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It has been a long wait for poker to return to Pennsylvania. With online poker legal in PA, many of the biggest names in online poker have returned. They include Party Poker, PokerStars and 888 (under the WSOP.com brand).

Online poker has come a long way over the years. Poker sites now offer real money games on your iPhone or Android along with the traditional desktop format. These sites have released new variations including fast-fold poker, lottery sit and go’s, and progressive knockout tournaments.

This page offers everything you need to find the best PA poker games, bonuses and apps. We also provide you with a list of no deposit and welcome bonus offers, which will give you a legitimate shot at building your bankroll from scratch.

Play online poker in PA at PokerStars

Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, when Gov. Tom Wolf signed bill H 271 into law on Oct. 30, 2017, online gambling became legal in Pennsylvania. This bill includes poker, casino table games, slots, and sports betting. That made Pennsylvania the fourthstate to legalize online poker.

Seven of the 13 casino license holders in Pennsylvania applied for licenses to operate online poker sites.

The PGCB put together regulations to govern Pennsylvania online poker sites that include the followingrules:

• Players must be 21 years or older.
• Sites must verify the identification of all potential players.
• Players must be located inside state lines to play.
• Sites must verify all players’ location using geolocation software.

How online poker works in PA

If you want to play online poker in Pennsylvania right now, you’ll have one option – PokerStars. So, you will need to download the PokerStars client on your laptop or mobile phone / tablet.

Once your account is active, you can login and head to the lobby. Within this area, you can access games of almost every type and size under the sun.

One thing to note, however, is that every player you encounter will be physically inside Pennsylvania at the time. In fact, in order to play at PA online poker site, you will have to verify your location through geolocation software before you will be allowed to sit down at a table.

While that requirement might be a bit irritating, the good news is that the player pool you’re facing might not be only from Pennsylvania for long. Pennsylvania regulators have long hinted they are interested in joining the Multi-state Compact, which would allow players from New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware to come together on Pennsylvania poker sites. This means the player pool and traffic would increase significantly, allowing you more options for cash games and tournaments.

Best online poker sites in Pennsylvania

At least for the time being, the new PA poker rooms will only be for players in the Keystone State. Building a critical mass of players is important. The site(s) that get the most traction will be able to offer bigger tournaments, better promotions and a great choice of real money games.

Here are three poker sites we know that have or are expected to launch in 2020:

PokerStars PA: This was the first site to launch. PokerStars has amazing software covering both desktop and mobile devices. You will be able to play the new “spin and go” format, and try out the range of cash games, tournaments and sit and goes. PokerStars offers new players $30 in free play with just a small deposit. This includes spin and go tickets as well as cash. Alternatively, you can get a 100% matched bonus, up to $600. It is also well known for promotions, loyalty rewards and poker tournament events.

Party Poker: The original online poker site will soon be back in Pennsylvania. This partnership is with Valley Forge Casino. While a lot has changed, including brand-new software, the recreational feel to the play at this site remains in place. In other states, Party Poker has given away $25 completely free for new players to check out the games. New poker games include “Spins” and “Fast Forward Poker.” You will find plenty of action at the small stakes cash games, too.

WSOP.com Poker: This brand uses the smooth poker software produced by 888. It is part of the Caesars Entertainment “World Series of Poker” brand. It is licensed by Harrah’s Philadelphia. You can qualify for WSOP tournaments around the country online. New poker formats include Blast Poker and Snap (fast fold) poker. WSOP.com offers generous matched welcome bonuses in other regulated states. This includes a $10 no-deposit bonus, plus a matched deposit bonus up to $1,000.

Playing for free vs. real money at PA poker sites

You can choose to play real money poker games — or play for fun with free play options on the Pennsylvania poker sites. While the free poker games can be entertaining, you need to be aware that the skill gap between players at free and real money sites is massive.

If you jump to real cash games and employ the same strategy that play-money players use, you will be relieved of your bankroll quickly. Read up on some poker strategy, play fewer tables and take careful notes on your opponents in the real money cash games.

Online poker for real money attracts skilled players. If you are able to beat the $1/$2 game in your local casino, you might well struggle to beat the same size game online. Start small, making sure you can beat the regulars at each buy-in level before you move up.

When you jump from free poker to real money, taking advantage of the welcome bonus offers can give your bankroll a big boost. Some sites like Party Poker offer the chance to join special beginner tables for the first 30 days. This will keep you out of the crosshairs of the poker pros while you sharpen your online skills.

