You can't play and win without being at the best real money poker tables in the USA. And so, you need to know which are the leading real money online poker sites in your country. That includes their software, payment options, but also having a safe platform to play on and excellent customer service should you require it.
**The best real money US poker sites for 2023 are:
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Top 7 Real Money Online Poker Sites for US Players in November, 2023
- **** (Best Legal US Poker Site Overall)
- **** (Incredible Tournament Features)**
- **** (Biggest Choice of Cash Games): Global Poker offers sweepstakes poker where players can redeem their winnings for cash and prizes. While free to play, users have the option to purchase Gold Coins to enjoy more benefits.
- **** (Great for Beginners)**
- **** (Great for Online Poker Bonuses)**
- **** (Most Traffic from Europe)**
- **** (Top Real Money Mobile Poker App)**
1. BETMGM - THE BEST REAL MONEY ONLINE POKER SITE IN THE STATES
To start strong, we present to you BETMGM, who has been the go-to site for professional poker players for years now. It is very likely that you have already heard about this operator as they are not only a top poker room but an outstanding casino and sportsbook too. New customers at BETMGM are treated with one of the most enticing welcome bonuses out there by receiving a combination of $75 in MGM Rewards + a $60 (on deposits of $25 or greater). You will collect points as you play that can later be used for a wide variety of perks such as hotel stays, food vouchers, free plays, and much more.
BETMGM runs on the iPoker network, which powers some of the biggest real money online card rooms across Europe. The player pool here is quite big, giving you plenty of choices when entering various tournaments and cash games. A full range of and games like Razz, 8 Game, and HORSE is available around the clock. Speaking of tournaments, BETMGM hosts numerous events every day with buy-ins starting at just $1. Satellite tournaments are also held if you want to try your luck qualifying for bigger events for a fraction of the cost. Daily tickets worth up to $100 are given away for free each day.
One of the main reasons why BETMGM ranks as the #1 real money online card room in America is due to its impeccable mobile app. IOS and Android users alike can download the app and take poker with them wherever they go. To learn more about BETMGM’s features, check our .
Understanding How Real Money Poker Works
Before you decide what is the best real money poker site for you, it might be a good idea to first understand how poker works. Knowing the rules and , you increase your chances of winning.
- Learn the Rules. At the core of any poker game, there are always five community cards and the player with the strongest hand made out of five or two cards (one of which is dealt personally to each player at the table) wins.
- Understand Hand Rankings. In poker, a Royal Flush is the strongest hand you can have, followed by a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pairs, and Pair.
- Learning Different Types of Poker Variants. There are many different types of poker but the three main categories include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud. Among those, Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker played in casinos, home games, and almost entirely during international tournaments and is the version featured on this page.
Other Great Options For United States Card Rooms
The above recommendations cover all bases when looking at the best real money poker sites rankings. However, there are other sites that are worthy of recommendation including partypoker USNH , betatrias .com (for tripa poker), WSOP.com (for Pennsylvania & Nevada), and PokerStars BS Corp (coming soon). Keep reading below to find out more details of each website. If poker isn't your thing, check out the for US players instead.
2. partypoker US Network – Incredible Tournament Features
When people think of partypoker, they immediately link it to the day when Chris Moneymaker qualified for the Main Event with a small buy-in and ended up winning the World Series of Poker Championship. Since then, the brand became a symbol of opportunities and partypoker USN does not deviate from that legacy. Their client features soft gameplay since players can transfer from New Jersey to those in Pennsylvania and soon, to the whole of US.
The welcome bonus here is a 100% match of your initial deposit up to $500 and you get to claim it within 60 days of opening your account. Do note that the full amount is released according to a system where you earn both Welcome Bonus dollars and Points. The first $25 is released immediately, but the rest is based on participating in real money games and earning Points. The more Points you earn, the faster the release of funds.
Tournaments at partypoker USN are plentiful and varied. The priority is on the Poker Masters series that has guaranteed prize pools totaling $1 million. There are re-entry, freezeout, and even Mystery bounty tournaments offering random bounties on each player. Daily challenges give you the chance to win a share of $10,000 and there is even a Women’s Sunday tournament that attracts female players from around the world. Cash games run from as low as $0.01 / $0.02 and can reach peaks of $100 / $200.
