Since its inception, online poker has experienced exponential growth. And even though there was a significant setback due to Black Friday and the subsequent exit of many state online poker markets, the industry continued to go up. Today, players from most jurisdictions can play online poker with real money on some of the biggest poker sites operated by licensed offshore entities.
The online poker landscape today is dominated by a few huge poker sites that have managed to amass massive player traffic. These are known as liquidity-shared poker sites. And they share their player pools to ensure constant cash game action and large tournament prizes. What makes them different from traditional poker sites is that they’ve pooled their resources together to offer one combined network where everyone can play against each other.
In this article, we present you the biggest US poker sites ranked by average weekly traffic as tracked by PokerScout. We also give you an overview of the leading network and its skins, highlighting their positives and negatives so that you can make an informed decision about where to play.
Best Traffic Poker Sites 2023
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Poker Sites with Most Players / Traffic (2023)
The table below shows the best poker sites based on the average daily traffic as monitored by PokerScout during December 2023.
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While not being a typical card room, our list of the top poker sites has to include Global Poker. This is because it offers a unique sweepstakes/cash model that no other site does. Add in the fact that they've paid out millions of dollars in cash prizes and gift cards since launching a few years back, they've done over $100 million in prize rewards as well. Global Poker does not play in the same sandbox as your traditional card rooms like Bovada and Americas Cardroom, but it still qualifies as an online poker site.
The site uses a prepaid card model similar to a sweepstakes style, which allows them to operate freely in all but 6 states (ID, WA, MT, LA, GD, HI). If you live in one of these states, you will need to avoid our global poker review. For everyone else, you can create a free account and start playing free games immediately. Once you are ready to play cash games or compete in poker tournaments for cash prizes, you will need to purchase Gold Coins and utilize a promotional code. We've got both listed on our review page. One nice thing about Global Poker is that you don't have to purchase Gold Coins to play, giving you a chance to see if you like the software and games before you spend any money.
For those that might be new to poker, this is a nice benefit. All traditional card rooms require you to purchase chips to play, but Global Poker bucks this trend. The promo code will also allow you to earn some free chips as well. Global Poker also has freeroll tournaments (cash and sweepstakes), which also lets you play for free. If you win, you win real money without having spent a dime. Not a bad deal at all. Tournaments are plentiful and cash games run on the regular basis as well. Traffic isn't as good as the big boys above, but it's growing rapidly and should only continue to improve as their name gets out more. Definitely worth creating a free account and seeing if Global Poker is right for you. Check out our detailed .
Top Online Poker Sites by Region
The following sections provide reviews of individual poker platforms tailored to specific regions based on our research.
US Players
Online poker in the United States has made tremendous progress since 2017 when the Department of Justice issued a revision of the 1961 Wire Act that cleared the way for multi-state poker liquidity sharing. Today, three states – New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware – have linked their regulated poker markets and created a modest shared player pool. Other states are expected to join soon, which will certainly boost overall US traffic. Until then, American players have to choose among the three states or opt for offshore poker sites operating outside state regulations. Below are our recommended poker sites for US players.
Online Casinos Where You Can Play with Small Deposits#1 –
, founded in 1999 and rebranded in 2003, has become the largest US online poker room, holding gaming licenses in Malta, the UK, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It offers a wide variety of poker games and runs highly lucrative poker series such as the Partypoker MILLIONS and the WPT World Championship. Their poker software boasts cutting-edge technology delivering fast and stable games and supports various features such as multi-tabling, customization, hand histories, tracking software, and safe payments options. You can also take part in various live events around the world via the Partypoker Live tour. Additionally, the brand offers a unique SNIPE out feature and a bounty hunter blind booster that adds extra excitement to the poker experience. Finally, PartyPoker ensures fairness and security through regular independent audits and SSL encryption of sensitive data. With its strong reputation and dedication to innovation, Partypoker US remains a top choice for players seeking a reputable, secure, and entertaining poker platform.
