When choosing between the best online poker sites, it can be hard to know what to look for. So much of what makes a poker site the best depends on personal tastes. One has to decide which types of poker games they want to play. They also need to consider which poker sites have the best software, the right tournament schedule, and the prize structure. For a beginner, this can all be a bit daunting.

I am interested in playing online poker with real money to try to improve my game and learn more. My question is where in the USA is the best website to go to and trust when it comes to online poker? I have been looking at ignition and ACR so far. Most of the post I find are from 2017 and later.

Fortunately, no one needs to go it alone. We’ve compiled the definitive list of the best online poker sites of 2021.

Meet the author: As a professional poker player for nearly 13 years, my friend and I have been testing pretty much any online poker site that has ever existed. For more online poker and casino site reviews like this one, check out leanbackplayer.com website.

• Bovada Review Reddit Bovada is one of the most resilient online casino operators in the United States and this part of the reason why it is a fan-favorite among online poker players in the United States. With decades worth of experience to its name, the company made its debut in the US market back in 2011.
• The u/HelloMydaddy30 community on Reddit. Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. Jump to content. Edit subscriptions. Popular-all-random-users AskReddit-funny. Best Online Poker Sites for US Players 🎲 Hit the tables hard!!! 5 Best Mobile Casinos 🎰 The Best.
• Most 'Non-USA' players can play on any poker site that they choose. However, here are the most recommended sites on /r/poker. PokerStars - Arguably the toughest site out there in terms of players, pokerstars is often praised for great software and an excellent selection of games to play. The largest playerbase of any poker site on the planet.
• The best poker sites for freerolls offer these popular tournaments frequently so that all players have a chance to participate. Although not frequently attended by professional poker players, freeroll tournaments at poker sites are typically well attended by beginning and new poker players as they can sometimes offer a substantial prize package.

5 Best Real Money Poker Sites

1. Best Overall: Ignition
2. Best for Beginners: Bovada
3. Best Bonuses: Cafe Casino
4. Best RTG Poker: Bodog
5. Best Daily Promotions: BigSpinCasino

1. Ignition – Best Online Poker Site Overall

Ignition Casino is a relatively new online poker site, launched in 2016. Thanks to the chance to learn from their competitors’ failures and successes, they have created one of the world’s best online poker sites. They have witnessed massive growth over the last few years, and we expect this trend to continue. With great bonuses and a variety of casino games, it’s an all-around winner.

Pros:

• Great bonuses and depositing options
• Live dealer poker and casino games
• Excellent customer support

Bonus: 200% deposit match bonus up to $2000.

Link: Welcome Bonus

2. Bovada – Best for Beginners

Bovada Poker has been known for a long time as one of the most trusted internet gambling brands in the United States. Since 2011, Bovada has been providing online poker and other casino games to users across the world, while at the same time promoting responsible gambling habits and ensuring beginner-friendly tables. That’s why we chose it as one of the best poker sites for beginners.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly and stellar poker room
• Great bonuses and promotions
• Mobile-friendly

Bonus: 100% deposit match bonus up to $500.

Link: Welcome Bonus

3. Cafe Casino – Best Bonuses

Cafe Casino is a newer US-facing online poker site that is very well-known for its notorious bonus offers. They offer an excellent variety of casino games, and it goes without saying that these include all the real-money poker variations. Cafe Casino bonus offers vary from a 500% super welcome bonus to free chips and referral bonuses.

Pros:

• Excellent bonus and promotional offers
• Fast payouts
• Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals

Bonus: 500% deposit match bonus up to $5000.

Link: Welcome Bonus

4. Bodog – Best RTG Poker

Bodog was founded in 1994 by Canadian entrepreneur Calvin Ayre, and the company has changed a lot over the years. Today, Bodgod offers various gambling opportunities under one roof – sports, race, and live betting, together with different casino games like poker. What makes Bodog stand out from the crowd is RTG (Realtime Gaming) video poker games.

