Best Real Money Online Poker Sites 2021

Our experts have reviewed the best online poker casinos. Play top quality games at real money gambling sites, with no deposit bonuses.

Play for real money with confidence in the best poker rooms. Our expert guide teaches you about variants (there’s plenty more than just Texas Hold'em poker online) and how to improve your game. Play at the best sites and get the most from your online poker experience.

Best real money poker sites Casino.org poker freerolls How to win at poker Poker FAQ
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The latest poker sites on our blacklist

We recommend loads of great sites, but we also have a list of casinos we have come across that we think should be avoided. We use a 25-step review process to look at things like games, bonus terms and conditions, banking options, licensing and security. When a site fails this process, we put it straight on our blacklist.

Cool Cat Logo

Cool Cat

2 / 10
  • Reports of rigged games
  • Janky playing experience
  • Hidden wagering requirements on bonuses
Grand Prive Logo

Grand Prive

2.3 / 10
  • Unfair RTP not giving players a fair chance
  • Technical problems being reported
  • Reports of unsafe software used on site
Planet 7 Logo

Planet 7

1.2 / 10
  • Not paid players their winnings
  • Plagiarised games software
  • Low game standard on site

Playing Poker Online

Online casinos offer a varied selection of poker games, from Texas hold 'em and stud poker to the ever-popular five-card draw. With both virtual and live dealer options to choose from, you can take a chance against the computer or compete in real, high stakes tournaments with professional dealers.

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Real money vs free poker

Playing online poker for real money games and playing for free both have their pros and cons. Below we've provided a quick rundown of some of the positives and negatives of each:

  • Real money poker
  • Free poker

Most obviously, it’s possible to win significant sums of cash if you play well and/or get lucky

Offers a risk-free environment in which you can practice your skills

You can make use of a welcome bonus and earn loyalty points while you play

Try out different variations of poker that you may not be familiar with

Many players will only show their true colors, by bluffing for example, in a game where cash is involved

Enjoy a more laidback approach to poker, maybe making a few friends along the way

Get a bad beat or make a careless mistake and you stand to lose real money

Impossible to win any real cash prizes, with the possible exception of freeroll tournaments

Obscure variants might not have as many tables available for play as you would like

Since there’s no cash on the line, players won’t necessarily behave the same way as in a 'real' game

Play poker online for money Play free games

How we choose the best online poker rooms

To determine what makes a great poker room, all sites we review are subject to our strict 25-step reviews process.

1

Trustworthiness

A poker room that takes an overly high rake or has a poor reputation for fairness immediately raises red flags with us. Poker is no fun if the odds are unfairly stacked against players, so we’ll never recommend a site that we don’t believe is worthy of your trust.

2

Freerolls and bonuses

Bonuses and other 'added value' promos, such as freerolls, can go a long way towards padding your bankroll and helping you to stay in the action for longer. We look for sites that regularly offer great bonuses and extras, for players both new and old.

3

Range of games and tournaments

Although Texas Hold'em is the main feature of many online poker sites, we’ll always check to make sure that they have other options available, and that they offer tournaments with a range of buy-ins and blinds that make it possible for everyone to take part.

4

Poker apps and mobile play

Playing effective poker on your smartphone or tablet (whether that takes the form of a dedicated app or a slick mobile site) is indicative that a poker room keeps up with trends in modern technology. All good poker casino sites will cater for both Apple iOS and Android devices.

5

Payout speed

Struggling to secure your payout after landing a large cash prize is painful. If you’ve won fair and square you should always be able to cash out quickly and easily. We never recommend sites with a poor reputation for paying out.

6

Popularity

Without a steady flow of players on an online poker room, you’ll end up playing at half-empty tables or potentially struggling to find any games at all. We don’t want that to happen, so we always like to check if a site has plenty of players for you to challenge.

Drawing a conclusion

Our highest-ranking sites have scored well in all the sections above - they’re safe, have plenty of well-frequented tables available across multiple formats, payout efficiently and also offer strong customer support. We believe they are the best poker rooms for players to hit the tables online.

View our recommended casinos

What is a freeroll in poker?

Freerolls are poker tournaments that are free to enter but offer real money prizes. If you’re new to poker, it may be a pleasant surprise to hear you can compete for free to win real money!

Casino.org Poker Freerolls

Find out more about poker freeroll tournaments and get exclusive entry passwords from Casino.org on our poker freeroll page.

What types of poker can I play online?

