The Truth About
US Poker Sites

The US's most trusted online poker sites reviewed by real players and ranked according to things like banking options, ease of competition, software, customer support, security and a whole lot more

VIEW THE TOP RANKED POKER SITES 2023

We only EVER list casinos that have been verified safe and secure by the US Gambling Commission and other independent experts.

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO US Poker Sites

Online poker is certainly a trend whose time has come. These websites offer players from the US the chance to test their poker skills against all levels of competition. You may have also noticed the trend of poker TV shows, which has also certainly fueled the growth in many American online poker sites. Revenues continue to grow for online poker rooms, with estimates saying that at least 25 percent of all gaming is done online.

If you have ever wanted to try your hand at an online poker site, now is clearly the time. There are different poker rooms that accept players from many different countries, even US poker online websites. On top of this, it is easy to get started; the software and systems today means there is no technical knowledge required to get set up and start playing. At OnlinePokerSites.com, we are your trusted resource for all things poker. Before you are finished here, you are going to learn all about:

  • How easy it is to play online poker in the US
  • How to get started, quickly and easily
  • All about general US gambling laws and why online poker is now legal

OUR TOP RECOMMENDED POKER SITES FOR 2023

OUR TOP PICK FOR DECEMBER 2023

9.7/10

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"Easy to use software, fast withdrawals
and plenty of fish"

exclusive bonus
100% up to $888 + $8 Free!

fast withdrawals
1-3 days
depending on method

mobile compatible

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Ease Of Playing Online Poker - US

It seems as if the internet has made just about everything easier. This is certainly the case of playing at a poker site. It is a heck of a lot more convenient than having to go out and find a real, live poker game. Instead, you simply fire up your internet browser and off you go. Of course, the first major task is that you will need to find a US friendly online poker site.

With the recent changes in the legal status of online play, it is becoming easier and easier to find US friendly poker websites in 2023. In fact, we are here to help, providing you with the top 10 tips for finding an online poker site. One of the best things about playing online is that in most cases you will be able to take notes about your opponent and their playing styles. The software automatically saves these and if you end up that person again, your notes are still there, ready to go! The poker rooms really want to help you out, since their income is not tied to seeing each player lose, but rather by making more competitive games and trying to increase the real cash pot sizes.

Everything is done by the click of your mouse. The poker site software these days is very advanced, and you will notice all of your betting and playing options listed out before you, such as bet, check, call, raise, and more (if available). You will also be able to easily see the size of the pot, so that you can more quickly figure out your odds and what your best strategic move might be.

Getting Started Guide

Starting your internet poker journey is also quite easy, although many people feel a bit unsure at first when trying something new. Your first decision will be which of the online poker rooms to try first. Of course, you may have some features and criteria that are more important to you than others, which is another reason how this site can help guide you in the best decision.

When choosing between the best US online poker sites, there are a number of factors to consider. The popularity of the websites is one of these. You will usually find a better selection of poker games at sites with the most members. Higher popularity also gives you an excellent chance of finding a game whenever you are looking, even during those nights at 3am when you can't sleep. Plus, these sites have a lot of revenue, and might even offer one of the less popular poker games that is your favorite. Not to mention a large base of players to enter their tournaments, meaning larger prize pools.

Consider the specialty of the site. There are some sites focusing more on tournaments these days than real cash games. Maybe you are a tournament player, or maybe you would prefer a poker site that focus more on the cash (also called ring) games? Or, maybe you want a site that seems to have both type of play covered about equally well.

Factor in the relative skill of the other players. While having a lot of competition might be great from the perspective of these poker site owners, you actually want to find a place with less skillful players. In other words, you want to find the most profitable game for you. This means actually doing your research and possibly trying out a few sites and different games; there can be some games that are much better than others from the perspective of profitability.

Think about the playing experience you are likely to have as well. The software and graphics of each particular poker site can vary tremendously. The same can be said for the lobby area, the actual tables and even the overall ease of use and speed of play. Some sites also have special tools that can help you to get an edge over other players who either don't know about them or can't be bothered to use them.

Currency Exchange Rate Situation

Keeping in mind a player from the US, online poker sites were designed, using them as a guideline. Although most poker rooms have had a rough ride during the last years, in the past the vast majority of poker players were US residents. As the US laws entered a state of flux (see section below), the situation changed, with foreign players began representing the majority of the online poker site public.

Even still, most of these websites have been designed for play to be conducted in dollars in 2023. Therefore, as a player from the US, online poker sites will allow you to simply deposit and then carry onto playing. There will be no need to worry about any currency exchange or trying to balance out one rate versus another. Only foreign players who wish to deposit another currency (Euros, Pounds, or Rands, for example) will find that they have their real money converted into dollars.

