Top 5 Online Poker Sites - Play for Real Money (with Exclusive Freerolls)

Online poker sites review by our experts - get winning tips and strategies to make the most of your gaming experience.

Our experts have reviewed the best online poker rooms so you can make your first deposit with confidence. Read on to get key tips, learn the game variants (from real money Texas Hold'em to Pot Limit Omaha) and start playing stakes from mere cents to thousands of dollars. And the best part? With online poker, you can play at any time from the comfort of your home.

Real Money Online Poker Poker Freerolls Poker Hands Table Position
Real Money vs. Free Poker How We Choose the Best Online Poker Rooms Quick Poker Tips Poker Variations Learn Pot Odds Playing Multi-Table Poker Free Hand Rankings Chart Glossary History of Online Poker Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Online Poker Sites

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Real Money Vs Free Poker

Both real money poker and playing free games have their pros and cons. Some of which might be immediately apparent to new players. 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

How We Choose the Best Online Poker Rooms

To determine what makes a great poker room, all sites we review are subject to the following strict criteria:

1

Trustworthiness

A poker room that takes an overly high rake or has a poor reputation for fairness will immediately raise 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 & 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 & Tournaments

Although Texas Hold'em is the bread and butter 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

Mobile Play

Playing poker on your smartphone or tablet might not be as essential to you as it is to some players, but an effective mobile offering (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.

5

Payout Speed

There’s nothing worse than landing a large cash prize and having to go through a lot of back and forth trying to get the site to pay out. If you’ve won it fair and square then you should be able to cash out quickly and easily. We’ll never recommend sites with a poor reputation for paying out.

6

Popularity

Traffic is really important when it comes to online poker rooms. Without a steady flow of players, 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.

The Overall Performance

Our highest-ranking sites have scored well in all these sections - they’re safe, have plenty of well-frequented tables available on mobile or laptop/desktop, and pay out in a timely fashion. They are, at least of those poker rooms we’ve come across so far, the best places for players to hit the tables.

View our recommended casinos

Quick Poker Tips

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

Although physical tells are eliminated in online poker, 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!

Poker Variations

Games like Texas Hold'em and Five Card Draw are by far the most common variants in online (and offline, for that matter) poker rooms. However, that doesn’t mean you can't enjoy plenty of other poker variations scattered all over the web. You never know, one of them might just end up being your new favorite game…

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.

Poker Hands

If you're looking to play real money card games online, Texas Hold'em is where you should start. But what are the key things that an aspiring World Series of Poker champion needs to know? Let's have a look at some tips to get you started.

Starting Hands

You'll only get two cards at the start of a hand, so make sure they're both strong. It's much easier to play a pot with a strong holding, particularly when you're starting out, as it negates any chances of getting into sticky situations. If you know you're beat even when holding a good hand, you shouldn't be in the hand - simple.

Seating plan

Even a new player can make a lot of money from micro and small-stake games online by playing a tight, solid, ABC game. If it's a good hand and a good situation, play it. If you know you can't win and the other player isn't going to fold, just muck your hand to fight another day.

So, what's a good starting hand?

Strong Hands

Obviously, high pairs like A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J and 10-10 are worth raising with, particularly in late position.

Strong hands

 A-K, A-Q and A-J, all suited, are more examples of strong hands you want to raise with pre-flop. They're also good hands for making Continuation Bets with, i.e. if you've raised pre-flop and have hit a flop that doesn't really help you (say, the three cards are all below yours) you may want to lead out with a bet to portray strength.

Strong hands

Medium Strength Hands

Next come the medium strength hands, like K-10, Q-10 and J-10, and medium pairs like 9-9, 8-8 and 7-7. They're all good raising hands, depending on position and the dynamic of your table, but can also be called with in an aggressive pre-flop betting round.

Medium Strength Hands

Marginal Hands

Finally, marginal hands like 2-2, 3-3, and A-9 are all decent hands for calling with pre-flop if in late position. You may disguise your hand by hitting trips (three of a kind) on the flop, then you can start to be aggressive.

Marginal Hands

The beauty of online poker is that no two tables are alike. If you have a particularly tight table you can mix things up by expanding your starting hand range to exploit weakness. For most beginners, however, a solid game with strong starting hands is sensible, if a little dull to start off with.

Learn Pot Odds

1
Learn Pot Odds

For example, let's say you hold a pair of fours at the start of a hand. To hit another 4, making a set, on the flop your odds would be around 7.5 to 1. You know this because there are only two other cards you need (2 out of 52), you hold two yourself, and the other players hold two apiece.

2
Learn Pot Odds

If you're not going to make more than 7.5 to 1 on your bet by playing, it's not worth playing; the 'pot odds' are not good enough for you to call. So, if the pot had $25 in it, and you had to bet $5, your pot odds would be 5 to 1: not enough to make the call.

3
Learn Pot Odds

Let's say you make the call anyway, and the flop misses you entirely, coming J-K-2. Your chances of hitting that 4 just went up, as there are fewer cards to come out. However, the action gets a bit crazy post-flop and you're being offered around 10 to 1 on your money to make a call, knowing that your hand odds are about 9 to 1. Now you DO make the call.

Importance of Table Position

Think your starting hand is all that stands between you and a juicy pot? Think again. Poker is 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

Advanced 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.

Playing Multi-Table 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.

Learn Good 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

Invest in 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.

Free Hand Rankings Chart

See the strength of your hand with our downloadable poker hand rankings chart. Quickly understand where your hand sits within the game and whether you should raise or fold.

Click 'Get Your Chart' to download now - you'll soon know your royal flush from your full house, and be able to make fast decisions based on the cards you're dealt. While this is perfect for online poker fans, you'll find physical casinos and poker rooms frown on players having cheat sheets and guides on the table when they are playing.

Get Your

free chart

to poker Hand Rankings!

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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 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.

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 real money poker in 2019. 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 a real money 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 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 on my mobile device?

Yes. Mobile gaming of all kinds has exploded in 2019, 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 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?

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 2019 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.