Some of the most popular online poker games for mobile and desktop include:

  • Texas Hold’em
  • Five-Card Draw
  • Omaha High/Low
  • Seven-Card Stud
  • Razz
  • HORSE
  • Pai Gow
  • Caribbean Stud

Texas Hold'em is the most common in both online and offline poker rooms. You never know, one of the others could be your new favorite… No matter the type, always keep an eye out for a healthy bonus.

Texas Hold'em Five-Card Draw Omaha High/Low Seven-Card Stud Razz HORSE
Texas Hold'em

Arguably the most popular form of poker in the world, it sees players using two hole cards and five community cards to construct the best hand they can with several rounds of betting. If you’re not familiar with this popular game’s rules, check out our how to play poker page.

Five-Card Draw

Players try to make the best hand possible using five cards, with the option to replace some of their cards in a draw phase. This variation is the basis for standard video poker games.

Omaha High/Low

In Omaha High/Low (or Hi-Lo as you may see it listed), players combine two of their four hole cards and three of five community cards to make two separate five-card high and low hands.

Seven-Card Stud

Once as popular, if not more popular, than Texas Hold'em, this stud poker variant sees players creating the best five-card hand from the seven cards ('two down, four up, one down') they’re dealt.

Razz

Much like Seven-Card Stud, players are dealt seven cards and must make a five-card hand from them. Here, however, the aim is to create the lowest hand possible.

HORSE

A multi-game form of poker, HORSE is constructed of cycling hands of Texas Hold'em, Omaha High/Low, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Seven-Card Stud High/Low Split-Eight or Better.

How to win at poker

To start winning at real money online poker, take some time to improve your knowledge. All aspiring winners first need to be comfortable with the following angles of the game.

  1. Knowing poker hand rankings from memory
  2. Understanding the function and importance of table position
  3. Managing and maintaining an excellent bankroll

Fortunately, we’ve got everything covered before you face the dealer. Download our poker rankings chart, learn the advantages of late or early position, and get the lowdown on good bankroll management.

Top poker tips

Study your opponents - online poker is about playing people, not cards

Although physical tells are eliminated in poker games online, carefully watching your opponents’ betting habits will tell you a lot.

Multi-table to increase your play volume, and your winnings

Poker fans know that folding is something you’ll do a LOT. Playing at multiple tables keeps boredom from setting in, just don’t take on too many at once!

Play at micro-stakes for just a few cents - you can't do that in live casinos

Enjoy all of the thrills of real money poker and hone your skills without the pressure of a high stakes game.

Use our exclusive Casino.org freerolls to boost your bankroll at no risk

You rarely get something for nothing, but if you get lucky in one of our freeroll tournaments, you can win a cash prize!

Free poker hand ranking chart

Check the strength of your hand with our downloadable poker hands chart. Get an understanding of ranking, and whether you should raise or fold.

While this is perfect for mobile poker apps and online games, land-based casinos frown upon cheat sheets on the table. If you're new to the game, you can first learn how to play poker. You might not see a royal flush often, but keep your eyes peeled for more common high-ranking hands like the flush and full house.

Get your

free chart

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Best Poker Sites for Beginners

Poker sites that are suitable for beginners tend to offer plenty of Texas Hold’em games, and other more simple variations of poker along with many low stakes tournaments. Here are a few things to look for if you’re a beginner hoping to get into playing online poker:

  1. Poker sites offering a wide range of low stakes tournaments
  2. A good range of beginner-friendly bonuses and promotions
  3. Clear policies

Best Poker Sites for Advanced Players

Players who have a good understanding of how to play poker and aren’t put off by tournaments with higher buy-ins are usually on the lookout for different features than total beginners. Here are some of our top tips on what players with this level of experience should be keeping an eye out for.

  1. Poker sites offering an extensive range of poker variants
  2. Poker games with high volumes of traffic and good competition
  3. Games and tournaments with high stakes and considerable prizes

Playing Poker with Friends

Many online casinos offer poker games that you can play with friends where you can choose between cash games and tournaments. All players need to register for an account at the chosen casino before you can start to play. The games can usually be played on desktops as well as mobiles, but this does depend on the casino in question.

Live Poker Site Traffic

Those playing poker at live casinos should bear live traffic in mind. You might be tempted to head straight to the most famous online casinos but if you opt for smaller, lesser-known sites instead you might find that the competition isn’t quite so fierce.

Importance of table position

Think the strength of your starting hand is all that stands between you and a juicy pot? Think again. Poker games online are all about where you're sitting in relation to the action, and Texas Hold'em is no different.

Late position

If you're in late position (as in the last or near last to make a betting decision) you will get a good chance to see what everyone else does before you. Half the table may have folded their cards, or a couple of players may have just called a bet. If you're last to act you may want to punish such passiveness with a raise.