Partypoker operates in New Jersey and Pennsylvania through its alliance with the famous sports team Philadelphia 76ers and runs exclusive live events such as the Atlantic City Poker Classic. Their welcome bonus for new players includes up to $500 in free cash, free spins, and tickets to freerolls and guaranteed tournaments. They also regularly host reload bonuses and occasional freerolls for existing players. Moreover, the poker site supports responsible gambling practices and provides self-exclusion tools and deposit limits for players' protection. Overall, Partypoker US provides an excellent blend of entertainment, safety, and opportunities for both beginners and experienced players.
pros
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Wide range of poker games and variants
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Cutting-edge software with advanced features
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Lucrative poker series and live event integrations
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SNIPE out feature and bounty booster for added excitement
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Regular audits ensure fairness and self-exclusion tools for responsible gambling
cons
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Bonuses could be more generous
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Traffic outside peak hours may be lower compared to global networks
Our Partypoker review presents more details on the poker room's aspects in detail, allowing you to form a complete opinion about what the operator has to offer.
is another popular US poker site established in 2001 and owned by the Tigress Pre Inc. Company. While not operating in every state, Bovada has built up a solid reputation thanks to its parent company (formerly Bodog) and focuses on offering a great poker experience rather than focusing too much on MAU numbers when it comes to its online promotions and marketing. This has helped Bovada build a loyal community of players looking for consistent cash game action and high guarantee tournaments.
Unfortunately, as a poker site that operates independently in the USA, Bovady has lower overall traffic than WSOP/888 or the Global Poker Network. However, traffic varies throughout the day and week, with peak traffic occurring on weekends and during major tournament series. During these times, players can find plenty of cash game action up to mid-high NLHE stakes and a full range of active tables in Pot Limit Omaha.
Online Casinos That Offer Real Money Without Deposit - Top No Deposit Bonus SitesOne of the benefits of lower traffic is that Bovada's cash games do not have much Whales in the mix, making the games slightly softer overall. Seats are never hard to come by at the lowest stakes, and you will usually find 6-max cash games anywhere between NL$0.02/$0.04 and NL$5/$10, and PLO from $0.02/$0.04 to $0.25/$0.50. Win rate is based on the frequent player points system, with players earning points based on how many hands they play. The more hands you play, the better the rakeback percentage you receive.
Tournaments are where the real value lies at Bovady Poker. The weekly Premier Football League tournament has a guaranteed prize pool of $100,00, and the NFC and AFC winners get to share a $10,000 prize pool each week. Daily GTD tournaments typically have guarantees ranging from $2K to $15K, with the Sunday Main Event consistently offering a $50, 000 guarantee. Over the past year, Bovada introduced several interesting tournament series, including the Bovada Spring Championship of Online Poker (series "Bovada" here), which had total prizepools exceeding $1.5 million. Bovada is essentially a wrecking crew when it comes to hosting tournaments.
Overall, Bovada Poker is a reliable, trusted poker client with low transaction fees and soft fields, especially during off-peak hours. It's definitely worth adding to your list of poker sites. Check out our for more information.
pros
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Reputable poker site focused on improving the poker experience
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Plenty of cash game action up to mid-high NLHE stakes and active PLO tables
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Softer fields due to lower traffic and Whales not playing frequently
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Good tournament selection with valuable guarantees
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Reliable, trusted poker client with low transaction fees
cons
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Smaller poker network compared to competitors, resulting in lower overall traffic
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Rake-based reward system instead of traditional rakeback
If you want to know more about Bovada Poker, you can check out our Bovada Poker Review.
was launched in 2001 and is currently one of the most popular and widely recognized poker brands in the world. It is available in more than 100 countries and boasts more than 100 million users worldwide. In the United States, BETMGM is operational in ten states: Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Jersey. Unlike other poker sites, BETMGM doesn't rely solely on poker revenue; it complements poker income by leveraging the customer base of its sportsbook and iGaming businesses. This cross-marketing strategy helps maintain steady cash game liquidity, particularly outside peak hours.
