Top 5 Real Money Online Poker Sites

Best USA Online Poker Sites for Real Money Players

Do to the restrictions in the USA for online gambling it can be challenging for American players to find decent poker rooms. Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker were huge in America, but a few years ago this changed with US regulators seizing these domains. Since this time the assets of the company were sold and the new company is now operating outside the United States. As a result, there are still operators providing services to the USA, and we have included these in the list above.

Because different players have different preferences, choosing a website is about more than what’s popular overall. There are many promotions that are offered to keep your bank roll topped up.

One of the most interesting things about poker is that there are so many different games to choose from. Because of this, there is a pretty wide variety of games available at different websites, so it’s useful for players to look for the games that they really want to enjoy, before making a deposit. While there are various types of games, there are also different betting structures, seating arrangements, and other variables as well.

Game Variations

There are a few different factors that can change the type of game you’re playing:

• Buy-in size
• Tournaments vs cash games
• Cash game format: normal stacks, small stacks, deep stacks, capped, full-ring, six-max, heads-up
• Tournament format: Blind levels, ante levels, payout structures, number of players

These factors are on top of the actual game types and betting formats that you’ll have for various types found at internet poker rooms. While the most popular game is the no-limit betting version of Texas Hold’em, the simple fact of the matter is that there are dozens of permutations available at US, UK, Australian and Canadian poker sites.

Poker FAQ's (Frequently Asked)

What Types Of Poker Games Are There?

In land-based poker, you’ll usually only find two or three types of poker being dealt at once, and that’s at the most. Websites, however, give you the opportunity to play with a variety of different rule sets. Some of the poker games you can play are:

• Five Card Stud
• Seven Card Stud
• Pai-Gow Poker
• Razz Poker
• Five Card Draw
• 2-7 Single Draw
• 2-7 Triple Draw
• Texas Hold'em
• Omaha Hold'em
• Omaha Hi/Lo and mixed variations of these games.

On top of that, you'll get fixed-limit, half pot-limit, pot-limit, no-limit, and other betting variations.
You can mix and match the styles of games with betting variations to get tons of different options. While the most popular games are Pot-Limit Omaha Hold’em and No-limit Texas Hold’em, you’ll get access to other games like Fixed-limit Seven Card Stud, No-limit 2-7 Single Draw and Pot-limit 2-7 Triple Draw. The bottom line is that Internet sites give you more game variations in one place, and it’s because of this that it’s easier for players to find exactly what they’re looking for online, especially if they don’t prefer one of the two or three most popular games.

Can I Play Poker Online for Real Money?

Yes, there are many sites where you can play online poker for real money. Many software developers also create free poker games that are available in free mode or apps for download.

The secret to grabbing significant prizes is first trying the poker games in demo mode and then investing in them. The thing is, when you try out all of those poker cash games and tournament without having tried them in free mode, you could actually lose a lot of money since you don't really know the game, the RTP or the hit frequency of the games offered.

That's why you need to first try them out for free. Now, after you do that and you decide on the rooms and games you'd consider playing, it is time for playing.

There are remote gambling regulators that overlook online gambling. These regulators are the ones in charge of giving operators the licenses to offer different types of gambling. Therefore, there are plenty of poker sites where the games are legit. Not only legit, but also safe and protected. The regulators and make sure that operators respect their players and treat them fairly. This means that you can rest assured that you'll get fair play and fair payouts. The United Kindom and Malta are good examples of this.

What Poker Site Can I Play for Real Money?

Poker online is available in many online casinos, even though there are sites specialised in online poker only. The sites we recommend the most are Guts, Bovada and Ignition Poker.

In your search for the best, you must consider several things: security, fairness, deposits, withdrawal methods, and software providers.