Play strong hands in late position, but mix it up with marginal hands like Q-10, J-9, A-9 and so on in an unraised pot. Plus, your aggressive play before the flop can add credibility to any strong play you might want to use on the next round if a garbage flop falls and you want to try a steal. Be ready to fold your high pair if you get a lot of action with a threatening flop.

Late Position

Early position

Conversely, if you're in early position, such as after the big blind or next to them (Under the Gun, or UTG+1), you should stick to playing with strong hands that will hold up to raises. It's all well and good raising A-10 UTG but what if a player re-raises you from late position - what are you going to do now? And if you call, you'll be first to act after the flop has been dealt. You will have no idea what the player in late position is going to do after you.

Some players advocate not even playing ANY hands in early position, but if you do, make sure they're decent.

Early Position

Good poker bankroll management

As much a vital tip with online poker as it is with live betting for cash, make sure you have your bankroll sorted before you start playing for real money.

It's easy to have dollar signs appear in front of your eyes and want to dive into that $50 tournament or $5/10 cash game. But if you don't have the funds behind you if things go bad, you'll quickly go bust.

The best advice is to set aside a certain amount of money you're prepared to bet with. If you take a hit, drop down the levels, build your bankroll back up, then make a jump up the stakes if you're comfortable.

As a rule of thumb, when playing cash games you should have 20-30 buy-ins set aside (especially if you're playing more than one table). For tournaments, a bankroll of 50 buy-ins is sensible. This way you can handle the swings and reload without any worries.

Bankroll Management

Advanced poker tips

You could spend a lifetime mastering poker, but many experienced players will be able to read other players' moves - especially online - and call out bluffs just with well-timed aggression.

Online poker lends itself perfectly to the improving player as there are so many resources out there for Internet gamers. You also get to play more games and see more hands than live players do, which really accelerates your learning. We'll take you through some more advanced tips for improving your game in the following areas:

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  1. Playing at multiple tables (multi-tabling)
  2. How to count cards in poker
  3. Using tracking software

What is multi-tabling in poker?

If you're looking to play seriously, learning to multi-table poker online is a key element of your online poker career.

Multi Tabling

Multi-tabling simply means loading up your screen with as many real money poker tables as you can possibly manage at once. Many pros will play between 16 and 24 online poker games simultaneously - whether they're cash games, Sit 'n' Gos, or tournaments - as this allows for faster play, more volume and a higher ROI (return on investment). Also, if you've signed up to one of our recommended poker rooms with a deposit bonus, multi-tabling will ensure a faster play-through of any real money bonus you want to activate.

How to count cards in poker

The concept of counting cards is fairly simple – keeping track of which cards are still left in the deck, to help you decide on your next move. Although this is a popular tactic in blackjack, things are a little more complicated with poker. You won’t be able to count cards when you’re playing poker online for money. That’s because the deck is randomly shuffled after each round, but you can still give it a go in a land-based casino.

  1. Consider which cards you would need to complete your desired hand.
  2. Based on how many of that number or suit are already visible on the table, you can count how many are left in the unseen cards (cards left in the deck plus cards of your opponents).
  3. By dividing this number by the total number of unseen cards, you can get an indication of your chances of getting a desired card.
  4. You won’t be able to count cards when you’re playing poker online for money. That’s because the deck is randomly shuffled after each round, but you can still give it a go in a land-based casino.

Poker tracking software

Finally, and this is particularly for you cash game fans, consider buying some tracking software. Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), such as PokerTracker 4, sit on your poker room's software and allows you to track other players at your table. It's invaluable if you're planning on taking detailed notes on regular opponents.

The history of online poker

Within its short life so far, online poker has already had some momentous highs and shocking lows. Let's take a look at some of the key moments in the early life of poker on the Internet.

1998

The first online poker site, Planet Poker, is launched, with real money Texas Hold'em games available.

2003

Chris Moneymaker becomes the first online qualifier to win the World Series of Poker Main Event. He had qualified for $80 on PokerStars.com, winning his entry into the $10,000 showpiece.

2006

The US Congress passes UIGEA - the Unlawful Internet Enforcement Act - banning financial transactions to online poker sites.

2011

Black Friday - The Department of Justice shuts down the sites of five of the biggest Internet poker sites for money laundering. Many American online players lose their funds and some are still waiting for them to be returned.

2012

There is a huge boom in mobile gaming, which many online poker sites take advantage of. This means players can now play on-the-go for real money on their smartphone and tablet devices.

2013

The world's largest poker website, PokerStars, deals its 100 billionth hand. States in the US begin to launch their own intra-state online poker sites, with Nevada's Ultimate Poker the first to emerge.

