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Poker is a game that stands out as a historic American classic. After poker became televised, it was quickly solidified as one of the most iconic card games in the casino. Whether you're a fan of putting down some cash, or you just want to play a casual game with friends and family, there's a version of poker suited for everyone.
Today, you can play poker almost anywhere, whether for fun or in competitive tournaments. Online poker is one of the most popular ways to engage with your favorite game without worrying about the atmosphere or stress of a casino. Online playing started in the 90's and has steadily risen in popularity since. One of the perks of enjoying online poker is the ability to join multiple games at once - to play more hands in a shorter period (or potentially increase your odds of winning big).
Monday, February 10th
Everygame Poker, formerly known as Intertops, is one of the longest-running online poker platforms in our review. It's a fantastic choice for players who want to enjoy cash poker games and tournaments. With praise from poker fans and a generous 200% first deposit bonus, Everygame Poker is the top option for players interested in a good deal while paying for their poker gameplay.
PokerStars is one of the largest and most popular poker platforms in the world, offering a massive variety of poker styles and tournaments. It has high praise from players for high-quality software and great prizes, but there's one huge snag: PokerStars is only available to players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. If you're in one of these states, though, PokerStars should be your first stop.
Global Poker is a great choice for casual players and beginners, offering free-to-play options for every poker game (and casino game) on the site. With no need to download anything to play, Global Poker is perfect for those looking for a fun, low-pressure site to enjoy their favorite casino games. However, while its coin-based payment system allows you to convert winnings into cash for paid games, mixed reviews show that Global Poker may not be the best option for high-stakes gamblers or poker pros, earning it a respectable rating rather than a higher position in our list.
BetOnline is a platform for online poker as well as a range of online betting styles including sportsbooks and tournaments. You can find classic poker games and unique game modes that are offered at BetOnline. While this platform lacks a free poker option and PayPal payments currently, it has earned praise for its user-friendly software and reputation for reliable payouts. For these reasons, this one-stop shop earns a better-than-average rating in our review.
Ignition is an online poker site and casino that offers a car-themed experience with a solid variety of game styles and tournaments. While its payouts are listed to be fairly high, reviews note that it's not often that players earn enough money to actually qualify for a withdrawal. Because of the overall user feedback, including some disappointed comments on Trustpilot, Ignition lands as a good-but-not-great online poker option on our list.
WSOP is a well-known online poker site offering a mix of three poker styles and highly competitive tournaments. While the name has a long-standing reputation in the poker world, recent reviews show that there may be increasing issues with deposits and withdrawals. While this online poker site still earns user ratings of 4.3 stars on average, WSOP is only available in 3 states, making it unusable for much of the US. The lack of overall availability, combined with the decline in player satisfaction recently, earns WSOP a middle-tier rating overall.
888 Poker is an online poker tournament site that offers a mix of real-money and casual poker games. While it promises exciting bonuses and large potential winnings, the platform has received increasing complaints about scams, frozen accounts, and issues with withdrawing funds. Due to these concerns from players, 888 Poker earns a lower rating in our review overall, and it may be a risky choice for your next paid poker match.
Partypoker offers a variety of cash games and tournaments, including unique features like "Hot Tables” with random cash prizes. However, this platform can only be played by US users in New Jersey; otherwise, Partypoker is inaccessible to most US residents. While it includes free and real-money poker options, the game variety and deposit bonuses are lackluster compared to competitors. With mixed reviews and player limitations, Partypoker doesn't make it any higher in our review.
America's Cardroom, rebranded as ACR in 2023, offers a competitive variety of poker styles, but it lacks options for casual or free play. In addition, its app is hard to find and download, and payments lack the option for credit cards or PayPal. With overwhelmingly negative reviews on Trustpilot (including players complaining about algorithms, bots, and issues enjoying a truly fair game), America's Cardroom falls near the bottom of our list.
Bovada is a real money poker platform that's been around since 2004. However, it doesn't stand out as a place where you want to put your money. It is unavailable in many US states - though this may be a good thing, since Bovada has earned a reputation for unfair gaming practices. With concerns about scams and poor customer service, Bovada earns the last place spot on our list of online poker platforms.
Online poker is also a great way to learn the game if you're a casual player. Many sites offer stress-free tables or games against bots so you can either perfect your skills without any stakes, or make new friends with like-minded individuals who love poker, but don't want to gamble every time. Plus, playing poker online is generally better for your wallet than visiting a casino. You won't have to pay any travel expenses or overhead costs.
You may not know, but poker started in New Orleans, Louisiana where cardplayers combined the French game "Poque” with a bit of gambling fun. Poker was a favorite with American servicemen during the 40's and in the 50's the popular Texas Hold ‘Em variant was born.
There are hundreds of poker sites to choose from, and finding the best site will make sure you have the best gaming experience no matter your skill level or gambling choices. Different platforms will offer different types of poker from Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7 Card Stud, 5 Card Draw, Short Deck Hold ‘Em, Texas Hold ‘Em, Razz, and Chinese Poker. Plus, you can find a variety of play styles like cash games, tournaments, and options for both seasoned poker champions and complete beginners.
If you're ready to jump right in and earn some cash (or play for fun), but don't know which online poker site to choose, don't sweat. We've put together some factors that can help you find the best site to enjoy your evening with Lady Luck:
To help you find the best place to enjoy an American card game classic, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top online poker services out there today. Enjoy the deal and maybe you'll be the next big winner we see on the news!
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