best poker sites for us players

Best Online Poker Sites USA

A staggering 60 million Americans play poker in the USA in one form or another. When you consider that the global estimate for poker players is around 100 million players, then it is clear that the USA is at the top of the poker playing tree.

Despite the massive popularity of online poker in America, being able to play poker online is a bit of a challenge. Currently it is only possible to play online poker in these states NevadaDelawareNew JerseyPennsylvaniaWest Virginia, and Michigan. However as online gambling in the USA continues to evolve over time, it is expected that more and more states will follow suit.

This is why Wager in America is such an important resource for anyone who loves play at legal poker sites in the US. We rate and review the best online poker rooms for US players and offer our findings to you for free. We make it easy for you to find a partner you can trust to play poker online in the US, no matter which state you live.

Top Poker Sites in the USA

Is Online Poker Legal in the US?

April 15, 2011 is a date etched deep in the mind of online poker players in the US. This was the day that US authorities (in their wisdom) chose to enforce the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act 2006 and effectively send internet poker in the US back into the dark ages.

Known forever after as Black Friday, and not to be confused with the Friday following Thanksgiving, which is the biggest shopping day on the planet. This Black Friday saw the three largest global poker operators in the US (and everywhere else), PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker indicted for money laundering and bank fraud.

Fast forward to 2021, and the US Government stance on internet poker appears to be softening. America is on the cusp of a whole new age of enlightenment when it comes to legal online gambling in the US. So, how is this going to affect the future of legalized online poker?

In the early 2000’s when online poker in the US was at its zenith, almost anybody could enjoy legalized online poker. In 2021, there are legal online poker sites available in the US, but things are not quite as straightforward as before.

US States Where You Can Legally Play Online Poker

As it stands, US poker players can play legalized online poker in NevadaDelawareNew JerseyPennsylvaniaWest Virginia, and Michigan. This is a far cry from what legalized online gambling used to be, but it is getting better.

If you are a resident of one of these states you may want to access a legal online poker site from your desktop computer or mobile device. However, you would still be unable to play online poker once you crossed state lines into a state where they are yet to legalize online poker.

The good news is that more and more states are coming round to the idea of legalizing online poker. Only one state out of 50 specifically outlaws playing poker, Washington State. In many other states there is a big push to legalize online poker. This predicts a high probability that they will eventually make online poker legal.

Choosing the Best Online Poker Sites for US Players

Wager in America has your back when it comes to choosing the best online poker sites in the US. Our list of US poker sites features some of the top places for playing online poker and the biggest real money poker games online.

More than anything else WiA wants you to enjoy playing real money online poker, legally and in a safe environment. This is why all of our recommended US poker sites operate under responsible gambling guidelines.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Real Money Poker Games Online

When it comes to looking for real money online poker games there are a few things that you need to remember.

  1. Look for recommendations. Wager in America lists the best real money poker sites in the US.
  2. Only play real money poker at affordable limits. Low limit players should avoid high stakes poker games.
  3. Play the games that suit you best. *Do not play real money online poker games that are unfamiliar to you.
  4. Choose mobile friendly poker games. They are more fun and super convenient!
  5. Always check for special offers or the latest real money online poker bonuses before you play.

*If you really want to learn to play new poker games register an account and play real money poker online.

Playing Poker on Your Mobile

When it comes to online gambling, playing poker on your mobile is one of the best experiences you can have. All the best online poker sites for US players offer mobile poker apps. The advantages to being able to play your favourite poker games on a mobile device are obvious.

Mobile Texas Hold’Em Poker is one of the most most popular card games for American mobile users. US poker players can play classic poker games, like Texas Hold’Em poker, Omaha poker and Hi-Lo poker games on the go, no matter where they are. Online poker rooms such as Pokerstars, have invested a lot of money into making their US poker sites as good as they can be. Americans that enjoy playing online poker are certainly beginning to see the benefits of this investment. Being able to take advantage of the best mobile poker welcome offers is something that all US poker players should be happy about.