2014

The first interstate poker compact is signed. This agreement allows online poker players in Nevada to play real money games with players in Delaware.

2015

Anthony Spinella wins the first ever online World Series of Poker bracelet.

2016

A platform migration takes place where Full Tilt Poker is merged into PokerStars, making it even bigger.

2018

Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey governments agree to allow player pooling. A three-state online poker compact goes live on May 1.

Casino.org expert verdict

Poker is one of those games that might take just a few minutes to learn (well, some basic rules anyway) but, with so many different variants to pick up and quirky tactics being employed by other players, it can take much longer than that to master. It’s our hope that the tips and information above will stand you in the best stead possible when you play.

When you’re ready to jump in, maybe after a little practice in free play first, the sites we list on this page all represent great options for established and brand new players alike.

Top Poker Sites in 2021

Poker Site Ranking Win Rate Payout Speed Review Link
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FAQ

How can I find reputable poker sites online?

The best way to find safe poker sites on the web is to follow the links on this page. We recommend only the most highly regarded rooms on the net so you won't be left cheated out of your valuable funds.

What do I need in order to play poker online?

As long as you've got a decent PC, Mac or smartphone you can easily enjoy poker online. You will also need a good internet connection in order to avoid any issues while playing.

Where do I get poker software for my computer?

Every poker site will provide a software client for you to download from their website. Download the software, create an account and log in to start playing. Some poker rooms also offer a 'no download' version so you can play on their site via your web browser, without downloading big programs that clog up your hard drive.

Can I play poker online for free?

Yes. Most good poker sites offer 'free to play' games where you can try out the various games for free before making a real money deposit. Most big sites also offer daily poker freerolls where you can win cash without paying to enter the tournaments. Casino.org also hosts a number of exclusive weekly freerolls for its visitors.

Can I play online poker on my mobile or tablet?

Yes. Mobile gaming of all kinds has exploded in 2021, and you can now play poker via your smartphone or tablet on many major poker sites. The graphics may not be quite as good as your desktop, but you can't beat it for convenience and poker on-the-go.

Which other poker variations can I play online?

If a poker variant has been invented, chances are you can play it online. While Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker variation out there, Omaha and Stud are catching up in terms of popularity. A lot of online rooms will also offer games like Razz (a type of Stud where the lowest hand is the winning hand), 4-max, 6-max and Heads-Up Hold'em.

What's the difference between poker tournaments and cash games?

In tournaments you'll receive chips to play with. In a freezeout tournament, when you've run out of chips, you are out. Rebuy and re-entry tournaments are becoming more popular. They allow you to re-enter or rebuy your place (with real money) back in if you run out of chips.

Cash games allow you to sit down with a minimum or maximum amount, and you can leave the game whenever you like . The blinds remain constant throughout.

What's the difference between Limit and No Limit poker games?

In No Limit games, there's no maximum bet that has to be placed - as long as you have chips in front of you, you can raise as much as you want. Limit games prohibit betting above a set limit at any time. Pot Limit games, most notably Pot Limit Omaha, allow you to raise only the amount of the total pot at any time.

What's UIGEA?

Originally attached to the 2006 Safe Port Act, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) prohibited the means to place bets online. This meant financial transactions to online poker sites - although NOT the actual playing of poker - was banned.

Are online poker games rigged?

While there have been many cases of cheating and collusion in online poker, major sites in 2021 are above-board and totally legit. The biggest rooms are independently audited and regulated to safeguard players' funds and provide a risk-free playing environment.

Is poker online purely luck, or can you use strategy to improve the odds of winning?

It's often said that for beginners, poker is 70% luck and 30% skill, with those figures reversing for skilled pros. While luck plays a big part in online poker, there's an incredible amount of skill in making money at the game, in betting strategy as well as psychology, bluffing, and aggression.

How do you play poker?

Poker is a game played against other players, with the aim being to get the strongest hand at the table. Community cards are placed in the middle for all players to use, then players are dealt their own hand of cards. Bets on whether they think their hand will be better than those of the other players are placed in rounds, with players receiving additional cards as the rounds progress. You can learn more about how to play poker with our poker guide.

How many decks of cards are used for poker?

Poker is usually played with one standard deck of 52 cards and the deck is often reshuffled between rounds.

What poker apps can you win real money on?

Real money poker on apps is extremely popular with players in 2021. Any online casino or online poker site with a mobile app version will allow you to play for real money. This includes well-known sites like 888 and PokerStars. Read up on our expert advice about the best app casinos.

Poker: