Best Us Online Texas Holdem Sites
Our experts delve into the legality of playing real money online poker in the USA, rank & review the best poker sites to safely play, which scam websites to avoid, where to find the best bonuses such as exclusive free $10 bankroll offers and freerolls, as well as learn which room has the best mobile poker client to play. Jul 25, 2019 PokerStars is widely regarded as the best online poker tournament room in the world - and the best site to play mixed games - but there are arguably better cash-game sites. If you want to try out new poker variations like Short Deck Hold'em (6+ Hold'em) you can find it at PokerStars now.
Ancestors to the game of poker may have come from the Middle East and China, but the game as it stands today is thought to pretty much have been born in the United States. New Orleans, Louisiana more specifically. The earliest form of it was played there under the name of “
poque”, which took place within gambling dens. It then went on to spread from the state of New Orleans and reached various other corners of the country before expanding overseas, too.According to some sources, the earliest form of poker was created in America in the 1800s, and this based itself off of the French game of poque. That game arrived at the port of New Orleans with French sailors, with the British game of “Brag“ also coming across to the USA in the same way. It is the second card game that had a heavy influence on the earliest versions of poker in the United States, which was played with a deck of 20 cards only.
Saloons in New Orleans weren’t long in picking it up, putting on games for not only travellers to participate in, but residents of Louisiana itself. It didn’t take long for it to expand across Louisiana prior to it becoming one of the States of America.
Recommended US Online Poker Rooms
My list of the best US poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2020:
100% Legal & Licensed Verified Bonus Mobile FriendlyAdvertiser Disclosure. Must be +18 to participate.
| Rank | Poker Rooms | Bonus | Review... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bonus Deposit Options100% up to $1000(T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1-3 daysLicensed by | |
| 2. | Bonus Deposit Options100% upto $1000(T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1-3 daysLicensed by | |
| 3. | Bonus Deposit Options200% upto $1000 Welcome Bonus (T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1 - 5 daysLicensed by | |
| 4. | Bonus Deposit Options100% upto $1000 (T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1-3 daysLicensed by | |
| 5. | Bonus Deposit Options100% up to $500 (T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1-3 daysLicensed by | |
| 6. | Bonus Deposit Options100% upto $1000 Welcome Bonus(T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 2 - 5 days | |
| 7. | Bonus Deposit Options100% upto $1000(T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1-3 daysLicensed by | |
| 8. | Bonus Deposit Options100% upto $1000 Signup Bonus(T&C apply. 18+) | Features
Payout Speed 1 - 4 days |
US Poker News
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Contents
- Recommended US Online Poker Rooms
- The Best Depositing Option for players from USA
- FAQs when playing poker in the US
Originally, it was a French colony, which explains a lot about poker’s origins being there. Because New Orleans operated as a major port on the Mississippi River, this meant that poker could travel along with the boats that went up and down the 100-mile stretch of water. This saw it introduced to various other ports and, subsequently, other towns as well. It is because of this that the middle of the 1800s saw the birth of the steamboat gambler.
At the same time, the deck of playing cards was expanded from 20 up to today’s 52 card set. The five-card poker version would also evolve at that time into a drawing game instead, with an additional round of betting being added to help sweeten the pots. It was at this time that hands could include the “flush” of five cards of the same suit. This was followed by the “straight” hand in the 1860s.
Poker hasn’t changed too dramatically in the way that it is played over the last 100 years at least. And even though several different variations of it have come to light, the basic rules tend to often remain the same. Decks and rules are pretty much standardised throughout. Yet, the idea behind playing poker is to try and make the very best hand that you can with the table cards and the cards you’re dealt.
While 5-card draw was the original popular poker game in the United States, things shifted towards stud poker, which in turn became seven cards. Texas Hold’em revolutionised the poker industry and remains as pretty much the most popular variation of the game everywhere.
Naturally, by the time the start of the 21st century came around, things were turning towards a more computerised setup. Poker sites did take hold of the USA for several years, until the introduction of the UIGEA that became effective in 2006. This made playing online poker and other online gambling options completely illegal in just about all of the country’s states. But we’ll take a look at that a bit more next.
Is poker legal in the US?
If you look at the whole picture, there are seven states and territories that have legalised certain forms of gambling within the United States. These include Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia and the US Virgin Islands.
Furthermore, in 26 of the states, only horse racing betting is a legal form of gambling. As far as online gambling is concerned, this is only allowed in some of the states in an intrastate setup.
So, anyone playing poker within Nevada for example, can only play against other players located within that same state. Interstate agreements have been signed between Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada for online poker purposes, but we’ll touch on that a bit more shortly.
