The best real money online poker apps offer the full poker experience on mobile, giving you fast and simple access to your favourite games and tournaments from your phone or tablet.
Be it , cash games, Jackpot Sit & Gos or tournaments, you can play poker for money any time you feel like a few quick 6-max SNGs or a major MTT grind on your smartphone or tablet.
However, not all of the available are created equal. Some have weaker traffic, outdated software or poor selection of real-money games. Still, if you're looking for the top real money iphone or android poker apps - you've come to the right place!
Below you find our list ranking the best iPhone and Android poker apps online, as well as download links for each site. If you're just looking to try out the apps with play money, those options are plentiful, too. However, if you're here to learn about the , you're in for a treat.
Best Real Money Online Poker Apps List
18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply
Ranking Criteria for the Best Mobile Poker Apps
When rating the mobile apps at the different real money online poker sites, we took the following criteria into account:
- Software stability: Does the app crash often? Are there glitches that can cost you a pot? We punish heavily here.
- Usability/Ease of play: How easy is it navigate through the lobby? Is it intuitive? Hard to do anything when you spend hours figuring out how to register.
- Game Selection: Tournaments, Cash Games, SnGs, and other formats matter. Also, the more variants (Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, etc.) the better.
- Graphics / Gameplay: Do the avatars look like they just stepped out of a video game? Does the action flow smoothly? This point is not as important as others but still matters.
- Bonuses: In what way does the mobile bonus differ from the desktop version? Can players miss out on certain bonuses if they only play on their phones? These questions are key.
- ;: Fish are fish, no matter where you find them. High-traffic sites beat low-traffic ones any day.**
All things being equal, the three highest-traffic sites – PokerStars, 888poker and partypoker – always place highly in our rankings. They dominate the industry when it comes to real money online poker apps because they devote so many resources to making sure their mobile clients are strong.
Traffic leads to more feedback, which allows these sites to make changes more frequently – for the better. Smaller sites simply don't have the same volume of users to draw from, which is why their mobile clients sometimes lag behind. That said, even the small guys are getting better – and faster – these days, so maybe dip into our and try a few out.
#1 Mobile App for Poker: PokerStars Android & iOS App
PokerStars has long been considered the gold standard among iPhone and android mobile poker apps and for good reason. Its software team is large and dedicated, allowing for frequent updates that address bugs and add new features.
The net result is that the PokerStars mobile app for iOS and android is incredibly stable and packed with great features. It also supports a robust offering of real money games. You can compete in , , and with games starting every few minutes. There's also a healthy selection of Jackpot Sit & Gos and daily / weekly MTT series to complement its famous Sunday Majors.
In short, there's always something going at PokerStars and the mobile clients are outstanding. Even the biggest MTT series like the MRCO and WCOOP have their own mobile apps, which is pretty impressive considering how feature heavy those series can be.
PokerStars was also the first site to introduce Zoom Poker on all devices including mobile. This fast paced variant is perfect for mobile due to the quick action and the fact that you are moved around from table to table. This helps counter act the fact that multi tabling on mobile is somewhat more challenging than on desktop versions.
Speaking of tables, PokerStars mobile app allows you up to 4 tables at once on a tablet and 2 tables on most phones (older models are limited to one). Overall, it's very easy to grind a lot of hands on the PokerStars android and iOS mobile app which translates into more money in your pocket.
Lastly, PokerStars has run millions of $ in exclusive mobile only tournaments over the years. So if you want to play live poker vs players from around the world using the app, this is a great chance.
Related Reading:
About Those PokerStars New Jersey Promos
If you’re playing on PokerStars NJ (which shares a player pool with PokerStars PA), you may be eligible for some strong new player bonuses while playing on mobile.
For instance, PokerStars NJ recently introduced Spin & Go Snap Poker, which is a unique twist on the popular lottery-style game. As the name would imply, Snap Poker is a fast-paced gaming format in which players must snap-fold their hands rather than going through a lengthy checking/betting process.
For those that enjoy the concept of Snap Poker, combined with the randomness of Spin & Go’s, it provides a thrilling way to win big prizes via PokerStars NJ mobile app.
Another interesting promotion for new players in New Jersey is the “Rakefree Poker” promo which temporarily eliminated rake for select No-Limit Hold’em games during certain times of the day.
