US Online Poker Rooms
- Poker Game Variations For 18+ USA Players
- Deposit and Withdrawal Options For Online Poker Players
- Bonus Rewards For Desktop and Mobile Players
Online poker was the gambling game that started it all, with countless Internet-based poker rooms cropping up in the mid-1990s. But these online US gambling venues moved offshore in the mid-2000s, as states began cracking down on the market. However, states that actually offer domestic online poker are few and far between, making these international sites the only legitimate option for most US residents seeking safe and legal real-money poker online.
The US online poker rooms we recommend here have been dealing cards for decades, offering plenty of cash table games, Sit-N-Go tournaments, and massive online poker tournaments with million-dollar payouts.
For the best online Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo, you’ve come to the right place, pardner. So get your poker face ready and read on to learn how to pony up at the top-rated online cardrooms in the world!
Are US Online Poker Rooms Legal?
Yes! In a few US states, there are domestic online poker options, but most players in America can’t access these, as they’re geofenced to the states in which the venues actually operate. So, if you’re one of the 40 million or so poker players in the country, the only place to pull up a seat at the digital felts – without breaking any online gambling laws – is to use an offshore or international betting site.
The online poker rooms at these sites are safe and secure, and only one state – Washington – has laws against online gambling in general (including real-money poker). Still, WA players are all welcome at the sites listed above, though we must insist that you hold your cards close to your vest and gamble only in US jurisdictions where the pastime is legal.
US Online Poker Game Types
At real-money online poker sites for US players, you can expect to find all the typical poker variations you’d see in brick-and-mortar Las Vegas poker rooms. Indeed, Vegas is the gold standard, and all our US online gambling reviews are compared to Sin City’s lofty offerings as a matter of course.
With poker, then, a legitimate site must include the “Big Three” games, with each offering fair-play certified RNG (random number generation) software along with countless buy-ins and antes for players of all financial means and skill levels.
From poker beginners to sharps and pros, these sites have something for everyone from the following classic poker game menu:
Texas Hold ‘Em
Texas Hold ‘Em (aka Texas Holdem, or simply “holdem”) is the granddaddy of all cash table and tournament poker games. Each player gets two hole cards and must make the best possible five-card hand using any combination of their cards and the five community cards. The highest hand wins.
Omaha
Omaha is a classic variation of holdem, and the game is played mostly the same way. However, instead of getting two hole cards, players get four hole cards and must build their best hand using exactly two of these along with three of the five available community cards. The highest hand wins.
Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo is the same as Omaha, with one significant difference: The highest hand and the lowest hand split the pot. This is the best game for beginners, as it gives all players at the virtual poker table twice the chances to actually win. Typically, all Omaha “low hands” must be assembled from cards with face values of 8 or less.
US Online Poker Game Formats
All the best poker sites offer the classic “Big Three” games listed above. However, when it comes to how to play online poker at these venues, you can participate in these games across three general formats, which are briefly explained below.
In each case, you can play these games through both downloadable poker software (Windows/Mac) and via desktop and mobile browsers, with the latter being the most popular option.
Cash Poker Tables
Cash table games are the go-to option for most US online poker players. Cash games allow for brief poker action where you can play single hands over just a few minutes or enjoy hand after hand as long as you please. Most sites even allow for multi-table play (aka “multitabling”), so you can play at several tables at once.
Of course, mutlitabling is recommended only for seasoned veterans. Online poker beginners should start low and slow. Cash game payouts depend on the stakes, but most have pots worth several hundred dollars.
Sit-N-Go Poker Events
Sit-N-Go poker is an online staple, and it differs from cash games in that these events are effectively mini-tournaments. That is, you buy in and must win your table to move on to the next round. The process repeats for a set number of rounds, and whoever has the most online poker chips at the end of the final round wins the whole pot.
The best poker rooms for USA online gamblers have Sit-N-Gos starting around the clock, and most events take 30-60 minutes with payouts in the thousands of dollars. Bigger Sit-N-Gos – with bigger pots – can last up to two hours.
