One thing we all love about playing poker is being able to do it in a live setting, where we can see our opponents and read their tells. In recent years, technology has made it easier than ever for players around the world to join virtual poker rooms, giving them access to all sorts of live action without having to leave their homes.
Whether you want to play cash games, tournaments or sit and go’s, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to live poker sites.
However, with the boom of online poker has come a huge influx of new sites, making it difficult to navigate the virtual waters. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best live poker sites available on the internet today.
Before we dive into the list, here are a few things we looked at to compare and contrast live poker sites.
Criteria for comparing online poker sites.
Of course, we needed criteria to help narrow down the list. Here’s what we looked at when comparing each site—
Is their online poker legal?
First and foremost, we make sure the online poker site is legal in the country you’re playing from. Many sites are licensed and regulated while some operate privately, so it’s important to understand the laws in your area before playing.
In order for the site to be on our list, it must be legally compliant in the jurisdiction it serves. We look at it like this - if they're legal and legit, then they're following all regulations set forth by their respective gaming commissions and therefore your data and money are safe and secure.
What poker bonuses do they offer?
This is a big one. Most online poker sites offer a bonus of some kind for signing up, but the size and type of bonus can vary greatly from site to site. We looked at the bonuses offered by each site and whether or not they were worth taking advantage of.
Keep in mind that while some poker bonuses may seem like a phenomenal deal, there are also terms and conditions attached to them. So always read the fine print before signing up for a bonus.
How is the user experience of the online poker site?
Whether you're playing on a laptop or playing one of the many mobile poker apps from your smartphone, you want to make sure that the experience is smooth and hassle-free. That's why we took into account the user interface and design of each site.
We also looked at how easy it was to deposit money, withdraw winnings, and navigate the different tables and tournaments. There’s nothing worse than coming across a great online poker site only to find out that it’s a pain to use.
Do they have good customer support?
If you run into any issues with an online poker site, you want to know that help is just a few clicks away. That's why we looked at the customer support offered by each of the sites on our list. We assessed how quickly they responded to inquiries, as well as their overall level of knowledge and professionalism.
One of the biggest factors is the type of support they offer to their bettors. For example, do they offer only email support, or do they have a live chat option?
Customers' poker site reviews.
Finally, we couldn't just take our own word for it. We wanted to hear from players who had actually used the sites in question and get their opinion on how good or bad they were.
We read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at ratings from various industry sources to make sure that the sites we were recommending were up to par.
Our top-rated online poker sites.
Without further ado, here's our list of the best live poker sites. All of these sites offer a great user experience, top-notch customer support, and loads of options for playing cash games, tournaments, and sit and go’s.
So if you're in the market for an online poker site to call home, check out our list below.
PartyPoker
Topping our list is PartyPoker. This is one of the oldest, most trusted names in online poker and they offer a wide selection of cash games, tournaments, and sit and go’s.
They're legal only in New Jersey, which is a bust for many players, but if you're in the Garden State, then this is one of your best options.
What we like the most about PartyPoker is the bonus they offer new players. You can get up to $30 in bonus cash plus an additional $600 deposit match just for signing up. That's a pretty sweet poker bonus. It's not the best, but it's an easy one to take advantage of. They also have a loyalty program called the "Diamond Club," which rewards players with cash and prizes for playing.
As for what customers are saying, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. People love their selection of games, the reliability of their software, and the bonuses they offer. They only received 3.5 stars on Android and 4.3 on iOS, but keep in mind that customer reviews are inherently negative. So all in all, that's not a bad rating.
If you're in the Garden State and looking for an online poker site, PartyPoker is a great option.
BetMGM
Another one of our top picks is BetMGM. When you want to win real money on one of the best poker sites online, you can bet on BetMGM.
This site has been around for a while now, and they're available in a slew of states unlike many other poker sites. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, and Wyoming. With a presence in so many states, you can be sure that BetMGM is one of the top poker sites around.
They offer a great selection of cash games and tournaments, as well as a nice sign-up bonus for new players. This bonus gives you up to $1,000 deposit match when you make your first deposit. Even better, they'll throw in a free $25 just for signing up.
One thing that we love about BetMGM is their loyalty program. They offer a rewards system called "M Life Rewards" which gives you points for playing that can be redeemed for cash or prizes.