PA online poker games

There are four main types of games that you will find in Pennsylvania’s online poker sites. They are:

• Cash games – Cash games are available at any time in both real money and play money mode. Cash games have a fixed minimum and maximum buy-in limits, and play is available for almost any amount of money. Tables usually seat 6 or 9 players, although it is possible to play heads-up.
• Tournaments – Tournaments are scheduled around the clock in a variety of formats. You can expect rebuys, bounties and even fast-fold, where you can fold and move onto the next table without waiting for the current hand to play out. Prize pools range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re looking for the big guarantees, you’ll want to check out the weekend lineup. The buy-ins at PA poker rooms vary from a dollar up to a few hundred.
• Sit n’ Go Tournaments – SNG tournaments are perfect if you don’t have time to wait for an MTT. These events run when they reach a certain number of entrants and buy-ins. They also have predetermined prizepools and payouts, and tend to be smaller events than the scheduled tournaments. Some of these tournaments can come with a jackpot feature, which can give each player a chance at an outsized payout.
• Fast-fold games – These games are cash games at their core. However, as you play, you are switched to a new table immediately after folding the previous hand. Thus, you will end up playing with a larger group of people, but you will end up seeing far more hands than at a typical cash table.

Real money poker vs. free play

Real money poker sites in PA is limited to just one site. PokerStars was the first site in Pennsylvania to offer online poker.

Although you can play free online poker, the players on play money sites have no regard for playing wisely or skillfully. Since they can only lose faux currency, anyway, they figure that there’s no reason not to chase a draw, even if it’s a minute one.

However, real money PA sites are not equivalent to friendly games, or even live poker games in a casino. As a general rule, in fact, they require far more skill and focus to master than equivalent live games.

Most long-term successful players on real money sites keep detailed notes on their play, study the game all the time, and are always looking for ways to improve their return. Even breakeven players have to be more cautious, since the ratio of sharks is so much higher.

Many players on real money sites play multiple games at once, too. This practice can lead to higher profits for the very skillful, but please be careful not to overwhelm yourself.

Don’t misunderstand – real money poker sites are still fine to play. It’s just important that you know what you’re getting yourself into before you begin trying to win real cash.

Online poker apps vs. downloading the poker client

For most online poker games, using a mobile app is preferable since it’s easy and you can play anywhere. However, due to the nature of poker, players actually prefer to use their laptops or desktops to play.

There are a couple of reasons for this preference. For one thing, a laptop/desktop with a larger screen and mouse makes it that much easier play multiple games simultaneously. Multi-tabling three or four games on an app leaves room for error. It’s easy to click call when you meant to fold.

Another reason to prefer a land-based computer is that it might come with a more stable internet connection and setup than a mobile device. Losing a connection can result in a hand being lost, and depending on the situation, such an outcome could be disastrous.

Nevertheless, you can play online poker using either your laptop or your mobile device. PokerStars offers both options, including apps for both iPhones/iPads and Android users.

Please be aware that you will have to verify your location using a specialized app if you choose to use a personal computer for access. The apps will use your device’s GPS to determine your location automatically.

Online poker variations

Most of the action in the online poker market revolves around No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. That said, some sites offer other poker variants.

Find yourself on the right site at the right time and there may be your favorite poker variant running, including RAZZ, HORSE, or 2-7 Triple Draw.

No-Limit Hold’em

The biggest cash game in real money poker is far and away No-Limit Hold’em. You’ll find stakes ranging from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 with 6-max and full, 9-handed tables.

That said, most of the games are micro- and low-stakes action. Games beyond $1/$2 do not run regularly. Neither does the more pedestrian Limit Hold’em version of the game, where the stakes go as high as $100/$200, but the player pool is rather small.

Pot-Limit Omaha

You’ll find Pot-Limit Omaha at online poker sites, just not as many tables running as No-Limit Hold ’em. Stakes range from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50. However, there isn’t much action in the micros. Instead, it’s $0.50/$1 and $0.25/$0.50 tables running most days.

Other Omahavariants, like Hi-Lo, may be available on the sites, but again, the player pools are small to non-existent.

Stud

You might find poker sites that claim to offer stud games, even RAZZ. What you won’t find are the players to fill those games. Stakes will generally range from $0.50/$1 to $40/$80, but it’s $0/$0 with a nonexistent player pool most of the time.

HORSE, 2-7 Triple Draw, other variants

Poker is more than hold ’em and Omaha, but PA poker online isn’t really. Some of the more notable poker brands claim to offer games, including HORSE and 2-7 Triple Draw, but it usually applies to specializedtournaments.

