also known as sharks.
Ignition Poker stands out as the best poker site for beginners in 2024. The user-friendly interface makes it very welcoming for newcomers and you can easily find a table at micro stakes. However, it is the anonymous tables that really make it a safe environment for beginners.
Moreover, since the site has good traffic, you can always switch tables and avoid tough competition. You will also find a good range of freerolls where you can practice with other new players for the chance to win real prizes.
It is one of the best poker websites for recreational players and makes it almost impossible for sharks to take advantage of beginners.
Best Poker Sites for Experienced Players
If you are an experienced poker player, you probably want action at mid and high stakes, a solid rakeback system, and a secure banking system for managing your funds. Several of the top online poker sites fit this description, such as BetOnline and CoinPoker.
CoinPoker is one of the best poker sites for experienced players because it has great traffic and doesn’t force quick seating or anonymous play. This means that you can take notes on your opponents and adapt your playstyle in the long run to better take advantage of their mistakes.
Moreover, CoinPoker delivers a great experience for seasoned players. It hosts some of the best poker tournament series online, like the Crypto Series of Online Poker Plus (CSOP+) that has $25,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools. Furthermore, the 33% rakeback can make a huge difference if you plan on grinding the cash tables.
Best New Poker Sites
We found that new poker sites often come with improved bonuses and better software in order to compete with the established brands. This can make them appealing to new players, which results in soft competition at the tables.
On the other hand, overall traffic is not always great on new online poker sites. So, the best scenario is when a platform has the best of both worlds.
That is why CoinPoker is one of the best new poker sites. It has a new client that offers a smooth gaming experience on desktop and mobile, but it also comes with a solid player base so that you never have to wait around for a table.
Best Online Poker Sites for Cash Games
While all of the featured sites are great for poker cash games online, we will have to go with BetOnline for the best overall pick in this category. It supports multi-tabling for up to eight games at the same time, it has the option to run it multiple times for all-in hands, and even supports straddle.
Plus, if you really want to play fast cash games, BetOnline Boost tables run around the clock. You can have up to four Boost games open simultaneously.
CoinPoker also comes highly recommended for cash games due to its daily leaderboards for no-limit hold’em and Omaha. You can earn points for each big blind on the tables and move up the ranking to earn extra rewards for free.
Best Online Poker Sites for Tournaments
CoinPoker manages to edge out ahead of the competition when it comes to tournaments, showing why it is the best overall online poker site.
Standout features include the exclusive CSOP series, available at three levels for stakes and payouts. Even the regular schedule is packed, especially with the Sunday Specials.
The online poker room supports satellites, rebuy tournaments, add-on events, turbo and hyper turbo tournaments, and progressive knockouts.
Real Money Online Poker Rooms by Traffic
Player traffic plays a huge role when it comes to the best online poker rooms. It determines how many cash games are available and also the size of the tournaments.
Plus, online poker rooms with high traffic numbers can also provide better bonuses and promotions, including more freerolls.
The advantage is that US friendly poker sites based offshore don’t have ring-fenced player pools for each state. Instead, all of the players can access the same network. Let’s check out the biggest online poker networks in the USA:
1. PaiWangLuo Poker Network
- 7 day average: 900 cash players
- 24 hour peak: 1,600 cash players
- Online players: 5,000+ players
- Top poker sites: Ignition, Bovada
PaiWangLuo is the biggest poker network for real money in the US, with skins like Bovada and Ignition. It has tens of cash game tables and focuses mainly on Texas Hold’em and Omaha. You can also play fast-fold poker games online on the network.
2. Chico Poker Network
- 7 day average: 500 cash players
- 24 hour peak: 700 cash players
- Online players: 2,500+ players
- Top poker site: BetOnline
The Chico Poker Network is regarded as one of the best platforms for online poker for US players. It has a modern client that is updated frequently and comes with quite a few nice features. It also looks better than some of the other online poker rooms, with great support for desktop and mobile play.