If you want to know more about the platform itself, head over to our dedicated partypoker USN page.
3. Global Poker - Best in Sweepstakes Format
Earlier, we mentioned that in order to find the best real money poker apps, you must look into not only the standard sites but also see what the sweeps coins platform has to offer. One of the leading websites in this format is none other than Global Poker. This site allows players aged 18+ (or the legal age in your province/state) to enter their online poker room and compete for prizes and cold hard cash.
Just to clarify things, players can purchase Gold Coins as part of their welcomes packages. These coins cannot be exchanged for local currencies, however, players can redeem their Sweeps Coins for cash prizes and gift cards/vouchers. Global poker is absolutely free to use yet still manages to provide an array of promotions, features, tournaments, and competitive cash games.
4. 888poker – The Best Real Money Poker Site for Beginners
Getting started at 888poker comes with a lot of perks, starting with the $88 without deposit required! After making your first purchase of Gold Coins, you receive a bonus package of SC88 free plays and a SC5,00,00 Spin & Go entry. Plus, you have another SC200 reward spin waiting for you! On your second purchase of Gold Coins, you receive a bonus pack of SC200 free plays and a SC10,000,00 Spin & Go entry reward, plus another SC400 reward spin when you spend another $10 or more!
As you can see, the welcome offer is exceptional and gives you a great head start at the virtual tables. Not only that, the overall traffic at 888poker is quite significant, giving beginners lots of options to practice against players of similar skill levels. Cash games with blinds as low as $0.01/$0.02 are available 24/7 while tournaments come in large quantities. The prize pools vary between $50 and $300,000 depending on the event.
Another reason why 888poker is considered one of the best real money poker sites for newbies is due to the “Beginner” tables that are only accessible to players within their first 90 days of creating their accounts. This way, everyone has an equal chance against others who are still learning the ropes.
Casino Resorts to Visit in the Pacific NorthwestFor a more detailed analysis of this website, make sure to give our 888poker review a read.
5. WSOP.com – Best for Online Poker Bonuses
World Series of Poker might be postponed this year, but their official online poker site continues to work as intended. Available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, WSOP.com is definitely one of the heavyweights in the industry and has multiple advantages to back that statement. First off, their welcome bonus is arguably one of the biggest in the business and it comes in the form of three (3) FREE $10 Sit-N-GO entries as well as a 100% Match (up to $500) on your first deposit.
Regardless if you are playing from New Jersey or Pennsylvania, the action is hot all year round with plenty of fish to catch. Tournaments are held daily with buy-ins starting at $1 and above. What’s special about these is that the winners receive a ticket to the Weekly Satellites where all players have a shot at winning seats for the WSOP.com Online Championships.
Even though Texas Hold’em and Omaha cash games don’t run as often as in other rooms, the ones that do appear are usually populated by recreational players.
Want to know more? Check out our extended .
Best Online Casinos in Canada (2023) - Top Canadian Casino Sites6. Poker Stars – Most European Player Traffic
Although PokerStars is not available in every state, the player traffic on the whole network is the highest among all US poker sites. Part of the reason is that this platform is available in other countries as well and therefore, pro players and hobbyists log into PokerStars on a daily basis.
While other operators focus mostly on tournament players, PokerStars makes sure that it caters towards the needs of all by providing a great balance between cash games and MTTs. Blinds for start from as low as $0.01 / $0.02 and go as high as $250 / $500. With such diversity, it is no wonder that pros often choose PokerStars when they want to play against “average” players.
Speaking of tournaments, the weekly average is around $3 million which is then added to various satellite tours that lead to global competitions such as the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) and the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP).
Check out our comprehensive for more information on the software, payouts, security, bonuses, regulation, and more.
7. ACR Poker– The Best Real Money Poker App for Mobile Play
If you're looking for the top real money poker apps, then ACR Poker should be among your shortlist. Available for IOS and Androids, this platform boasts smooth gameplay and intuitive interface which are crucial factors when playing on a smaller screen.