Cash games for variants like this do not run regularly because the demand isn’t there. But never say never. After all, most sites’ clients support these formats, and if their popularity increases, you’ll perhaps find action.

Fast-fold games

Most online poker clients support some version of fast-fold games like PokerStars’ Zoom tables, though not at first. Once you fold your hand, you are instantly transported to a different table to start another one. This format requires a large player pool, so it will not always be running on the PA sites that eventually will have it.

Multi-table tournaments

All online poker clients offer a daily schedule of No-Limit Hold’em multi-table tournaments (MTT) with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $50. Some even come with prize pool guarantees.

There’s plenty of micro- and low-stakes action daily, but the bigger buy-in MTTs are usually reserved for Sundays. The high traffic PA online poker sites run Sunday majors with buy-ins from $50 to $500 and guaranteed prize pools of up to $50,000.

Sit & Go tournaments

Poker sites offer No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Sit & Go tournaments. Most have nine-handed, six-max, and heads-up formats. Buy-ins range from as low as $0.25 to $500. These games go off when the players are there, which is usually limited to peak prime-time hours.

Lottery Sit & Go tournaments

Lottery Sit & Go tournaments, like PokerStars’ Spin N’ Go tournaments, are three-handed Sit & Go tournaments with randomized prize pools, ranging anywhere from two buy-ins to 1,000 buy-ins.

The odds are slim that you’ll be playing for the max, but Lottery Sit & Go tourneys, from $1 to $25, should run regularly. This format has become more popular than standard Sit & Go tournaments themselves.

Poker bonuses and first deposit offers

The best poker sites offer a variety of no deposit and first deposit bonuses to try to attract new players. Also, they offer various rewards programs that are intended to help retain players.

Here’s a look at some of the larger poker sites, and the types of bonus offers and rewards programs they provide.

PokerStars PA

PokerStars PA is giving new players a choice of either one of two welcomes bonuses. Players can claim a $30 free package using the marketing code FREE30 on first deposits of $20 or more. It includes $20 in cash, $10 within 36 hours and the rest after seven days. It also includes five Spin N’ Go tickets valued at $10.

Meanwhile, another welcome package offers a 100% match of up to $600 on first deposits. Players can claim this one using the PokerStars PA bonus code STARS600. This bonus clears at a rate of $10 for every 100 VIP Player Points earned, which works out to 55% rakeback.

In addition, PokerStars runs a rewards program for players, which offers chests of valuable and varying rewards. In the end, it adds up to be about 55% rakeback as well.

How to get money on and off the sites

The goal of every PA poker site will be to make the process of moving your funds as easy as possible and for fast payouts.

That means each site will offer a variety of easy-to-use deposit and withdrawalmethods and are always on the lookout to add new ones. It usually will mean that whatever way you used to make a deposit, you can also use it to make a withdrawal. However, other options are available, too.

Here’s a list of all the poker deposit and withdrawal methods available:

Visa and Mastercard: You can use the most well-known credit card brands in the world at most PA online poker sites. However, some issuing banks may not authorize online gambling transactions, meaning another deposit method will need to be employed.

The following list of issuing banks decline online gambling transactions regularly:

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase/JP Morgan
• Wells Fargo
• TD Bank
• Santander Bank
• Huntington Bank

Pa Online Poker

Types of deposit options available

• Play+: This prepaid credit card acts like both a credit card and an e-wallet account, and several Pennsylvania online poker sites accept it. You can fund the Play+ prepaid card using a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card, or even a checking account.
• Prepaid Cards: Prepaid cards are a safe and convenient alternative method of depositing on Pennsylvania online poker sites. You can load money onto a prepaid card and then use it to deposit on a poker site. Several credit card companies offer prepaid credit cards, and some online poker sites have a branded-prepaid card.
• Cash at the casino cage: Legal, regulated online poker sites in Pennsylvania are all affiliated with a PA casino. Most will accept cash deposits at the cashier cages inside these casinos.
• PayPal: PayPal is the largest third-party payment processor in the world. PayPal allows you to funnel money to the sites from several sources, including your bank account.
• ACH e-checks: ACH allows you to write an electronic check to the online poker site of your choice. In other words, ACH helps you move funds between your bank account and that of an online poker site.
• PayNearMe: The convenience store 7-Eleven, CVSPharmacies, and financial services provider PayNearMe have created a financial services management app, which allows users to make bill payments. You can make payments to PA online poker sites with cash at these locations.
• Online banking: If you can make bill payments online, the chances are that you can deposit at an online poker site from your bank account as well.

