Poker rooms
Online poker rooms are places where you can pull up a virtual seat and play an assortment of poker games. Some sites allow you to play for free, purely for entertainment, while others provide the chance to make real bets and have a chance of winning real prizes.
In this extensive guide, you can learn everything you need to know about online poker rooms before you start looking for one to play at.
The top online poker rooms reviewed
There are plenty of excellent poker rooms you can visit online. We’ve got a short overview of some of the best here. Note that not all rooms are available to players in all countries. If you can access a site, be sure to check the T&Cs before signing up, to be sure it is available in your jurisdiction.
Bovada
Bovada is a well-known site offering poker in addition to its casino games. They offer cash games around the clock, which is convenient for those who play at unsociable hours.
They offer Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo poker games. Their poker software provides your game history and allows you to join anonymous tables. There are also tournaments available.
BetOnline
It has established itself as a well-known poker room and provides services for beginners as well as more seasoned poker players.
ACR Poker
One key highlight of ACR Poker is its fast payouts. They also provide a 100% welcome bonus which is worth up to $2,000. They’re one of the oldest providers around too, offering a range of poker games since 2001.
ACR Poker also provides a range of apps. They have free downloads for iOS and Android, and they also have specific web apps for Windows and MacOS. You can also read extensive rules for Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, and other poker variants.
CoinPoker
They’ve been offering a range of poker games since 2017. They provide everything from Texas Hold ‘Em to 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha, with over 50,000 players participating.
Ignition Poker
The poker arena forms part of the giant Ignition website, which also offers a casino, live dealer games, and sports betting. There are knockout tournaments, poker freerolls, and sit ‘n’ go tournaments to browse.
The welcome bonus can be worth up to $3k, but it is split between poker and the casino. There are plenty of upcoming tournaments to watch for, with major events giving dates for qualifiers to participate.
Everygame
Yes, they do offer every game too, including poker. They’ll match your first deposit by 200%. You can download the web app or use their instant play mobile version in your browser.
Everygame is part of the Horizon Poker Network, which is a global poker brand. Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha Hi-Lo are among the games on offer. They also run daily tournaments and freeroll tourneys, suitable for all players.
How to choose a poker room
We’ve seen how many great poker rooms there are online today. So, how on earth can you narrow that field to make sure you sign up at the site that’s best for you? Here are some suggestions and things to look for and consider.
How good is the software?
Many poker rooms have free software to download to get you started. It’s important to look for software that is of good quality and looks appealing. Most modern sites nail this aspect, but it should also be straightforward to use, even for beginners. Some software is more intuitive in this respect than others.
How many poker games are available?
If you’ve got a favorite – such as Texas Hold ‘Em – you might only want to find that game and make sure it looks good. However, if you enjoy a little variety, look for some other games as well.
With 7-Card Stud, Omaha, Five-Card Draw, Three Card Poker, and lots more as well, you can decide how important it is for you to find a wider variety of games to play.
Does the site have a good reputation?
Player reviews are one of the best ways to find out how good a poker room is before you sign up and download the software. Are players satisfied with the software, the games, and the overall service?
There will always be some negative reviews for every site but check how often these appear. You might begin to see a pattern whereby an issue at a poker room is continually highlighted by multiple people.
Of course, nothing beats seeing what a site is like for yourself. However, doing some research and seeing what current players think can give you a feel for a site before you take the time to sign up.
How many promotions does the poker room offer?
Is it all about the welcome bonus, with precious little to follow? Is there a steady stream of offers, including free poker tournament tickets alongside deposit bonuses, for example? See what’s available now and you’ll get a feel for what you might be able to pick up in future.
How can you deposit – and how quickly can you withdraw winnings?
If you have a particular method you’d like to deposit by, it only matters that you can use that. Alternatively, consider how many ways there are to make deposits. Some sites welcome cryptocurrencies on top of regular card and virtual wallet methods, for example.
Make sure you check their routines regarding withdrawals as well. How long does the average withdrawal take to process and receive? This is something you can often get a picture of when reading reviews about an online poker room.
Note that any bonuses you receive may have playthrough requirements that you will need to meet before you can cash out any winnings from your poker games.
Looking out for poker room bonuses and promotions
Plenty of poker players have claimed a bonus when signing up to an online poker room. Many go on to receive other bonuses as well. We’ve listed some of the most common ones you might see here.
