Best Online Poker Sites for Real Money by Player Traffic & Tournaments (2024)

Wondering what makes these real money poker sites a cut above the rest? Read our reviews as we highlight their pros and cons, bonuses, and all poker games you can expect to find.

1. Ignition – Best Online Poker Real Money Site Overall

Ignition – Best Online Poker Site for Real Money Overall

Pros:

Poker welcome bonus up to $3,000
Action-filled real money games like zone poker
Jackpot SNGs pay out up to 1000x buy-in
$235k in guaranteed MTT prizes on Sundays
Weekly freerolls for crypto depositors and loyalty club members
300+ online casino games

Cons:

Bonus must be split with casino
Occasionally slow traffic at highest stakes

Ignition earned the top spot on our list, and it won’t take you long to see why. The online poker room here has fantastic cash game action, rich tournaments, and some great features to explore.

Game selection: 5/5

Cash game players will immediately notice that there’s steady traffic at virtually every limit, although nosebleed players may have to wait a bit to get a game going. There are hold ‘em and Omaha tables running around the clock that will cater to most players, though.

If you’re an action junkie, check out the zone poker tables here. The gimmick is that when you fold your hand, you’ll immediately be moved to a brand-new table and dealt fresh cards. That means you’re always playing and never waiting on some slowpoke to decide to check or bet.

Tournament players will be right at home here as well, especially on Sundays. That’s when they have their Triple Headers, which are three MTTs with a combined guaranteed prize pool of $235,000.

If you prefer single-table tournaments, the jackpot SNGs here have randomly generated prize pools - and they cap out at 1000x your buy-in. That’s some serious cash for only having to outlast a few other players.

And if your luck runs out and you’re strapped for cash, no worries – Ignition as weekly freeroll tourneys for both crypto depositors and players who achieve Chrome level in their loyalty program.

Bonuses: 4.9/5

The bonus here is quite generous, although it caters to all-around gamblers a bit more than pure poker players.

If you deposit using cryptocurrency, the bonus is a 300% match up to $3,000. Fiat currency users will enjoy a 200% match up to $2,000.

The catch is that only half the money can be used at the poker tables – the rest must be spent at the online casino section. But hey, there are worse punishments than being forced to play slot machines with bonus cash, right?

To unlock your poker bonus, you’ll need to earn "Ignition Miles," and they’ll release a buck every time you amass 30 of those.

Check this post to learn more about Ignition’s bonuses.

Banking Options: 4.9/5

As you probably guessed from the deposit bonus, Ignition is a crypto-friendly casino that wants you to gamble with cryptocurrency. They accept the four major cryptos (BTC, ETH, LTC, and USDT), along with credit cards and prepaid vouchers.

Cashouts are nearly instant if you use crypto, while fiat currency might take a few days. There are fees on certain methods (like check by courier), so read the fine print before you make your first withdrawal.

>> Get a 300% bonus up to $3,000 (Ignition)

2. Bovada – Best Real Money Online Poker Room for Tournaments

Best Real Money Poker Site for Tournaments

Pros:

$2 million in weekly guaranteed tourney prizes
Fast-paced turbo tournaments available
$500 poker-exclusive bonus
Lots of player traffic at all limits
Bonus money easy to redeem

Cons:

Not all poker and casino games available on mobile
Steep buy-ins for biggest tourneys

If you’ve played online poker at all in the last 20 years, you’ve probably heard the name Bovada.

They’ve earned their reputation as one of the top poker sites and online casinos in the world, which is why they’re still around – and their placement on this list proves they’re still working hard to try to be the best.

Game selection: 4.9/5

The cash games here are excellent. There are plenty of tables running at all hours of the day, and you can almost always get a hold ‘em or Omaha game at your preferred stakes without waiting.

It’s the tournament selection that truly sets Bovada apart, however. They serve up at least $2 million in guaranteed prize pools every week, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to make a massive score here if your cards hold up.

Many of their big-money tournaments have steep buy-ins, as you’d expect, but the good news is you can earn your way in by playing in one of their many satellites.

You’ll find lots of options on the tournament page as well, so you’re not just limited to traditional MTTs and SNGs. Turbo tourneys are a favorite of ours, as they let you enjoy all the thrills of a poker tournament without having to sacrifice your entire day to the cause.

One minor issue we’ve found is that you can’t play all their real money games on a mobile device, but they still have enough tournament and cash game options to keep you occupied while you wait at the DMV.

If you ever feel the need to switch things up, you can play various live dealer games and online slots with bonus rounds and jackpots here.

Bonuses: 4.7/5

The 100% up to $500 poker bonus here is a bit of a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, with a $500 cap, it’s smaller than most of the other bonuses on this list. However, they release it in $5 chunks (most other real money poker sites only give you a dollar at a time), so it’s easier to earn this bonus than some others.

You’ll need to enter code PWB500 at registration to qualify, and you should be aware you only have 30 days to earn it all.

Explore Bovada bonus codes for additional perks and exclusive promotions to maximize your gaming rewards.

Banking Options: 4.9/5

The banking options are very similar to what you’ll find at Ignition, although Bovada also accepts Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV (and they take American Express as well if you’re paying with a credit card).

Crypto cashouts are lightning fast, while fiat transactions are a bit slower. You’re limited to wire transfers and couriered checks in the latter case, so it will take up to 10 business days to get your money that way.

>> Grab $500 in poker bonuses (Bovada)

3. BetOnline – Best Features of All Real Money Poker Sites Online

BetOnline – Most Innovative Features of All Real Money Poker Sites

Pros:

100% deposit match up to $1,000
Bad beat jackpot often reaches six figures
Dozens of rich tournaments every Sunday
16 different cryptocurrencies accepted
Features like live straddling available

Cons:

Not all tables eligible for bad beat jackpot
$50 deposit required to be eligible for bonuses

You might be more familiar with BetOnline as a sportsbook. However, they also have a thriving poker room, and many players prefer their software to any other on the market.

Game selection: 4.9/5

If you’ve spent more time than you care to admit in live poker rooms, then you’ll feel right at home at BetOnline.

They allow features like live straddles and all-in cashouts, so you’ll enjoy a lot of the same quirks that make live poker so much fun. It also gives you more options in terms of play while simultaneously helping you reduce variance (or increase it if you straddle enough).

Like many other real money poker sites, Sundays are the big tournament day, and while they have plenty of events with big prizes, it’s the sheer volume that sets their offerings apart. There’s a new tournament starting every 15 minutes or so, ensuring you always have plenty of action awaiting you.

Of course, if you’ve spent time playing online poker at brick-and-mortar casinos, then you know everyone has a bad beat story – but here, your story could be worth six figures.

If you lose with aces full of kings or better, you could qualify for their bad-beat jackpot, which certainly takes the sting out of getting a monster hand cracked.

Be aware, though, that not all tables qualify for the jackpot, so read the fine print before sitting down.

Bonuses: 4.7/5

The bonus here is an impressive 100% match up to $1,000, which certainly helps bolster your bankroll when starting out. You’ll have to deposit at least $50 to qualify and enter the code POKER1000 at signup to claim the bonus.

As you play, it will be released in $5 increments every time you contribute $50 in rake. A 30-day expiry period applies as well.

If you’d rather claim an online casino bonus to play online slots, use the code BETCASINO for a 100% bonus up to $1,000.

Banking Options: 4.7/5

You have 16 different cryptocurrencies at your disposal here, so if you dabble in more than just Bitcoin and Ethereum, you’ll be well taken care of. Credit cards, debit cards, and money orders are also accepted.

There are no fees on most transactions, but be aware that certain types have high minimums attached. For example, you have to withdraw at least $200 at a time if you’re using Bitcoin, while most other cryptos only require a tenth of that amount.

>> Claim up to $1000 in bonuses (BetOnline)

4. SportsBetting.ag – Best Variety of Online Real Money Poker Games

SportsBetting.ag – Best Variety of Real Money Poker Games

Pros:

Lots of fun game variations like six-plus hold ‘em
Exclusive bonuses for players on top of leaderboards
Random prizes include cash and tourney tickets
Windfall SNGs with potentially massive payouts
Robust tutorial page for new players

Cons:

Large transaction minimums for wire transfers
30-day expiry period on bonuses

It may seem odd to play online poker at a site called "SportsBetting.ag," but let’s face it – there’s a reason why most poker rooms are right next to the sportsbook in live casinos.

The card room here is excellent, so you might bookmark the online poker site even if you never have any interest in betting on anything other than your own cards.

Game selection: 5/5

Poker is an endlessly fun game, but sometimes you need a little variety in your life. If that’s the case, SportsBetting.ag offers fun variations like six-plus hold ‘em and open-face Chinese pineapple.

Six-plus hold ‘em is just like the regular version, except all cards under a six have been removed from the deck. This leads to big hands and bigger pots.

Open-face Chinese pineapple, on the other hand, is like a mix of poker and gin rummy. It’s a wild and exciting card game, and it’s simply something you need to experience for yourself.

There’s plenty of tournament action to be found at the site as well, including Windfall SNGs. These are three-player tournaments where the payout isn’t known until the thing starts – but you could stand to win an amount hundreds of times more than your buy-in.

If you think all of this variety will keep you coming back again and again, you’re right – and the site rewards you for that, too. They have daily and weekly leaderboards, and the players who sit atop those can expect cash bonuses, tournament tickets, and more for their loyalty.

Bonuses: 4.7/5

Like at BetOnline, the bonus here is a 100% match up to $1,000, and you’ll have to supply the code NEWSB to get it.

This bonus also has a $50 minimum deposit, and you only have 30 days to redeem it, so better get cracking playing all those new real money poker games.

Another thing we like about the site is its "random gift" function. You’ll occasionally find a present waiting for you on your cashier page – it could be a cash bonus, tournament tickets, or something else entirely (fingers crossed for a puppy).

Banking Options: 4.5/5

There are more than a dozen cryptocurrency options on tap here, plus credit cards (including AMEX and Discover). The minimum deposit is $20 for most cryptos or $25 for most fiat options.

Cashouts are a bit of a different story. The cryptos are generally your better option here as well, with minimums in the $20 range. If you try to deposit or withdraw via wire transfer, though, expect to fork over some serious change – $1,000 for deposits and $500 for withdrawals.

>> Snag up to $1000 in bonus funds (SportsBetting.ag)

5. Black Chip Poker – Top Real Money Poker Site for Special Events

Top Real Money Poker Site for Special Events

Pros:

$12 million in weekly tournament guarantees
Special events with prize pools up to $10 million
100% bonus up to $1,000
Freerolls available 24/7
Low transaction minimums

Cons:

Limit on number of cashouts per week
No app for iOS users

Black Chip is a relative newcomer to the world of online poker, but they’ve wasted no time in making a name for themselves. This is one of the best all-around gambling sites on the internet, and we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it climb these rankings in the years to come.

Game selection: 4.9/5

There’s a heavy emphasis on tournaments here, but it pays off, as both the MTTs and SNGs are among the best in the business.

Special events are especially enticing; one such event, The Venom, has a $10 million guaranteed prize pool. That tourney draws attention from virtually everyone in the poker world, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself seated next to some well-known pros.

You don’t have to wait for a special event to cash in, though. There’s more than $12 million in guaranteed prize money every week, and you have plenty of opportunities to get your hands on it.

If you don’t have enough to buy into your tourney of choice, there are freerolls running 24/7, with $50 in prize money awaiting the winner.

There’s also a mobile app for players who like to play cash games on their phone – but only if that phone’s an Android. iPhone users can play straight through Black Chip’s website.

