Poker Reviews

Like most casino games in the U.S., modern poker variants came from Europe and spread to the French port of New Orleans in the 18th century. As draw poker made its way up the Mississippi River, another variant—Texas Hold’em—took root in the early 1900s.

From poker played during the Wild West era of the American frontier to the establishment of Las Vegas, Nevada, as a worldwide capital of legal gambling in the 1930s, the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1970 changed the game forever.

Another turning point came during the U.S. poker boom (2003 to 2006) when televised pocket cams broadcast a player’s two facedown cards to an audience. Chris Moneymaker, an accountant and online poker player from Atlanta, Georgia, won his seat in the 2003 WSOP Main Event (usually a $10,000 buy-in) via a $39 satellite tournament on an internet poker site. His phenomenal tournament run ended in storybook fashion, with him becoming the WSOP Champion and claiming the first prize of $2.5 million.

Our poker reviews hub will explore how to play poker via cash games and tournaments, what to consider when selecting an online platform, and more.

What to Look for When Choosing an Online Poker Website

The poker boom in the U.S. advanced as top professionals advertised their sponsorships with online poker sites like Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars. TV shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark brought poker into the mainstream via the Game Show Network (GSN), DirecTV, NBC, and eventually PokerGO.

However, the U.S. Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) to regulate online gambling. That act ultimately sparked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to seize three top poker sites on April 15, 2011, known as “Black Friday.” (The event led to the acquisition of Full Tilt Poker by PokerStars in July 2012 as part of a settlement that ended the U.S. operations of both companies.)

In December 2011, a reinterpretation of the Federal Wire Act of 1961 indicated that the law only applied to sports betting. Before long, states like Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey legalized online poker within their borders (with some jurisdictions including online casinos). Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia eventually followed suit between 2017 and 2019.

Along the way, Delaware and Nevada signed a Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in 2014, creating a revenue-sharing player pool for online poker. New Jersey signed the agreement in 2018; Michigan joined in December 2020; West Virginia signed in November 2023.

Now that you’ve got some background on how legal online poker emerged and created a renewed interest and popularity in playing poker in the U.S., here’s a look at choosing a reputable site.

Game Selection

When you play poker online in a legal jurisdiction today, you’ll get access to cash games and various daily and weekly tournaments. You might see them as multi-table tournaments (MTTs) since dozens (if not hundreds) of players engage in a prize pool via different buy-ins like $5, $10, $15, or $20, often guaranteed at a specific amount (i.e., $1,500 Guaranteed). There are also sit-and-go tournaments ranging from two to nine players.

Depending on the poker platform, cash games, tournaments, and other tables include the following games:

• Texas Hold’em (No Limit, Limit)
• Omaha (Pot Limit, Hi/Lo, 5 Card)
• Stud Games (Seven Card Stud, Razz)
• Draw Games (5 Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, 2-7 Single Draw, Badugi)
• HORSE (Mixed games: Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Seven Card Stud, etc.)
• Blast and SNAP (Sit-n-Gos)

Quality Software

Poker lovers can join a reputable platform by creating a new account. You can download the free app or software on any legitimate site to get started. Most options offer software information and requirements directly from their site, which may include:

• Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7 or higher)
• Mac OS X 10.6.8 (computer)
• 512 MB RAM (minimum)
• 800 x 600 pixels with 256 colors (minimum screen resolution)
• Minimum network – download speed: 256 kbps/upload speed: 64 kbps

Check your chosen site to learn more about your jurisdiction’s mobile and computer software requirements.

Bonuses & Promos

While we usually recommend bonuses and promotions in the online casino industry, special offers are available elsewhere. For example, when you create a new account at BetMGM, multiple promos are available under the Poker vertical. Other options for first-time users at our recommended sites include:

• 100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus $75 in Tournament Tickets (BetMGM, NJ PartyPoker)
• Existing players can earn BetMGM Reward Points (BRPs) via a Weekly Cashback Grind promo
• 100% deposit match up to $1,000 (accumulate points to release your bonus), up to $100 in Free Play and Tournament Tickets, and Daily Spins (WSOP.com)
• $150 in bonus play from opting-in through the Challenges window, playing a cash game, or wagering $1 on the Casino vertical; and a 100% deposit match up to $600 (accumulate redemption points via rake from cash games or tournament fees – PokerStars)

Check your provider’s promotions tab to learn about generous offers for first-time players and existing users.