State Guide to Mobile Poker Apps

NV NJ PA MI DE
WSOP X X
Pokerstars X X
Ignition X X X
Bovada X X X
Americas Cardroom X X X

 

Top 5 Mobile Poker Sites in the US

Casino
Bonus
Highlights
Visit
$22.50 FREE
New Player Welcome Bonus
  • US Players Accepted
  • $2.50 in Premium Funzpoints at Sign Up
  • + Up to $20 Free With Your First Deposit
CLAIM BONUS
$22.50 FREE
New Player Welcome Bonus
  • US Players Accepted
  • $2.50 in Premium Funzpoints at Sign Up
  • + Up to $20 Free With Your First Deposit
CLAIM BONUS
$22.50 FREE
New Player Welcome Bonus
  • US Players Accepted
  • $2.50 in Premium Funzpoints at Sign Up
  • + Up to $20 Free With Your First Deposit
CLAIM BONUS
$22.50 FREE
New Player Welcome Bonus
  • US Players Accepted
  • $2.50 in Premium Funzpoints at Sign Up
  • + Up to $20 Free With Your First Deposit
CLAIM BONUS
$22.50 FREE
New Player Welcome Bonus
  • US Players Accepted
  • $2.50 in Premium Funzpoints at Sign Up
  • + Up to $20 Free With Your First Deposit
CLAIM BONUS

Playing Online Poker with Players From Around the World

State restrictions aside, poker players in the US can still play against other online poker players from around the world. Global trade laws means that this situation will not change. What this means for players in legal online poker states, is that you have the opportunity to sit down at a online poker room with someone from the UK or Sweden and take their money.

The best poker sites for allow American poker players to compete against other great poker players from Europe and Asia. This is one of the great attractions of online gambling, making it a truly global poker game. This is one of the reasons why online poker tournaments are so loved by American poker players.

Best Online Poker Sites for US Players

Online Poker Bonus Codes

Competition amongst poker sites online in the US is fierce. Each of them is looking to recruit more and more players, and the best way to do this is by offering incentives. These poker bonuses can vary from operator to operator but may range from a few $$$ to several hundred dollars. Let’s take a look at the different types of online poker bonus that you may be offered.

Poker Bonus Codes

A poker bonus code is what it says. It is a code that the online casino offers to new players on initial registration that unlocks a special bonus. online poker bonus codes are great as the offers tend to be pretty generous. They will often vary depending on where you see the bonus code advertised, so always look out for the exclusive online poker bonus codes here on WiA.

Online poker bonus codes are also frequently time limited. This means that once the bonus code is gone…it’s gone! This is why, when you see an attractive online poker bonus code advertised, such as those here at WiA, you need to act fast.

Only Wager in America offers you the biggest and best online poker bonus codes that could potentially save you $1000’s! Our online poker partners have made available exclusive online poker bonus codes and welcome offers that we are passing on to you.

[Incidentally, did you know that you can find all the latest casino and sports promo codes at WiA too?]

Welcome Bonus

A welcome bonus is essentially the same, although it may or may not be paired with a bonus code. Designed to attract new players an online poker welcome bonus may offer FREE CASH to play, sometimes with NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED. Alternatively it may come in the form of a 100% deposit match bonus.

A match bonus simply means that when you make your first deposit (up to a certain amount) the operator will match this with an equivalent amount. So, for example… Deposit $50 and the operator will give you another $50 leaving you $100 to play with! Pretty awesome right?

Free poker cash is essentially just that. Online casinos may offer you free money to play at their poker tables. This could be as vouchers or tickets for tournament buy-ins, or even a $20-30 deposit direct to your player account to spend how you please. Sometimes these options are run concurrently as an Online Poker Welcome Package.

  1. Sign-up for your chosen casino sites from our top 10
  2. Choose your username and password
  3. Enter your personal details and ID documents
  4. Make your first cash deposit to your player account
  5. CLAIM your welcome bonus and enjoy your game!

Reload Bonus

The reload bonus is a special bonus given when you make your 2nd or 3rd deposit after registration. This bonus is only available once you have signed up for the poker site. There are a couple of ways that you may receive an online poker reload bonus. The online poker site may run promotion days and set times during which players can deposit to claim this bonus. For example… Every Wednesday between 12pm and 7pm. Alternatively you may receive regular reload bonus offers as part of your welcome package, VIP or Loyalty package or even on your birthday. This type of bonus is a terrific incentive, as you could be offered one randomly at almost any time.