888poker’s android and iOS mobile app is another strong choice for real money poker fans.
#2 Mobile App for Poker: 888poker for Android and iPhone
888poker is known for innovations and they've done an excellent job bringing cutting edge poker software to both Android and iOS operating systems. For instance, 888poker was the first site to bring Chop the Pot to mobile as well as the groundbreaking Blast Sit & Go variant.
Blast SNGs feature randomly selected prizes that pay up to 20,000x the buy-in (or $100,000!) and take just 4-5 minutes to play on your phone. Other mobile exclusives include 888poker's Daily Challenge leaderboard promos which reward players for completing missions such as playing X amount of hands or winning Y number of Blast SNGs in a single day. Prizes can range from free tickets to special SnGs up to $1,000 in cash.
888poker also offers qualified players a reload bonus through the mobile SnG leaderboards which runs every week. All you need to do is opt-in and play 10 or more SnGs within the qualifying time period to earn points based on your finish position in each tournament.
Spearheaded by the merger with WSOP.com, 888poker shares a network with BSIP (Boyd Gaming, William Hill, WSOP) which gives it the best overall reach across US states (Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware). In addition to the WSOP state-specific brands, 888poker also powers the PT Sportsbook brand in Ocean State, Rhode Island.
Combined with the merged network, 888poker offers the most varied schedule of daily / weekly MTTs with buy-ins ranging from micro-stakes ($1-$5) to high roller events ($100+). Qualify for the flagship $200k WSOP Super MILLION$ through a series of satellites or directly via the client.
Daily (heat-based) and weekly (time-based) MTT MTT leaderboards can also be climbed for cash rewards and Satellite tickets.
It doesn't hurt that 888poker is currently offering an exclusive freeroll upon sign-up which awards a minimum of $10,000 every Monday.
Overall, 888poker definitely gives PokerStars a run for their money in terms of mobile features and tournaments. It might be worth having accounts at both sites to take advantage of all the different promos and games.
#3 Mobile App for Poker: GGPoker (including Unibet Poker, Natural8, AirAsia BIG Game)
RunGood Poker Club
One of the newer entries in the industry has taken the online poker world by storm with innovative features, birdies and profitable promotions that keep players coming back for more. In addition to the catchy marketing and club perks, RunItOnce founder and executive producer Filippo Yannuzzi led the development of a revolutionary bubble period called the "RunGood Bubble Protection". During this time, players who bust on the bubble are entered into a Freeroll with a prize pool equal to 100% the original buy-in prize pool for that portion of the tournament.
Juwaa Bet Casinos in Tanzania for 2023This mobile-friendly feature alone has returned over $2M to battered bargains during tournaments.
Other profitable mobile promos include the "All-In or Nothing" feature that splits pot when you lose an all-in as a way to push dead money back into players accounts plus the “Game Over” instant-cashout option after four hours (if your stack hasn’t improved since start of play). Both of which were copied by rivals but didn't quite match GGPoker's execution.
Furthermore, GGPoker offers a variety of jackpot sng's ranging from regular iMBD'S (starting $1000) to Big Lamb SnG's that range from $2,500 to an eye-popping $30,000!
Mobile players will also find a wide selection of soft cash games, including PLO and NLHE, with several clubs offering first deposito bonuses and other perks. Spearheaded by the Unibet Poker brand, GGPoker is quickly expanding into various regulated markets across Europe while Naturally selecting the best Asian poker pros to represent their brand.
Unibet Poker currently tops our list of European poker sites due to their overall software package and mobile-friendliness. Check out the detailed review via the below link for more info.
Naturally eight meanwhile targets the Asian market where GGPoker is rapidly becoming the dominant force. Players outside Asia can also join Naturally eight to climb the Missions Leaderboard for cash prizes and free tickets every week. Every Thursday, the top players on the Mission Leaderboard will receive rewards according to their final ranking.
All players who complete at least 5 Missions will also receive a prize! What makes this promo so attractive is that it scales up with more completions in which a maximum of 15 completions per week are counted. That means the higher you rank on the leaderboard, the bigger share of the prize pool you get!
Rounding out the profitable mix is AirAsia BIG Game which launched a co-branded mobile poker app with GGPoker powered by NSUS. The app promises huge guarantees, easy deposit / withdrawals and smooth mobile software optimized for tournament series.
Online Casino Signup Bonus Tips - How to Pick a Good One#4 Mobile Poker App: partypoker (New Updated Version!)
The updated partypoker app now ranks among the best real money android and iphone poker platforms thanks to revamped software, stronger traffic and innovative new promos. Chief Operating Officer Tom Waters and his development team listened closely to player critiques and addressed multiple issues which had driven away many mid-to-high stakes professionals.
Among the highlights of the revised partypoker app are faster software, reduced overhead from removed features, improved processing speeds for larger sites and cashouts, and a series of lucrative promos that have attracted many mid-to-high stakes professionals.
To further sweeten the deal, partypoker brought back the popular "Rakeback" scheme for qualified players. This initiative returns a percentage of the rake generated by the user to their account balance, giving them extra funds to play more partypoker games and tournaments.
The updated software also corrected previous issues with partypoker's Sit & Gos, which regularly started short or with odd chip counts. Now players know exactly what to expect when they register for a SnG, with even chip counts and dynamic audio/visual reminders for the blinds and clock.
Tired of grinding at the same old micro to small stake levels? Use the wheel of fortune to enter satellite SnGs that can qualify you for high stakes tournaments and cash games up to £100,000!
partypoker continues to build its New Jersey network by sharing liquidity with the WSOP.com app, which should attract more professional players to the platform and generate more revenue for rakeback and bonus schemes.
Meanwhile, partypoker LIVE Tour travels the globe hosting festivals in luxury locales with online satellites on the mobile client. The next stop is Kavos, Greece running June 29 - July 8, 2024 followed by Milatyny, Poland (August 25 - September 4, 2022), and Palm Beach Aruba (October 27 - November 6, 2022). The main event has a guaranteed prize pool of US$ 1 million!
#5 Mobile App for Poker: bet365 Poker
Bet365 is known to sports betting fans for its extensive coverage of global sporting events year-round. But the site also features solid poker games against a large international player pool. Bet365 Poker is a member of the well established , which gives it above average traffic for a TIER 2 poker site.
That equals lots of tournament volume at all hours and plenty of fishy recreational players who came over from the sportsbook or casino. Bet3six5 also offers a healthy selection of real money poker games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo. Limits stretch from 1c/2c up to $50/$100 and beyond in special events - so bet365 caters to all bankrolls.
A strong selection of sits & gos (Jackpot SnGs included) round out the game selection, as do scheduled daily and weekly MTTs.
In addition to the standard Welcome Bonus, bet365 Poker offers reward points that can be redeemed in the store for all sorts of goodies like cash, entries to freerolls and free spins in the game "Casino Hold‘em". VIP chests are also awarded based on player activity which can award cash, tickets and more.
bet365 Poker is compatible with iPhone, iPad and Android so regardless of your device, you can easily download the app and start playing. In addition to the mobile welcome bonus, bet365 Poker offers daily and weekly MTTs as well as sit and go tournaments. Read the complete Review here.
#6 Mobile App for Poker: PokerKing
Those seeking softer competition and juicy games will find what they're looking for at PokerKing, although you'll have to use a PokerKing HUSNG proxy to do it.
Heads-Up is king at this app, which means no multi-way pots with tricky min-bets and difficult reads. Just you vs the sweat dropper in a quick heads up showdown that awards your chip. Rinse and repeat until you've amassed enough chips to move up or call it a night.
Of course, there are different variants to keep things interesting - Hold'em, Omaha, Open Face Chinese and of course, Spin & Go style Jackpot SNGs with random prize pools that can exceed 20,000x your buy in! In addition to the standard 3 handed SNGs, PokerKing also offers Hyper Extreme format where you're in the money seats within minutes of sitting at the table.
You can also participate in Weekly King Races where you collect Scoring Points for every real money Game or Tournament you play. The more Scoring Points you collect, the higher you climb in the Leaderboards. The Top Players receive awesome Rewards every week. Finish amongst the top spots each week to qualify for the Monthly Final Race where the Rewards are even bigger!
Mobile players will also appreciate the swipe controls which let you raise, fold or call with a simple swipe. Or you can type in your bet size and get out of there before your opponent time makes their decision.
Bonus Casino Sites UK 2023 - Best 400 Bonus CasinosPokerKing is available in over 50 countries and is one of the leading poker apps in Europe. You can read more about their software and games in our .
Honorable mentions:
Given the rapid pace of development in mobile technology, almost every major real money poker site has an adequate smartphone app these days. Even smaller sites are rushing to keep up. Below are five more solid poker apps for android or iphone that haven't made our top ten list - for various reasons.
winamax (iOS) - Another ambitious French poker provider that's gaining ground in the US Market via its partnership with the popular Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Winamax USA offers an exclusive $500 First Deposit Bonus with just a $10 deposit and a 30% rakeback program.
- softest games in USA
- Exclusive First Deposit Bonus $$500 w/$10 deposit
- 30% First Depositor Flat Rakeback for 60 Days
- €10 TwIST Tournaments - 10-minute turbo tourneys w/an expanded bubble
- Boosted Weekly Leaderboards $$$ & SitNGos
GGPoker Philhellene - Greek poker players can access the popular GGPoker network via the Philhellene client, which offers similar games to the Naturally Eight client but with special promotions and offers. The GG is the giant in the poker room with tons of innovative features and tournaments.
Rush Street Interactive (PlayWild) - An up and comer with decent software and nice promotions. Expect more states to be added as RSI expands its footprint in the US via its Pennsylvania and Michigan land-based casinos.
Parthiana - A slick Italian poker app that currently serves the domestic market with a growing network and diverse player pool. Could become a serious threat to PokerStars in Italy if they expand to other EU countries.
PaddyPower Betfair Poker - Offspring of two industry giants brings solid games, strong promotions and deep shorthanded knowledge to the app store. Strong UK brand could do well in US if cross-state play is ever allowed.
How We Rate Online Poker Apps
There are a multitude of factors we consider when reviewing mobile apps to determine which providers stand out from the rest of the pack. Here’s the basic checklist we run through while testing android and iOS poker apps:
- Software: Stability trumps all else when it comes to mobile poker software. Frequent errors, disconnects and bugs are unacceptable so we give preferential treatment to sites that invest in strong development teams to ensure their product works properly. Additional software points are awarded for unique mobile promos that cannot be found on the desktop version.
- Game Selection: Avid poker grinders want the ability to multi table on their phones without experiencing frame drops or lag. In order to handle heavy workloads, mobile clients typically support 1-3 tables depending on the specs of the device. Regardless, players should have access to cash games, SnGs and major MTTs on the go. Additional points are awarded for sites that allow users to move between tables blinding with little to no delay.
- Promotions: Offering the same bonuses on mobile as desktop isn’t enough. We like to see sites offer exclusive mobile promos to encourage players to open the app instead of logging on from home or work.
- Banking: Downloadable apps require installing unknown software on your phone which makes security a concern for some players. To alleviate fears, reputable operators use advanced encryption and verification methods to protect player funds both online and offline. Additionally, the best android and iphone poker apps offer mobile deposit / withdrawal options for skipping the desktop phase altogether.
- Reputation: Finally, we consider the reputation of the company behind the mobile app. Established brands with positive customer reviews inspire greater confidence among potential customers. Whereas fly-by-night operations might offer a strong mobile product today, there’s no guarantee they can maintain service with a small staff and limited funding.
Advantages of Playing on Your Phone
There are several advantages to playing real money poker on your phone versus a laptop or desktop PC. Foremost, you can play mobile bill when you have downtime at work or school.
No one wants to play poker at the office if they get caught but knowing you can open the android poker app and jump into an SnG or cash game feels reassuring. Same goes for students who have history tests or lab courses where they can’t access their laptops. Being able to play a couple quick SnGs can help relieve stress and take your mind off things.
