How to Choose the Right Online Poker Room For You
Online poker bonuses work whenever you make a deposit (although some sites operate smaller, no-deposit bonuses). They are good ways of enticing new players to a site with the temptation of lovely, free cash, or to keep hold of regular customers. For the player, online poker bonuses can help to bulk up their bankroll.
Today's poker players are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting a online poker room to play at thanks to there being dozens of major sites offering online poker services to them. Sometimes, too much choice can make the selection process stressful, so here at PokerNews we've created a ranking system for what we believe are the best online poker rooms in business today.
PokerNews' Online Poker Room Rankings
The team at PokerNews are not only experts in all areas of poker, we also love this fantastic game and are avid online poker players ourselves. This means that we are committed to providing an accurate ranking system that helps you, our loyal readers, to choose a poker room that is going to provide you with endless entertainment and a first class experience every time you sit down to play poker.
When one of our team is tasked with writing a review of an online poker room, they go to great lengths to ensure the review is accurate, fair and a true representation of what you will experience if you choose to give your business to that particular poker room.
To do this, the reviewer looks at several key areas – detailed below – and puts the software through its paces so you know what to expect when you come to create your account at the site in question. In short, we do all of the groundwork and research so you do not have to.
Which Are The Best Online Poker Rooms?
One of the most common questions asked by poker players is which are the best online poker rooms. The answer to this question, like most poker-related inquiries, is it depends.
As the saying goes “one man's meat is another man's poison,” meaning that what one person finds ideal for an online poker room may not be what someone else is looking for. Cash game players have different needs than multi-table tournament specialists, while low-stakes grinders look at a site differently to high-volume high-stakes players.
Thankfully, regardless of what games you play and what stakes you currently compete it, PokerNews' online poker room rankings and reviews give you an insight into what to expect from each poker room listed; both the positive and negative qualities are there for all to see.
How Does PokerNews Rank Online Poker Sites?
Our team members examine each of the online poker rooms in great detail before publishing their findings on the PokerNews site. As you will see from the reviews, we give a brief description of the poker room, list several pros and cons and reveal who the poker room's owner is, where its headquarters are, who provides the online poker room with its software and, if known, where the game servers are located.
From there, we take a look at bonuses and loyalty schemes offered by each poker room, examine where most of the site's traffic is concentrated, detail any notable software features that allow the site to stand out from other poker rooms, list the deposit and withdrawal methods, before highlighting the all-important customer support channels.
If a site has plentiful traffic across all games and formats they will rank higher than online poker rooms that are less busy. Likewise, should a poker room offer generous sign-up bonuses or run regular value-packed promotions it will rank higher than one where these offers are scant.
By looking at these key areas, you know what to expect (and what not to expect) before you sign up to a poker room, which means you can concentrate solely on playing poker and enjoying yourself.
What Should I Look For In An Online Poker Room?
It is all well and good having the PokerNews reviews at hand, but what should you be looking for other than glowing references from our team of experts? Here are some key areas that you should be looking for in an online poker room.
Bonuses and Loyalty Scheme
Every online poker room offers new customers a bonus when they sign up for an account with them. The size of the bonus and the conditions of its release vary wildly from each poker room, but most require you to make an initial deposit and will gift you a bonus based on the size of that deposit.
An increasing number of online poker rooms offer a no-deposit bonus so you can test the software for yourself without the need to risk any of your own bonus. The main downside to these types of bonuses is they are always much smaller than a typical welcome, sign-up or first deposit bonus.
Once you have signed up to a poker room, it will want to retain your business and one way to do this is via a loyalty of VIP scheme. Again, like bonuses, these scheme vary from site-to-site so finding one that suits how much poker you play is key. Some VIP schemes look amazing at first glance, often offering huge prizes for reaching the top levels, but if the stakes and volume that you play makes reaching those dizzy heights impossible they may as well be offering you the moon.
Security
For a poker room to even be considered for review at PokerNews we ensure that it has received official certification from an authorized online gaming regulatory body in regards to its random number generator and in its encryption methods.
Thankfully, these days, the best online poker sites are bound by strict terms of its license and security is taken very seriously.
Traffic and Games Offered
If you prefer to play mid-stakes pot-limit Omaha high/low there is no point signing up with a poker room that does not spread these games. Short-handed no limit hold'em cash games are by far the most popular format offered by online poker rooms today, yet some sites enjoy plenty of traffic in other games while some offer specialist games rarely found in the online poker world.
Software Features and Functionality
Even if a poker room ticks all of the above boxes, you may not want to play there if its software is not up to scratch. Software of the major online poker rooms has massively improved in recent years and even some of the smaller poker rooms have excellent software.
Look at the features offered by a poker room such as auto top-up, preferred seating, automatic rebuys and anything that you prefer to have available to you and see if is available on your chosen site. Chances are, if it is listed among our best online poker rooms, the features you require will be present.
My three main criteria for choosing a great poker site are:
- Great new player bonus
- Easy winnings
- Trustworthy site
Therefore, I have spent a ridiculous amount of hours researching and playing real money poker on some of the best online poker sites (and worst).
