The easiest way to play poker is through a poker room. To find the best poker site for your games, you first need to know what kind of poker games you want to play online.
That’s because some players are turning to online poker sites to play the most competitive games out there. They want to be challenged and play with the best players in the world.
These are the pros looking for high-stakes games and top-notch poker software; others just want to enjoy fast and start poker games online.
Therefore, defining what the best online poker site is is a very subjective matter.
Top Poker Sites for Beginners
Since the word “beginner” can be a bit misleading, let’s clarify what kind of players are best suited to these poker websites.
You qualify as a beginner if you have never played online poker or if you have very limited experience with the game.
As a beginner, you’ll want to play online poker at sites where you’ll find:
-many Texas hold ‘em games.
-good recurring promotions for new and existing players.
-a soft field.
-a good range of low buy-in tournaments.
-a large number of online qualifiers to play expensive events for smaller buy-ins than usual.
-clear policy against the use of poker software and HUDs.
Some websites, such as Unibet Poker and Partypoker, have gone to great lengths to create an environment that is particularly favourable for recreational players and beginners.
Rather than focusing on the most expensive, high-stakes games or the most complicated variant of online poker, these sites created an online experience that seems perfect for beginners and those who want to play for fun.
Top Poker Sites for Experienced Players
These players seek sites with a different set of features compared to the previous ones, as they appreciate a different type of online poker experience.
For them, the best online poker sites are the ones that offer:
-a generous Rakeback or cashback program.
-a wide variety of poker games.
-high traffic on poker variants such as PLO.
-exportable hand history and other similar features.
-high stakes games and tournaments with a big guaranteed prize
Regulation
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a website to play online poker is whether or not the site is legal in your country.
Different countries regulate online poker in different ways for real money. As a result, not all sites are available to all players.
For example, players in the United States are still required to play only on free money poker sites unless they are doing so from one of the few states that have legalized online poker.
Likewise, different European countries have taken different approaches to legalize online poker. Therefore, online poker sites require numerous licenses to offer their services on an international level.
Bonuses
Another important factor to keep in mind when looking for a new website to play online poker games is the bonus you receive upon signing up.
Poker bonuses are particularly lucrative for new players as they offer extra cash to explore the games on a platform and see if your chosen poker site is exactly the best one for you.
Online poker sites offer different types of bonuses. These range from the traditional match bonus on your first deposit to the more rare (but always welcome) no deposit offers.
Poker Software
The quality of the poker software is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to consider when looking for the best online poker site.
Some poker clients, such as the one in use at PokerStars, may be feature-rich, but also slightly outdated in appearance.
Others, such as those from GGPoker and Partypoker, have a much more modern look and feel and come with exclusive extras that players love.
Nowadays, the ability of an online poker room to provide a great mobile experience is also of great importance. That’s why some websites are focusing more on their mobile product and working hard to create poker apps that are easy to use and super responsive at the same time.
Safety of Games in Poker Rooms
This is a common question asked by many players new to the internet poker world.
It is safe to play in poker rooms, as the sites we have listed have been in business for a number of years and have no incentive to keep a player’s money.
These sites generate millions of dollars in revenue every year, and they have a lot more to lose than they would make by taking someone’s money.
These sites all have complex ways of dealing the cards with random number generators, which helps keep the games fair for all players.
They have invested millions in both advertising and security because they want to encourage new players to sign up while protecting players’ funds and the integrity of internet poker games.
List of Famous Poker Rooms in the World
GGPoker
GGPoker is part of the GGnetwork, which stands for ‘good game network.’ The digital poker platform was founded in 2014 with a focus on the Southeast Asian and Chinese markets. The distinctive strength of GGnetwork is that the unique software package is integrated in ‘third-party’ poker rooms. This means that other operators are incorporated into the network.
For example, the largest poker room in Asia, Natural8, belongs to the GGnetwork. This company focuses on recreational players in Asia. And with that, the GGnetwork quickly had a pretty loyal fan base. In 2016 and 2017, the network spread its wings and obtained licenses in Curaçao, Poland, Germany and the United Kingdom, among others. GGPoker is the flagship of the network.
PokerStars
PokerStars was founded in 2001 and today has grown into one of the largest independent poker rooms on the Internet. They offer all popular variants of the poker game, including the HORSE variant.
PokerStars has a variety of limits and games available to suit every bankroll. The rake on the low limit games is capped at $1 and $3 for a higher limit and No Limit games.
PokerStars is now the largest online poker room. Player traffic is huge during peak hours, with more than 100,000 real money players. Also, off-peak, there is always a game variant to your taste. PokerStars is the first online poker room to have crossed the magical mark of 100,000 real money players simultaneously.
PartyPoker
PartyPoker is one of the largest poker rooms on the internet, so you don’t have to wait for a new table to open. Because the players are always present on the website in large numbers, you will have no problem playing any desired form of poker at any time.
The brand new Party Poker software, launched in September 2008, is very good. In addition to the usual Windows application, which is quick to download and easy to install, there is also the option of playing in a browser (Party Poker Anywhere)so that you can play anywhere without having to install any software on your PC.
You can choose how your poker room looks like. This is especially ideal for playing in several rooms at the same time. This way, you can easily adjust the size of screens to see multiple rooms at the same time.The Party Poker application is verified and tested by iTech Labs, an independent tester for poker and gambling software. You can rest assured that they have very high standards and that they do everything they can to keep the Party Poker environment free of hackers and cheaters.