Best Poker Apps for Real Money in September 2024

Filip Jovchevski

Poker Expert

Updated: 28 August 2024

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Take a look at this year’s top real money poker apps. Our US team of reviewers thoroughly investigated 37+ different sites to pinpoint the very best, so you can be rest assured every app mentioned here has been hand-picked by the experts.

Each poker app for real money was carefully analyzed using strict categories, including tournament and cash games variety, poker rooms, rakeback deals, promotions, and security. On this page, you’ll find a full breakdown of today’s best poker apps. We list key pros and cons for each and outline all you need to know about how to use poker apps for real money safely.

List of The Top Poker Apps for Real Money

• All

CoinPoker	150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000	150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 33% Weekly Rakeback Anonymous, Instant Withdrawals Crypto Poker No Payment Fees 150% Deposit Match Offer	10 CoinPoker	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Ignition	100% Poker & 100% Casino Mixed Funds Bonus	100% Poker & 100% Casino Mixed Funds Bonus Quick seating on poker tables Complete poker hand history - up to 24 hrs Tournaments with up to $200K in prizes	9.5 Ignition	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
ACR Poker	100% up to $2,000 Welcome Bonus	100% up to $2,000 Welcome Bonus $2000 in Welcome Bonus cash Super-Fast withdrawals Secure US platform since 2001	9.6 ACR Poker	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Black Chip Poker	$2000 Poker Welcome Offer	$2000 Poker Welcome Offer $2000 in Bonus Cash for Newcomers Varied selection of tournaments Top variety in Texas Hold'em and Omaha	9.4 Black Chip Poker	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetOnline	100% up to $1,000 Sign-up Bonus	100% up to $1,000 Sign-up Bonus Exclusive poker jackpot surpassing $30,000 Progressive Bounty and Sunday Major tournaments Modern client with excellent visuals and features	9.8 BetOnline	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Bovada	100% Bonus up to $500	100% Bonus up to $500 Zone Poker and anonymous tables User-friendly and intuitive poker client $2 million prizes through weekly poker tournaments	9.7 Bovada	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Ya Poker	100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer	100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer Impressive welcome offer Easy to use poker client Top variety in cash games and tournaments	8.4 Ya Poker	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
SportsBetting	100% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus	100% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus	7.8 SportsBetting	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED

How We Rate the Best Poker Apps

Below are the full selection criteria our team uses when investigating real money poker app categories. Our process includes:

Mobile App and Software Performance

It’s no secret how many poker players like to enjoy the game when on-the-go at the best online poker sites. This is why we heavily prioritize mobile poker app performance across a range of devices. We play in each available poker room and investigate app download and loading speeds, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to performance.

We check the performance usability when playing poker, and outside the poker rooms as well. Meaning, we make sure you can easily access the app’s cashier for real money transactions, customer support for quick live chat assistance, and account settings for quickly amending any details.

Poker Rooms and Game Variety

Our team doesn’t underestimate the importance of poker game variety. We want all poker apps for real money we recommend to replicate what playing in a real casino would feel like – and this means plenty of poker rooms to try. However, we always balance our analysis with quality. We look for cash games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Pot Limit, and 7 Card Stud.

Beyond that, we analyze the tournament selection and look for real money poker apps with weekly guaranteed prize pools, regularly hosting tournaments such as Sit and Go, Freezeout, and Knockout.  What’s more, we ensure that there is a decent availability of Freeroll tournaments as well, ensuring that players can try and win real money prizes with no entry fee, acting as de facto no deposit bonuses on the poker app.

Player Count

Due to the popularity of poker, the demand for poker apps has also increased. This means that real money poker rooms and tournaments often experience high traffic, which is what our team always looks out for. We analyze the player traffic by going through the player count in poker rooms and tournaments at various times of each, every day of the week.

That’s why our analysis takes at least 2 weeks for each poker app, making sure we have objective data at hand in order to provide realistic reviews of each real money poker app.

Public Feedback

Whether via Trustpilot, Quora, Reddit, or dedicated poker forums, we meticulously go through player reviews. Our team does this to not only establish which are the best poker apps with the highest ratings, but also to fact check and make sure all information we report represents accurate user experiences.

We also check for the poker app reviews on the Google Play Store and App Store – whenever available. Though, many of the best real money poker apps are not available on these stores because of real money gambling app restrictions imposed by Apple and Google.

Licensing and Regulation

Applicable to all forms of real money gambling, secure licensing and regulations are crucial; all of the best poker apps for real money will display proof of a reputable license. This means you can be rest assured that any information you provide will be kept safe via SSL encryption technology.

Beyond that, you can be sure that licensing real money poker apps offer top-tier financial security and adhere to strict fair play measures imposed by the regulatory authority. These poker apps are also regularly audited and monitored to ensure proper adherence to all guidelines and regulations imposed by its licensing body.

Bonuses and Promotions

Whether offering a range of freeroll tournaments or enhanced rakebacks, our team always put time into investigating online poker app bonuses and promotions. And this extends further than welcome bonuses, too. We understand the importance of rewarding loyal players in addition to new members, meaning our team prioritizes loyalty and ongoing promotions when rating mobile poker apps.

We don’t just look at bonus amounts, too. We take a deep dive into each bonus offer and analyze the bonus terms. We make sure that each bonus can be realistically wagered and doesn’t have too many restrictions imposed on it, making it impossible to withdraw your bonus cash.

Security and Fair Play

As well as providing peace of mind that all personal information is kept secure, today’s best poker apps will offer a variety of responsible real money gambling measures too. Our team strives to find apps that offer a range of self control tools, such as setting deposit and withdrawal limits. Or, the option to temporarily or permanently suspend your account if you feel it’s necessary.

Withdrawal Speed

As with virtually all casino-related cash games, withdrawal speed will depend on your chosen payment method. So, our team always looks for timeframes that are clearly explained in order to manage expectations – as well as reliable communication during the real money poker app withdrawal process.

Best Real Money Poker Apps

Here are our team’s top picks for today’s best mobile poker apps. You’ll find pros and cons for each, along with key details to be aware of before making your choice and downloading.

1. CoinPoker – The Best Poker App on the Blockchain, Decentralized with Instant Withdrawals

Great for crypto enthusiasts and featuring one of the best user-friendly interfaces we’ve seen, CoinPoker is without doubt one of the best poker apps on the market. The entire app is slick and simple to navigate, with secure blockchain technology that handles all deposits and withdrawals.

Due to being a crypto-only platform, withdrawal speeds are notoriously fast at CoinPoker. Our team never had to wait longer than 48 hours for payouts to be processed, with many processing instantly. We were also particularly impressed with the bonuses available here, with a standout welcome promotion of a $150 deposit bonus up to $2,000. And, for players with a CHP balance, they will receive a 33% rakeback.

Talking of promotions, one of CoinPoker’s most popular is their Bad Beat Jackpot. This jackpot is triggered whenever a hand that’s considered ‘good’ is beaten by a more impressive one. 2.5% of the entire rake amount generated by all tables is put towards the growing jackpot, meaning this bonus has huge potential to accumulate.

However, while we found the simple nature of the platform appealing, some players who prefer a more dynamic online poker app may feel somewhat underwhelmed. But, when taking into account the variety of unique features including customizable tables and hand replayers (as well as multiple freerolls ideal for newcomers to the poker scene), CoinPoker is still a huge competitor in our team’s overall rankings.

CoinPoker App Ratings:

• App Usability: 9/10
• Player Liquidity: 8/10
• Poker Games: 9/10
• Bonuses and Promotions: 9/10
• Tournaments: 8.5/10
• Payout Speed: 9/10
• Support Quality: 9/10

2. BetOnline.ag – The Best Poker App for US Players

Hailed as one of the most well-known names on the US real money gambling scene, BetOnline is recognized and trusted by many players. This casino was originally established back in 1991 and, with the addition of dedicated poker rooms in 2012, this gave users another huge selling point to join.

Due to the impressive amount of time BetOnline has been operating, it has gained significant trust amongst the online gambling community – and this extends to its dedicated poker app. Our team was especially impressed with the quality the app delivers, almost exactly replicating the experience a player would get when using a desktop. Cutting-edge technology is what makes BetOnline one of the best poker apps currently on the market, as well as a range of premium features and promotions.

For example, all new poker players will receive a 100% match bonus up to $1000 and free tournaments entry that’s valid for the first 8 days of membership. Like many real money poker apps our team investigated, BetOnline also features a Bad Beat Bonus. The accumulated jackpot is released when a Four of a Kind is beaten, with players receiving a designated amount. The player with the ‘Bad Beat’ will receive 20% of the jackpot, with 15% going to the hand’s winner and 5% to other players present at the table.

Join BetOnline and download the app, and you’ll have access to a range of other benefits including a weekly boost leaderboard, reload bonuses, mystery boxes and a rake contribution system. Frequent rake contributions generate points that can be used to earn weekly prizes and rewards – with values reaching up to an impressive $500.

It’s clear to see why BetOnline has been able to maintain such a strong and trusted reputation over the years. The mobile poker app continues this success, making it a firm favorite among the team.

BetOnline.ag App Ratings:

• App Usability: 8.5/10
• Player Liquidity: 9/10
• Poker Games: 9/10
• Bonuses and Promotions: 9/10
• Tournaments: 8/10
• Payout Speed: 8/10
• Support Quality: 9/10

3. Bovada – The Most Trusted Real Money Poker App

While Bovada is perhaps most well-known as an online casino and sportsbook, its exclusive real money poker app attracts a wide range of US-based players. These include many existing members who enjoy classic casino table games and sports betting, making Bovada a notoriously ‘soft’ site due to the type of players often seen here.

New players will receive a generous welcome bonus of a 100% match up to $500 – simply use the code PWB500 when making your first deposit after creating an account. However, while still an impressive offer that’s sure to satisfy most new players, this isn’t the most generous welcome bonus we’ve seen from the poker apps we’ve investigated. But, when taking into account all of Bovada’s other standout features, it certainly evens out.

Bovada features a pretty standard volume of traffic with over 2,000 players on average. Navigate your way around the simple, hassle-free interface, and you’ll find a wide range of cash games including traditional no-limit Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi/Lo. And, for players who don’t want to waste any time, Bovada’s fast-fold online poker app zone is a great alternative to more drawn-out games. Fast-fold entry starts at just a $5 stake.

Real money tournaments are also a key feature here. Regular scheduled tournaments range from just $1 to $300, with a ‘millionaire’ tournament held each month.

Bovada App Ratings:

• App Usability: 9/10
• Player Liquidity: 8/10
• Poker Games: 9/10
• Bonuses and Promotions: 7/10
• Tournaments: 9.5/10
• Payout Speed: 8/10
• Support Quality: 8.5/10

4. Ignition – The Best European Poker App

In terms of traffic, Ignition is one of the largest real money poker apps for US players. You’ll find a huge range of poker games (including free tournaments), with some of the fastest withdrawal speeds our team has experienced.

Sign up, and you’ll be greeted by a very impressive welcome promotion offering a 150% match bonus up to $1,500. However, it’s important to be aware that this bonus value is only valid if you make a deposit using cryptocurrencies. If you use a more traditional method like a credit or debit card, the value only extends up to $1000. Even with this in mind, it’s still a very generous bonus worth signing up for.

Ignition’s bonuses certainly don’t stop there. At the game tables, a Royal Flush will generate a bonus worth 50x the big blind value, with both hole cards being required to qualify. You’ll also find a Bad Beat bonus and weekly $2500 freerolls, in addition to a unique refer-a-friend scheme. If you refer Ignition to a friend and they successfully sign up at this best online poker app, you’ll receive a 200% match bonus of their first deposit – with the maximum amount being $100. This is a rare feature not often seen throughout real money poker apps, so our team was particularly impressed by it.

Whether real money tournaments or cash games are your thing, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that suits your tastes at Ignition. Ignition also features anonymous cash games that distinguish players purely based on their seat number, with no player names displayed.

Ignition App Ratings:

• App Usability: 9/10
• Player Liquidity: 9/10
• Poker Games: 8/10
• Bonuses and Promotions: 9.5/10
• Tournaments: 9/10
• Payout Speed: 7/10
• Support Quality: 9.5/10

5. ACR Poker – The Best American Poker App for Real Money

ACR Poker is well-known as one of the best online poker app platforms, part of the Winning Poker Network, is not only a leading online poker site but also a great online poker app to play on the go. The app is designed to offer a seamless poker experience, with all the features of the desktop version in a smaller, more user-friendly package.

Player security and fairness are the top priorities at ACR Poker, so if you want to play poker and make money from online gambling on mobile, then ACR is a good choice.

The ACR Poker app is available for both iOS and Android devices and has a clean and simple interface to navigate through all the game options. Players can access cash games, tournaments and sit & go’s directly from their mobile device. The app also supports multi-tabling, so you can play in multiple games at once with no lag.

ACR Poker’s mobile app has a great selection of poker games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud. The app also has Sit & Go’s, Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT’s) and Jackpot Poker. Regularly scheduled events and series like the Venom and the OSS Cub3d are also available on the app so you never miss out on the big tournaments.

New players on the ACR Poker app can get a big welcome bonus, 100% up to $2,000 on their first deposit. The app has reload bonuses, freerolls and leaderboard competitions. A loyalty program rewards frequent players with cashback and more. Here are the pros:

• High-traffic poker app with quality cash games
• Lots of tournaments and cash games
• Big welcome bonus and promotions
• Multi-tabling on the app

Cons:

• Fewer ongoing promotions than competitors

6. Black Chip Poker – The Best Poker App for Tournaments

Another Winning Poker Network site, Black Chip Poker is great for mobile poker with their online poker app. The Black Chip Poker app is for players of all skill levels and features cash games, tournaments, and special events. The app is lightweight, and the software is reliable, so it’s a favorite among mobile players.

Available for iOS and Android, the Black Chip Poker app has a clean interface that allows users to navigate through all the game options. The app supports multi-tabling, so you can play multiple cash games simultaneously. It also has quick seat options, customizable table settings, and real-time hand history to improve the mobile poker experience.

Black Chip Poker’s app has a wide selection of poker games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Stud. The app is famous for its tournament options with Sit & Go’s to big Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT’s). You can also play jackpot poker games and special events directly from your mobile device.

New Black Chip Poker app players can get a big welcome bonus of 100% up to $2,000 on their first deposit. The app has reload bonuses, freerolls and leaderboard competitions. A loyalty program rewards frequent players with cashback and more. Here are the pros:

• Lots of poker games and cash games
• Multi-tabling on the app
• Big welcome bonus and promotions
• User friendly

Cons:

• Some regions are restricted
• Slightly outdated web design

7. Ya Poker – Best South American Poker App

Ya Poker isn’t yet known as the best online poker app, but it’s part of the Winning Poker Network, and it’s great for online poker on the go with their versatile online poker app. The app has all the features of the desktop version in a clean and mobile-friendly format, so you can play poker anywhere. Ya Poker is focused on security and fair play so it’s a great option for mobile poker.

The Ya Poker app is available for iOS and Android and has a clean interface. It has cash games, sit & go’s and tournaments all accessible in a few taps. The app supports multi-tabling and has quick access to hand history and game stats, giving you all the tools you need for a great gaming experience.

On the Ya Poker app, you can play Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The app has Sit & Go’s, Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT’s) and special event tournaments. Regularly scheduled series and big prize pool events so it’s great for tournament players.

New players on the Ya Poker app can get a welcome bonus, 100% up to $1,000 on their first deposit. The app has reload bonuses, freerolls and leaderboards. The loyalty program rewards frequent players with points that can be redeemed for cash and more.

Pros:

• User-friendly mobile app with lots of games
• Multi-tabling feature for simultaneous play
• Big welcome bonus and promotions
• Big prize pool tournaments

Cons:

• Some countries restricted
• Limited games compared to desktop

8. Sportsbetting.ag Poker – Most Diverse Real Money Poker App

Sportsbetting.ag Poker has a full sportsbook and poker platform all in one app. The app is seamlessly switches between sports betting and poker, so you have a versatile and convenient gaming experience. Sportsbetting.ag Poker is focused on security and fair play, so it’s a great option for mobile poker.

The Sportsbetting.ag Poker app is available for iOS and Android. It has a clean interface to switch between sportsbetting and poker games. The app supports multi-tabling, quick seat options and customizable table settings so you have a personalized poker experience on the go.

The app has Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud. Players can play Sit & Go’s, Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT’s) and special event tournaments. The app has regular series and big prize pool events so it’s ideal for tournament players.

New players on the Sportsbetting.ag Poker app get a welcome bonus, 100% up to $1,000 on their first deposit. The app has reload bonuses, freerolls and leaderboards. A loyalty program with cashback and more for frequent players.

Pros:

• Sports betting and poker for real money integrated
• Wide variety of poker games and cash games
• Big welcome bonus and promotions
• User-friendly app

Cons:

• Some countries restricted
• Occasional connectivity issues

How to Choose The Best Poker Apps

Due to the sheer volume of mobile poker apps out there, knowing how to rate the best one for your preferences is key. Here are the top 5 features to look out for when choosing which poker app for real money to use: 

• User-Friendly Lobby

Regardless of whether it’s a poker app or other real money gambling platform, having a user-friendly and intuitive lobby is crucial for a positive gaming experience. Poker app lobbies must be easy to navigate across multiple devices, with clear categories for browsing. This will ensure you don’t waste any time struggling to find your way around.

The best poker app lobbies should also provide inspiration for new tables and tournaments to join. You can quickly view all your options, with all criteria and specifications outlined for you to make an informed decision of what to play. 

• Variety of Online Poker Cash Games

While classic options such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha are undoubtedly highly sought-after, the best poker apps for real money will offer a huge variety for catering to an array of tastes. From Hi-Lo to Seven-Card Stud to Badugi, you should be able to find something that grabs you. If you’re struggling to find a tournament or table that entices you to join, that’s a clear sign that you’re not using one of the best real money poker apps on the market.

The good news is that you should be able to view all game types before committing to sign up. Make sure to explore all possible options before creating an account, to avoid disappointment later down the line. 

• Generous Bonuses and Promotions

In today’s competitive online poker market, basic match welcome bonuses simply don’t stand out anymore. Players are more demanding than ever in terms of what they expect their chosen poker app to deliver, meaning all of the best options should offer a wide variety of bonuses and promotions.

This should extend beyond a welcome bonus, too. While welcome bonuses do a great job in attracting new players, those players aren’t likely to stick around long-term if no other promotions are on the table. Free tournaments, further match bonuses and high rakebacks are popular, so be sure to look out for them once you’ve chosen your online poker app. 

• High Traffic

Competitive poker for real money wouldn’t exist if there were no players to compete against. This makes a high volume of players an essential component of today’s best poker apps, with broad networks and high liquidity being top traits you’d expect to see from today’s best names.

In fact, some poker sites work in collaboration with others to combine their player pools. This instantly boosts the volume of players you have access to play against, increasing the chances of a populated table every time – no matter which game type you choose. 

• Flexible and Secure Payments

From cryptocurrencies to more traditional payment methods like bank transfers and debit cards, everyone has a preference for which method they prefer to use. As such, having a wide variety of secure and flexible payment types couldn’t be more important to meet player expectations.

This also extends to deposit and withdrawal speeds. Today’s top poker app for real money will process deposits immediately, giving you instant access to play with the funds you’ve deposited. Withdrawal speeds will inevitably vary depending on which method you choose, but efficiency and clear communication are key components of a smooth payout experience.

Types of Real Money Poker Apps

You’ll find poker apps available across different platforms, working well for mobile phones, tablets, laptop, and desktop devices.

Android Poker Apps

With Android now having more US market share than iPhone, real money poker apps must be available for download on Android devices to be considered widely accessible. The best apps must perform well on both smartphones and tablets, with graphics able to adjust dependent on screen size and resolution.

It should come as no surprise that every poker app for real money listed on this page are compatible with Android devices. Our team was consistently impressed with their performance and didn’t experience any lagging or issues with game quality.