Mobile Device Compatibility

Mobile gaming is an alternative option for online casinos, and the same goes for poker. However, depending on the provider you prefer and your jurisdiction, mobile poker apps may not be available (although using a web browser on your smartphone might be possible). Here are some available options for mobile poker:

• Separate Android and iOS apps for BetMGM in legal states (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania)
• Android (Google Play) and iOS app (App Store) for PartyPoker NJ
• Tablet and iPhone iOS apps for WSOP (App Store) and an Android option (not on Google Play) – one table at a time, tournaments and PLO games are not available
• PokerStars for iPhone and iPad (Real Money, Texas Hold’em, Play Money, Live) and Android (Real Money, Texas Hold’em, Live)

Safety & Security

With a legalized market, players can rest assured that they’ll be playing at legit tables, regardless of stakes or whatever mobile app or web-based platform they choose. If a provider regularly takes a percentage of cash tables (rake), that money generally goes to securing the platform or site. Otherwise, the brand would garner a diminished reputation, and players wouldn’t return. Remember to play at a site licensed and regulated in the U.S. that offers standard SSL encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) and maintains a positive online reputation.

Banking Options

Once you download the free software or mobile app, you can log in and deposit real money via your PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone (app or web browser). From the cashier window, you’ll usually discover the same options offered by online casinos, listed as follows:

• Apple Pay
• Bank transfer
• Cash at the casino
• Debit or credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.)
• E-check (ACH/VIP Preferred)
• Online banking (Trustly)
• PayPal
• Prepaid Play+ card
• Skrill
• Venmo

Payout Speeds

Payouts generally depend on the provider and jurisdiction. Often, you may encounter an internal review that takes anywhere from 24 hours to five business days. You’ll also need to provide proof of address and confirm your identity with a government-issued ID. The fastest payouts might include e-wallets, cash at the casino, and prepaid Play+ cards. Some deposit options may not be available for withdrawals. Check your provider for more details.

Customer Service

Fast and reliable customer service is essential to the gaming industry. Players can ask a question whenever necessary. How-to-play sections help foster a sense of transparency for new players, with various tutorials on gameplay, rules, terminology, and more. A menu from your account dashboard often includes options like settings, tools, and help. The Help section offers various information, articles, FAQs, and a Contact Us button to get direct assistance from a customer service representative via a live chat 24/7.

Red Flags to Consider When Choosing a Poker Site

As mentioned, online poker went through ups and downs during the U.S. poker boom and Black Friday. In the aftermath, legalizing online poker sites sought to deter players from using offshore operators. We’ll cover a few warning signs indicative of an online gambling site players should avoid.

Payout Issues

It should be relatively easy to identify when an online gambling site retains a history of not paying its customers. You can search online through Google and view our reviews to learn the importance of maintaining a positive reputation with customers at legit U.S.-regulated online casinos. We recommend similar brands for playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and other poker games.

Safety Concerns

Safety is a top priority for gambling online, especially for newcomers. Make sure you take some time to learn about the differences between online providers who care about their customers versus shady offshore sites seeking to profit rather than offer entertaining experiences for their users. You can quickly check online reviews for some of the gaming industry’s most popular sites to see why they’re preferred options for U.S. players.

Where to Legally Play Online Poker for Real Money

We briefly covered the emergence of legal poker sites, which often get attached to legislation associated with online casinos (collectively known as ‘interactive gaming’ or iGaming). While the legal online poker market in the U.S. provides over a decade of experience, it remains limited to just a handful of the following states.

New Jersey

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation on February 26, 2013, to legalize Internet gambling. The legislation included online casinos and poker sites, which went live in the Garden State in November 2013. Governor Phil Murphy extended the ten-year iGaming law in 2023 for another five years until 2028. Today, NJ players get access to five poker sites, including BetMGM, PartyPoker, WSOP, and PokerStars.