3. Winning Poker Network
- 7 day average: 300 cash players
- 24 hour peak: 500 cash players
- Online players: 1,300+ players
- Top poker sites: Americas Cardroom, Black Chip Poker
Simply known as WPN, the Winning Poker Network has maintained a good level of traffic for the past few years. It offers more poker games online than some of the competition, resulting in more variety for both cash tables and tournaments. Plus, it helps that ACR features qualifiers for major tournaments from around the world.
4. CoinPoker
- 7 day average: 200 cash players
- 24 hour peak: 300 cash players
- Online players: 1,000+ players
- Top poker site: CoinPoker
Although CoinPoker is not on a network with other sites, it still manages to get good traffic throughout the year. The fact that it allows for anonymous registration and crypto banking from anywhere in the US makes it one of the best online poker rooms. Plus, the welcome bonus and rakeback offers are also very rewarding and it has great poker apps for Android and iPhone.
Bonuses on Online Poker Rooms
When you play poker online on the best US sites, you can benefit from different types of bonuses. Learn more about each one to see how to claim and make the most of it.
Online Poker Welcome Bonus
This is the most common bonus and promotion available at the best poker sites. It usually involves a deposit match, but can often expand into online poker tournament tickets. You usually have to sign up and deposit, and you will have your deposit matched.
When you deposit funds, you can use a poker bonus code to trigger an offer. Sometimes it’s an abbreviation or combination of letters and numbers and this will give you an extra bonus when the deposit goes through. Most US online poker sites award the bonus automatically on the first deposit.
Deposit Bonus
A deposit bonus is one of the most common forms of promotions for online poker. It works when you deposit a certain amount to a poker site, and then you will gain bonus money based on the promotion. You can get a certain amount matched, giving you a big boost.
All of the top online poker sites offer deposit bonuses, but the terms can vary. Usually, the bonus is released in increments as you pay rake and tournament fees on the online poker room. When reviewing online poker sites, it is important to check the bonus terms and conditions.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus will give you extra credits or tournament tickets without requiring you to add more funds to the account. Some of the best online poker sites for real money have promotions with no deposit rewards.
You can also receive rakeback based on your activity. The more online poker games you play, the more rakeback you will receive. You can think of it as free cash for playing on the top online poker rooms.
Poker Online Rakeback
Rake is how a poker room online makes its money. It takes a small percentage of the money from cash game pots and tournament buy-ins. Rakeback is the way some of this is given back to the player pool, often rewarding participation or hands played.
The rakeback percentage can depend on the poker sites, with some top brands offering more than 30%, as is the case with CoinPoker.
Play Poker Online Freerolls
An online poker freeroll is a tournament that has no entry fee, where tickets are usually distributed as a bonus. The prize-pool consists of free money or tournament tickets to be won by the participating online poker players, which makes it a no-risk poker experience.
You can take part in freerolls throughout the week on the recommended poker gambling sites. While the prize pools aren’t usually massive, the events are great for some risk-free fun and the winnings can even provide a solid foundation for your bankroll.
Free Tournament Tickets
Some poker websites will give you free online poker tournament tickets when you sign up or from other bonuses and promotions. These tickets can be in the form of Sit & Go events or huge field multi-table tournaments.
They present a great way for new poker players to experience the game while providing value for existing players. Some of the most prestigious tournaments can have qualifiers throughout the week where regular players can win free tickets.
Online Poker Real Money Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs work in online poker by awarding player points based on the number of cash hands played or tournaments entered. You can later exchange them for cash bonuses, tournament tickets, or even poker merchandise and goods.
Many programs also have multiple tiers and you can move up as you play poker online for real money. A higher tier often unlocks better rewards.
Top Bonuses on Online Poker Sites
Online Poker Games and Variations
Online poker is still the classic card game we love, but incorporates multiple variations and game types. These are the most popular games that you can play online right now:
Texas Hold’em Online Poker
Texas Hold’em is easily the most popular form of online poker, available at all of the top sites. It requires a high level of skill and strategy as it is played against real opponents and has multiple betting rounds. The result is the best poker online experience once you know how to play Texas Hold’em.
In Texas Hold’em, every player receives two cards facing down, which only they can see. After a round of betting, three community cards will be dealt on the table facing up. This is followed by another round of betting, a fourth community card, more bets, and a fifth community card. There is a final round of betting after all the cards are dealt.