On the whole, online poker is pretty much banned in most of the states of the country, although players are not prosecuted for taking it upon themselves to access offshore online poker rooms. The only locations that provide legal online poker options are Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania for the time being. This does have the opportunity to expand to incorporate other locations, but only four states provide legal online poker options as things stand for now.
This wasn’t the case before 2006, when it was quite widespread throughout the USA. However, a bill was signed into law, known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which, when combined with the 1961 Federal Wire Act, pretty much outlawed all forms of online gambling from the country. There are so many ways to interpret and reinterpret the laws though, that it’s never been made entirely clear what is and isn’t legal. However, people have guessed that online poker cannot be played in a legal setting from within the United States of America.
This means that avid gamers have turned to foreign-based platforms, which the USA doesn’t really have any control over. Residents are not punished for depositing and playing poker games at these sites, so it pretty much functions as the only route that American poker players can take, unless they reside within one of the states that provide legal online poker.
Legal Regulations Concerning Online Poker in USA
The matter of legality was bound to call for licensing issues of these sites. However, you shouldn’t be surprised to find out that the same division arises. Namely, the three states which have legal rights to host and provide poker sites are licensed by their corresponding authorities. More precisely, the Nevada Gaming Control Board is responsible for Nevada gambling activities, while the New Jersey Casino Control Commission is in charge of both New Jersey and the State of Delaware. These authorities provide licenses and maintain control over any irregularities. You can also have a look at Tim Glocks’s US Poker sites top list.
The remaining US citizens have turned to offshore poker sites. These are mainly licensed by respective authorities from the jurisdiction they’ve originated of. Such legislative bodies include the license providers from Costa Rica, as well as Curaçao eGaming. Although there’s a greater preference for the poker sites licensed by Costa Rica, there’s no confirmed reason to avoid those which are connected to Curaçao eGaming.
What Should You Look for in an Online US Poker Site?
If you’re intending to seek out a proper US online poker room, then there are certain things you should inform yourself on regarding such. First of all, we always recommend that you find one with a valid and reputable gambling licence. Without such, the platform has free reign to do exactly what it wants. There aren’t any regulations that it specifically has to adhere to, so therefore, while it may not go the negative route, there’s always the possibility for it to happen. We would never recommend you an unlicensed or unreputable online poker room, so you can always guarantee that the ones on our list are safe and secure.
Secondly, you will need to do your research into the poker room you’re looking at joining. Check out whether or not it provides you with a good choice of poker games within its lobby, whether it is able to satisfy your tournament gaming needs, if it has a helpful support team, whether it supports your preferred payment method, if there’s a good welcome offer available. Whatever you look for in an online poker room should become your priority when seeking out a new location to play at. Don’t just settle for something because it has a decent layout or boasts various ongoing promotions. Make sure it’s suitable for you and your gaming needs.
The only other thing we’d suggest for you to do is find out what other players think about the poker site you’re intending to join. Read not only our review of the platform, but other gamers’ comments as well. Find out if there’s any kind of recurring problem going on at it and how long it takes the site and support team to rectify such issues. What we’re saying is, you need to ensure that the poker room is providing a good service and it doesn’t shirk around problems when they arise. Only frequent players would know about these issues, so check out reviews by other players to understand more about such.
Playing Poker for Real money from USA
The USA are quite complex when it comes to legislation, and that is even more so proven in the case of online poker rooms. Ever since these and other gambling sites have left the US in an attempt to avoid legal measures taken against them, there was little space for poker games provided to US players.
Nowadays, these people are trying to go back to their favourite hobby, looking for ways to surpass the legal restrictions imposed throughout the country. Hence, they’ve decided to turn to other sources. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects which need to be fully distinguished before giving them any of your hard earned cash. Have a look at the list of real money poker sites from here.
These are some basic guidelines to help you straighten any possible misunderstandings and clear all doubt to whether and which poker sites are available for US players.
Is It Safe to Access an Offshore Online Poker Room?
It’s always going to be the case that websites operating with real money will have competition from devious scam sites. That’s only natural in any industry, not just the gambling sector. Yet, as long as you locate an online poker room that holds a valid licence and reputation with its players, you shouldn’t have any problems safety-wise.
A licence will ensure that the poker room adheres to various rules surrounding your private details and banking. Meanwhile, if you know that the site has a good reputation with other players, then the likelihood is that it’s going to operate in the same way towards you, too. Fortunately, you won’t need to look far to seek out a recommended and licensed online poker site, because we have a collection of them here that cater to the US market nicely.
The Best Depositing Option for players from USA
When the UIGEA was signed into law, it didn’t only affect the poker industry directly, but the types of payment methods that could be used for sending money to such sites.