Nevada

While online casinos remain illegal in Nevada, state legislators legalized online poker in 2013. However, the Silver State offers only one poker site, WSOP.com. Nevada players at WSOP get access to MSIGA when they join various tables to compete against others in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

Delaware

With approval and oversight from the state lottery, Delaware legalized iGaming (online casinos and poker sites) in 2012. However, the First State retains one of the most restrictive legal gaming environments, with only three in-state operators. As of 2024, 888 Holdings rescinded its iGaming operations to Rush Street Interactive (RSI) via BetRivers. Players in DE can get the latest online gambling updates via USBets.com/news.

Pennsylvania

Governor Tom Wolf signed a gambling expansion bill in 2017 to legalize iGaming in Pennsylvania. The law took effect in 2019. Keystone State players can access poker websites and mobile app options, including BetMGM, WSOP.com, and PokerStars.

Michigan

During her first year in office, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in December 2019 to legalize iGaming in Michigan. Sports betting, online casinos, and poker sites went live in the Great Lake State in January 2021. Poker options include BetMGM, WSOP, and PokerStars.

West Virginia

With the passage of the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act in 2019, online casinos and poker sites became legal. However, there aren’t any legal poker sites in the Mountain State, although BetMGM Poker could launch soon. WV players can eventually access MSIGA’s revenue-sharing pool to compete against Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey players whenever possible.

Best Apps and Websites to Play Online Poker

If you enjoy playing poker on a website or mobile app, you can join a low or high-stakes table or tournament at any of our recommended options.

BetMGM

BetMGM (and Borgata, another MGM subsidiary) offers its downloadable poker apps to MI, NJ, and PA players. Tournaments include SPINS, Sit-n-Go, Daily C-Note, and other daily options, with buy-ins ranging from $5 to $535. Free games, also available 24/7, allow players to learn and gain experience before playing cash games and tournaments.

PartyPoker

Entain (BetMGM’s partner) owns partypoker, which is only available in NJ. First-time players get a 100% deposit match worth up to $600 plus $25 On The House (no deposit bonus). While there are similar options at partypoker compared to BetMGM Poker, the software differs. Like BetMGM, there’s also a valuable how-to-play section on the partypoker site, with poker tips and video guides. A fastforward feature allows players to move to another table with a new hand immediately after folding their current one and play up to nine tables simultaneously. Players can also earn iRPs for up to $3,000 weekly cashback.

WSOP

WSOP is one of the more intriguing options on our list, available in MI, NV, NJ, and PA. The WSOP.com site is one of the most robust, with various online poker categories, including information on rewards, tutorials, limits and rake, satellites, and more. Follow the WSOP online circuit, news, and players. A Play For Fun section allows players to engage at WSOP for free to collect awards, unlock bracelets, compete via challenges, and more. WSOP offers one of the most interactive and unique online poker experiences worldwide!

PokerStars

PokerStars is another top option for MI, NJ, and PA players. The downloadable software includes Real Money and Play Money sections. Categories include Cash, Sit & Go, Spin & Go, Tourney, and Path to NAPT (North American Poker Tour). Choose from up to 12 different types of cash games, various stakes, and table sizes. Tourneys run 24/7, with prize pools ranging from $100 to $55,000. You can also observe tables, play for fun, and switch to the Casino vertical for slots, races, live dealers, table games, and more.

888poker

As of June 2024, 888poker is reportedly no longer available in DE, NJ, or NV, as it pulled out of the North American online gambling market. With the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Hard Rock Digital purchasing the U.S. assets of 888 Holdings, the online casino brand could switch to Hard Rock (also located in Atlantic City, NJ). In May 2024, 888 Holdings rebranded to Evoke in overseas markets.

Why Online Poker Reviews Are Important

Online reviews are essential to finding a reputable poker site. Our reviews offer valuable insights into online gambling experiences and what players can expect from U.S.-regulated brands. Welcome bonuses encourage new sign-ups, while various promos and loyalty programs reward repeat customers. Check out our other online reviews to learn more about finding the best sites for your bankroll and playing style.

Poker Reviews Summary

While we’ve highlighted some of the standout features of our preferred poker sites, players can try free games to learn more about Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and other games. Some sites allow players to chat with each other, while other platforms include challenges, missions, and bracelets to brandish alongside an avatar during free-play games and tourneys. To get the most out of your online gambling experience, reading our reviews helps you gain insider knowledge to become a better overall player—all while having fun!

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