Best Online Poker Site Reviews

Whilst other forms of online gambling existed before poker, it is easy to argue that Texas Holdem is the game that made the earliest and most significant impact on online gambling.

It wasn’t until 1998 that the first online cash game of poker was played. Since then we have seen its popularity sore and then dip with its zenith kicking in during the mid-2000s, when it became a multi-billion-dollar industry. This coincided with the increased coverage of the World Series of Poker, an event that was won in 2003 by Chris Moneymaker, who was the first non-professional winner of the tournament and qualified by winning an online competition with Pokerstars.

Online Poker has had its fair share of controversy over the years, with some of the big names in the business being issued huge fines back in 2011 on a day that has been christened Black Friday. There has also been an ongoing debate for years over the classification of poker was a form of gambling, with many arguing that, if anything, it is a game of skill more so than it is a game of chance.

Since 2011 the online poker industry has re-established its reputation and here at ThePogg we want to make life easy for everyone who wants to get involved. There are hundreds of sites offering various different forms of online poker. Some of those will see you face off against other players, priming your skills against real life opponents as you dip in and out of hands or take part in tournaments where a jackpot prize is up for grabs. There are also forms of video poker that you can play against the house instead.

Poker Sites Review

To help you out we provide extensive reviews of some sites offering poker by evaluating each of the following:

Licenses

This is the most important aspect of any reputable poker site. If they do not have a licence then nothing else matters. You need to know that the site you are spending your money in is a reputable one, one that is regulated and meets the standards we expect from all poker sites.

Trustworthiness

You need to know if the site you want to play at is one you can trust. We provide you with a score out of 10 that we determine based on the complaints we have or have not received about that site in the past.

Payout Speed

Few things are as frustrating as having to wait for money that you have earned at the poker table. We will assess how long each site takes to place winnings into accounts and will again rate that out of 10.

Customer Service

With so many sites out there to choose from, why go spend your money somewhere that you are not appreciated? Whilst we take the overall experience into consideration, we need to know that you are being listened to. For this reason we expect good customer service to begin with quick responses to emails that are sent.

Software

We also want you to enjoy the experience as you play and one of the ways poker sites can help with this is to use quality software. You wouldn’t want to play with stained cards on a frayed table and equally, when you play online you want the software to look good an operate smoothly.

A quick check of our poker site reviews section will provide you with a list of our recommend sites and any other site that you are considering playing at.

How Can I Find The Best Online Poker Sites

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on a variety of factors including your location, the type of poker you want to play and your budget. However, we have written a number of articles which should help you make an informed decision about where to play.

The first place to start is by looking at our list of the best online poker sites. Once you have narrowed down your choices, it is important to read our in-depth reviews of each site. Our reviews provide all the information you need to make an informed decision, including the licensing and regulation of the site, the trustworthiness of the site based on our complaints data, and the speed of payouts.

Different Types of Online Poker Games

There are a number of different types of online poker games available, including cash games, Sit and Go tournaments, and multi-table tournaments. Different sites offer different variations of these games, so it is important to do your research before signing up.

Cash Games

If you are new to online poker, we recommend starting with cash games. These are games where you play against other players, and the stakes are typically lower than in tournaments. This is a good way to learn the ropes and build your bankroll before moving on to higher-stakes games.

Online Poker Tournaments

If you are looking for a more competitive experience, then tournaments may be for you. These involve playing online poker against multiple opponents for a prize pool, with the winner taking home the lion’s share. Tournaments can be played in a variety of formats, including Sit and Go tournaments and multi-table tournaments.

Sit and Go Tournaments

Sit and Go tournaments are a type of tournament that starts as soon as the required number of players have registered. This makes them a good choice if you don’t want to wait around for a tournament to start.

Multi-Table Tournaments

Multi-table tournaments are the biggest and most exciting type of poker tournament. These tournaments involve players at multiple tables simultaneously, with the winner progressing to the next stage until there is only one player left. These tournaments typically have a much larger prize pool than Sit and Go tournaments.

How Much Money Do I Need to Play Online Poker?

One of the great things about online poker is that you can play for real money stakes regardless of how much money you have. This makes it a great option for players of all levels, from beginners to professional players.

Poker is a game that is rooted in skill. If you want to be good at the game - and have a full answer to this question - we would strongly recommend spending some time reading the wealth of great books that have been written on the game and that will cover bankroll management for different types/stakes of game.

Before you can start playing for real money, you will need to deposit some funds into your account. The minimum deposit amount varies from site to site.

How Fast Do Poker Sites Pay Out?

One of the most important factors when choosing an online poker site is the speed of payouts. You want to be sure that you will receive your winnings in a timely manner, so it is important to research this before signing up.

Payout speeds are detailed in each of oru reviews so that you can quickly and easily compare how fast you will receive your funds from the different.

Is Online Poker Popular?

Yes, online poker is incredibly popular, with millions of players around the world. This popularity has led to a number of different variants of the game being developed, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Stud.

Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold’em is the most popular variant of online poker, and is the game that is typically played in tournaments. It is a simple yet exciting game that can be learned in minutes.