Although BETMGM's traffic may be lower compared to the east coast during off-peak hours, it still attracts a decent number of players. You can always find enough action at the lower stakes, and the site occasionally hosts big celebrity tournaments. They have a more robust tournament schedule and higher guarantees than Bovada, with up to $100K GTD for Sunday tournaments. Series like the BETMGM Millions draw large fields and provide significant value.
Casinos Near Santa Barbara, CA - Best Santa Barbara CasinosBetMGM uses the popular , ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for players familiar with this software. Games offered include Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Stud, with mixed games also available. BetMGM runs promotions and special events regularly, providing additional opportunities for players to win. Examples include leaderboards, freerolls, and satellites to live poker events. The site also offers a VIP program, rewarding loyal players with exclusive perks and benefits.
To encourage new players to try the game, BETMGM offers a Welcome Bonus of $75 in which 20x $5 Twister tickets and a $50 Free Play. To receive the entire bonus amount, you must earn 6.5 Track Points within 30 days of signing up. Existing players can enjoy reload bonuses and loyalty rewards through the MLife Rewards program.
BetMGM prioritizes player safety and employs technical standards, including SSL encryption and strict age verification measures. Players can set deposit limits and self-exclude options if needed. Overall, BETMGM offers a reliable and exciting poker experience within a regulated and secure environment. Our BETMGM Poker Review explores the intricacies of the poker room in greater depth.
pros
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Cross-marketing with sportsbook and igaming drives consistent cash game volume
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All All American Poker Action (iPoker) network offers a robust software platform
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Varied game selection including Hold'em, Omaha, and Stud
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Regular promotions, VIP program, and access to live poker event qualifiers
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Committed to responsible gambling practices
cons
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Rake may seem higher compared to some competitors
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Traffic can be thinner outside the east coast during off-peaks
Looking for more info? Read our extended for a comprehensive analysis.
#2 – 888Poker, played on the shared network of WSOP.com and 888poker
, launched in 2002, entered the US market through its acquisition of Pacific Poker in 2005. Offering a poker platform in nine languages, 888Poker boasts more than 100 million players worldwide. In the United States, 888Poker operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Nevada through a partnership with Caesars Entertainment. It shares its player pool with the prestigious World Series of Poker (WSOP) website, forming the popular multi-state poker liquidity-sharing network. This merger connects players from different states, offering larger prize pools and more substantial tournament opportunities.
Online Slots You Can Play Without Downloaded Software888Poker provides a user-friendly and mobile-ready platform that focuses on fun elements like random rewards and achievements. The software supports various poker variations, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo. To attract new players, 888Poker provides a generous welcome bonus of 100% match on your first deposit up to $1,000. They also run regular reload bonuses and occasional freerolls for existing players. The brand is committed to responsible gaming, offering deposit limits and self-exclusion options alongside regular independent audits for fairness and SSL encryption for data privacy.
As a member of the WSOPi-888 network, 888Poker enjoys the benefits of liquidity sharing with WSOP.com. This merger has a significant impact on annual events like the WSOP Online bracelet series, which sets new records every year for the largest turnouts and prize pools in US history. During this series, 888Poker hosts satellite tournaments, allowing players to qualify for WSOP Online Bracelet events at a fraction of the cost.
Throughout the year, the WSOPi-888 network offers significant tournament guarantees, making it an attractive option for players chasing big prizes. The network's cash games generally have enough activity at the lower and middle stakes, although high-stakes games can be scarce outside of peak periods. Overall, 888Poker provides a safe, regulated, and entertaining online poker experience enhanced by its connection to the renowned WSOP brand. Our goes into further detail.
pros
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Connected to the prestigious WSOP brand through liquidity sharing
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Provides larger prize pools and more tournament opportunities through interstate liquidity sharing
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Supports multiple poker variations, including Hold'em and Omaha
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Generous welcome bonus, regular reload bonuses, and responsible gaming options
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Known brand with a reputation for fairness and security
cons
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Rake may seem higher compared to some competitors
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High-stakes games may have limited activity outside peak periods
Read more about 888 Poker in our extensive .