Best Us Online Texas Holdem Sitesm Sites
So, even with offshore platforms remaining in operation, poker players in the US were fairly restricted with how they could deposit and also withdraw from such sites.
What eventually started happening was that players would manage to register at an online poker room and then find that they had no possible way of depositing money to it. This was all due to the fact that banks and other financial institutions had placed blocks on transactions to gambling platforms of all kinds.
With those laws remaining in place, it begs the question as to how players today are able to send money to their accounts. Well, fortunately, there is a small group of payment methods that are usable for it. First of all, it is possible sometimes to make deposits through a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. Whether or not it processes through can depend upon the financial institution responsible for it, the amount you’re trying to deposit, even the time that you’re trying to do the transaction. So, by all means try this payment method, but be aware that it could be blocked and fail.
The best payment method that US poker players can make use of is a cryptocurrency. Several online poker rooms now accept deposits and provide withdrawals through this option today. So, if you possess Bitcoin or Ethereum or Litecoin for example, you can make use of it at various online sites. Even if you don’t own any cryptocurrencies at the moment, then you can still exchange some fiat currency for it and utilise it online. The good thing about cryptocurrencies is that they’re not connected with any central financial institution. So, for this reason, there’s nothing to block the transaction from going through. Plus, cryptocurrencies allow you to benefit from instant transactions that are free of additional charges.
The other methods that may be available at online US poker sites include things like Person to Person transfers and Money Orders. These almost always have additional fees attached to them, though. That is, unless you send a certain amount to your chosen online poker site, at which point the poker room may cover those charges for you. However, we’d always recommend the cryptocurrency option over anything else if you’re playing from the United States.
Currencies On The Poker Sites – USD Or Something Else?
The currency is one of the primary things which interest US players when determining whether the poker site is reliable or not. Most of them tend to avoid conversion, which might actually turn out to be a good strategy. After all, comparing currencies and their value at the middle of playing a hand doesn’t guarantee the best results.
For this reason, poker sites which are available to US citizens normally provide the dollar as a possible currency, as well as the digital currency bitcoins. Many sites have tried to convince US players to use bitcoins due to their characteristic nature. After all, they do seem to be hard to track and easy to transfer, with quite a high value at the moment. However, while some are sceptical about handling them, others fear that their value will reduce, and with it – their bankrolls.
Nevertheless, US citizens do indeed have suitable poker sites in regard to their currency needs.
Additional Factors For Consideration when playing online poker for real money.
US poker players which reside in the remaining states that haven’t legalized gambling need to be able to choose the best US-friendly offshore poker site. Aside from these major aspects covered above, there are some additional factors for consideration.
The site’s reputation is a key factor when trusting your money to them. Plus, since a site would need a couple of years to gain proper reputation, there is bound to be more than enough information on the specifics. Player forums and private groups on the social networks should be able to tell you all you need to know about a site.
Player traffic is additionally important, as poker is just the kind of game which would require having many players online. Even though it is not necessarily an indicator of a site’s proper functioning, more traffic is usually better.
The final factor to account for when selecting the best US-friendly poker sites is their ability to provide recreationally friendly games. Even though professionals have the big money, rec-friendly poker sites seem to be taking over. After all, it’s better to customize one table to fit professional requirements than to reduce the level of difficulty to fit recreational poker players.
FAQs when playing poker in the US
Will Online Poker Ever Be Fully Regulated Across the United States?
For now the strongest contenders remain New York and California, who have had several attempts at the matter, with New York looking as the most viable candidate after Assemblyman Pretlow voiced his support. But when or in what exact form will it officially be approved, remains to be seen.
Is it Legal to Play Poker Online? What does the UIGEA Say?
Most new-joiners to the online poker scene believe that Bush’s 2006 UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) proclaims playing poker as illegal and thus fear prosecution. However, the wording in the Act that gives players a “gray area” to work with doesn’t really apply to the players themselves.
According to the UIGEA, it is illegal for banks and financial institutions to process money transfers for online gambling providers, while playing itself isn’t illegal. There was a proposal for an amendment that referred to the legality of gambling acts, but it was subsequently denied. Thus, the liability rests with financial operators, not the players, which is why most US poker players have turned to Bitcoins to bypass this problem.
The most progress has been made in 9 States: Mississippi, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Hawaii. And by most progress, we mean that these states have either drafted a bill or passed it through the first votes.
So far, only New York, California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have gotten far enough. There have also been some talks in Washington, but there’s nothing definite to report.