PA online poker gears up for launches

Online poker in PA rolled out November 2020 through PokerStars via Mount Airy Casino. The online poker site attracted more players than PokerStars drew on its established site in NJ.

The primary poker games in Pennsylvania is Hold’em, followed by Omaha. Sunday tournaments at PokerStars are offering reasonable buy-ins and larger guarantees than their counterpart site in New Jersey.

Online poker in Pennsylvania began as a fenced-in market; however, at least a couple of sites should eventually join forces to create a PA-only network.

Right now, only WSOP.com and 888Poker sites do this.

Pennsylvania will eventually join the compact known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association compact, which gives sites in Delaware, Nevada, and NewJersey the right to share player pools with the Keystone State, boosting the pool.

Introductory promotions include several bonuses and freeroll offers, meant to lock down market share right out of the gate.

To retain players, online poker sites will also likely offer customers competitive rakeback or a loyalty rewardsprogram. PokerStars uses a randomized chest-base program with real money prizes.

PA poker and compacts

Online poker in PA is launching as a fenced-in market. That means only players inside PA can play, and also that sites in the state are not sharing player pools with others on the outside.

There’s no need for residency to play, but PA poker sites will use geolocation software to verify that you are within the state; there’s no getting around that.

Considering the population, online poker in PA is expected to quickly become the largest intrastate online poker market in the US.

The nature of the fenced-in market means PA poker sites won’t be sharing player pools with those in any other states, but that should happen eventually.

The state ultimately anticipated joining such agreements when it built provisions into its online poker legislation allowing for sharedliquidity.

This legislation gives the PGCB the authority to enter into these kinds of agreements with other states. Plus, it allows licensed operators to offer games to out-of-state players, and local players to participate in out-of-state networks.

PA could join shared liquidity compact

Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware launched the first licensed and regulated online poker sites in the US in November 2013.

At the time, all three states launched as fenced-in markets. Nevada and Delaware then signed an interstate compact known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA), allowing sites in each to start sharing player pools in 2015. New Jersey signed on to that interstate compact in October 2017.

WSOP.com and 888 Poker are the only operators with sites in all three states and were the first to apply to launch tri-state shared liquidity games.

The first-ever real money poker games featuring players in all three states launched on April 30, 2018. Since then, WSOP.com has been able to host multi-state online WSOP bracelet events in New Jersey and Nevada.

The hope is PA can make it a four-state market within the next year. The US shared liquidity online poker market could potentially double in size if PA comes aboard.

Poker partnerships

Below is a look at the PA casinos planning to launch online poker. It also includes which online poker operators they’re planning to partner with, when each license was approved, and when they expect to launch:

PA poker card rooms

Pennsylvania plays host to one of the most extensive live poker scenes in the US. Live poker became legal in 2010. Here’s a look at the 10 poker rooms in the Keystone State that have launched since then, their locations, and what they have to offer poker players.

Parx poker room

In 2018, Parx underwent a $50 million expansion, which included a 48-table, state-of-the-art poker room on the property.

The room features low- to mid-stakes No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha games, plus higher-stakes action most nights. The $15/$30 limit games also run with higher mixed games featuring variants you won’t find elsewhere, including games like Omaha 8-Or-Better, Big O, and SuperStud.

Parx is also well-known for its seasonal BigStax tournament series and nightly tournaments.

• Address: 2999 Street Rd, Bensalem
• Phone Number:+1 888-588-7279

Wind Creek Bethlehem poker room

Wind Creek inherited the second-highest-grossing poker room in the state when it took over Sands Bethlehem. There are $1/$2 and $2/$5 No-Limit Hold’em runs every day inside the 30-table card room. Higher-stakes action runs on most weekends when there are Omaha, Limit Hold’em, and stud games available.

There are nightly tournaments. However, we have yet to see what Wind Creek will do to replace the popular seasonal Sands DeepStack Extravaganza series.

• Address: 77 Wind Creek Blvd, Bethlehem
• Phone:(484) 777-7777

Rivers Casino Philadelphia poker room

The Poker Night in America poker room at Rivers Casino Philadelphia, the former SugarHouse Casino, is currently the only poker room in Philadelphia. However, Live! Philadelphia Casino is building a room that should open in the city before the end of next year.

Rivers has 28tables featuring low-stakes, No-Limit Hold’em, a daily tournament schedule and regular Rush Challenge events, which feature a $250 buy-in tournament with a $100,000 guarantee.