Pros:

• ‘Poker Bad Beat Bonus’ offer
• US player friendly
• Trusted and well-known brand

Bonus: 100% deposit match bonus up to $1000.

Link: Welcome Bonus

5. BigSpinCasino – Best Daily Promotions

BigSpinCasino understands that the online casino world is highly competitive, and to acquire new players and keep the current ones, they need to run bonuses and promotions constantly. This strategy has been paying off, and many bonus hunters have settled here. Aside from great bonuses, they have an excellent variety of slots, video poker, and table games.

Pros:

• Excellent table and video poker games
• Many deposits and reload bonuses
• Daily and evergreen promotions

Bonus: 200% deposit match bonus up to $1000.

Link: Welcome Bonus

Are Poker Sites Legal in the US?

Whether or not real money online poker sites are legal in the US is a complicated issue. The answer is yes, but with some clarifications.

Operating real money online poker sites is legal in four states: New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. West Virginia voted to legalize online poker rooms in 2019, but so far, they have yet to enact that legislation.

Because there are no laws against playing online poker, US players can access these sites from anywhere in the country. However, the banking gets a little complicated with sites for US players, which is why most sites seek offshore licensing. These sites are registered outside the country, and can legally serve online poker players from any state.

So yes, online poker sites are legal to operate in certain states like New Jersey and Nevada, and online poker is legal to play in all states.

Different Games Online Poker Sites Offer?

Unsurprisingly, you can find a poker room for almost any type of poker game on most of the best online poker sites. Some of the most popular legal online poker games are:

• Texas Hold ’em
• Omaha Hi
• Omaha Hi-Lo
• 7-Card Stud
• 2-7 Triple Draw
• 5-Card Draw
• 5-Card Omaha
• Badugi
• HORSE
• Razz
• Unibet Poker
• Chinese Poker
• Short Deck
• Black Chip Poker
• Stud Poker
• Pineapple
• Zone Poker

Like at a traditional casino, Texas Hold ’em and Omaha are the most popular cash games, but there’s a huge variety of online poker games for a player to choose from.

Online Poker Software: Why It Is Important?

There are a lot of different types of poker software to help you get a leg up on the competition. There are game analyzers to help show you where you went wrong, courses to help you dominate online poker rooms, and even AI systems to make your moves for you. While we don’t condone doing anything to break the best poker sites’ terms of service, if you want to play poker online, you might need a leg up on the competition.

Here are some of the best online poker software:

• PokerTracker 4
• The Upswing Poker Lab
• Daniel Negreanu MasterClass
• Phil Ivey MasterClass
• PokerSnowie
• Poker Copilot
• PokerStrategy Equilab
• SnapShove
• The Poker Timer
• ShareMyPair
• Poker Income Bankroll Tracker
• ICMIZER 3

Things to Consider Before Playing with Real Money

Playing poker for real money can be scary for a beginner, and there are some things you need to look out for before you play online poker. These things will help keep you safe, and your money secure when you play online poker.

Is the Online Poker Site Licensed?

It should go without saying that you should only play online poker for real money on sites that are properly licensed. If a real money poker site is not licensed by whatever country they operate out of, they could theoretically shut down tomorrow and take your money with them.

If you want to find out if a site is licensed to operate money games online, then you should scroll all the way down to the bottom of their web page. In their footer navigation, they will have some type of link to their licensing information. Sites like Ignitionand Bovadahave it right in their terms of service. If you can’t find it there, the best poker sites will have their licensing information listed on their about pages.

Depositing and Withdrawal Options

A big thing to consider when you are trying to find the best online poker sites is how you will be paying for each cash game.

Some sites allow a wide range of wire-transfer services like Paypal or Venmo, along with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Others require you enter your payment details directly on their site using a credit card like Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. This information will be displayed prominently on the poker site’s signup page.

Also, the best poker site will always have a prompt deposit and payout speed. If you have to wait a long time to get your money out, maybe you should consider different poker sites.