Find which US States are accepting Online Poker
Poker Sites by US States
If you are based in the USA, and you’ve given thought to playing poker online, then you’ll have been met with a brick wall. Unless you happen to reside in a handful of US states, it’s likely that you will have been told that playing poker online the USA is a no-go.
That’s not entirely true, though. There may be a brick wall blocking your path, but that doesn’t mean that this is the only way to get to your destination.
In fact, many hundreds of thousands of Americans find a way to play poker online each year.
Top US Poker Sites for January 2020
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The Big Question: Can I Play Online Poker in the USA?
Contents
- US Poker Laws, Rules and Regulations
Online poker wasn’t always taboo in the USA. In fact, it wasn’t until the passing of the UIGEA in 2006 put paid to the US online gambling industry that poker was effectively illegal. Sure, the Federal Wire Act prohibited bank transfers for gambling enterprises, but by and large, all forms of gambling in the country weren’t declared off-limits until 2006.
Even with those gambling laws, players in the USA continued to gamble at online poker sites. In 2011, though, with the Black Friday Scandal linked to PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and other leading poker rooms (which were found guilty of money laundering, amongst other charges) places to play online poker in the USA have been somewhat limited.
It is a tricky spot to be in, but where does that put your average US online poker today?
US Poker Laws, Rules and Regulations
Fortunately, the US Government decided to dial down the heat on online betting a notch a couple of years ago. They effectively gave each US state the right to decide its own online gambling laws (within reason) and this something that several US states have jumped on.
For instance, players based in New Jersey, and Nevada should have relatively few issues playing poker online, as it is legal in those states – under certain circumstances.
These poker sites have far less traffic than your major international poker domains because there is a smaller pool of players playing there. However, these are fully regulated and legal US poker sites, so, if you’re based in
New Jersey or Nevada (or another state where gambling online is considered legal) this is the ideal way to go.
Of course, not every state has legalised gambling online (most haven’t) so bona fide regulated online poker rooms aren’t going to happen for most Americans. You could always decide to play at an offshore poker room, though.
An offshore poker room ideal for American online poker players can best be described as:
- A poker room which is based outside of the USA
- One which openly accepts US players
- Offers the US dollar currency and the English language
- Will also offer US support and customer service (often toll-free)
- Provides American players with payment methods ideal for them
Offshore poker rooms may not be 100% legal in the USA, but in many cases, they are considered regulated and legal sites outside of the country. You are still going to want to do your background checking on an offshore poker room, though, and the first thing you’re going to want to do is to make sure that it is licensed.
Obviously, when compared to UK poker laws, and those in operation in most EU countries, the US poker laws are unduly harsh on players. UK players are, by and large, allowed to play at virtually any poker site (including offshore rooms) with an ample number of UK licensed poker sites out there, too, since online poker is legal in the country.
US Poker Licence Authorities
Firstly, there is no such thing as a “poker license”. What you actually have are gambling licenses. In theory, any major gambling jurisdiction outside of the USA which issues licenses is effectively an offshore casino. Some of the larger offshore licensing jurisdictions include the UK Gambling Commission, Malta and Gibraltar. However, the problem with these licensing jurisdictions is that they know that US players are prohibited, so they seldom offer them to offshore sites focusing on players from the USA.
The licensing jurisdictions of Costa Rica, Panama and Curacao are far less picky. For that reason, many of the poker sites which accept US players tend to be licensed out of these jurisdictions. Make no mistake about it, they are not as well regulated as the European ones, but they are still (by and large) safe and secure places to play poker online.
Not all poker licenses are delivered via offshore licensing jurisdictions. In fact, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and other US states which have decided to permit online gambling in some way, shape or form have also decided to issue their own gambling licenses. To that end, it is not uncommon to find poker rooms in those states licensed by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission or Nevada Gaming Control Board. These, as you can imagine, are totally regulated and represent the safest places to play poker online for US players.
US Tax Policy
Generally, US states have imposed taxes for any gambling games, even though they vary from one state to the other. Keeping records of all transactions should help you immensely.
Popular Poker Games in the USA
Even though the rules regarding US online poker gaming are much harsher than elsewhere in the world, those US players who do decide to gamble online won’t be any worse off in terms of games.
The licensing and regulated US poker rooms out of New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware have the usual array of games, such as:
- Texas Hold ‘em
- Omaha
- Stud and Draw Poker
If you venture out to offshore poker rooms, you will find an even larger selection of poker variants, although these may be unfamiliar to many US poker players.
The online poker rooms in Nevada do tend to offer tournaments which act as satellites to the WSOP (World Series of Poker) competition. Similarly, a handful of Nevada and Delaware poker sites may also be able to provide you with access to these competitions if you win satellites. However, offshore poker rooms seldom offer this. There are plenty of other Sit & Go tournaments, for you to play, though.