Top Poker Apps for Android

Our top-ranked poker apps for Android devices are:

• CoinPoker
• Juicy Stakes
• Ignition

iPhone Poker Apps

As arguably the most recognizable smartphone in the world, millions of US players own an iPhone. This makes it a must-have option for any mobile poker apps, as it would alienate a huge amount of players if they weren’t iPhone-compatible.

Top Poker Apps for iPhone

Our top-ranked poker apps for iPhones are:

• CoinPoker
• Bovada
• Juicy Stakes

Windows Poker Apps

As the biggest operating system throughout the US, Windows is a real powerhouse. This means it’s hugely important for the best real money poker apps to be accessible on this platform, giving players the flexibility they need to play on whichever Windows device they choose.

Top Poker Apps for Windows

The best poker apps for Windows are:

• Everygame
• Ignition
• CoinPoker

Mac Poker Apps

While still not quite as popular as Windows, the Mac iOS operating system still features heavily amongst US mobile devices. Luckily, all of the poker apps listed on this page are compatible with this platform, having been heavily tried and tested by our team across a range of devices.

Top Poker Apps for Mac

The best poker apps for Windows are:

• CoinPoker
• Ignition
• BetOnline

Poker Apps vs Mobile Websites

Today’s best poker apps will offer a dedicated native app available for download. This allows you to download everything you need directly to your device, and won’t have to rely on your mobile browser to join your favorite poker tournaments. This is incredibly useful as some poker sites simply aren’t optimized for mobile browsers, meaning you’ll be sacrificing a high degree of quality without an app ready and waiting to download.

However, while many native real money poker apps are available and offer premium quality, there are some top poker sites that still don’t offer a downloadable app. But, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re guaranteed to have a bad gaming experience if you don’t have access to a desktop computer. In fact, some players prefer to use their mobile browser over native apps.

Firstly, downloading an app takes time. And with many of today’s best poker apps displaying cutting-edge features and everything you’d expect to get from a desktop, this can often be a lengthy process. Not to mention requiring sustained and reliable Wi-Fi for the entirety of the download, and any future app updates.

Secondly, due to the complexity of app design, you may find some features from your desktop are missing. Whether specific poker rooms or game types, playing via an app could mean limited options. However, this certainly isn’t always the case, with today’s best poker apps maintaining the exact same level of variety, quality and performance you’d get from a desktop; it’s all about finding these apps, which is exactly what our team has done.

So, while there are certainly still pros to accessing your favorite poker platform via your mobile browser, a downloadable native app is likely to deliver a better quality experience overall.

How to Download and Play Poker Apps

Once you’ve chosen your app, it’s time to download and get playing! Here are the key steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Find the correct app: Via Google Play Store or iOS’s App Store (or other option compatible with your specific device), make sure to locate the correct poker app. Check user reviews to ensure it’s the real deal, and press the ‘download’ or ‘install’ button.
2. Launch the software: The time it takes for your app to download can considerably vary and depend on the strength of your Wi-Fi connection. Once the app has been successfully downloaded, find it within your device and launch it.
3. Login to your account: The first prompt you’ll likely see from your poker app is instructions to login to your current account – or create a new one if you’re yet to sign up. Select the option you need, and follow the on-screen instructions. If logging in, simply enter your details (usually your email username and password) and you’ll be taken straight through to your account.
4. Or create an account: If this is a brand-new poker platform you’re still yet to join, you won’t be able to login immediately – you’ll have to create a new account from scratch. Fill in all required details and wait for your account to be approved.
5. Start playing: Once you’ve successfully logged in (or signed up), you’re ready to play! Take some time to explore the app and get familiar with using it first, then make your deposit.

The Best Free Poker Apps

It’s a common misconception that real money poker apps aren’t free to download. But that is simply not the case. All poker apps that allow you to win real money are downloadable for free, with a huge range of free features for you to enjoy – many of which are available on the top-ranked apps listed on this page, including CoinPoker, Ignition and Bovada.

These free features often come in the form of freerolls, other free tournaments, free play bonuses and monetary incentives if you recommend friends to also join. These perks enable you to enjoy various aspects of the poker app without depositing any of your own money. This is especially useful for newcomers to the online poker scene, who may want to test the waters first before committing.