Reviews and Complaints

We are confident you’ll be happy with any of the poker sites we’ve listed above. But, if you are thinking about trying out a different site, make sure you check out the poker site reviews before making a deposit.

You can easily find reviews of different poker websites by Googling the site name and “review”. Another great trick is to search “Site Name” + “review” + “Reddit”. Reddit users don’t hold anything back, so you’ll be sure to find real information. These poker site reviews will be able to point you in the right direction.

Bonus and Promotion Offers

Most online poker rooms have a bonus code or promotional offer to incentivize deposits. When you are choosing between your two or three favorite poker sites, the bonus offer can be what really sets you over the top. Find the best poker site deposit bonuses, and you are almost ready to start playing.

Features & Games Available

If you’ve narrowed down which site where you are going to play real money poker online, there is one last thing to do. Check the list of games the site offers. If the site has all the cash game types you want to play, then make a deposit and jump into your first poker room.

European Poker Rooms: Are These Different?

The best poker sites in Europe and the surrounding region are similar to those operating in the US or for US players, but there are a few key differences.

Gameplay

First, European online poker rooms are going to have a different variety of play than their American counterparts. European real money online poker sites are filled with players from across the region, resulting in a much more diverse player pool. This leads to a different method of play and a different overall player experience.

In general, American poker players tend to play very controlled but aggressive games. European poker players tend to be more casual and make looser calls. This doesn’t mean they are weaker, it’s just a different strategy of gameplay.

Software

While a more established online poker room will still have great software, many smaller European poker rooms will have software that feels unfamiliar to many American players. Us yanks are used to things that are sleek and intuitive, and also flashy and exciting. To the uninitiated, European region sites may be more difficult to navigate.

Traffic Volumes and Play Times

Many of the best online poker sites in Europe are still on the small side. That means that the less popular games will only have players in the poker rooms during peak hours, which could be a problem if you aren’t in a European region.

Obviously, if you are playing on a European poker site from the United States, then you probably won’t be playing at the same times as a lot of European players, due to the whole time-zone thing. That means unless you want to stick to Texas Hold ’em, you might be without any competition.

Rewards and Prizes

If you are considering playing on a poker site in a European poker room, then you have probably already considered the difference in currencies. However, cash prizes are not the only consideration.

Many European online poker tournaments have prize pools full of local rewards. Vacations and other physical prizes are common. And, if you cannot retrieve your prize, did you actually even win anything? You will want to find different tournaments if you don’t live in the region.

FAQ

Is playing real money poker legal in the USA?

Yes, playing poker on online poker sites is legal in the USA. Operating online poker sites is only legal in certain states.

Are there any USA friendly poker sites that accept Bitcoin?

Yes; Ignition, Bovada, and Cafe Casino all let players pay for cash games with Bitcoin. If you need to fund your online poker games with Bitcoin, try one of those options.

What is the best USA online poker site?

Our choice for Americans’ best site to play poker online is Ignition Casino, but there are many great options like Bovada, Cafe Casino, or Bodog.

Is playing online poker profitable?

Of course, playing poker online can be profitable. There is a World Series of Poker where players can win millions of dollars. But playing poker online is still gambling. As with any poker experience, don’t bet anything you can’t afford to lose.

Which online poker sites accept PayPal in the US?

Like with Bitcoin, Ignition, Bovada, and Cafe Casino all accept Paypal.

The reviews and statements published here are those of the sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or views of Observer.

Table Of Contents

Looking for the best US poker sites to play online poker games for free and real money? Check out these poker rooms!

Finding a great site to play online poker games from the US is not that difficult. But with all the different states allowing different operators — things can get a little messy for the uninitiated poker players in the US.

On this page, you'll learn:

• and lots more

Our team of poker pros (which includes World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Chad Holloway) have tested and reviewed all the US poker rooms in this article. This way, you can find everything about the games, the level, and the bonuses available.