So, here you go, my always updated, top list of the absolute best online poker sites, in my honest opinion.
top 6 Best Poker Sites in 2019: Quick Links
1. 888 Poker: My favorite poker site
888 Poker is one of the big players in the online poker world.
They have been around for almost 20 years which gives them a stellar trust in my book.
888 Poker is especially suitable for new and amateur players.
Why?
Firstly, because they offer a no deposit bonus of up to $88 – this is unmatched in the industry. T&Cs apply.
Secondly, since they have a reputation for attracting just new and amateur players, it is easier not to lose your money, but rather win some while playing on 888 Poker. Which I proved in my case study of 20,556 micro cash games, read on.
888 Poker will offer you state of the art gameplay on practically any device you want to play on (PC, MAC, Android, iPhone, etc.).
The main drawback of 888 Poker is that they are quite strict on which players that are allowed to play. US players are for example not allowed, but for you guys, we have Americas Cardroom.
It is also very possible to make good money with 888 Poker. Here are my results from 20,556 micro cash games, which turned my initial deposit of $50 into $343,28.
You can now read my in-depth full review of 888 Poker or jump right into the action yourself.
PLAY NOW2. Americas Cardroom: Best USA poker site
Americas Cardroom is one heck of a cool poker site.
Best Poker Sites No Deposit Bonus Codes
I will tell you why:
This poker site accepts US players playing poker with real money. And, if you are not a USA player, there is nothing to worry about. Americas Cardroom is open for players all over the world with no restrictions.
It has one of the absolute best first deposit bonus systems I’ve ever seen.
You will receive $2 to $6 free real money cash EVERY DAY for 20 consecutive days.
This means that even if you lose all your money the first day, you will receive a steady stream of real money for the next 20 days.
If you enjoy playing on your mobile device, you have great options, on both Android and iPhone.
I would say that for new players who can take advantage of the incredibly generous bonus, this is site is your best option.
For more information and thoughts about Americas Cardroom check out my in-depth review or go crazy and play there right now.
PLAY NOW3. Pokerstars: The biggest of all poker sites
PokerStars is the biggest online poker site.
That sentence alone should tell you that it is hard to go wrong with PokerStars.
At PokerStars, you get the full package, playable on any device, tons of tournaments and an excellent first deposit bonus.
With their bonus system, you will be bombarded with tickets and free cash for your first six days after making a deposit.
PokerStars arrange some of the biggest poker tournament.
And, often joined by one of the many poker professionals sponsored by PokerStars.
If you need to up your game they have beginner tutorials and lots of other information on their website.
As stated in the beginning, being the biggest poker site they know what they are doing. And, you will notice it.
I made a case of showing if it is possible to make money on PokerStars in 2018. Here are my results from 20,792 cash games which turned my $50 into $417,02.
You can now read my full review of PokerStars or start your journey on PokerStars right away.
PLAY NOW4. Bet365: Great bonus
bet365 is not the largest poker site, but the largest gambling company in the world.
Like many other major gambling companies, they were founded around the year 2000.
With bet365 you can feel safe, they won’t suddenly disappear along with your money.
As a new player, you will receive a decent welcome package upon your first deposit.
The welcome package includes some very lovely tournament tickets, which you can use immediately.
With these tickets, you have the chance to win some real money and entries to bigger tournaments.
The desktop client is well thought out and works smooth. However, the real fun starts with their mobile app which is nothing but outstanding.
I found myself playing a lot more on the Android app than on my PC.
Finding any major drawbacks with bet365 poker is hard.
I made a case of showing if it is possible to make money on Bet365 in 2018. Here are my results from 17,038 cash games which turned my $50 into $245,69.
If you want more information about bet365, please go ahead and read my full review or proceed to play there right now.
PLAY NOW5. 32Red: The hidden gem among all poker sites
32Red is a well-known player in the poker industry being around since 2003.
They are not the most significant poker room out there but does a great job with what they have.
Their first deposit bonus system is a little bit different then what we are used to.
Regardless of what amount you deposit you have the chance to earn up to $1000.
The bonus payout is solely based on the amount of RedBacks you earn.
This gives experienced and good players quite an opportunity to earn some extra cash.
Unfortunately, you can only play at 32Red using their PC desktop client.
This is quite annoying since I love to play on my phone. But, if you are okay with just PC play, then you will do fine.
Head over and read the full review or proceed to play there right now.
PLAY NOW6. BetClic: Easy money
BetClic has roots all the way back to 2005, originally from France.
Their poker client uses the iPoker software and network, which ensures a decent amount of players to play against.
After you have registered and shoved in your first deposit, you will receive a bunch of tournament tickets valued at €10.
These tickets are in addition to the generous 200% up to €750 match bonus.
Altogether, Betclic offers a decent bonus package.
Unfortunately, they only offer gameplay from their PC client.
Overall, Betclic is nice and all, but there is nothing that truly stands out.
You should give them a try, utilize the bonus package, and if you are not winning, move on to another poker site.
In my case study of playing 16,697 micro cash games, I turned $50 into $274,21.
Get the whole picture of Betclic in my in-depth review or dive right into the action and play now.
PLAY NOW