First things first. Considering you're playing online poker for real money, you'll need to be positive that the poker sites implement advanced security measures. An industry-approved SSL encryption is a must. Great SSL encryption providers are SECTIGO (formerly COMODO), DigiCert, and GoDaddy. If the site doesn't have this type of protection, you better skip it. If you cannot find the information on the encryption on the homepage, search through the terms and conditions of the website, but make sure it offers one.

Now, fairness is another aspect you must consider. On the homepage, you should see whether the site displays a seal of approval by eCOGRA or whether it holds an RNG-certified seal. This is essential when you're playing for real money. You need to be 100% sure that the poker game you're playing gives random and fair outcomes only. Playing poker at a site that doesn't have its games checked and approved for fairness is like putting your money down the drain.

It is fundamental that you check the payment methods available. You don't want to end up playing with one deposit method and then having to use a different method for withdrawals. That's a real waste of your precious time. When you play poker you need to have secure, respected and world-used payment methods, such as credit cards, ewallets, and bank wires, that you can use both for making your deposits and withdrawals. By picking the right payment method, you can sometimes even benefit from a poker bonus, depending on the casino. Plenty give out bonuses to players who decide to play using Bitcoin, for instance.

And last but not least, you need to check the software developers that provide the games. You need to have a vast choice of casino games, slots, and online poker games to choose from. Side games are important, and having a choice is always better than not having one, right? Maybe sometimes you'd like to take a break from poker and relax playing slots, so make sure they offer games by giants like NetEnt, Microgaming, Rival Gaming, Yggdrasil and other top providers.

Is It Legal to Play Online Poker in the US?

Online poker games have not been legal in the United States for years and years. Luckily, things have changed in the past few years, thanks to some states that pulled some strings and legalized online gambling.

The state that is likely to become the major online poker market in the USA is Pennsylvania, even though Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware have legalized online gambling first. Pennsylvania's land-based casinos received licenses to offer all sorts of online gambling to their residents, online poker for real money included. These casinos are now allowed to offer their poker websites to their poker players, as these sites are overseen by PGCB (Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board).

Therefore, depending on which state you're residing in, you have the chance to play poker for real money in the States. Not only that, but you also have the chance to try out other cash games that could actually turn out to be quite rewarding. Remember, online poker and other gambling forms are legal in some parts of the United States, not all, so make sure you check this out before you decide to play for real money.

How do I know if a Poker Room is Safe?

Considering online poker games are now legalized in some states in the US, and you are a citizen of one of those states, you are completely free to play at any site you want. Most international online casinos and poker sites have acquired their licenses to operate on US soil. Many international sites give access to US players all the offerings, including promotions and bonus offers. Therefore, you will need to know your poker strategy by heart, join an online casino and start playing.

If you're unfamiliar with the most trusted regulators in the international online gambling scene, we can help you out with that. The most trustworthy license that gives licenses for operators is the UK Gambling Commission. If you see a foreign site you'd like to play at that holds a license by the UKGC you can rest assured that that particular site is a legit one. Another regulator you can trust is the Malta Gaming Authority. Malta is the online gambling hub, and the regulator takes overseeing seriously. It would be great if the site you want to join had a Gibraltar-issued license, but the best option would be to join a site that has at least 2 or 3 trusted licenses. No matter what country you are from such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil, etc there are many trusted poker sites to explore and play on.

How do I Register and Get Started at Gambling?

After you've made sure that the poker room you intended to join checks for all of the aforementioned things, it is time for you to register and join the online poker world. You can do that in several simple steps.

First, you need to click on the Register or Sign Up button on the site's homepage. Then, you need to enter the necessary personal information in the required fields. You will be navigated to a page where you need to set your username and password and add the additional information needed.

The next step would be registering a payment method. You should choose wisely and check whether the same method can be used for both deposits and withdrawals.

Now, the next important step is going to the Promotions page. You need to check for the Welcome Bonus or the 1st Deposit offer. Many online casinos and poker sites offer excellent bonuses and freerolls for poker players. Opt-in for the bonus or promotion and proceed to make your 1st deposit. The moment the bonus arrives on your account, you are ready to start playing.