It is more challenging for US players to be able to play live dealer and mobile games than their European counterparts. Most US poker rooms are offshore sites, and thus these seldom offer live dealer software, or mobile gameplay.
However, those poker which are licensed in US states should be able to offer you both live dealer and mobile games without too much hassle.
Have a look at Online Poker America’s US section where you can find listing of poker rooms that you might not find it here.
Online Poker US Promos and Bonuses
There should be no issues in terms of collecting bonuses and promotions when playing at US poker sites. The legal ones tend to offer their own bonuses and promos, and admittedly, these are worth far less in value than at offshore poker sites, but there are still welcome bonuses, rake backs, deposit deals and tournaments for you to enjoy. Keep in mind that if you claim a bonus from an offshore poker room when playing poker in the USA, the bonuses are likely to be vast in size, have considerable wagering requirements, and require a promotional bonus code for you to claim them.
Depositing/Withdrawing Options Available To US Players
Players in the US will experience difficulty deposit and withdrawing at US poker sites. That is unavoidable. Whilst the Federal Wire Act issue no longer ties the hands of banks and payment methods to permit players to deposit at US poker rooms, few major banking providers are prepared to dive into a market which is still, by and large, illegal in most US states.
US players can deposit using credit cards, and a handful of wire transfer options, but e-wallets aren’t really on the cards right now. Withdrawals can be a bit of nightmare, too. Many US poker sites charge hefty fees for withdrawals, and the wire transfer/cheque options just aren’t good enough for speedy withdrawals. However, this is again a problem that players at New Jersey, Nevada or Delaware licensed poker rooms aren’t going to have, There are also some sites offering bitcoins, a popular cryptocurrency which also helps players get round depoist/withdrawal issues.
The Future of Online Poker in the USA
When the walls regarding online gambling came down at a federal level, there was light at the end of the tunnel. To date, Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have fully legalised online poker rooms which are licensed out of their states, and a handful of other states (particularly on the Eastern seaboard) are considering similar laws.
One of the main reasons they might do this is the tax. There is a significant amount of revenue to be raised from gambling at poker rooms. Operators must be license fees to the state’s gambling commission, the poker rooms and operators must also pay tax on revenue, and then there is the issue of taxable player winnings. This is a considerable cash cow, and many states are not going to want to miss out on a slice of the pie.
The US has tried (and failed) to blockade offshore poker rooms but to no avail. VPNs, proxies and other means of accessing offshore poker sites have proven popular. In a losing battle, if you can’t beat them, joining them seems to be the next logical step. Of course, we’re a long way from seeing online poker legalised in most US states, and there is unlikely to ever be a federal law which permits gambling at online poker rooms. Gradually, though, the wheels of change are turning.
My Final Thoughts
Yes, playing online poker in the US is a challenge, but it is not an impossible one. Provided they are either living in one of the 3 states to offer licensed poker rooms, or they venture out to an offshore poker room, US players shouldn’t have too much difficult finding games and playing poker online. There are countries who have it better, but there are many which make it far more difficult for their nationals to play poker online.
FAQs On US Online Poker You May Like To Know
The UIGEA was a bill passed way back in 2006 that is called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This was a questionable bill passed by President Bush and it leaves the law to be interpreted by online poker players. It’s amazing that it took five years for the government to shut down the major United States poker sites after passing this bill. Online poker in the United States has been crushed since Black Friday, but when it rebounds it will do so in a big way.
Absolutely. Whilst online poker as a gambling game is technically illegal in 47 out of the 50 states (this number may be changing), playing for free online is totally legal, and it doesn’t constitute gambling. There are numerous sites which can help you out in this department, too.
There are 9 states in total which are drafting bills or have voted on them. These are Mississippi, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Hawaii, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California and New Hampshire.
Nothing will happen. The US does hunt down operators who offer their services to US players (and does only a so-so job at that) but there are no punishments in store for players betting illegally at poker sites. You may have a spot of trouble when it comes to your winnings, though. If you win a lot and don’t declare it as taxable income, that can cause you problems.
In theory, yes. There are somethings worth mentioning here, though. If you make a flying visit to a casino resort in Nevada, you can play poker online, but only at the casino resort’s webpage, and only whilst on the premises. Once you leave, this becomes impossible. If you are going to be visiting Las Vegas, though, why play poker online when there are perfectly good poker tables downstairs for you to enjoy?
You can’t sign up to a standard Nevada or New Jersey poker room just by flying over the border for a night. You need to be able to prove that you reside in the state long-term. So, this is a bit of a yes and no answer, really.