Major Poker Tournaments
Online poker tournaments are a huge draw at the top USA gambling sites. Unlike cash tables and Sit-N-Gos, these poker events see hundreds or even thousands of players buying in for a chance to win final pots worth six- and seven-figure payouts.
Typically, these major poker tournaments last for several days, with rounds being contested at fixed times throughout the week. Every reputable Internet poker room advertises its online poker schedule for all to see, so you can plan accordingly.
US Online Poker Banking Options
It’s not enough to know where to play online poker or even how to play online poker. That’s because – before you can even get started – you have to fund your betting account. No reputable US poker room allows free online poker, so you can’t play if you don’t have money to bet.
Fortunately, getting your gambling account topped off is quick and easy, and all the top operators support several efficient, reliable bet funding options.
Online Poker Deposits
- Bitcoin
- Altcoins
- Poker Vouchers
- Player Transfers
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Debit Cards
- Gift Cards
- Cashier’s Checks
- Bank Wires
- Money Orders
- Retail Money Transfers
Online Poker Payouts
- Bitcoin
- Altcoins
- Poker Vouchers
- Player Transfers
- Courier Checks
- Bank Wires
- Money Orders
- Retail Money Transfers
For most players, we recommend loading up your online poker account with Bitcoin (BTC) or another supported altcoin such as Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Stellar, Ripple, Chainlink, USD Coin, etc.
Crypto gambling deposits come with no added fees, transfer quickly and securely with 100% success rates, and make you eligible for the best online poker bonuses and same-day payouts.
Other withdrawal options typically take 3-5 days on average, and many come with non-trivial processing costs that can eat into your winnings. Still, all methods are safe, secure, and guaranteed, so you should go all in using the options that work best for your needs.
US Online Poker Bonuses And Promotions
Online poker bonuses are the best gambling bonuses in the industry, hands down. Whereas typical online US sports betting and online US casino bonuses come with rollover or playthrough requirements that must be met before you can cash out any associated winnings, that’s not how poker promos work.
When you accept an online poker bonus, the money is disbursed incrementally into your account for every set number of poker hands played. There is a time limit attached to poker bonuses (usually 30 days), so the more you play during that limit, the more free money you stand to receive.
Because poker bonus options never come with wagering requirements, we recommend every player accept these whenever they’re offered. Typically, you’ll find the following kinds of poker promos at the best US online betting sites:
- Online Poker Sign-Up Bonus
- Online Poker Reload Bonus
- Online Poker Refer-A-Friend Bonus
Most legitimate US online poker rooms also have rewards programs, where players accrue points based on how much they gamble. Rewards points can be cashed in for things like free online poker tournament entries and other monetary prizes.
If you frequently play poker online, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on your rewards and take advantage of all the free plays they offer.
Mobile US Online Poker Apps
These days, most online poker players use their smartphones and tablets to gamble on the go. However, if you’re looking for a real-money poker app in the App Store or Google Play, you won’t find one.
Sure, you’ll find lots of “free” poker apps via these storefronts (i.e. the World Series of Poker app, the Zynga Poker app, and countless others), but these don’t actually pay out real money winnings. All you can do is earn more virtual poker chips to play more free video poker games.
Even worse, these apps put restrictive time limits on play sessions, so you can only play a few hands each day unless you buy more play time with in-app purchases or microtransactions. That’s the worst poker hand ever – even worse that Aces and Eights!
Of course, the poker sites we recommend here are all mobile-optimized and offer app-like experiences through any modern mobile browser, regardless of whether you favor iPhone poker, iPad poker, or Android poker.
It doesn’t matter what make or model you’re using – As long as you have an up-to-date browser and an Internet connection, you’ll get a pixel-perfect, touchscreen-ready virtual poker experience. With online mobile poker, you can play your hand in the palm of your hand, anywhere in the United States!