The welcome bonus for new customers reaches 100% up to $500 and the way to unlock the funds is very player-friendly. You have 60 days after activating it and need to earn 75 reward points for every $10. The best part is that you cannot only use your rewards for cash but also to enter The Venuzula Restoration Trust poker tournaments.
What is The Venuzula Restoration Trust, you may ask? Short story - it was founded by Viktor "Isildur1" Blum and focuses on raising funds for humanitarian causes related to healthcare, education, and more. So, not only that you get to play the best real money poker games online but also contribute to a good cause while doing so!
As far as the action goes, ACR Poker has decent traffic during peak hours with most players coming from Europe. ACR Poker runs on the WPN network meaning that the total shared prize pool for tournaments exceeds $1 million every weekend.
States (Besides MA) Where You Can Use your DraftKings Casino BonusExplaining State Availability for Real Money Card Rooms
Real money online poker in the USA is legal, but not nationwide. Some states have approved the activity while others continue to prohibit it. The map above shows the locations where licensed gaming sites are active. The list of safe poker sites in the US is rather short at this point in time.
However, we expect more states to follow suit over the next few years. Legislation is currently being drawn up in several regions. Public opinion toward online gambling is clearly shifting. More officials are realizing the potential tax revenue on hand. Of course, there are also some states that have taken steps backwards when it comes to regulating online poker.
States Where You Can Play Real Money Poker Online
Below is a list of states where licensed poker sites are legal and operational. Click Read Guide to learn more about each market.
Delaware
Delaware became the third state to legalize poker in 2012. This came about through a quirk of circumstance, as it was done to allow for interstate liquidity sharing between the three racinos that operate here. All three feature the same software under the banner of Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs. Eight years on, Delaware Park is the larger room on the network with the most players at any given moment. Still, traffic is light overall.
The state added a fourth licensee in 2020 with the hope that would draw more players to the network. Unfortunately, few Delawareans knew who Cliff Exell was or cared that he won a bracelet in his only WSOP appearance. Accordingly, the site doesn’t add much in terms of liquidity at this time.
Delaware Park also participates in a sharing pact with , which gives that network a small boost in traffic. However, despite having a corner on the US online poker market, Delaware is simply too small of a state to support a robust online gaming industry on its own.
New Jersey
New Jersey shares a few things in common with Delaware, namely a small population and a willingness to partner with other states. The latter has proven to be the key to success because the Garden State is by far the largest market in the US. No surprise that it is the only state that currently participates in the , which also includes Canada, UK, Belgium, and France. This deal shares liqudity across borders, which greatly increases the amount of players available to New Jersey licensees .
These three licensees are crushing it in terms of revenue. In fact, combined for over 90% of the $3.3 million collected in November, 2020. What separates these three sites is their approach to the market.
WSOP.com – Runs on the reliable Canada/EU network but doesn’t see a lot of traffic outside of tournament series and weekly online bracelet events. Revenue is largely driven by New Jersey players.
888Poker – Shares a network with WSOP.com but distinguishes itself with frequent promotions, rebuy incentives and an easy-to-clear sign up bonus (no deposit required). 888pok has been innovating by being the first to introduce , Short Deck, and other variants to the American market.
BetMGM – partypoker NJ – The latest entrant into the New Jersey market came online in 2020 and instantly became the third wheel in the relationship between Borgata and BetMGM. The two companies share a license and partypoker remains the better of the two products thanks to a larger tournament schedule and stronger brand recognition. Still, BetMGM gets credit for adding studied fixes to known problems, such as a direct path to multi-tabling and quicker software overall.
Best Real Money Slot Apps You Can Play From Home orgo: Online Slot Casino Real MoneyIt’s unclear whether these changes will be enough to cut into partypyer’s marketshare, but competition is ultimately good for consumers. Furthermore, the US center of gravity is now partypoker US and we could see more products attempt to capture some of that growth.