The goal in Texas Hold’em is to have the strongest five-card hand at the table, or be the only one left in the round, with all other players folding.
Omaha Online Poker
Omaha is another popular variant on the best online poker websites. While it is similar to Texas Hold’em, players receive four cards in Omaha and must use only two, along with three community cards to form the strongest five-card hand.
This difference allows Omaha to be action-packed, with stronger hands being more common than in Hold’em. It also means that most Omaha games are pot-limit in order to avoid everyone going all in regularly. The best Omaha poker sites have tables running around the clock.
Seven Card Stud Online Poker
Seven Card Stud has maintained a good level of popularity throughout the years. Here, each player receives a mix of face-up and face-down cards. As a result, the emphasis is more on card strategy and less on the actual players.
While not as fast-paced as Hold’em and Omaha, Seven Card Stud remains a fun game that can have big pots. You can learn how to play Seven Card Stud at low stakes on the Winning Poker Network.
Poker Games Online Formats
The best online poker sites supports multiple formats for popular game. Each format comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so the perfect pick depends on your personal preferences. Take a read below and see which format is most appealing to you.
Online Poker Real Money Payment Methods
Different poker sites utilize different payment options, so it’s a good move to double-check what each site uses as a payment method before you play on it. Here are some of the most commonly accepted deposit methods at the best online poker sites in the USA:
Cryptocurrencies at Top Poker Sites
Cryptocurrencies have become the best banking methods for online poker for real money. They allow for instant deposits and withdrawals, often times without any fees. Moreover, you don’t have to share any personal or banking details to complete the transaction.
Major cryptos include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Tether. You can deposit directly from your wallet without any worries. Some poker websites allow you to deposit through an exchange and thus buy coins with other methods.
Traditional Payment Methods
Most online poker sites we’ve reviewed accept credit and debit cards, like Visa, and Mastercard. Others will also accept Discover and American Express. This is a quick, easy, and reliable method of payment. However, you can withdraw back to your card.
Bank transfers are better suited for larger transactions and often support payouts. This is when you pay the online poker site directly from your bank. It’s a secure method but can take a few days for the transaction to go through.
eWallets
Poker sites won’t support eWallets anymore and this includes Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. That’s mostly because cryptocurrencies offer a far superior experience for playing online poker.
The good news is that you can still use a major eWallet to buy crypto and then deposit the coins on the poker sites.
List of Legal US Online Poker Sites for Real Money
All of the best real money poker sites in the US are based offshore, which means they are licensed and regulated in other jurisdictions. While these offshore poker sites are safe, they can have state restrictions. Learn more about the top choices right here:
| Poker Site | Restricted States | Features | Accepts Crypto |
| CoinPoker | None | Crypto-based poker site with 33% rakeback | ✅ |
| Ignition Poker | DE, MD, NV, NJ, NY | Freerolls every week and detailed poker guides | ✅ |
| ACR Poker | LA, KY, MD, NJ, DE, WA | Qualifiers for live poker tournaments | ✅ |
| Black Chip Poker | LA, KY, MD, NJ, DE, WA | Large welcome bonus and soft competition | ✅ |
| BetOnline Poker | NJ | Exciting cash games and great poker software | ✅ |
| Bovada Poker | DE, MD, NV, NJ, NY, CO, MI | Industry leading poker software and anonymous tables | ✅ |
| Ya Poker | LA, KY, MD, NJ, DE, WA | High-end security with a Curacao license | ✅ |
How to Start Playing Online Poker for Real Money
Go to the Site
Read our reviews and choose a US poker site you like. Visit the site from the links provided for quick access – go to CoinPoker.
Complete the Registration Form
Tap the “Register” button to bring up the sign up form. You just have to enter a valid email address, a username, and a password at CoinPoker. Other poker websites may require additional details.
Download the Client
You can download the poker client from the site. It is compatible with Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. Installation only takes a minute and you can then sign in to browse the real money games.
Make a Deposit
Open the wallet from the menu and deposit funds. You can add money directly from your crypto wallet or use an exchange to buy coins and then deposit. Make sure to select the sign up bonus as well.
