Poker Sites For Us Players
Best 7 Online Poker Sites (2020) for Real Money #1 Ignition. Ignition attracts a lot of players because you can win 1,000 times your buy-in in a short period of time in. Ignition might be one of the best online poker sites for US players, but Bovada. Online poker in Pennsylvania is played strictly on licensed sites, and owners paid huge application fee to offer these games to public. Participating is safe for both sides - casino and player. Fast and guaranteed payments via different methods are distinctive features of online poker. Legal, regulated online poker sites in the US offer a safe game that you won’t inherently find if you use offshore, unregulated (at least not by US gaming authorities) poker sites. With that in mind, this guide will help you determine what exactly constitutes a safe online poker site.The goal is to help you sign up, deposit and play at only the most trusted and reliable poker sites. Players flocked to the online poker sites, PokerStars grew into the dominant leader of the internet poker industry, and the poker boom began. When the US government passed the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act in 2006, the law was ambiguous to a large extent but prompted sites.
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Legal, regulated online poker sites in the US offer a safe game that you won’t inherently find if you use offshore, unregulated (at least not by US gaming authorities) poker sites.
With that in mind, this guide will help you determine what exactly constitutes a safe online poker site. The goal is to help you sign up, deposit and play at only the most trusted and reliable poker sites.
When you play poker online for real money, safety and security are paramount. That includes ensuring:
- The game itself is fair.
- Your funds are always secure.
- Proper security is in place and persistent, effective efforts are in place to identify any hints of player collusion.
If you’re worried about finding a safe poker site to play on, this page we’ll answer all your questions including:
List of the safest poker sites for US players
The US online poker market consists of some of the most trusted names in online gaming. You can trust these major brands to offer you plenty of action in a secure and fair environment.
Among them will be many names you likely recognize including PokerStars, partypoker, WSOP, 888poker and Borgata Poker. If you don’t live in a fully legalized and licensed online poker state, Global Poker is a trusted and safe sweepstakes poker site many players use.
So far, these are the operators that offer legal and safe real money online poker in the US:
1. PokerStars – $30 Free Play
- Available in Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey.
- Largest online poker operator in the world.
- Great software, downloadable poker app
- Incredible tournament selection and variety with big guaranteed prize pools.
- Numerous promotions and major tournament series throughout the year
- Home Games feature to set up and play private poker games and tournaments with friends online
- First-class customer support team on call 24/7
- Industry-leading security protocols to monitor fair play & collusion
2. WSOP.com – $10 Free
- Available in New Jersey and Nevada.
- It shares a liquidity market in the two states and with 888poker in Delaware.
- The site uses partner 888poker’s software.
- Offers online bracelet events and live WSOP event qualifiers.
- World-renowned brand with commitment to customer service and player protection
3. 888poker.com – $20 Free
- Available in New Jersey and Delaware.
- Remains the sole online poker operator in Delaware.
- Partners with WSOP on qualifiers.
- It’s a proven international brand with excellent poker experience.
4. Partypoker/Borgata Poker/BetMGM – $25 Free
- Available in New Jersey and a leader in the industry.
- Both are major poker and gaming brands in New Jersey and abroad.
- Partypoker offers qualifiers for its live events.
- Borgata Poker & BetMGM Poker skins offer qualifiers to live events at the property.
Is Global Poker a safe, legal and legitimate online poker option?
If you’re outside the regulated markets mentioned above, you have another option: Global Poker.
This site is based on a poker sweepstakes model.Global Poker’s sweepstakes license (like the one given to McDonald’s Monopoly game) makes playing its free sweeps cash games legal in much of the US and Canada.
The site is based more on social gaming than traditional online poker. Players use virtual chips (Gold Coins) they can win for playing, but these don’t have any cash value and they can’t redeem them for USD.
However, when purchasing more Gold Coins, you also receive the site’s sweepstakes currency called Sweeps Coins. This virtual currency can be used for Sweeps Coin tournaments and ring games. Unlike Gold Coins, accumulated Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Global Poker offers a safe and secure alternative for poker players. VGW Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company incorporated in Australia, owns Global Poker. The site is also licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Alongside the playing experience, excellent customer service and easy deposit and withdrawal methods have been confirmed with Global Poker. Like the regulated casino poker sites mentioned above, security and safety hasn’t been a concern.