In other words, if you are looking for a list of the best online poker sites for US players in 2021, you'll love this one!

The Best Poker Sites for US Players

Online Poker in the US & US Poker Rooms

The game of poker is an epitome of gambling in the United States, and the US poker sites on the list have to meet a lot of expectations from millions of players across the country.

Luckily for you, we have completed a thorough examination of every single aspect of these poker rooms to ascertain their true worth.

Here at PokerNews we have been in the business of reviewing online poker sites and online casinos for over 15 years, and our large US fan base stands testament to the continuous high-quality content we deliver.

No matter if you are new to poker or an experienced player, you could use a bit of help figuring out which poker site is the right choice for you. It all depends on what you are after.

If lucrative bonuses are your thing, that's perfectly fine. Here, you will find the top US poker sites with the most generous bonuses.

However, you shouldn't overlook the importance of the legality of poker rooms, the number of different games available, the betting limits that apply, the variety of payment methods, and the overall reputation of poker rooms when choosing your next US online poker destination.

All this and more will be covered in this comprehensive guide, plus the legal framework of real-money online poker gambling in specific US states.

Is Online Poker Legal in the US?

The situation with the legality of online poker in the US is not so clear cut as you might expect. To get to the bottom of this, we must look at the applicable gambling laws.

First of all, gambling in the US is regulated on a state, federal, and, of course, local level.

Looking at these levels of regulations, the only viable conjecture you can derive is that things are bound to get messy.

At the moment, the Constitution allows all states to make their own laws regarding online gambling.

• A handful of states have already legalized online poker, such as Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. In these states, online operators are required to sign licensing agreements with the land-based casinos in order to launch their online poker rooms, and plenty of big names have already done so.
• More states are taking a leaf from their books and filing for online poker and gambling licenses in a bid to legalize the market entirely. By doing so, the states will benefit from taxes these operators will pay and will ensure their citizens have fair and safe gambling opportunities.
• The states of Michigan and West Virginia have already passed the required laws. The roll out of the first poker sites is expected by the end of 2020 at best, but it is more likely to expect them in 2021.

How to Play Online Poker From the US?

With the popularity of online poker on the rise, finding an online poker room in the US should be a breeze.

Even so, there are multiple factors you need to consider and a couple of steps you need to complete before getting a piece of the action.

1. Check if Online Poker Is Legal in Your State

The first and foremost step is to make sure the state you are playing in has legalized online poker.

The states that offer full-blown poker sites are:

Some of them even share players, namely Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey.

Players from these states can participate in poker tournaments, which, consequently, have larger prize pools and are more appealing.

The states of Michigan and West Virginia followed suit and enacted the necessary bills and laws to legalize online poker.

Players from these states can expect legal online poker rooms soon.

Another important thing to remember here is that you don't need to be a resident in any of these states to play online poker legally.

You are only required to be physically present in any of them to register an account, make a deposit, and play No Limit Texas Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, and plenty of other versions of the game.

2. Choose the Best Online Poker Site for You

Next up is choosing the best online poker site for you. This means that you have to consider personal preferences, such as:

• types of games you like to play
• betting limits
• payment methods
• support options
• mobile poker apps for US players

All the US poker sites listed here will have a thing or two to offer, but the more you understand your playing habits, the better.

3. Register an Account

Once you have chosen the poker site, you can proceed to the registration process.

To do so, you will be required to provide personal details, such as name, DOB, address, email, etc.

Poker sites will ask you to provide a proof of identity as a part of their KYC (Know Your Customer) policy imposed by the legislation.

The proof of identity is usually in the form of a copy of your ID or another personal document, the final four digits of your Social Security number (SSN), a copy of your bank statement, etc.

These poker rooms make sure no underage gambling can take place and also prevent money laundering and fraud.

3. Deposit Funds to Your Account and Claim the Bonus Offer

The next step involves selecting the deposit method from the site's banking section and making the first deposit.