Play Poker Online for Real Money
Browse the lobby to view the game selection. Select your preferred stakes and join a table right away to start your poker journey. You can browse cash games and tournaments and join by simply clicking from the lobby.
Tips & Strategies for Playing Poker Online
Online poker requires a mixture of strategy, skill, and emotional discipline in order to succeed. After joining a top online poker site, make sure that you are in the control at the tables for the best results. Here are our top five tips to help you win online.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in the US?
The short answer to this is yes. Online poker for money is no longer prohibited on a federal level. States can create and pass their own legislature and gambling laws. Legal online poker is just a few clicks away.
Moreover, players can access real money online poker rooms based in other jurisdictions, known as offshore poker sites. These are safe and can be accessed from virtually every state. Therefore, if you’re outside of the states offering locally licensed poker platforms, you can use our recommended sites.
Where is Online Poker Legal in the US?
While online poker for real money is legal throughout the USA, there are only a few states that have their own regulations in place and license local operators.
You can currently find online poker available in five states, while West Virginia and Connecticut have yet to launch. Multiple real money poker sites are now operating in the following states:
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Delaware
What’s also important to note is that these states don’t all share poker pools. This means that the traffic can be limited to only one state when playing online.
In contrast, the best poker sites based in other jurisdictions allow players from the entire country and beyond. As a result, they have better traffic, more poker games, and even better bonuses.
They’re all regulated, safe, and available to players around the world. So, even if you’re not in one of the states listed above, don’t think that you can’t enjoy online poker, because our recommended sites have you covered.
In what States Can You Play Poker Online for Money?
While some online poker rooms have certain state restrictions, you can basically play poker online for real money from every state. For example, CoinPoker is available throughout the nation and doesn’t restrict players in any way.
Is It Safe to Play Online Poker for Real Money?
You are definitely safe when playing on the most trusted online poker sites covered in this guide. These are all licensed and regulated, with decades of experience and a great record for paying on time.
Safe online poker sites also use fair random number generators for the shuffling at the tables. This means that the results are random and players can’t take advantage of any loopholes to cheat.
Withdrawals on trusted online poker rooms normally take just one or two business days for processing. Once everything is verified, you can expect to receive the funds right away, or within a few days, depending on the payment method used.
Playing Poker Against Players from Other States
Playing online poker in the US allows you to compete against players from different states, but there are a few things to consider. Firstly, if you’re using a locally regulated poker site, you can play against people from other regions if there’s an intrastate pact in place.
New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which allows different states to combine player pools as part of shared liquidity. If there isn’t a MSIGA in place, you can only play against people in your state when using a locally licensed poker site.
The other way you can play against people in other states is by using an offshore site, like the ones covered on this page. These online poker rooms are licensed internationally and, therefore, available in many different countries.
If you want access to the biggest prize pools and more players, it’s better to use an offshore poker site than a locally licensed one. They also provide better banking options, such as cryptocurrencies, and allow for faster withdrawals.
Best Online Poker Sites
After reviewing all the best US online poker sites, we went with CoinPoker as the best place to play. Whether you’re a fan of grinding online cash games, or playing in big field tournaments, CoinPoker has the best games available with the biggest prize pools on offer.
Other notable online poker real money sites are Ignition and ACR. Both of these come highly recommended for their premium software and generous bonuses. While ACR is better of competitive play, Ignition caters towards less seasoned players.
- Get 33% online poker rakeback every Monday
- Fully anonymous, instant withdrawal crypto poker
- No deposit and withdrawal fees with cryptocurrencies
- Americas Card Room Since 2001
- US friendly network (WPN)
- Multitable guarantees up to 7m$
- Quick seat feature to instantly find a poker cash table
- Complete poker hand histories for 24 hours of play
- Packed tournaments schedule, including $200K event
Casino Online Poker Variations Available
Online poker can come in many varieties and we cover the online casino variations that you can play and enjoy. Many of the best internet poker sites also have casino sections where you can find additional gaming options.