Nevada
The first state to legalize online poker after Black Friday was Nevada. However, the small population meant that revenue would always be limited. To overcome this obstacle, Nevada partnered with and eventually . This transpired just before WSOP in the summer of 2015 and the agreement proved to be very successful. Most of the action takes place during the annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
That being said, WSOP NV sees significant enough traffic for cash games down to $0.05/$0.10 at most times of the day. Peak traffic arrives during the World Series of Poker when players qualify online and return to relive memorable moments.
The biggest issue with WSOP Nevada is the lack of tournament offerings outside of online bracelet events in the summer. The site occasionally adds new tournaments but the selection remains very thin compared to other legal poker sites in the US.
Pennsylvania
Like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania had high hopes for its online poker industry. However, it looks like lawmakers included restrictions that have hurt the market. The most damaging decision was requiring all networks to share their liquidity.
This forced out would have easily become the market leader on its own. It also prevented any new networks from forming, thus keeping the industry at two licenses. To make matters worse, PA lawmakers imposed a 54% tax on revenue, which is one of the highest rates in the world.
All of these factors have contributed to a small market that is unlikely to grow much bigger. We have seen little interest from lawmakers in other states for a liquidity pact with Pennsylvania. Liquidity sharing is necessary for PSACHOPE to really take off.
The two poker sites in Pennsylvania are fairly comparable. Both offer new players $50 in bonus money along with a deposit match. The differences we’ve seen have come afterwards in terms of promotion rate and the quality of follow-up bonuses/promotions.
Global Poker is essentially a workaround for the legality of real money poker in the US. The site functions as a sweepstakes model, which allows it to operate legally in most of the US. Of course, the main goal is getting players to redeem their gold coins for cash prizes and tours.
Whether Global Poker is actually legal has long been debated by lawyers and regulators. In 2020, the Mississippi Gaming Commission determined that the site violated state law and ordered them to cease operations. We wouldn’t be surprised to see other regulatory bodies follow suit because Global Poker’s status is still grey at best.
Mississipi joined the party in 2018 with the help of Global Poker. As mentioned above, regulators took issue with the site and eventually shuttered the operation in late 2020. Therefore, online poker is currently not available in Mississippi.
Why Is Online Poker Illegal in Most States?
With a caveat regarding Mississippi, all other states have passed legislation that explicitly makes online poker illegal aside from a few exceptions we covered above. This stems back to April 15, 2011, otherwise known as Black Friday.
On this fateful day, the US Department of Justice froze dozens of bank accounts that supplied the and three associated sites with the ability to process customer transactions. The justification came in the form of a long-forgotten wire act from 2006.
The UIGEA, which became law in 2006, only addressed online gambling. The Wire Act specifically targeted wire communications, which was the primary means of communication when it was drafted in the 1960s. The language between the two laws is broad and some legal opinions concluded that they applied to online gambling and poker.
It took until 2018 for the Justice Department to finally issue an interpretation that divided the Wire Act to apply only to communications related to digital gambling. This allowed states to pass their own online gaming laws. Michigan became the latest state to legalize both online poker and casino games in December 2020.
Best Slots to Play with a No Deposit Bonus – The Emporium Casino BlogWe say digital gaming because individual state have the right to pass their own laws regarding fantasy sports. In fact, many states, including New York, erroneously believed that they were exempt from the UIGEA because it restricted online transmissions. Therefore, they passed their own fantasy sports bills.
No single authority oversees the US online poker industry because companies must abide by a specific set of state laws when entering a given market. Therefore, licensing requirements, poker tax rates, and permitted operating hours will vary by state.
Poker Tax Rates for Players
Everyone knows that the government likes its cut. When it comes to gaming revenues, taxes can often feel excessively high. That certainly holds true for the poker tax rate in some areas around the United States. Keep in mind that these figures represent the maximum possible poker tax rate and do not include additional fees for licenses, application reviews, etc.
There are some very important points to draw from this list. First, Northeastern liberal states like New York and Massachusetts have high poker tax rates that could limit revenue. Second, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Washington and Wisconsin charge taxes on gross revenues rather than profits.