In terms of customer reviews, the response is overwhelmingly positive. People love their selection of games and the bonuses they offer, as well as their user-friendly interface. On both Android and iOS, BetMGM earned a rating of 4.4 stars, so it's clear that customers are happy with this site.
If you're looking for one of the best poker sites around, then BetMGM is definitely worth considering.
PokerStars
When you want to play poker online, you simply can't go wrong with PokerStars. This is one of the most well-known and trusted names in online poker, and they offer a great selection of cash games, tournaments, and sit-and-go's.
While they're not legal in as many states as BetMGM, they still offer a great online poker experience in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Their user-friendly interface makes it easy for even the most inexperienced players to get in on the action. They also offer an excellent deposit match bonus of $500 when you make your first deposit, and they run regular promotions and tournaments with hefty prize pools.
The PokerStars loyalty program is one of its best features. Known as "StarsCoin," you can use these coins to buy tournament tickets, rewards, and more.
As for customer reviews, PokerStars earned a rating of 3.9 and 4.5 stars, respectively on both Android and iOS platforms. Most people have only good things to say about this site, noting its selection of games, loyalty program, and bonuses.
Overall, if you're looking for one of the best poker sites in the industry, you can't go wrong with going with PokerStars.
WSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is another one of our top picks when it comes to online poker sites. This is one of the most well-known and respected brands in the industry, and they offer an excellent selection of cash games and tournaments.
Currently, WSOP is available in Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Their bonus is almost as generous as the others, offering a 100% match on first deposits up to $1000. That's better than most online casino sites and what you'd expect from one of the biggest poker sites.
While the bonus is insane, we've got to hand it to the developers as their user experience is top notch. The interface is incredibly simple and easy to use, plus it looks great when you're playing. It's smooth and intuitive, even for beginning poker players.
When it comes to customer reviews, WSOP earned a rating of 4.4 stars on iOS and 4.3 stars on Android platforms. Most people noted how good the interface was and how much fun they had playing on the vast selection of games.
Overall, if you're looking for one of the top poker sites in the industry, WSOP is certainly worth considering. With its wide selection of tournaments and cash games, as well as its generous bonus and great user experience, this site is definitely worth checking out.
DraftKings
Not what you'd expect from a company that got its start in daily fantasy sports, but they've expanded and are easily one of the best online poker sites you'll find.
DraftKings is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. They also have retail sportsbooks in a few states as well.
While they have taken the online casino market by storm, we expect them to continue to grow as other states legalize online poker and other real money games.
As for bonuses, DraftKings offers an excellent deposit match of up to $2000, in addition to various other promotions.
Their user interface is incredibly clean and easy to use, and their selection of games is quite good as well. We also like how they integrate their daily fantasy sports platform into the poker experience for those who want to mix things up. You only need one account to access all the games.
Overall, DraftKings is a great option for those looking to get into online poker. They have an excellent bonus program, user interface and selection of games available, making them one of the top online poker sites. Give them a try if you're looking for an exciting digital gaming experience!
Online Poker FAQs
One thing we get a lot of around here is questions about online poker. So we thought it would be helpful to put together a list of the most commonly asked questions about online poker and answer them for you.
Are there legit poker sites in my state?
It depends on where you live. Most states now offer some form of legal online poker, however there are still some that do not. To find out if there are legal poker sites in your state, check out our state by state guide to online poker.
Can I play for real money?
Yes, most legal online poker sites offer the ability to play for real money. However, you must be of legal age and physically located in that state to do so.
How old do you have to be to play online poker?
The legal age to play online poker varies from state to state, but it is usually set at 21 years old. Some states may have different age requirements, so you should check with your local laws before playing.
Who regulates online poker sites?
Each state has its own gaming commission that is responsible for regulating online poker sites. These commissions make sure that the sites are secure and fair, and they also enforce any state laws regarding online poker. So if a casino site is operating in your state, it is likely that the gaming commission of your state is overseeing it.
What is the best online poker site?
The best online poker site for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your location, the games you want to play, and the bonuses offered. Some of the most popular sites include BetMGM, PokerStars, WSOP, and DraftKings.
That's why we recommend doing your own research to find the site that best suits your needs. We have comprehensive reviews of all the major sites, which can help you make an informed decision.
What is the safest online poker site?