Table Games
Table games are where instead of playing against a dealer, you play against other players. Here are the most popular kind of table games:
- Three Card Poker: This is a very basic form of Texas Hold’em where you and the dealer get three cards instead of two. You follow similar poker rules and try to bet and make the best possible hand, with extra payouts based on the strength of the resulting hand.
- Caribbean Stud Poker: This is a five-card poker game where each player gets five cards, and only the dealer has their cards exposed. The player must then decide whether to raise or fold, and the dealer must have at least Ace-high to qualify. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, you win money on the ante bet, and your raise is returned.
Video Poker
Combining elements from poker and slots, video poker is typically played on electronic terminals, and is fun and easy to learn online as well. Here are the most popular variations you’ll find:
- Jacks or Better: This game pays out when you have Jacks or better, and is very self-explanatory and easy for new video poker players to take part in.
- Deuces Wild: One of the most fun video poker games. In this one, all twos are wild, meaning they can be any card needed to make the best possible hand. It creates an interesting twist for players who are chasing the jackpot.
- Bonus Poker: This is quite similar to basic video poker but gives higher payouts for quads (four-of-a-kind). This heightens the variance but gives a higher payout.
- Double Bonus Poker: Similar to other poker variants, Double Bonus Poker gives an even bigger payout but decreases your chances of winning.
How to Play Land-Based Poker
Playing poker in a “brick-and-mortar” casino can be a great poker experience, and will incorporate the aspects of poker, like table talk, live-reads, and chip-shuffling, that you cannot get online.
The main aspect of live poker is that it is more social and fun than online, and all poker fans should experience it. To play in a land-based poker room, you should aim to understand poker etiquette and the rules of the game.
Know how much the buy-in is for a cash game, or tournament you want to play, learn the betting structure, pay attention to the dealer and action, play your hand, and show your cards if you need to when you get to showdown. Don’t forget to tip the dealer and staff too.
Online Poker vs Live Poker
There are pros and cons that come with each version of the game and it mostly comes down to which you prefer. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages to playing poker online, compared to the live experience:
Pros of Online Poker
- More stakes for online cash games and tournaments
- Can benefit from bonuses, rakeback, and other promos
- Massive tournaments with large prize pools every week
- Can play poker online at multiple tables at the same time
- Available from any location and at any time of the day
Cons of Online Poker
- Limited human interaction at the table
- Can’t read opponents by expressions and gestures
- Not as thrilling as playing live poker in a casino
Online Poker Real Money Gambling Responsibly
When playing poker, you should have fun and enjoy the American pastime. Playing online or live poker can become a problem if you don’t play responsibly.
Poker is a game of skill and chance, and isn’t a viable source of income for most players. You need to be in control when you play or it can become a real issue for fun players. Here are some resources to maintain responsible poker play:
The NCPG offers a range of resources for anyone struggling with a gambling problem. You can use a 24/7 helpline, text service, and online chat to get support and help.
Gamblers Anonymous has created a 12-step program to help players get away from problem gambling and get control back.
The AGA has created a guideline for responsible gaming and has a detailed resource for individuals who might be suffering from problem gambling.
How We Test and Review Poker Websites
150+ Gambling Platforms Reviewed
1,100+ Games Software Tested
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Playing online poker is becoming more popular by the day and you need to choose a reputable site that best matches your needs.
We here at Techopedia have an in-house review process that’s analyzed by our poker experts that covers each and every aspect of the most popular online poker sites in the world.
In particular we look at:
- Rakeback and other bonuses
- Game selection
- Player pool size
- Reputation and safety
- Payment methods
To find out more, take a look at our detailed guide on how we test gambling platforms and poker sites featured on Techopedia.
Online Poker Sites FAQs
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Affiliate Disclosure: Techopedia may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. However, all our recommendations are unbiased and follow a thorough review process. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly and you must be a legal gambling age.
References
- https://www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2010/fil10035a.pdf (UIGEA)
- https://www.ifrahlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/the-historic-us-multi-state-internet-gaming-agreement.pdf (US Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement)
- https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/ (Gamblers Anonymous)
- https://www.americangaming.org/responsible-gaming/ (American Gaming Association)