Welcome bonuses
Most poker rooms or websites will offer you a welcome bonus when you sign up. If you’re fortunate, you might spot a no deposit bonus. This could mean you get a free chip to play with, or maybe a few tickets to enter a tournament.
Most sites we’ve recently visited offer a match bonus though. This is a first deposit bonus, usually 100% of your deposit, but we have seen up to 200% offered. There will always be a maximum bonus amount which is usually displayed on the screen. For example, you might be able to get up to $2,000 in bonus funds.
Always check the terms for this and any other bonuses that you might pick up. You will probably need to wager the amount of the bonus several times before withdrawing your winnings becomes possible.
Reload bonuses
The reload bonus is simply a bonus that follows completion of a welcome bonus. It encourages you to reload your account with more funds. Always make sure this will be within your budget, and that you are happy with the bonus terms.
Loyalty programs and bonuses
Here, you get rewarded for deciding to revisit a site to play there more often, rather than signing up somewhere else. Not all poker rooms offer these programs, and those that do may offer a VIP program or club that is not available to all players.
Oftentimes, you’ll have multiple levels to strive for. As you reach a new level, you can often collect a bonus. Other perks, such as free entries into poker tournaments, might also be given away.
How to maximize any bonuses you find
Make sure you read the bonus terms before claiming anything. Most bonuses must be wagered several times before you can cash out any winnings. This means you should look for a low wagering requirement.
For example, 5x is far better and easier to reach than 35x. Always make sure you are happy and able to meet the wagering or playthrough if relevant to a bonus.
It may also help to sign up to a site only when you have time to play with the bonus. Some sites have time-limited bonuses, whereby you have a certain number of days to complete or use it. In this case, start only when you know you have time to play poker and use the bonus before the time runs out.
The importance of selecting a safe and secure poker room
When you sign up to play poker online, there is a good chance that you’ll want to make a deposit and play some real money games. If so, you want to be sure you are using a poker room you can trust – not one that will disappear with your cash overnight with no warning.
So, how do you identify reputable poker rooms? It’s best to avoid any that have only just launched, as they have no track record available for you to rely on. When viewing more established online poker rooms, consider whether ownership details are transparent.
Often, you will find a copyright notice at the foot of the site, complete with the name and registered address of the company running it. You may also note licensing information there, which you can independently check with the licensing authority.
You should also make sure the site or software accepts secure payments. You want to be sure your personal information isn’t jeopardized when you make a deposit into your account.
Poker room software and the user experience
When it comes to poker room software, there are two possibilities. The first is that you will download software onto your computer that lets you access a range of poker games. The second is that you will find individual poker games to play, each of which has been created by a different provider.
For example, Evolution Gaming is a familiar name to anyone who has any experience of playing live dealer games at online casinos. They have Texas Hold ‘Em and Casino Hold ‘Em among others in their collection.
Some poker rooms are part of a larger casino website, and it is this scenario that is more likely to feature this approach to providing poker games.
Meanwhile, EvenBet Gaming provides extensive poker software solutions. According to their website, they currently have several dozen poker and card games to offer. Another provider of poker software is Creatiosoft, including blockchain poker for cryptocurrency sites.
Regardless of the site you join and the poker software you use, it’s important to make sure you get the best experience throughout. For example, if you want to play in a variety of settings, it will be important to check that you can play poker on your smartphone or tablet, and not just on your computer.
Of course, it’s important to select poker software that gives you access to your favorite poker games. Yet that is not the only consideration. You also need to be sure you like the software, and that you find it easy to use.
The software and the experience it leads to should be intuitive for you, rather than confusing. Much of this aspect will be down to personal preferences, but it is nonetheless an important element to consider.
Different types of poker games available online
There are lots of poker games to try online. Some poker players find they prefer a specific game, whereas others like to switch from one to another. Here are some of the most popular.
Texas Hold ‘Em
This involves two cards being dealt to each player – both face down. Three cards are then dealt face up on the table. The first round of betting begins, based on players trying to get the best hand from their cards and the ones on the table.
Another community card is then dealt face up before the second round of betting. Finally, another card is dealt face up, leaving five community cards to work with. Players can exit the game at any time, or to call the bet to stay in the game, or to raise it, if they think they have a good hand.
Omaha
This is similar to the above game. However, in this case, the players each receive four cards – but they can only use two to form their hand, along with three community cards.