The top US poker sites presented here offer exciting and generous deposit match bonus offers once the players make qualifying deposits.

Check out the promotions tab and see which types of bonuses and freebies you can claim.

4. Choose the Type Of Poker Game and Play On

The final step you need to take is to choose between the different types of poker games offered by the site and take a virtual seat at the table.

The most common formats of poker include cash games and tournament poker.

• In cash games, the value of your chips corresponds directly to the monetary value, while in tournaments, you will have to buy in for a stack of chips and continue playing until you run out of chips or another player claims them all.
• In poker tournaments, the size of bets increases over time to make sure the game is action-packed.

How Do We Rate US Online Poker Sites

The entire review process of online poker sites is completed with the utmost care and diligence.

There are no stones left unturned, and we give no slack to anyone.

Our long history of 15+ years in the business and hard-earned reputation will never permit it.

Over the years, PokerNews has been declared the number one online poker guide several times, and we have been on the receiving end of quite a number of awards.

To fill you in on the process, we will try to break down the criteria we impose for our selection of key US poker sites into a couple of segments:

We List Only the Licensed Operators

All poker sites listed here have been licensed and certified by the appointed jurisdictions and authorities, which is a guarantee of safety, legality, and fairness of those sites and their poker games.

What's more, we look into the reputation of these sites to make sure players are content with the services provided and treatment.

Only after we make sure the site ticks all the right boxes do we present it here.

We Scrutinize the Bonuses

We never cease to look for the heftiest poker bonuses out there, so that our visitors can rest assured only the best possible bonus offers are listed.

What's more, we don't get carried away just by the sheer size of the bonus.

No sir.

There needs to be a balance between what is being offered as a bonus and what you need to do to turn that bonus into real cash.

We look into wagering requirements, the validity period of the bonus, and other requirements that appear as the small print in the terms and conditions that, sadly, only few players consult.

Luckily for you, we check that info as well.

Our Pro Players Look Into the Choice of Games and Quality

Did you know that one of our reviewers won an actual WSOP bracelet in Las Vegas?

Our reviewers are experienced poker players who know every nook and cranny of the game, and where to look for any hidden flaws in the choice of games and rules.

The sites offered here host a number of different types of poker, with plenty of poker formats and competitions, and their player traffic is a clear sign of quality.

We Test the Site's Software

Another important part of our testing process is the test of the site's software.

We want to make sure that sites have both web apps that allow instant in-browser play and mobile apps that enable players to engage in poker games on the go.

That said, we spend hours playing the actual games before reaching a verdict.

Also, if the poker room has a fully downloadable app for PCs, we will download it and make sure its functionality and gaming experience are top-notch.

These sites need to be responsive, easy to use, simple to navigate, and user-friendly. Only such poker rooms and mobile poker sites end up on our top list.

We Look Into Deposit Methods

Another important aspect of our review process is the examination of banking methods offered by the poker room.

This list includes only sites that offer the greatest variety of online banking, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, and other methods, all of which need to be fast, convenient, and protected by the latest SSL encryption and firewalls.

We Put Customer Support to a Test

Having knowledgeable and reliable customer support on your side when a problem occurs is imperative for poker players.

We put each site's customer support to a rigorous test to check their knowledge, response times, and amiableness. If all goes well, only then the site gets on our list.

Regulated US Poker Sites

As we briefly mentioned earlier, all states within the US are at liberty to regulate gambling as they see fit and under legal provisions.

The first poker and gambling-related laws in the USA were drafted in the 19th century, and since then, multiple other legal motions were filed and bills enacted.

One of the initial gambling laws and acts that apply to online poker and gambling was the Interstate Wire Act of 1961, otherwise known as the Federal Wire Act.

This act prohibited any sort of information and payment transmissions across state lines that had anything to do with sports betting.

The reverberations following this act spread like forest fires, and, unfortunately, included online poker and other forms of online gambling, and stymied their progress.