Omaha

Omaha is a variation of Texas Hold’em that involves playing with four cards instead of two. This makes the game more complex, but also more exciting.

Stud

Stud is a variation of poker that is played with seven cards, instead of the five used in Texas Hold’em and Omaha. This makes the game more complex, and can take longer to learn.

Do I Need to Download Software to Play Online Poker?

No, you do not need to download any software in order to play online poker. All of the sites that we recommend offer a no-download version of their software, which can be accessed via your web browser. This means that you can play poker on any device, including your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone.

Are There Any Poker Sites For Beginners?

Yes, there are a number of poker sites that are specifically designed for beginners. These sites offer a wide variety of games and stakes, making them the perfect place to learn the ropes.

Is Online Poker Legal?

The legality of online gambling generally, and sometimes online poker specifically, vary from country to country and sometimes from state to state within a country. We try to provide some guidance on this site regarding the legal status in each jurisdiction, however the laws there are hundreds of jurisdictions, the legal landscape changes quickly and we are not lawyers. You should ensure to check with your local government to confirm whether online gambling is legal where you are.

The Various Games Online Poker Sites Offer

In addition to the popular variants of Texas Hold’em and Omaha, online poker sites also offer a variety of other games, including Stud, Razz and Draw. These games can be a great way to mix things up and can provide a new challenge for experienced players.

Free Poker vs Real Money Poker

One of the great things about online poker is that you can play for free, which allows you to hone your skills before playing for real money. This is a great option for beginners, who can learn the basics of the game without risking any of their own money.

However, you should be aware that when playing for free the players that you will face may not behave as a real money players would. As there is nothing being risked, free players will often be willing to 'wager' far more on a hand than their real money compatriots.

If you are looking to make some money, then playing for real money stakes is the way to go. The games can be much more exciting when you are playing for real money, and the prize pools can be much larger.

The Various Stakes Online Poker Sites Offer

Another great thing about online poker sites is that they offer a wide variety of stakes, making it suitable for players of all levels. You can find games that start as low as a few cents, while the high-stakes games can have pots worth thousands of dollars.

The Benefits of Playing Online Poker

There are a number of benefits to playing online poker, including:

• Wide variety of games and stakes
• No need to download software
• Play for free or for real money
• Legal in most countries
• 24/7 customer support
• Fast and easy payouts

History of Poker

Poker has a long history, with the first recorded game taking place in the 19th century. Since then, it has grown in popularity and is now one of the most popular card games in the country.

How does traffic affect poker rooms?

The traffic at a poker room is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a site. The more players that are online, the faster the action will be, the more tables wil be available and the more game options you will have to choose from.

What is rake?

Rake is the amount of money that the poker site takes from each pot. This is used to cover the costs of running the site, and is a standard feature at all poker rooms. The amount of rake varies from site to site.

Poker sites. Payment and withdrawal methods

All of the poker sites that we recommend offer a wide variety of payment and withdrawal methods, making it easy to get your money in and out. These methods may include debit and credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and cheques.

Are there any other benefits to playing online poker?

In addition to the benefits listed above, there are a number of other reasons why online poker is so popular. These include:

• The games are always available
• You can play from anywhere in the world
• There is a large community of players
• The stakes are suitable for all levels

How do I know if a poker room is safe?

As discussed elsewhere in this article the best step you can take to ensure you are playing with a safe poker room is to ensure that they hold a credible and respectable gambling license. Beyond this, looking at reviews of the poker room and reading any cmoplaint reports that you can locate to see how the poker room responds when a player complaints.

Can I play on my mobile?

Yes, most of the poker sites that we recommend offer a mobile app that you can download to your phone or tablet.

How to find the Best Online Poker Sites?

When looking for the best online poker sites, there are a number of factors to consider, including:

• The traffic at the site
• The variety of games and stakes offered
• The payment and withdrawal methods available
• The reputation of the site
• The security measures in place

Why play poker online?

There are a number of reasons why people choose to play poker online, including:

• The convenience - you can play from anywhere in the world
• The large community of players
• The variety of games and stakes available
• The security and safety of the site

Live poker vs online poker

There are a number of differences between live and online poker, including:

• The speed of the game - online poker is much faster than live poker
• The amount of money you can win - the top online players can win millions, while the biggest prize in live poker is usually around $1 million
• The ability to multi-table - in online poker you can play at multiple tables simultaneously, while in live poker you can only play at one table

Which is better?

There is no right or wrong answer - both live and online poker have their pros and cons. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which format you prefer.

FAQ

What is the most trusted poker site?

The most trusted poker site is the one that has been tested and approved by our team of experts. We only recommend sites that offer a high level of security and have a good reputation.

Can poker sites be rigged?

Yes. There have been a number of high profile cases of rigged poker rooms. However, these have involved poorly licensed, or unlicensed poker rooms.

Are online poker sites safe?

This depends on which poker room you choose to play with. Make sure you only play with poker rooms who hold credible licenses. We look to ensure that any poker room we recommend is one that should be safe for players.

Which online poker site is the best for real money?

The best online poker site for real money is the one that offers the best games and stakes, and has a good reputation. All of the sites that we recommend offer a wide variety of games and stakes, and have a good reputation.