#3 – GGPoker Network (including , Natural8, and others)
GGCare that takes care of its customers. This is why GGPoker has won multiple awards recently, including the EGR Operator Marketing and Player Engagement Awards 2021 and the Poker Operator Traffic Driver 2020 by PokerScout. As a result, they gained a lot of popularity and are now the second-biggest poker network globally, right after . With an impressive growth rate, GGPoker is showing no signs of slowing down, making them a force to be reckoned with in the online poker world.
10+ Best Free Poker Sites Online - Play Poker Games for FreeIt is important to note that GGPoker operates under different skin names in the US, namely and Natural8. Both offer the same great gaming experience and are connected to the same player pool, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference which one to choose. Here is a brief overview of each:
- Winamax US: This is the official client for the US market, developed specifically for American players. It offers a user-friendly interface and all the features you would expect from a top-tier poker client, including multi-table support, customizable avatars, and a variety of game formats.
- Natural8: This is the Asian-facing skin on the GGPoker network, known for its generous rakeback offers and focus on recreational players. It may have slightly different promotions and payment methods available compared to Winamax US, but the game selection and overall quality are identical.
Regardless of which skin you choose, playing on the GGPoker network guarantees a high-quality poker experience with plenty of fish to keep you entertained. The network offers a wide range of games, from No-Limit Hold'em and Omaha cash tables and tournaments to more niche formats like Flip & Go and Windfall (a lotto-style game with a huge prize pool). There's something for everyone on GGPoker!
One of the standout features of GGPoker is their innovative game modes and features. For instance, the Rush Card feature allows you to instantly fold your hand and enter the next tournament or cash game available, without waiting for your current hand to play out. This is great for adrenaline junkies who want non-stop action or if you're sitting at a dry table. Then there's the All-in Insurance, which lets you protect yourself from getting crushed by a cooler hand. For a small premium, you can insure your stack in case you get beaten by a higher-ranked hand, giving you peace of mind and reducing variance.
Sites to Play Free No Deposit Poker Online in 2023But that's not all – GGPoker also has a built-in poker trainer called TOK Learn, accessible right from the poker table! This AI-powered tool analyzes your game and provides instant feedback on how to improve your strategies, helping you climb the ranks and become a pro in no time. And let's not forget about the Boost Satellites, which give you a chance to qualify for major live tournaments like the WSOP for just a few bucks. It's no wonder GGPoke is becoming so popular – with all these amazing features and more, it's easy to see why players are flocking to this dynamic network.
In terms of traffic, GGPoker can vary depending on the time of day and which skin you're playing on. However, overall, the network sees heavy traffic 24/7, with thousands of players logged in at any given moment. You'll never have trouble finding a cash game or tournament at any stake level, whether you're a micro-stakes grinder or a high roller. And with regular promotions and special events, the action never gets old.
One unique aspect of GGPoker's player base is their focus on recreational players. The network actively seeks out casual poker enthusiasts and offers them incentives to play, such as rakeback deals and special freerolls. This creates a more balanced and fishy environment compared to other networks that primarily cater to professional grinders. Of course, there's still skill involved, and you'll need to bring your A-game to succeed, but the odds are ever in your favor with so many fish in the water.
If you're interested in joining the GGPoker action, we recommend signing up through Winamax US using our exclusive affiliate link. Not only will you get access to all the great games and features we've discussed, but you'll also be eligible for an epic welcome bonus that includes up to $1,000 in matching funds, a free T-shirt, entry into an exclusive freeroll tournament, and more! And the best part? You can claim your bonus without having to make a single deposit – simply play real money games within 60 days of creating your account, and the bonus will be automatically credited to your balance. It's like winning the lottery, except better because it lasts longer.
Amazing Casino Resorts within a 2 Hour Drive from Naples FL AreaSo what are you waiting for? Head over to Winamax US now and start your journey to GGPoker glory!
pros
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Connected skin clients with different focuses (US vs Asia)
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Impressive game selection including varied formats