Once all of this has been worked out, it is time to make your initial deposit and get started. Depending on your chosen websites, you might need to download poker client software onto your computer. This should be a very quick download and it will install automatically. Then, you simply need to click on the little icon left on your desktop anytime you want to get started playing your favorite online poker site games. Very simple and easy.

US-Centered Customer Service

Most of the best or top US poker sites will have a strong commitment to support. They will have representatives standing by to answer emails and even phone calls in many cases. Some will also have an option for live online chat support, which can be a real convenience along with saving time.

The main thing you want to look for when evaluating the support offered by such websites is whether or not it is outsourced. If they use US-based representatives, this is a positive sign. It also shows the site is most likely successful since they have not chosen to take the easy, or cheap, way out.

General US Gambling Laws

The state of US gambling laws are in a bit of flux currently, especially when it comes to online gambling. Poker is certainly in a different class than an actual online casino. Aside from a very few number of US states that have a problem with this sort of thing, it seems perfectly legal to play at an online poker site for real money. Certainly no one has ever been arrested for doing so!

Many people still talk about the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) which was passed back in 2006. This law did not actually make it illegal to gamble online or play online poker; what it did was attack the action of online casinos and poker rooms who tried to process their financial transactions. Then came Black Friday, April 15th, 2011, when the FBI seized the internet domains of several US poker rooms and indicted them for bank and wire fraud. Still, this did nothing to make the act of playing poker or otherwise gambling online illegal.

Currently, the states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada are regulating online poker, making it fully legal under certain conditions to play in selected online poker rooms. You would need to be an actual resident of either of the states and currently physically located within their borders. Washington State has explicitly declared online poker to be a felony. Other states have some issues with online poker and gambling, but it remains a grey area. These states include:

How Online Poker Rooms Generate Revenue

Obviously, the best poker rooms need to have several different methods of generating revenue. The first of these is called the rake. In most cases, when there is a real cash game being played, the rake is something players will need to deal with. This is a commission or cut of each pot that the house or poker room will take. It is usually a small percentage of the pot, based on a sliding scale according to the amount of money in the final pot. There might even be a cap, or maximum amount of rake the house will take on each pot, although this will be determined by the specific poker room.

Tournament games have a different method of providing revenue for the online poker site. Most tournaments will not have any kind of rake; instead, you will pay an additional amount added on to your tournament entry fee. This is why these entry fees usually show two numbers, like $100 + $5. That $5 in the above example is your fee that goes to the house. You will not have any dealer tips or other expenses deducted from the prize pool.

Side games may also represent an additional source of revenue for even the best sites. This can include traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and more. The poker websites might decide to stick to side bets on poker hands, where the player goes up against the house for real money. Of course, these side wagers are carefully calculated and the house always has the edge.

An often overlooked revenue source for even the top poker rooms is generated by investing the deposits of players. Having said that, it should also be noted that most businesses will have to abide by very strict rules and requirements as to how much risk and what types of investments they may make with real money held as player deposits. Since the poker sites have no obligation to pay any interest to players, even a little bit of extra revenue earned in this fashion can be a significant contribution to their bottom line.

Now that you’ve read our hints and tips on online poker, why not pick out your favorite US poker online site and put them into practice.

FAQ

REAL MONEY

Can I use real money to safely bet at online poker sites?

Yes, you can easily use real money to place bets at online poker rooms. Most websites are fully licensed and regulated in prestigious jurisdictions and they provide flawless security for their customers. It only takes a few minutes to set everything up and start betting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

How can I get started with online poker?

You just need to choose a reliable online poker room, create an account on the website, make a deposit and join the tables. The process is very user-friendly and you can customize some of the aspects of the software to make the entire experience more comfortable.

POKER SITES FOR MAC

Can I play online poker on my Mac?

Yes, you certainly can. With the growing popularity of Apple devices, online poker sites are paying more attention to Mac users and so they provide compatible applications that allow players to get all the features and benefits a PC user has access to. This covers both downloadable and instant play versions.

MOBILE POKER SITES

Is mobile poker easily accessible to me?

Leading online poker sites are now offering mobile versions of their products to allow customers to take the action with them wherever they go. You can simply download the corresponding app for Apple, Android or Windows devices and have your favorite mobile poker site always close by.

LEGAL

Can I legally play online poker in the USA?

Online poker is not banned in the USA and there are multiple websites that provide premium services to players from the country. The coverage is not limited to just a few states and basically everyone can take part in the fun and excitement that online poker brings to the table.

NO DOWNLOAD

Are poker games available without having to download an app?

You can very easily play poker online right from the browser at some of the available websites. The Instant Play version keeps most of the features so you can choose between cash tables, tournaments and even special variants of the game at a wide range of betting stakes; all with no download required.