All of the poker sites we review are legit and legal poker sites. They're all regulated by each states regulatory commission. With that, there's not one that is safer than the others, they're all inherently safe.
That's not to say that something bad can't happen, it just means that they take all of the necessary precautions to ensure a safe gambling experience for you.
Is online poker rigged?
No, not a chance at all! Most reputable online poker sites use random number generators to ensure that the games are fair and secure. All of the sites we recommend use this technology to protect players, as well as other measures such as encryption and fraud prevention systems.
Are there any special bonuses or promotions available?
Yes, most legal online poker sites offer some form of bonus or promotion for new players. These can range from deposit matches to free tournament entries.
Don't forget to read the terms and conditions before claiming any bonus, as these can vary from site to site.
Do I need special online poker software?
No, most online poker sites don't require downloading any additional online poker software.
You will just need a modern web browser. Some sites also offer mobile apps if you want to play on the go.
You'll find that the top online poker sites we reviewed also have the best mobile poker apps. So head on over to the Android or iOS app store and download the one that suits you best.
Do I need to deposit money?
No, some sites offer free-to-play poker options. This allows players to practice their game without risking any of their own money until they are comfortable. However, when playing for real money you will need to make a deposit before you can start playing.
How does an online poker room compare to a live poker room?
Live poker rooms are great if you're looking for a more social experience, but online poker rooms have their own advantages. For example, online sites offer bigger tournaments with higher payouts than the typical live game.
They also don't have any travel expenses or tipping requirements to worry about, and there's always a game available.
So whether you prefer the convenience of online poker or the atmosphere of a live game, there are plenty of options to choose from.
What kind of games can I play online?
You can find a variety of different poker games available at reputable online sites. The most popular include Texas Hold'em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud and 5-Card Draw.
You can also find tournament action, sit 'n go's, and cash games. Some sites even offer specialty games like Badugi or Razz (WSOP has a really awesome Razz online poker game you can play, but be careful, it's addicting!).
Does traffic affect online poker rooms?
Inevitably, yes. During peak hours, you will find more players online, which can make games go smoother and faster. On the flip side, at non-peak times, the tables will be less populated, and you may need to wait a while before finding enough players for a game.
This is common for even the best online poker rooms, and unfortunately, it's something you'll have to deal with.
Does playing online poker require skill?
Yes, absolutely. Poker is a game of skill that requires knowledge of the rules, mathematics, and psychology to be successful. Even though some luck is involved, experienced players will often have a higher chance of winning in the long run.
Practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if you don't win your first few games. Just keep playing and learning, and you'll eventually become a better player. With enough time, skill and dedication, anyone can become an online poker pro!
Do I have to declare my winnings?
Most states require that you declare any winnings from online poker. It is best to check with your state laws as the details may vary from state to state. Additionally, many sites offer a tax form that you will need to fill out if you are a winner. It is important to keep track of any winnings or losses, as you may be liable for taxes on your winnings.
So while online poker can be a great way to make some extra cash, it is important to remember the legal implications of playing. Be sure to do your research and always play responsibly.
What if I have a gambling problem?
There are many resources available to help those struggling with a gambling problem. If you feel that your gambling is getting out of control, it is essential to seek professional help and take active steps to address the issue.
You can contact the Gambling Help Hotline at 800-522-4700 and they'll be able to provide information and advice on how to get help. Additionally, most online poker sites offer tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options that allow you to control your gambling habits.
About our reviews.
We're dedicated to providing honest and unbiased reviews of online poker sites. Our team of experts have put together comprehensive reviews that cover the different aspects of online poker, such as game selection, promotions, banking options and customer service.
We strive to provide accurate information that helps our readers make an informed decision when choosing an online poker room. So no matter if you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, you can find the best online poker sites with our help.
It's worth noting, however, that the industry and individual poker sites are constantly changing, so it is crucial to keep up to date with the latest news and reviews before you play online poker.
Get into the action with the biggest online poker sites!
After all of that, you should be ready to hit the tables. So why not sign up with one of the biggest and best online poker sites today? With a huge variety of tournaments, cash games, and other fun features, you'll find something to keep you entertained all day long.
Whether you're looking for free poker, real money poker, or something in between, you'll be sure to find it on one of the top sites we discussed.
21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