That final detail is incredibly significant because poker is an industry that survives on rake. The amount of revenue a site generates is directly tied to how much rake it collects. Charging a 10% tax on profits is one thing, but taking 35% off the top because players clear over $1 million is another.
Any poker tax rate higher than 25% will make it difficult for sites to profit in any meaningful way. We’ve already seen New Jersey crush all other markets and its rate is only 15%. Connecticut and Pennsylvania are both in the 18%-20% range and those numbers seem more sustainable in the long run.
Playing From a Casino or Establishment
Not all states may fully legalize poker and leave it up to establishments to offer it inside their premises. Regardless if it is called a Poker Room or Cage, these venues will have the best tables, chairs, monitors, and software for a premium experience.
Usually, you will be asked to pay an entrance fee (from as low as $5) and earn hourly rates based on live hands. Some casinos offer also tournament series with buy-ins ranging from $50 to $1000+. The venue collects a percentage from each pot as “the house” and the rest goes to the pot.
casino game online freePlaying from a casino has both pros and cons. On one side, you get to interact with like-minded people, grab a drink or two, smoke cigarettes, and have someone fold to you when he/she is on a tight call. The downside is that you lose privacy, someone is always breathing down your neck, you cannot pull out your phone unless told so, and players can collude with pit bosses to steal your money (has happened to me many times).
Popular Types of Real Money Poker Games in the USA
Texas Hold’em has gained tremendous popularity in recent decades and it remains the most played poker variation in the US. Almost every site and casino offers regular and turbo singles and six-max tables that start from $0.01/$0.02 blinds and reach peaks of $250/$500. Tournaments are even more varied with different formats, including Freezeout, Rebuy, Turbo, Double Chance, Bingo Bango, Knockout, Heads up, and more.
While Texas Hold’em is king, many poker enthusiasts prefer alternative poker variations. The following games are widely available on the top real money poker sites in the US.
Poker Hand Rankings You Need to Know | Beginner Poker Rules- Omaha – Another game where players are dealt hole cards. The main difference is that Omaha requires four while Hold’em only uses two. Players must also make poker hands using two of their holes and the community cards.
- 7 Card Stud – A game that predates Hold’em but has declined in popularity over the years. Nonetheless, 7CS is still offered at Borgata and WSOP NV/NJ.
- Razz – A unique Lowball variant where the worst poker hand wins the pot. Becausesuits rank opposite to their normal values, experience is very beneficial in LO8 games.
- H.O.R.S.E – A mixed games event that combines several different variants. The abbreviation stands for Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, 8-Game, and Stud Hi/Lo 8-or-better. Only the Stud portion uses button play and blinds. All other games reset deals after each hand.
- Fast Fold – Technically not a poker variation, fast fold allows players to instantly transport themselves to a fresh table when they fold their current hand. This ensures that players always have an active hand in front of them, thus eliminating dead time.
- Short Deck – Also known as 6+ Hold’em, this variant gained popularity among high rollers because all lower cards (2-4 & 5-6 depending on the room) have been removed from the deck. That makes it easier to flop straights and flushes, which in turn makes it harder for the preflop aggressor to fail. 888Poker was the first site to offer 6+ Hold’em in the US.
How We Rate US Online Poker Rooms and Apps
Our team has over 100 years of combined experience in the poker industry. We understand what players want from an online room and we’ve seen the good, bad, and ugly. When we review sites for real money poker in the United States, we check for the following components.
- Software/Security – Includes the downloadable software for Windows and Mac, as well as the mobile app. We check for glitches, soft ware, and multi-tabling abilities. We also ensure that SSL encryption is in place to protect player data.
- Traffic/Technical Requirements – A pixelated game can be fun to play, but it’s not fair to the player or the site. Thus, we check for clear games with sufficient frames per second and proper table sizing. We also consider the minimum technical requirements to ensure the recommended computer/phone can handle the poker room in question. Finally, we look at the overall traffic volumes and the availability of cash games and tournaments at various stake levels.