VIP/Loyalty Bonus

Most poker sites offer a loyalty program. You may automatically receive loyalty or player points as soon as you register and begin playing. Or, you may have to build up a certain amount of points before you can access the VIP rewards. Either way there is a lot of value to be had from being part of the program.

The way it works is that the more you play and deposit at the poker site, the more points you will earn based on your cash play. You will earn points based on cash games and tournament buy-ins. Eventually, you will be in the position to cash these points in for prizes that could include free tournament places, merchandise, or even, when you reach superstar level, holidays or cars!

  1. Register an account at your preferred online poker site
  2. Make your first deposit
  3. Begin playing cash games or poker tournaments
  4. Bank your player points until you have enough to redeem
  5. Trade in your loyalty points for prizes

How to Redeem Your Bonus Code

Your online poker bonus code will usually be in the form of text, or text and numbers, and will look something like this CLAIM100. This code will be clearly displayed on the Wager in America operator review page or on the operator landing page once you click the CLAIM BONUS button.

During the registration process you will be asked to enter the bonus code. It is important that you enter the code correctly at this stage in order to be able take advantage of the offer.

  1. Register at your chosen online poker site
  2. Choose your username and password
  3. Enter your personal details
  4. Provide valid photo ID if required
  5. ENTER YOUR BONUS CODE

Negotiating the Wagering Requirements

OK, so far everything seems to be pretty straight forward right? Well, here comes the caveat. Yes, online poker sites in the US will offer you terrific online poker bonuses. Yes, they are genuine, and yes, they will tempt you to sign-up. However nothing in life is ever completely free.

US poker rooms do require you to complete certain wagering or play-through requirements before you can withdraw your bonus cash. The way this is generally done is slightly different from how online casinos in the US will do it. As a rule the bonus cash will be tied to your player points. The more you play the more points you will earn and the faster you will be able to unlock your bonus cash.

Once you’ve registered your account…

  1. Begin to play poker online at your favourite poker room
  2. Earn player points based on your online poker play
  3. Bonus cash will be released in instalments based on your action
  4. Your bonus cash will go straight to your player account
  5. Use your bonus cash to enter poker tournaments or simply cash out!

Withdrawing Your Bonus Cash

The most important thing that you should take away from reading this article is this… Always read the bonus terms & conditions! We cannot stress this enough here at Wager in America. Before you commit yourself to any online poker bonus you absolutely must read the terms and conditions. Five minutes spent acquainting yourself with the T&Cs could save you hours on the phone to customer support later.

Each online poker room will have different bonus offers. With these come varying terms. The T&Cs are not designed to trap you, or lock you into something you cannot get out of, but they are there simply to protect the poker room from fraud.

In the long run, it will pay you to know what these terms are before you attempt to cash out your bonus. Once you are happy and you have fulfilled the terms of the bonus the money will be in your account and ready for you to use how you please.

To withdraw the cash to your bank or e-wallet account (the account you registered at sign-up), just follow these steps…

  1. Go to the cashier section in your player account
  2. Access the ‘withdrawals’ tab
  3. Enter your required amount in cash
  4. Hit the withdraw button and Bingo!

Depending on your deposit method your cash could be with you immediately. It is important to remember that usually you may only withdraw using the same method with which you made your deposit. So, if you deposit using your credit card they will send your cash to your credit card account. If you deposit using an e-wallet such as Neteller or Skrill, then your cash will be sent to that account. The amount of time it takes to receive your cash is usually dependent upon the deposit method you choose.

Registering at US Poker Sites

Registering an account at an online poker site in the US is super easy. All you need to do is follow these few simple steps, and you will be well on your way to online poker immortality…

  1. Sign-up for one of the top 10 US poker sites using one of our links
  2. Pick yourself a memorable username and a secure password
  3. Enter all your details, name, address etc in the form fields provided
  4. Don’t forget to enter your Bonus Code if you have one
  5. Choose from one of the available deposit options
  6. Deposit your initial bankroll (make sure it’s an affordable amount)

Remember: You may be asked to supply verification ID when you sign-up to an online poker site in the US. Always have the following ID documents with you when registering.