What is a safe poker site?
So what should you consider when getting started with online poker? Some signs will easily show a poker site is safe and regulated. Here’s what to look for:
1. Safe poker sites are licensed and regulated by states
In the US, there are six states currently set for legalized online poker:
West Virginia online poker was also legalized in 2018/2019 but has not gone live yet. All six states feature a completely legal and regulated market overseen by state government authorities.
Just like traditional retail casinos and poker rooms, reliable online poker sites face strict licensing and regulation. The sites can only operate in complete compliance and enforcement.
2. Safe poker sites use proper technical security and geolocation
These regulations make your information and funds secure. Legal and licensed online casinos and poker sites have systems in place to offer numerous player protections that are required by state laws and regulations.
Geolocation software also makes sure all players are located within the legal jurisdiction. State regulators require this technology to keep the game safe from outside influences.
Another key security issue is the prevention of player collusion and gameplay issues like chip dumping. Each operator monitors gameplay in this way. Software monitoring commonly uncovers player collusion and discrepancies. It assures you of a safe and fair game of poker.
3. Safe poker sites have proper deposit and cash out methods
Along with gameplay, safe online poker sites ensure your funds are secure. That goes likewise for the deposit and cash out process. Whether you fund your account through e-check, debit card or another form of payment (e.g., some poker sites now accept PayPal), the licensed poker site ensures your personal information, account and other information are secure.
Players who use offshore, illegal poker sites will not encounter measures as stringent and have no way to know if their funds and information are safe. They also have little to no recourse if their funds are confiscated or their account is closed.
4. Safe poker sites have government oversight
Poker sites in legalized US states are regulated by laws and rules enforced by those states’ gaming commissions. This statute should give you a level of confidence in secure online poker rooms that don’t come with using unregulated poker sites.
In the legalized states that can offer online poker, the regulating bodies are:
- Nevada Gaming Control Board
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Michigan Gaming Control Board
- West Virginia Lottery Commission
The entities ensure that play is truly random through random number generators and that the game is fair for everyone playing. They also monitor to make sure payouts are made fairly and that operators follow proper and legal procedures.
5. Safe poker sites have proper channels for customer service and disputes
The gaming regulators in each state offer recourse for those who may have a complaint or dispute. Reputable poker sites also provide customer service support for those looking to ask a question or have an issue resolved.
Most operators offer several means to contact customer service and support, including:
- An FAQ section
- User help database
- Email support
- Live chat
- Customer service phone number
How do I know it’s a safe and trustworthy poker site?
There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting an online poker operator. Beyond state regulators and gaming commissions, some other factors can help ensure numerous player protections:
- State-Approved Partnerships: Each online poker operator must have a live casino partner in each state. Casinos must meet extensive regulations, and this adds to player safety. It also gives you a local, trusted brand.
- Reputable Companies: In addition, most companies offering online poker within each state are trusted and proven brands. Many are also public companies and not the fly-by-night operations one might find in the offshore, unregulated market.
- Approvals and Inspections: Each legal site has a seal or statement somewhere on the home page, which indicates it is a regulated site. For example, PokerStars NJ has a link to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. These sites are regularly inspected and monitored by these commissions.
- Mainstream Deposit and Cash Out Methods: Along with being regulated and having casinos in the jurisdiction as partners, trusted online poker sites use accepted, mainstream deposit and withdrawal methods. Those include PayPal, e-checks, bank transfers, e-wallets, and debit and credit cards, among other options. Some even allow deposits at a casino partner’s cashier cage. You can also expect quick turnarounds on withdrawals as well.
- Support and Customer Service: Reliable poker sites offer numerous ways to help with an issue or concern, from email and FAQ to live chat and a customer service phone number. Offshore operators might not provide this support.
- SSL Encryption: A critical focus in the security effort, secure sockets layer (SSL) is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client. It helps keep your player information private and safe.
How to download a safe online poker site and set up an account
Because of SSL and encryption technology, downloading a poker app or desktop-based poker client is exceptionally secure. The same goes for depositing and cashing out.
