Online Poker For U.S. Players
Poker is the United States really took off in the early 2000s, where we saw things like the Main Event in Las Vegas increase their winner's prize exponentially. That continues to hold true today. But part of that explosion was caused by online poker. Players could simply create an account at online poker sites and play for hours. USA Players are still able to play at online poker rooms around the world, but those that used to operate in the United States took a major hit, which you will read about just below here in our legality section about online poker.
Playing online poker is certainly popular, and for USA players, that continues to be the case. In spite of some obstacles that continue to stand in the way of online poker in the U.S., the game itself is still as popular as ever. On this page you will find out all about online poker and USA players.
Is It Legal For U.S. Residents To Play Online Poker For Money?
The biggest online poker sites in the United States were shut down and seized by the U.S. federal government for their violation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act Of 2006. The operation of online poker sites and other Internet gambling sites is illegal in the United States. But from the prospective of the individual player, it is important to know that there are legal ways, and legal poker sites to sign up and play.
The poker sites recommended here on GamblingForUSAPlayers.com do no operate in the United States, but allow and encourage USA players to sign up, create and account, and play all of the different poker games available. Because they are offshore, that technically makes them legal because the government cannot reach these companies nor can it prosecute their players.
Bovada - Sunday $100K Guaranteed Tourney Every Week
Bovada's online poker room could be considered 'King of the Felt' when it comes to online poker sites for USA players. In other words, Bovada is one of the best online poker sites around that accepts players from the U.S. even though it does limit who is allowed to join. Bad news if you are a resident in the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Nevada as you will not be allowed to register. Depositing in those states isn't worth the headache and Bovada chooses not to accept those sign ups.
For those who are permitted to play, you will be playing with fifteen to twenty thousand other players during primetime hours, maybe even more. This site really benefited after PokerStars and the other big names in the industry went down in the U.S. With that said, Bovada picked up a lot of that traffic which really grew this poker room in so many ways.
It doesn't hurt that Bovada has a 100% deposit bonus good for up to $1,000 which is unlocked as hands are played. When it comes to depositing, Bovada has several options including VISA and wire transfers which make collecting this bonus extremely easy if you want it.
Beyond that, Bovada is extremely friendly to veterans and new players. They have several games including Hold'Em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud plus Hi/Lo variations of many. If you don't know how to play, this site provides tutorials to help players get started plus they have practice tables running 24/7.
SportsBetting - 15% Or 25% Bonuses For Life: $900
Some think this site is online about sports wagering and at first glance it would seem that way. However, Sportsbetting.ag, despite the name, specializes in all facets of online gambling for U.S.A. players and that includes online poker. Unlike some of it's counterparts, this poker room does not exclude anyone who wants to play as long as they are at least 18 years old.
If you meet that standard requirement, you are free to sign up and make deposits into the poker room to begin playing for real-money. You don't have to deposit but it is a requirement if you want to sit down at the cash tables. Sportsbetting.ag does feature freeroll tournament that do pay out but they are not cash; usually an entry into another tournament which could pay cash.
Overall, this is a solid poker room that runs reliable software. At most times of the day, there are between 6,000 to 10,000 people playing at the tables, in tournament or waiting for sit n go tourneys to start. This is thanks to the friendly deposit methods and wide selection of games, tables and stakes.
More Things Americans Need To Consider When Playing Online Poker
Poker Deposit Methods Used By USA Players
The ways to fund an online poker account is a very important part of the entire online gambling process. For players in the U.S., there are a few ways in which this can be done. Choosing the right deposit method is key because you don't want to get stuck with a dud that doesn't work anywhere. We recommend checking the deposit methods offered by a poker site before signing up, otherwise all you will be able to do is play for practice at the free tables.
Which deposit methods are accepted?
Credit cards, wire transfers, a limited number of electronic wallets, money orders, and prepaid cards are the most common ways for USA players to deposit.
Are all of these options offered at every online poker site?
No, but it is a good bet that a majority of them will be. Online poker sites offer several deposit methods, because they know that not every way will work the same for each player.
USA Poker Payout Methods
Withdrawing from an online poker account as a USA player is another important aspect when choosing which poker room to play at. In fact, to the player, this could very well be the most important aspect. No one wants to wait around forever to get paid and you definitely don't want to join a site that has a reputation of not paying it's players. Luckily, you can avoid all that here as we do not ever recommend those websites just for those very reasons. Furthermore, we like to stick to recommending those that have fast payout methods like the ones we talk more about below.
How Do Poker Sites Issue Payments?
The ways in which it can be done for USA players varies from site to site. The odds that you will find an option to receive a check in the mail are a very good bet though. This will be the most common payout method for a U.S. player. Other methods include a wire transfer methods like Western Union, Moneygram and other well know services.
From time to time, various E-Wallets will appear and be used for a while. When they are working, these are also an option for getting paid but is not recommended.
Deposit Bonuses For Online Poker Sites
If online casinos have the highest bonuses of online gambling, and online sportsbooks are typically on the low end, then consider deposit bonuses for online poker rooms middle ground. Online poker bonuses can reach up to the thousands of dollars but that isn't very common. Still, these still add great value and really give players something to shoot for. If you can deposit (which you were likely to do anyway) and have that amount potentially doubled, why wouldn't you want something like that?
How do rollovers work for poker bonuses?
This is something that is decided by the poker room. It all depends on their policy. Some award it all at first and then it must be played to be cashed out. Others leave it pending and then it is credited as real money to your account as you play real-money games in the site. Be sure to check each site for all the details as they will be able to tell you exactly how the bonus is structured.
Online Poker Games Available To American Players
There are a variety of online poker games that players will come across when at a poker room. Sure, there will certainly be Texas Hold'Em, the most popular of the lot. But there will also be other games, like Omaha, 7 Card Stud, and variations of all those games.
You should definitely look for a site with all of those because poker is so much more than two hole cards, a flop, turn and river. You should have a broad skill set to give you more chances to win when you get to that level where you are playing in the World Series of Poker... you never know.