Go to the site's Games page, find the poker variant you'd like to play, and press Play. If you're uncertain in the rules for that specific variant, make sure you read our how to play Texas Hold'em etc strategies listed on the left sidebar before you start playing. When you're all set, click on the Info or Paytable page at your chosen site to see the rewards you can get for each hand you land. After you've gathered all the important information, you can sit back, relax, start placing your poker chips and enjoy a fun and rewarding time!

Can you play real money poker online in the USA?

Yes, online poker for real money is available and some sites have downloadable apps available. online poker is available on your iPad, Android, iPhone and or desktop.

Do Online Poker Sites Offer Bonuses?

Most online poker rooms offer bonuses and free-rolls to attract and keep players depositing. There is so much competition on the web that players expect them. All bonuses will come with wagering requirements attached and this will differ with each site but the players enjoy them regardless and as it keeps them playing longer.

Can you make a living playing online poker?

Yes, you can make a living playing online poker and some do successfully, however it is not easy. You need to be very skilled in the game and or very lucky and know how to read your opponents very well. If you possess all these traits it is possible to get good enough to play in the WSOP.

Poker Promotions

There are many different types of online poker promotions available these days and we give you the most accurate information to make the most informed choices. below we take a look at the following:

• Safest and most secure online poker sites
• How easy it is to boost your bankroll and the different types of bonuses
• The best bonuses from accredited poker rooms

Free-rolls

Tournaments which are free to enter - some may have requirements such as x poker points earned in the last 7 days - but which have a real money prize pool.

Match Bonus

Bonus funds which are given to a player depending on the amount of their 1st deposit and how many poker points they earn - and therefore how much rake and fees they pay - in a period immediately after their 1st deposit.

Added Value

Tournaments that cost money to enter where money is added to the prize pool on top of the money paid as entrance fees by players.

Qualification to Land Based Event

• Tournaments where players win entry to a real poker tournament in a casino/poker club/cruise ship as opposed to cash
• Play with a celebrity
• Playing against a well-known personality on the tables gives you a chance to speak to them and ask them questions as well as playing poker against them
• Points to spend in shop
• A loyalty scheme whereby players earn points for playing poker depending on rake/fees paid, they can then exchange those points for physical items often related to poker or the brand, you can normally use them for entry to some tournaments too

Rake Race

A race over a set period of time - often 1 week or 1 month - whereby players who earn the most poker points get a share of a prize pool paid for by the brand.

Rake Back

Players who play real money poker get a % of the rake and fees they pay back in cash.

Guaranteed Tournaments

Tournaments with a prize pool of a guaranteed amount, even if there aren't that many entries, this amount will be paid out to the winners.

VIP Club

Players who earn a set number of points during a month get promoted to VIP level and get extra benefits such as higher rake back, more match bonus offers and more poker points for every €1 in rake/fees paid.

Refer a Friend

If an existing player recommends the site, they get a cash bonus if their friend signs up, deposits and earns x poker points.

Bad Beat Jackpot

When a player on a cash table uses both hole cards but loses with a very good hand - often 4 of a kind 8's or better - they win % of a jackpot and the rest is split between the winner of hand and those at the table at the time.

Challenges

Players are given bonuses for achieving a challenge at cash tables such as being dealt each pocket pair, winning with 72o - the worst starting hand etc.

Royal Flush Bonus

If a player gets a Royal Flush using both hole cards, they can claim for a bonus.

As you can see, there are many varieties of bonus when it comes to playing poker, many more than are available for casino and sports betting, so have a think about the one/s you would like the most and choose your site accordingly.

Here we list the top poker rooms. You can read the review to get the latest bonuses and promotions for each:

• Bovada Poker(USA accepted)
• Ignition Poker(USA accepted)
• Red Kings Poker
• Intertops Poker(USA accepted)