Unlike offshore and unregulated sites, legal online poker sites guarantee your funds are safe and secure. Trouble or long delays getting payouts are a common complaint about unregulated sites, but this is not an issue if you use regulated, secure and reliable poker sites as mentioned here.
Downloading is simple. Simply use any of the links above to get started, which will also allow you to take advantage of the listed free no deposit poker bonuses and the additional deposit match bonuses.
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You then enter some necessary information like name, address, email, username and password. Once that’s complete, you may have to confirm your identity and email.
Deposit and withdrawal methods at a legal online poker site
After getting an account set up, making a deposit is also a simple process. Reliable online poker sites offer several safe deposit methods, including:
- PayPal
- E-check bank payments (ACH transfers)
- Visa or Mastercard
- Wire payments
- E-wallets, such as Neteller and Skrill
- Cash at partner casinos
When cashing out your winnings, the process is safe and secure as well. You can receive your winnings back via the method you used to deposit.
Trusted poker sites offer fast and secure payouts through several options. Some offer a paper check option for payouts as well. Many even provide cash payouts from casino partners at the cashier cage.
What’s one thing you don’t have to worry about with a regulated site? Funds not being there or disappearing out of the blue.
Your funds are not intermingled with operator or casino funds at a secure, legal poker site. The money is held in separate accounts and available to you 24/7 so you can feel confident that your funds are safe.
Are poker apps safe?
As online poker has grown, the use of mobile phones and tablets has become an even more popular way to play in the last several years. All major safe US poker sites offer mobile poker apps for iPhone/iPad and Android devices with excellent app interfaces .
Secure poker app providers include:
Poker apps provide the same security as desktop poker clients. Apps must still meet tight regulations from each jurisdiction’s gaming commission. Poker apps also include geolocation software to make sure every player is within the state offering legal online poker.
How do I keep my poker account secure?
Regulated and reliable online poker sites offer a secure environment for signing up, depositing, cashing out and playing. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that your online poker experience remains safe.
Here are a few security recommendations:
- Use proper security protocols when depositing.
- Be careful when playing on public Wi-Fi.
- Don’t share usernames or passwords with anyone.
- Make passwords challenging to figure out.
- Don’t leave a game open on a device or computer that’s unattended.
How do I recognize an ‘unsafe’ poker site?
This question is good to keep in mind when jumping into online poker for the first time. Many offshore poker sites will not offer any regulatory information or display the legal sealof an appropriate governing body or regulatory commission.
They may also feature more obscure website addresses and not be a well-known brand. Offshore operators may also make use of less scrupulous deposit methods, which come with many security concerns.
Some unregulated poker sites make it challenging to find where they are based. It is a red flag as to the site’s legitimacy and security protocols. Your player funds may not be safe with these sites or using their deposit options.
You should never use a questionable deposit method. Also, transferring funds to players you don’t know can be sketchy. Look out for these types of scams on unregulated poker sites.
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After considering all these facts and concepts, here are some key ideas to remember:
What do I do if I think I’m playing on an unsafe poker site?
Research the site and determine if it’s a legitimate US poker site. If not, look for a legal option, including those mentioned in this guide. You may want to withdraw your funds from an offshore site and use a legitimate, secure option.
How do I know if a poker site is reputable?
Make sure it’s a legal US site by looking for signs that it’s licensed by a state regulating body. However, beware of imposters that may represent themselves as a legal option. When in doubt, contact your state gaming commission to see if the site falls under its jurisdiction.
Is it safe to play against players from other countries?
Legal US online poker uses “fenced-in” markets, and only players within specific states can play. Any site featuring players from other countries doesn’t fall in line with American law. It can be a major security issue, and you should avoid these sites.
Are Bitcoin poker sites safe?
Again, many of these sites use cryptocurrency to get around American law. Just because a site accepts a deposit doesn’t mean that it’s a legal, regulated site. Review this article for websites that are legal in the US, including sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker.
Do I need to worry about viruses from poker sites?
Regulated online poker sites offer secure, safe environments. They meet rigorous licensing, technology and regulatory requirements to stay in business and to keep serving players. You will never download any malware or viruses from a legal and regulated poker site.
Poker has been dazzling the gambling crowd for centuries. It’s 2020 and the popularity of the card game hasn’t even started to fade away. And how could it?