Another advantage to playing on your phone is the portability factor. As long as you have WiFi or a decent data connection, you can play poker anywhere your daily routines takes you. Doctor appointments, car repairs, standing in line at the DMV - these are all opportunities to win some money if you have a mobile compatible poker site. Of course you can play on your laptop in these situations but it’s usually not convenient to haul the thing around. And let’s face it - nobody wants to sit down at a public computer for online poker unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Casino Review NZ 2023 | Bonuses, Win Rate & Games - Indivisible GamingFinally, the rise of mobile zoom games is giving players more options to choose from. Zoom Poker is the proprietary fast fold poker software originally developed by Full Tilt which moves you to a new table with a fresh pool of opponents whenever you fold. Effectively, you’re always in with fresh players and the action never stops. This is ideal for iPhone or android users because you don’t have to wait for fish to disappear from the table before you can fold - you instantly transported to a new spot with new opponents.
Tips for Successful Mobile Poker Play
If you decide to try out some of these real money iphone or android poker sites, we recommend starting slow with some cheap games. Zoom tables are especially hectic because you’re dealt so many hands per minute.
Although it’s possible to grind a small profit in ultra-low stake Zoom Cash Games, most players prefer to play Zoom Poker MTTs where big score opportunities exist despite the increased variance. Keep your bankroll management tight in SnGs and MTTs to avoid going broke chasing one big score. Remember, someone has to win the top prize in these tournaments and the odds are always in your favor the more tournaments you play.
• In cash games on the other hand, it's much harder to win consistently at lower stakes. Lots of fishie players make ill advised calls with JJ or QQ against tight players in mobile poker. Problem is, there are dozens of new hands dealt per hour on Zoom tables. That equates to hundreds of QQ and JJ hands in a 1 hour session - too many opportunities for tight players to bleed away their edges with lip IPOFP (trash hand inflating pot).
To overcome this obstacle, some players suggest playing underrolled or “short stack” in mobile zoom games. Instead of 100BB (100x your size), consider playing 50BB where IPOFP has less impact on your stack. With only 20 BB left, it hurts more to lose to QQ or JJ than when you have 100 BB and winning feels more satisfying against trash.
Another tip for success with short stacks is “push constant”. By moving all-in in the blinds or anytime the blinds come around, you save time and make it tougher for opponents to steal from you. Many players won’t risk running into your shove with KTo or ATo when better hands are likely in the blinds.
Check out our for more tips on maximizing profits with short stacks.
*_*Editor’s note: “Ipof” = is it profitable._
Playing Real Money Poker on Tablet
Tablet users tend to have an advantage over smartphone players simply because of screen size. A 7”-10” display makes it easier to multi-table on ipads, Samsung Galaxys and other slates because you can fit more poker games on the screen.
Full-sized browsers are also available on most tablets which eliminates the need for android poker apps that may not function properly. Playing in the browser also gives you access to PDF cheat sheets, ICM calculators and other study materials that can improve your game while playing.
Some players keep a full-size laptop or external monitor nearby to really maximize the real estate for multi-tabling. Four or five tables aren’t a problem when you have a second monitor hooked up to your tablet via wireless connectivity. This opens up more opportunities to grind since you can run through your low stake sng tournament lineup in the morning, take a break for lunch cash games then do it again in the afternoon.
• ### Can you play real money poker on iPad/tablet?
Yes. Any poker app that’s available for android should work on iPad or other tablets with comparable specs. Look for the “iOS compatible” label in our online poker app reviews to find quality titles for iPad.
• ### What’s the best real money poker app for android?
The best poker app for android will vary by region due to licensing restrictions. In general, PokerStars is a safe bet due to its experience in the marketplace. Alternatively, new android poker apps may be available in your area that offer exclusive bonuses and promos.
• ### Can I play PokerStars on my phone?
Absolutely. PokerStars is available on all major smartphones including apple devices like the iPhone and iPad. Visit our to learn more about the latest features and how to install the software on your mobile device.
• ### Which iPhone poker app is legit?
World Series of Poker Schedule | Event Dates & LocationsAll the apps on this page are licensed by their respective governments and rigorously tested for fairness. That being said, the level of legitimacy can vary in regards to payment processing and customer privacy. Read our reviews carefully to understand the company philosophy behind each iPhone poker app.
• ### Can I make real money on poker on phone?
Yes, but it’s not easy. Most players on mobile poker apps are casual fish looking for entertainment. If you have good fundamentals, you should be able to make a small profit in SnGs and certain MTT formats. Cash games are tough because IPOFP (is it profitable to open) arises so often on mobile zoom tables.