Another significant blow the online poker industry suffered from the US legislators came in the form of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

Online Poker Sites For Us Players

This regulatory act banned all payment institutions from processing transactions involving online gambling, including poker.

In 2011, three large poker operators were indicted for alleged foul play and breaking of the UIGEA, which effectively shut down online poker in the states. This was an event the poker community refers to as ‘Black Friday'.

With such impediments on the road, it is no wonder why it took online poker so long to reestablish a foothold in a country that is considered to be its birthplace.

Monumental changes happened in 2011 when the US Department of Justice reversed the Wire Act's decision and rendered it only applicable to sports wagering. This paved the way for states to legalize online poker anew.

In 2019, the DOJ released a revised opinion on the Wire Act, but its impacts are yet to be seen.

The following is a quick overview of how things work in key online poker states in the US.

[URL='https://www.pokernews.com/new-jersey-poker-rooms.htm']NJ Poker Sites[/URL]

New Jersey has been at the forefront of the online poker legalization process, and the third state to legalize it in 2013.

The first attempt to legalize online poker was vetoed by the governor in 2011, but by the end of 2013, the first poker platforms emerged.

At the moment, three operators are licensed to operate in the Garden State:

• 888poker
• WSOP.com
• PokerStars

PA Poker Sites

PokerStars is the only legal online poker site in the state of Pennsylvania. 888poker and WSOP Poker are expected to launch in the keystone State in 2021.

For more information about the games at PokerStars, check out this page dedicated to PokerStars US.

MI Poker Sites

The Great Lake State legalized all forms of online gambling, including online poker, in December 2019, when its governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the proposal into a bill.

The first sites and poker rooms are expected in 2021.

OffShore Poker Sites

Best Poker Sites For Us Players Reddit Videos

Even though some sites might tell you that playing in offshore online casinos and poker rooms is possible, that doesn't mean it is legal or safe.

In fact, most of these offshore poker sites have not been licensed by reputable gambling jurisdictions, nor are they protected by the latest security systems.

What's more, there are no guarantees that your banking details are protected and secure from any third-party influences.

That said, you are better off playing only on legal and vetted poker sites presented here than roaming around the internet and falling prey to malicious offshore poker rooms.

Best Deposit Options for US Online Poker Players

Top US poker sites offer several popular deposit methods for their players. The most frequently used deposit method is credit/debit bank cards, such as Discover, Visa, and Mastercard.

Almost all banks in regulated states will process such payments, so you won't have any problems making a fast and secure deposit.

Another essential deposit method is the e-wallet method. Poker fans use PayPal, Skrill, and other e-wallets to transfer their funds to and from the poker site seamlessly and quickly.

Methods such as e-checks and online banking are also quite popular and widespread, although they are a little bit slower when compared to e-wallets, for example.

Finally, most US poker sites offer PayNearMe prepaid vouchers and cash deposits you can use at your local 7-Eleven stores and casino cages from the land-based casino partners, respectively.

Problem Gambling and Useful Resources

Problem gambling is a serious issue, and some Americans have a tough time dealing with it.

That is why it is important that poker sites have strong, responsible gambling policies in power and that they cooperate with the regulatory bodies dealing with this issue, such as the National Council on Problem Gambling, Gamble Aware, AMA Responsibility in Gaming, and others.

Through this collaboration and effort, the negative impact of gambling can be reduced and sensitive groups protected.

FAQ

Online poker is perfectly legal in US states that have enacted specific online gambling laws.

You can play real money poker games online in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Delaware. In the future, you can expect the list to expand to include the states of Michigan and West Virginia.

The UIGEA came into force in 2006.

Players shouldn't play in offshore poker rooms as these are not technically legal in the US and are deemed as highly insecure.

Players are not required to live in a state where online poker is legal in order to play it. You only need to be physically present in the state at the moment of play.

Legal online poker sites have strong geolocation software that will pierce through almost all VPN networks, thus preventing players from outside the states from engaging in real-money poker games online.