Many of the best mobile poker apps also offer ‘demo mode’. This allows players to access authentic poker games and play-through like they would a regular game – without any real money being involved. This is great if you’re on a tight budget and need to be careful with how much money you’re depositing, as you can still enjoy the look and feel of a real online poker game without needing to use any of your own money.

So, even if you’re a high roller who enjoys the competitiveness of high bets, it’s reassuring to know that there are a range of free poker app features to enjoy if you feel like a change.

Real Money vs Free Poker Apps

While real money poker apps clearly have a range of free features to explore, some players are still drawn to apps that are entirely free. There are distinctive pros and cons for each, although our team still recommends the authenticity of real money apps – especially considering you can still access free play options.

Here’s a simple lowdown of the core differences between real money poker apps and free poker apps:

Banking Options at Real Money Poker Apps

All of today’s top poker apps will offer a variety of payment methods to choose from, including fiat and cryptocurrency options. Some of the most popular options available at the apps on this page are:

• E-wallets: Hailed as the method that delivers the fastest payout rates, e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller and Paysafecard are available at our top-ranked sites. Most withdrawals process instantly when using these methods, making them a very popular (yet still secure) option.
• Debit/credit cards: These include Visa and Mastercard. Other than wire transfers, debit and credit cards are known as the most traditional forms of payment for poker apps. While not quite as convenient and quick as digital e-wallets, many players still enjoy using cards due to their reliability and familiarity. Some cards may incur withdrawal fees, but this solely depends on the poker app you’re playing at.
• Cryptocurrencies: Popular choices include Bitcoin and Ethereum. Similar to e-wallets, cryptocurrencies are known for their convenience and fast processing times. Furthermore, some poker apps (like CoinPoker) only offer crypto as a payment method, so it’s important to check before you sign up to avoid disappointment if crypto isn’t your preference.
• Bank transfer: Arguably the most traditional payment method of all, many real money poker apps still offer classic wire transfers. However, this method often has the longest withdrawal processing times with some taking up to 7 business days to clear – and occasionally longer. Bank transfers may also incur withdrawal fees too.

Types of Online Poker Games on Poker Apps

Poker apps have a ton of different poker games to suit all skill levels and tastes. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the ropes or a pro looking for high stakes action there’s a game for everyone. Here are the most common types of poker games on poker apps:

• Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game in the world and is on every poker app. Each player is dealt two private cards and five community cards are dealt face up on the “board”. Players use these seven cards to make the best possible five card hand. The game has four betting rounds: pre-flop, flop, turn and river. Easy to learn and deep strategy makes it a favourite among players of all levels.

• Omaha

Omaha is similar to Texas Hold’em but with a few key differences. Each player is dealt four private cards and five community cards are dealt face up. Players must use exactly two of their private cards and three of the community cards to make their best hand. This game is popular because of the action and the potential for strong hands which makes for more exciting gameplay.

• Seven-Card Stud

Before Texas Hold’em became the most popular poker game, Seven-Card Stud was the most popular form of poker. In this game players receive seven cards each: three face down and four face up. No community cards. Players must make the best five card hand out of their seven cards. Seven-Card Stud is known for its slow pace and the importance of memory and observation skills.

• Razz

Razz is a variant of Seven-Card Stud but the goal is to make the lowest possible five card hand. Straights and flushes don’t count against you and aces are always low. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5. This game requires a different strategic approach than traditional high hand poker games making it a unique challenge.

• Five-Card Draw

Five-Card Draw is one of the simplest forms of poker and is often the first game new players learn. Each player is dealt five private cards and after a round of betting they can discard and draw new cards to improve their hand. Easy to learn but still has plenty of strategy.

• Pineapple and Crazy Pineapple

Pineapple and Crazy Pineapple are variations of Texas Hold’em. In Pineapple each player is dealt three private cards but must discard one before the flop. In Crazy Pineapple players discard one card after the flop. These games add a fun twist to the standard Texas Hold’em format and are popular in casual and home games.

• Badugi

Badugi is a draw poker game where the goal is to make the lowest possible hand with cards of different suits. Each player is dealt four cards and can draw up to three times to improve their hand. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4 of different suits. Badugi is a unique and challenging game that’s a nice change of pace from other poker variants.