- Bonuses/Card Rooms – Start with the welcome bonus and work our way up to loyalty rewards and freerolls. We analyze the terms and conditions to determine if the site offers good value based on the actual cost of the bonus. We also consider the difficulty of clearing the bonus and the timeline for completing the requirements.
- Payment Methods – Deposits and withdrawals should be fast, secure, and affordable. We look for a suite of cashier methods that include major credit cards, ewallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. Speed is another factor because nobody wants to wait weeks to receive their funds.
- Support – All online poker sites offer customer support, but the quality varies greatly. We evaluate the availability of representatives via chat, email, and phone. Then, we measure their competency and whether they actually resolve issues rather than passing the problem along.
- Licenses – Every reviewed poker room and app in the US must hold valid licenses for the states in which they operate. We verify the legitimacy of these licenses and ensure that all games have been thoroughly audited for safety and fairness.
Playing on Your Mobile Device
Mobile poker is becoming increasingly more popular in the United States. Several top real money poker sites already have functional web apps that let you play in any browser on any device. Moreover, BETMGM, 888POKER and WSOP have developed native apps for IOS and Androids that provide even smoother gameplay.
You can access the mobile web app anywhere in the US and play against people in New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and/or Pennsylvania. On the other hand, you must be physically present in those states to install the native iOS and Android apps and play against others located there.
Web apps let you participate in cash games and tournaments with the same welcome bonuses, loyalty rewards, and VIP benefits as desktop players. However, the native apps for IOS devices do not offer play money games, but only real money poker online games.
Enjoying the Best Real Money Poker Games in the USA
American poker players have waited a long time for the opportunity to play the best real money poker games online from the comfort of home. Despite the limitations imposed upon certain states, we finally have legal cash games and tournaments in New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Other sites operate as sweepstakes or in defiance of state laws. We strongly advise against playing on these sites because you have plenty of other options.
Our team of experts has diligently reviewed every legal poker room in the United States and created rankings of the best sites according to traffic volume, promotional value, mobile functionality, and other important criteria. Check out our reviews to find the best real money poker sites and apps in your area.
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Is online poker in the USA safe?
Yes, online poker in the USA is safe as long as you stick to legal sites operated by reputable companies. Our team of experts has reviewed every licensed poker room and app to ensure they meet high standards in software reliability, security protocols, and fair gaming practices. Read our reviews to find out which real money poker sites in the US offer the best protection for your personal data and bankroll.
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Can I play real money poker online in the US?
Yes, you can play real money poker online in the USA through licensed sites in your state. The only exception is our guide for the best real money poker sites in the USA, which serves as a hub for legal poker throughout the country. Those rooms operate in New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and/or Pennsylvania, but you can access their desktops and/or mobile apps from anywhere in the US to play for real money.
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Where do I play real money poker games online from the USA?
The top real money poker sites in the US are listed in this poker guide. Each of our recommended poker rooms operates legally in one or more states with licenses from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (Nevada/New Jersey/Pennsylvania) or Office of Lottery and Gaming (Delaware). We only recommend safe, trustworthy poker sites with fair games and dependable payouts.
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How do I deposit funds in my real money poker account?
You can visit any of our recommended real money poker sites to see what options are available. Generally speaking, legal online poker rooms in the US accept major credit cards, bank transfers, prepaid cards, and electronic wallets (Skrill, Neteller). Just locate the cashier button on your poker room, select a deposit method, and fill in the required fields to complete your deposit.
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Which is the best real money poker room in the US?
The best real money poker room in the US is subject to your personal preferences in regards to software, promotions, and available games. We rank all our real money poker sites based on objective criteria like player traffic, software reliability, mobile capability, bonuses, and payment methods. Then, we provide y our with full disclosure so that you can pick the top real money poker room to suit you.
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Will I go to jail for playing real money poker games online?
No, you will not go to prison for playing online poker in the USA. First off, there are four states that offer legal poker sites that are available on IOS and Androids. Second, anyone can access the free-play option on SWoop and Global Poker. Third, thousands of players take part in WSOP.com tournaments every day and neither the players nor the company have faced any legal trouble.