Seven-Card Stud
This game features seven cards. Three are dealt face down, while the remaining four are dealt face up. Each player must attempt to make the strongest hand out of the seven available cards.
What is the difference between cash games and tournaments?
A cash game is a poker game you can join with a buy-in that you convert into chips. You can choose between a minimum and maximum buy-in. The game can carry on for as long as players have chips, and you can get more if you wish.
A tournament has a fixed buy-in. This means every participant starts with the same buy-in and therefore has the same number of chips as well. Tournaments have a determined end point, which occurs when one player is left with all the chips in play, and is therefore the winner.
Examining payment methods for poker rooms
Most poker rooms should offer a range of payment methods its players can choose from. Here are some of the main options:
- Credit, debit, and prepaid cards
- Online wallets
- Pay by mobile options (Apple Pay and Google Pay)
- Cryptocurrencies
Pay by mobile is obviously convenient to have if you frequently play poker while you’re on the move. Meanwhile, online wallets are good if you want to make sure the poker site does not have your payment information. Online wallets are also quick and secure to use.
Prepaid cards, such as paysafecard, are ideal if you do not have or do not want to use a credit or debit card online. They’re safer, as you can top them up locally and then use them like a regular card when making a deposit at a poker room.
Thus, they are secure, and you can make sure you stick to your budget by only topping them up by the required amount. They’re great for managing your bankroll, therefore, and there are usually plenty of places that can top up cards like paysafecard.
Credit cards are also good to use, although some credit card companies do not allow deposits on gambling sites. You should have protection against fraud if you use such cards.
However, there is a risk of depositing more than you can afford, since the deposit will just be added to your balance. Debit cards are better as they take the amount straight from the account the card is attached to.
How to manage your bankroll
Do some calculations and figure out what you can afford to lose playing poker. Let’s face it, while you may occasionally win a hand or game of poker, it’s not going to happen every time. Make sure you only gamble with funds you can lose. You should not be eating into the finances you need for day-to-day living, bills, and expenses.
When you sign up to a poker room, look for poker games with low buy-ins. This is the amount you’ll pay to take part in a poker game. The lower the buy-in, the cheaper the game will be to play, and the lower the stakes will be for you. This applies whether you are playing a cash game or taking part in a poker tournament.
Answering popular FAQs about poker rooms
We’ve shared a lot of information already in this guide. However, we are sure you might still have some questions about online poker rooms, especially if you’ve never visited one before. We aim to answer some of the most common ones here.
What is rake?
Rake is a slice of each pot that is taken out by the poker room. This acts as their commission.
How much is rake worth?
It is usually calculated as a percentage of the pot. It typically ranges from 5% to 10%, although it can be outside these figures. It also depends on the stakes and the poker game in question.
What are poker tournaments?
These are tournaments where each player buys into the event and receives the same amount of chips before play begins. The winner is the last player remaining who still has some chips left.
What does fold mean?
This means you are quitting the game because your hand of cards is too weak to continue. It means you won’t win, but you won’t contribute any more cash bets to the pot either.
What does raise mean?
This means you are betting an amount that is higher than the current bet. You might do this if you have a good hand.
What does bluffing mean?
This means you are trying to convince your fellow players that you have a better hand than you actually do. If they believe your bluff, they might fold and exit the game.
What is the pot?
This is the amount of chips or bets made in total. This is the amount all the poker players will be trying to win. As new bets are made, they go into the pot as well.
Choosing the right poker room for you is the most important part of all
We hope this guide has been useful. We’ve covered many topics revolving around poker rooms. As we’ve seen, there are poker rooms you can access by downloading free software. Other sites offer poker alongside other casino games, so the poker games are more likely to come from several sources.
So, if you are considering where to play, think about the type of experience you are looking for. Do you want to play a few casual poker games alongside some other casino games?
Would you rather download a specific poker client where there are multiple poker games available, along with tournaments, different buy-ins, and other features?
It's only by asking yourself these questions – and by understanding what poker rooms online can offer – that you can begin to work out which poker provider or site is the best choice for you.
Check out our recommended poker rooms today
We can provide you with extensive and detailed reviews of each of the poker rooms we mentioned earlier. You can also visit them today by using one of our links to reach them. We’d recommend checking them all, so you can compare them and see which ones hold the most appeal.