• Mixed Games

Mixed games are formats where players rotate through different poker variants within a single session. Examples are H.O.R.S.E. (Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, Eight-or-Better) and 8-Game Mix (which adds No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha). Mixed games test a player’s versatility and skill across multiple poker disciplines.

• Short Deck Hold’em

Short Deck Hold’em also known as Six Plus Hold’em is a variation of Texas Hold’em where the deck is reduced to 36 cards by removing cards 2-5. This increases the frequency of strong hands and makes the game more action packed and exciting. Hand rankings are slightly different with a flush beating a full house due to the reduced deck size.

• Chinese Poker

Chinese Poker is a game where each player is dealt 13 cards and must arrange them into three hands: two five-card hands (a “middle” and a “back” hand) and one three-card hand (a “front” hand). The goal is to make three strong hands with the back hand being the strongest and the front hand being the weakest. Chinese Poker is more about hand arrangement than betting.

These types of games offer a diverse and fun experience for players on poker apps so there’s always something new to learn and master. Whether you like the fast action of Texas Hold’em or the strategic complexity of mixed games there’s a game for every taste and skill level.

Is it Safe to Gamble on Real Money Poker Apps

Provided you’re playing at a fully licensed and regulated poker app, it’s 100% safe to deposit money and gamble. Reputable platforms will ensure a variety of measures are in place to guarantee player safety, guaranteeing none of your details or money can be accessed by third parties.

For example, all reliable real money gambling sites will have SSL encryption technology installed throughout. This provides utmost protection for all of your personal details, including ID documents and payment information.

Furthermore, any deposits you make will be fully secured and held within your account, until you wish to play. While the majority of players will begin playing immediately once their deposit has cleared, you can be rest assured that all of your funds will be kept safe and secure should you choose to wait.

The same goes for withdrawals. Any money that’s waiting to be cashed-out is kept fully secure until you wish to start the payout process – regardless of which method you use.

Are Real Money Poker Apps Legal in the US?

So long as a poker app has a fully regulated licence, it will be fully safe and legal – even if registered offshore. While there is some ambiguity regarding the legalities of playing at offshore real money poker apps, they aren’t deemed illegal if they can prove their licence, meaning they are still a safe option.

However, despite the legitimacy of licensed offshore poker apps, certain US-based payment methods may be restricted. US-issued credit cards often fall under this category, with some debit cards and e-wallets being restricted too. This means you may have to alter your payment preferences to be able to use these poker apps, despite their provable safety.

It’s important to remember that online poker games are completely legal in the US, with many locally-licensed brands being popular amongst players. But, as some of the best real money poker apps are registered offshore, we believe players still have a right to experience the best platforms on the market – which is why our team provides trustworthy rankings you can count on.

Responsible Gambling on Poker Apps

To make sure all of our recommended sites meet high responsible gambling expectations, our team always conducts thorough research into user reviews. This is to not only fact check across specific features, but also to get an authentic picture of how seriously an app takes player care and safety.

Effective fair play measures found across the best poker apps include:

• Deposit limits: This allows players to select a specific limit on how much they’re able to deposit and play with, over a period of time.
• Temporarily or permanently close account: If players feel like their gambling is getting out of hand, they should have the option to close their account.
• Customer support: Players can get in touch with a poker app’s customer service team for additional support and advice.

And the Best Poker App Is…

After thorough research into today’s best poker apps, our team has concluded that CoinPoker is our firm winner! Complete with a variety of stellar features, the CoinPoker app is ideal for both high rollers and newcomers to win real money.

However, all apps listed on this page are of the utmost quality. So, whether you settle on CoinPoker or another option, you’re sure to be in safe hands – and set for an industry-leading poker experience.

FAQs

Filip Jovchevski

Poker Expert

Filip is an online gambling expert with a passion for poker and 10+ years of experience under his belt. He enjoys spending time on online platforms playing cash games, and Texas Hold'em holds a special place in his heart. Besides participating in various high stakes tournaments, Filip enjoys guiding players to the best poker sites and bonus deals.

View all posts by Filip Jovchevski