• Address: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia
• Phone: (877) 477-3715

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh poker room

The Rivers Casino Pittsburgh 30-table poker room sits across a parking lot from Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. There’s 24/7 No-Limit Hold’em action with stakes running from $1/$2 to $10/$20. Pot-Limit Omaha and Limit Hold’em games also run occasionally.

The tournament schedule features two daily events six days a week, with the room running regular promotions.

• Address:777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh
• Phone: (412) 231-7777

Harrah’s Philadelphia poker room

Harrah’s Philadelphia is actually on the Delaware River in Chester. The poker room features 28 tables spreading No-Limit Hold’em and some limit games. For the most part, it’s $1/$2 or $1/$3 No-Limit Hold ’em.

The tournament schedule features two daily events and satellites into the World Series of Poker Main Event in LasVegas.

• Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester
• Phone:(484) 490-1800

Penn National Casino poker room

The 17-table poker room at Hollywood Casino at Penn National is pretty much a $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em room. Although higher-stakes games, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Limit Hold’em sometimes run on the weekends.

There are tournaments six days a week and a Bad Beat Jackpot promotion.

• Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville
• Phone:(717) 469-2211

Mohegan Sun Pocono poker room

The poker room at Mohegan Sun Pocono runs dailytournaments often featuring bounty structures. Promotions include a Bad Beat Jackpot for cash games and tourneys.

The atmosphere is relaxed with the action of the low-limit variety. There are sometimes 20 or so $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Limit Hold’em games on weekends.

• Address: 1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre
• Phone:(570) 831-2100

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino poker room

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino is outside of Pittsburgh. The poker room includes 14 tables, all with a view of the live horse racing action. It hosts No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games. Plus, tournaments run twice daily, six days a week, and special events on Sundays.

The room is an annual stop on the Heartland Poker Tour.

• Address:210 Racetrack Rd, Washington
• Phone:(724) 503-1200

Mount Airy Casino Resort poker room

The poker room at Mount Airy Casino Resort features only nine tables that usually offer low-limit, No-Limit Hold’em. There’s a High Hand promotion.

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• Address: 312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono
• Phone: (877) 682-4791

Presque Isle Downs poker room

Presque Isle Downs, in Erie, features the smallest poker room in the state with only seven tables.

However, it offers a tournamentschedule that runs six days a week with guaranteed prize pools.

• Address: 8199 Perry Hwy, Erie
• Phone Number:+1-866-374-3386

How Michigan online poker works

Online poker is live, and you can play for real money legally within the state. But it’s important to understand how things work. If you’ve never dealt with online poker before, you could understandably be brimming with questions about the rules and procedures you need to follow.

Who can play?

First of all, Michigan requires anyone who plays online poker in the state to be 21 or older. This requirement should come as no surprise.

When you play online poker in the Great Lakes State, however, you will not be able to play with anyone who is not physically inside state lines. As is the case with most other states, the Michigan online poker scene is confined to Michigan.

The good news is that it is not necessary to be a resident of Michigan to play. If you are a visitor, you have the same opportunity to experience online poker, so long as you are of legal age.

Now, you may have heard that some states do have interstate poker options. That’s true — New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware are all signatories of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, or MSIGA, which allows sites to combine player pools across state lines. In practice, however, the only beneficiary of the agreement has been WSOP.com, which offers play in both New Jersey and Nevada.

For the time being, Michigan is not a part of the MSIGA. This means you will have to be inside Michigan to play, and you will only be playing other Michiganders or visitors to the state.

How does an online poker site know I’m in Michigan?

All Michigan online poker sites, casinos, and sportsbooks must verify the physical location of their players at all times. They accomplish this by using geolocation software.

This software uses your mobile device’s onboard GPS to pinpoint your location before you are allowed on-site. If you use a laptop or desktop computer, you will have to verify your location by downloading this software separately or at the behest of the site.

The sites are not inclined to waver on this requirement, either. They face heavy fines and sanctions, including the loss of their licenses to operate, if they are not vigilant about enforcing the in-state requirement.

The bottom line is that you will have to verify your location as within Michigan before you’ll be able to make your first bet, raise, call, or fold.

How to get download the app or poker client

The first thing to do is to use one of the links above to access the site of your choice. You will need to download the app to your mobile device or the poker client to your desktop computer.

Using our links will often put you in line for welcome bonuses at each site. However, make sure that you note any poker bonus codes we have listed, as they can be worth extra cash and benefits in your account.

Apple device users should have no difficulty downloading and installing the app. However, Android users will need to instruct their devices to accept downloads from unknown sources in the device’s security settings. Then, the link should take you to a page with a prompt for the site’s .apk file.