It’s an exciting game that, unlike slots, for example, doesn’t rely that much on luck. You can learn poker skills easily and get good at poker to win stunning prizes that often hit millions in tournaments.
An original American game, poker was developed sometime in the XIX century. Since then, it has grown to be an extremely popular card game. If you ask some players, it’s the one true king of casinos.
Poker variants such as Texas Hold’em are among the biggest ‘culprits’ for the game’s continued popularity in the USA.
Monthly and yearly tournaments with dozens of millions in prizes are organized at lavish spots where the best poker players from the USA (and the world) test their skills against each other.
The prize pot has a pretty big reward for the winner and many of these events are televised – that’s how big poker is in the USA.
With so many poker sites around, it’s tough to pick just one. The good news for you is that we have the best online poker sites for US players you should pay a visit.
What Makes a Good Poker Site?
Safety, security, bonuses, and plenty of cash games and tournaments constitute a good US poker site. The sites we’ll review in detail below offer all of that and more.
A good poker site will care for its customers and offer 24/7 support as well as guides. Novice players are sure to visit these sites and having a guide at hand is great if you want to attract a crowd.
In the sea of best poker sites for US players, you can play online, Bovada and Ignition stand out.
Widely considered two of the best online poker sites for US players, they feature great software with plenty of excellent games and bonuses that can fill your pockets with ease. If you want the crème-de-la-crème of US poker, look no further than any of these sites.
Let’s see what makes each one tick.
Bovada Review
Online since 2004, Bovada is a very recognizable name in the US poker online industry. An industry leader with a range of features and games, it’s one of the poker sites with the highest traffic in the USA online.
A reliable operator, you should sign up at Bovada to claim a great and tasty bonus. Use the Bovada bonus code to unlock it and claim a solid sum of cash that will let you try all the games and tournaments.
One of the highlights of this excellent online poker room is the fact that it offers anonymous tables. You can check-in at various anonymous tables including Pot and No-Limit Omaha and Hold’em among other variants.
Of course, you can also take part in a wide range of tournaments that can spice things up from a financial point of view pretty nicely.
There’s a lot of extra cash to be earned at Bovada. The Bovada Rakeback system, for example, allows you to collect points you can later redeem for cash. All of that comes on top of all the bonuses and promotions paired with the money you can win by playing for real money.
Don’t worry if you’re a beginner. Bovada Poker has great guides that can help you master the game and play with the pros.
With so many tournaments on offer and such prizes, it’s no wonder that Bovada is called one of the best online poker sites for US players.
Ignition Poker Review
Start your engines ladies and gentlemen and go for a ride on the wild side. Ignition Poker enjoys a cult status among US poker players. Part of the PWN (PaiWangLuo) poker network, it’s one of the fastest-growing sites out there and definitely one of the best.
There are over a few million in prizes to be earned at the site and a bunch of cash games as well. Just like Bodog, it’s the place to be if you’re a poker player from the USA.
No matter if you’re a novice player or a poker vet, Ignition has something in store for you too.
No need to use an Ignition Poker bonus code to claim the welcome offer. The poker welcome bonus is open for all new players, covering 100% of your first deposit. Use Bitcoin and the number is bumped up to 125%.
With plenty of exciting cash games in the library, it’s no wonder why Ignition Poker ranks among the best online poker sites for US players. It’s the place to be if you want to take part in tournaments as well – from SNGs and MTTs to tourneys with millions guaranteed in prizes, Ignition Poker is a great site for those who want to test their skills.
Let’s not forget the Ignition Poker Rakeback system. It uses your rake to give you points that you can convert to cash later.
If there’s a site that can challenge Bovada for the online poker king trophy, Ignition Poker is a serious challenger.
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Are There Other Poker Sites as Good as These Ones?
There are quite a few other challengers to the throne currently held by Bovada and Ignition Poker. Make sure to pick a site that suits you best and be aware – not all sites out there operate in your best interests.
Bovada and Ignition are among the best online poker sites for US players and you should stick to them or sites of their stature.
Is Poker Legal in the USA?
Online gambling laws in the USA are passed down to the state level. At the moment, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, and Pennsylvania are the states that have legalized online poker.
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More are expected to join the fray and reap the rewards of regulated online poker betting.