  • Photo ID (passport or driver’s license)
  • Proof of residence such as a utility bill

All photo ID needs to be valid and in date. Expired licenses are not acceptable. Most online poker rooms will also accept credit card bills or bank statements as proof of address. Be sure to check what is required before registering your account.

Not all online poker sites ask for ID up front. Some may ask for verification when you come to withdraw your winnings. Especially if you have been particularly successful. Fingers crossed eh!

5 Cash Games to Play Online

Now that you are all signed up… let’s play poker!

It’s way above the scope of this page to go into detail about all the online poker cash games that you could come across. What we can do though, is list some of the more popular cash games that we are sure that you will enjoy.

  • Texas Hold’Em Poker
  • Omaha Poker
  • 7 Card Stud Poker
  • 2-7 Triple Draw Poker
  • Open Faced Chinese Poker*

*Best not to ask. Just go online and give this game a try!

Online Poker Deposits & Withdrawals

So, you’ve chosen your online poker room, you have your bankroll all ready to go, now you want to know what the best way to deposit is, am I right? Well, living in the USA has its advantages. Having the ability to deposit and withdraw using your credit cards is one.

  • Mastercard
  • Visa

For most Americans Mastercard and Visa are the safest deposit options. American Express and Diners Club users may encounter problems using either of these payment methods. Of course, there is more than one way to skin a cat. More and more online poker players are using e-wallets. Here in the US you have several credible options.

  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • Paypal
  • Entropay
  • Paysafe

These are amongst the most widespread and reliable options for US players. There are others though. Mobile users may have the option of using Samsung or Apple Pay (though this is rare) or other dedicated mobile payment apps such as PaybyPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Which are the best online poker sites for US players?

The best online poker sites for US players can all be found in our list of top online poker sites in the USA. Wager in America has worked very hard to bring you, what we believe to be, the finest online poker rooms with the best online poker bonuses in the US. If you are looking for the world’s biggest online poker tournaments at the best US poker sites WiA have some amazing special offers. So if you are looking for free to play poker you will find it here at Wager in America.

Can I play at a real money poker site in the US?

Yes you can. However, online poker is only legal in Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. What this means, is that if you live in one of these states you have the option to legally play poker online with a US operator. Don’t panic though! If you are not fortunate enough to live in one of these states, you can still play online poker in the US by using offshore online poker sites.

Could ‘Black Friday’ ever happen again?

Black Friday was a dark day in America’s online gambling history. Hopefully this can never be repeated. However, technically it could. It must be said though, now things are beginning to open up again for online poker rooms in the US, and they are making every effort to stay within the law, it is unlikely. Either way, US poker players can still play legal poker in the US at a recommended offshore poker room.

Can I play online poker on my mobile?

Absolutely! The best online poker sites for US players make playing poker on a mobile is as easy as playing on your desktop, only smaller! However there are a couple of things to remember. If you are in one of the legal poker states in America, and using a US based operator, you cannot travel across state lines and play poker in a non-legal state. Similarly if you are resident of a state that is yet to legalize online gambling on poker then you may not be able to register.

Are my online poker winnings taxed in the US?

Sadly yes. One of the major downsides to life in the USA is that you get taxed for absolutely everything. This means that unlike Europe, any winnings over $5000 will be liable for all applicable taxes. Having said all that, if you are playing at offshore poker sites then the IRS has no jurisdiction unless you declare it. Which of course, you should. Particularly large wins at an online poker site however, may attract the attention of the IRS once they hit your US bank account.

What is the best way to deposit my online poker bankroll?

For many Americans plastic is still king. Mastercard and Visa are safe and secure and reliable. E-wallets are a very popular and equally safe modern alternative though, and of these the biggest and the best are Neteller and Skrill.

Mind if we ask you a question? We already know that you love online poker (that’s why you’re here right?) but perhaps you may also be interested in some of the other things WiA has to offer? Did you know that WiA brings you the best online sportsbetting in the US? Well we do! We also have many of the best online casinos in America featured in our ‘Top 10’ lists, as well as the best places to play lottery online. Check them out if you’re interested!