Once you’ve installed the app or client, look for a sign-up button at the top of the screen. It’s usually in the right corner with a label like “sign up” or “join now.” Pressing the button will take you to the site’s form for new accounts.

As with online casinos in Michigan, be ready to fill out your personal information in order to create your account. You will need the following:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number

These are all common requirements at online gambling sites in Michigan. You will also need to choose an appropriate screen name, password, and (potentially) security challenge questions.

If you happened to copy down a bonus code, look for the box to enter it on this screen, too. It is usually the only optional box on the page. Make sure that you enter the code exactly as it appears, with any capital letters and no typos.

After that, hit the button at the bottom to submit, and you should be ready to go.

Michigan poker sites and partnerships

PokerStars + Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Global online poker giant The Stars Group secured a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority in early January 2020.

The deal gives The Stars Group first-skin market access for all gambling verticals in Michigan, including poker.

The Stars Group owns and operates PokerStars MI, which operates in NJ and PA. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians operates three Michigan tribal casinos, with the largest being the Odawa Casino, near Petoskey.

BetMGM Poker + MGM Grand Detroit

For a long time, it was understood that MGM Resorts International and partypoker’s parent company GVC Holdings would join the online poker Michigan market. The two companies established a 50/50 joint venture sports betting and online gaming platform for the US in July 2018.

However, BetMGM Poker will be the brand available in Michigan in 2021.

The launch of partypoker Michigan through MGM Grand is no longer a go, but there are other ways for partypoker to enter the Michigan online gambling market.

Will I be able to play online poker with players in NJ and PA?

Michigan’s governor recently signed the interstate online poker bill into law, but the law doesn’t automatically set up a pact between other states. That is now up to the MGCB. It is unclear whether such a deal will be made in 2021.

One option is for Michigan to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association. The MSIGA allows New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware to share player pools.

Still, multi-state poker could be on its way to Michigan. It’s likely a must-have for the online poker market in the Great Lakes State to survive long-term. Michigan is slightly larger than New Jersey, where online poker is barely surviving despite pooling players with Nevada and Delaware.

Adding states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, to the MSIGA over the next few years would certainly be a boost to the US online poker market.

Are Michigan online poker sites safe?

Yes. It is safe and legal to play on Michigan’s online poker sites. Any of the sites that you see mentioned above are fully licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Rest assured that this page will never advertise poker sites that are anything less than legal.

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If you are ever unsure about whether you’re playing on a registered site, you can always scroll down to the bottom of the site’s homepage. There will always be information stating that it is a regulated site by the MGCB. In some cases, the site will publish its license number.

You can also verify that an online poker site is legal in Michigan by going to the MGCB site itself. You can either find mention of the site in question or contact one of the board’s offices.

If you come across a site that we don’t mention, it is most likely an offshore poker site. These sites are not under the regulations and laws of the state of Michigan or the United States. Invariably, these sites do not work with the MGCB, nor do they operate with a Michigan land-based partner or have offices in the US.

Playing on one of these sites puts you and your financial security at a much higher risk. International sites often exist in the gray areas of the law and in countries with far less stringent standards for business.

You also cannot count on these sites to report to a regulatory body that is effective. In many cases, the regulator has no actual authority to take action on the site if there’s an issue on site, including payouts. Worse, it’s even possible that it is part of the same organization.

The bottom line is that there’s no reason to take any kind of chances now that legal online poker is legitimately underway in Michigan. Stick to the legal and safe Michigan sites.

How to move money on and off legal poker sites

In order to play for real money on a Michigan site, you’re going to have to invest your own real money into it. Even more obviously, you’re going to want to be able to withdraw any winnings if your big hand comes in. Thankfully, every Michigan poker site comes with multiple ways to deposit and cash out quickly.

Since online poker is in the early stages in Michigan, we only have confirmations about a few types of transactions you can make. If you want to make a deposit at a Michigan poker site, these options are available for certain:

• Credit or debit card — Visa and Mastercard are acceptable options. However, make sure to check with your issuing bank before you make this type of request. Some of them do not allow deposits to online poker sites, and, even if they do, they may charge hefty cash advance fees.
• Electronic checks — VIP Preferred is the option, although ACH is likely to come soon. These function exactly like paper checks, except without the paper. Most Michigan poker sites will accept echecks.
• Electronic wallets — Skrill and PayPal are accepted by Michigan online poker rooms.
• Online banking — If you use online bill pay for other transactions, you may be able to use it to send money directly from your bank account to the poker site, too.
• Prepaid cards — Play+ and Paysafecard are the most common options for a prepaid card, which is essentially a gift card that you give yourself.

Other methods that we expect to be available soon include wire transfers from your bank and cash options like PayNearMe. Finally, the land-based partner for the poker site is likely to begin accepting deposits in person at its cage at some point in the future.

Online poker bonuses and rewards

Like most MI online gambling outlets, the best poker sites have to keep their customers happy. So every poker brand will have bonuses and rewards that you can use to pad your account balance.

Texas Holdem Online Practice

Most online poker site bonuses come in two formats — playing money and tournament tickets. Although there are numerous ins and outs to the different types of bonuses you’ll find, the end result of each one will usually be one or both of those types of rewards.

For the most part, here are the types of bonuses you will encounter:

1. No deposit bonus: These bonuses are essentially free money that shows up in your account. You will most often see no deposit poker bonuses when you sign up for an account — they are otherwise rare. Although they may be withdrawable as cash, no deposit bonuses often come in the form of site credits and will require you to play through the bonus a certain number of times.
2. Deposit bonus: With this type of bonus, the poker site will match a portion of your deposit and contribute additional funds to your account on top of the deposit amount. The percentage of the match can be any amount, even 100%. However, there will also be a limit to the maximum amount you can have matched from the bonus. In many cases, the site will withhold the full amount of the bonus and drip it to you as you play, so be aware that you may not see an immediate benefit.
3. Loyalty or rewards programs: In many cases, you are entered as a member in the program automatically from the moment that you register. If you never pay it any mind, that’s all right. However, these programs will both classify you and reward you based upon how much you wager and how often you play. As you hit the tables, you will earn points that you can redeem for cash or prizes. The exact amounts of cash or prizes vary, but common options include free money bonuses, tournament tickets and branded merchandise from the site’s store.

The rarest reward you can receive is unrestricted cash. It is unusual, however, for sites to hand out withdrawable funds for a bonus.

In most cases, you will either receive site credits or tournament tickets. Site credits function like cash, but you cannot withdraw them until you’ve “washed” them through the system. Tournament tickets, meanwhile, require you to use them for tournament buy-ins. They are not transferable or convertible into cash.

Tournaments and cash games at real money poker sites

You have several types of online games to check out. Some of these are present in every poker room. Others are exclusive to certain online poker sites.

• Cash games: Anyone can join or leave at any time, and play is continuous. Blind levels do not change, and buy-ins to the game have a minimum amount and (usually) a maximum amount.
• Tournaments: Each player buys in for the same amount and receives an identical amount of tournament chips to play. Play begins at a designated time and proceeds until one player has all the chips. Blind levels increase at regular intervals, and roughly 10% of the field receives some sort of payout from the prize pool.
• Sit and go tournaments (SNGs): A limited tournament where the event begins when a designated number of players buy into the pool. Play proceeds like a standard tournament, but the field is limited to the number of players present at the start.
• Spin and go/jackpot SNGs: An extremely limited type of sit and go with only three players. Blind levels are set at hyper-turbo levels, meaning that they escalate quite quickly and force frequent all-ins from players. Players compete for a randomly selected prize pool that can be anywhere from 2x the buy-in amount to 1,000x the buy-in. Each tournament is winner-take-all.

In terms of the buy-in amounts that you’ll need for these tournaments, there is no one answer. Poker sites in Michigan have a range of stakes available most of the time. You can play for as little as $1 or many thousands. Most tournament options will top out at $500 to play, but some special events can have much higher price tags.

Types of poker games in Michigan

Along with all the formats of poker available in Michigan, you also have several games from which to choose. Some of them are widely known, but others are a bit more esoteric. The most prevalent game is No Limit Texas Hold’em. This game became the dominant form of poker about two decades ago and shows no sign of decline.

You can also play the limit version of Hold’em, if you like. While this format is not as popular as it used to be, there will still be options if you don’t want to deal with bet-sizing.

Other games that you might find on Michigan online poker sites are listed below. Most of these games are available in no-limit, pot-limit, or limit structures.

1. Omaha*— A four-card community card game that features bigger pots and more volatility than hold’em. Players must use exactly two cards from their hands and three from the board, but exactly which two they use can change from street to street.
2. Five Card Omaha*— This game is identical to typical Omaha, but with five cards dealt to each player. Thus, the potential for big hands, big swings and big pots is even higher. It is sometimes called “Big Mitt.”
3. Courchevel Poker*— Courchevel is identical to Five Card Omaha, except the first card of the community board is dealt face-up prior to the pre-flop betting round. In other words, you get a sneak peek at the board along with your five cards.
4. Seven card stud* — A venerable poker game that used to be the dominant form, this game has all players receiving up to seven cards of their own and making the best five-card hand that they can. The first round of dealing puts two cards face-down and one up. The next three cards are also dealt face-up, available for anyone to see, and a round of betting occurs with each card dealt. The final card is then dealt face-down, and a last betting round takes the hand into showdown.
5. Razz — A stud game in which players attempt to make the lowest hand they can. A hand with ace through five is the best possible hand (the “wheel”), and flushes and straights are irrelevant for hand rankings. However, pairs and three of a kind are counted negatively against the player. This game is also known as California Lowball, and may sometimes be referred to as simply “lowball.”
6. Five card draw — This is likely the most familiar poker game to casual players. All players receive five cards and make the best hand that they can. There are two rounds of betting, and, between rounds, players can discard as many of their original cards as they like and draw new ones. This game is most often encountered in video poker now, but is still available in limited selections through Michigan online poker rooms.
7. Badugi — Badugi is an Asian variant that combines elements of Razz and five card draw, but also has its own unique spin. Each player receives four cards and is attempting to make the lowest possible hand. However, unlike Razz, cards of the same suit count against the player, so the object is to make the lowest hand and have four cards of different suits. A qualifying four-card hand is called a Badugi. Any hands with suited cards ignore all but the lowest card of the suit but also are of lower ranking than Badugis. So, the winner of each game is first determined by how many of a player’s cards play, then by the rank of the highest-tiered hands.
8. HORSE — A rotation game in which the game changes every time the button goes around the table once. The name of the game is an acronym for the games that are played – Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, Eight or Better (seven card stud hi-lo)
9. 8-Game Mix — This game is identical in structure to HORSE, but with eight games. The eight games are usually limit 2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, limit Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, limit seven card stud, Limit seven card stud hi-lo (Eight or Better), No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.

*Available in both high only and hi-lo variants. Low hands must have no cards above eight to qualify — thus, these variants may also be known as Eight or Better. Obviously, some of these games are off the beaten path. However, they can be a fun way to cleanse one’s palate, especially if you’ve been on a hold’em-only diet. So, if you’re feeling frisky, give one of these variants a try.

Poker and cardrooms in Michigan

Michiganders are not suffering from a shortage of live poker options nearby. Many of the state’s casinos offer their own poker rooms. In addition, Michigan also allows charitable organizations to offer poker games as standalone facilities. Here are all of the opportunities you have to play poker in Michigan in live settings.

Bay Mills Resort & Casino

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, in Brimley, features a four-table poker room that is open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

There are regular cash games and low-buy-in tournaments. Players must be at least 18 years or older.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel

The newly renovated 26-table poker room at FireKeepers Casino Hotel, in Battle Creek, is the premier poker room in the state.

The room spreads Texas Hold’em, Omaha and stud cash games at a variety of low to mid-stakes. Plus, there are low to mid-stakes buy-in tournaments every day, including a regular stop on the popular Mid-States Poker Tour.

Promotions include a progressive bad beat jackpot.

Greektown Casino Hotel

Greektown Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 12-table poker room offering Texas Hold ’em and Omaha games. There are regular tournaments and high-hands promotions.

Gun Lake Casino

Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, features a 14-table poker room spreading Texas Hold’em and Omaha games.

There are low-stakes tournaments happening five days a week, and promotions include a bad beat jackpot.

Kewadin Casino

Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center, in Sault Ste. Marie, features a four-table poker room open Wednesdays through Sundays.

There are low-stakes tournaments on Wednesdays and cash games every day.

MGM Grand Detroit

The poker room at MGM Grand Detroit features 17 tables with Texas Hold’em and Omaha action.

There are bounty tournaments three days a week and promotions include splash pots, bad beat jackpots, and hot-seat drawings.

MotorCity Casino Hotel

The MotorCity Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 17-table poker club spreading Texas Hold’em and Omaha games.

There’s a regular tournament calendar, and promotions include a bad beat jackpot, high-hands and a gas card giveaway.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, in Mount Pleasant, features a 14-table poker room open 24/7.

There’s a six-day per week tournament schedule and promotions include a bad beat jackpot, early bird rake, lucky ticket draws and high-hands.

The room spreads Texas Hold’em, Pineapple, Crazy Pineapple, Omaha, seven-card stud and Razz. Multi-game formats include round by rounds, dealer’s choice, HORSE, SHOE and HOP. Players may request any game type with any limit.