Bonuses: 4.5/5

Like several of its competitors, Black Chip offers a 100% match bonus up to $1,000. You have to deposit at least $25 to get it, and you’ll be given a dollar every time you earn 27.5 player points.

There are also cash prizes for players who top their weekly leaderboards, so if you spend a lot of time at the tables, don’t be shocked if you get rewarded for your loyalty.

Banking Options: 4.5/5

The big four cryptos are accepted here, along with credit cards and Luxon Pay. Deposit minimums are low – $10 in most cases – but you’ll need at least $50 to cash out.

There’s also a cap on how many times you can cash out per week. It’s fairly generous, as you can usually get a withdrawal every 24 hours, but it’s better to know that now than when you’re strapped for cash.

>> Double your first deposit up to $1,000 at Black Chip

How We Ranked the Best Online Poker Sites for Real Money

Deciding on the top real money online poker sites isn’t easy, and to do so, we had to create a method for fairly comparing each site we visited. Here are the criteria we used:

Player Traffic

Player traffic is arguably the most important factor when it comes to how good a poker site is. Few players mean few tournaments and cash games – making it hard to find action 24/7.

This is why we ranked online poker sites with a bigger number of active players higher, and we logged in during odd hours to make sure there was some action and tournaments available.

Poker Software & Customization

We’ve reviewed the poker software at all online casino sites and the features it has to offer. Rest assured that whether you want your cards fully colored to spot a flush from a mile away or you’d like to use hotkeys for specific actions – you can customize your gameplay the way it fits you.

Poker Tournaments

From experience and based on players occupying the tables, over 60% of users are looking to play tournaments at online poker sites – so it only makes sense that we ranked the ones with a better tournament palette higher.

Selection of Online Poker Games

There’s nothing more important than knowing that a site will have the game you like to play at the stakes you want to play at – and that there will actually be real money poker games going when you log on.

All of our top poker sites have extensive selections of tables, with regular traffic at all hours of the day.

Poker Bonuses

You don’t have to get bonus money to make a poker site worthwhile – but it certainly helps. Our top online poker sites have generous bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements, ensuring you start your card career out with a nice little bankroll boost.

Banking Options

Most players pay no attention to the fine print on the cashier page until it’s time to cash out, and then they wonder where all their money went. We looked for online poker sites with lots of deposit options and made sure that any fees or transaction minimums were fair.

Why is Ignition the Top Site to Play Poker With Real Money Online?

Picking the real money online casinos that made up this list wasn’t easy – with the exception of the #1 site. Ignition was the clear winner, and here’s why:

Extensive Game Selection

No matter your game of choice, you can find it at Ignition. They have a large player base, ensuring there are always active tables, and their tournament selection is top-notch (including big-money events every Sunday).

Lucrative Deposit Bonus

New players are eligible for up to $3,000 in bonus money. 50% of that must be spent at their online casino, but even split in half, this is one of the most generous bonuses we’ve found.

Player Protection

Ignition has anonymous tables designed to protect recreational players from the pros. You’ll be assigned a random screen name every time you log on, so unscrupulous players won’t be able to log your playing information and target you everywhere you go.

Multiple Banking Options

Regardless of whether you want to deposit with crypto or fiat currency, you’ll have plenty of options here. Cashouts are extremely fast, and transaction fees are minimal.

Why Should I Play Online Poker for Real Money?

If you’ve never played at online poker sites before, you might not realize what you’re missing. Here are just a few of the advantages that online poker has over its brick-and-mortar counterpart:

More Action

At a live poker room, it’s a struggle to play more than a few dozen hands an hour. You have to wait for the dealer to shuffle and deal, the other players to pay attention, chips to be counted…the list goes on and on.

On the internet, though, shuffling is instant, and you can play multiple tables at once. That means you can get in hundreds of hands per hour, ensuring there’s never a lull in the action.

More Online Poker Games

Walk into any casino, and you’ll be lucky to find more than a few tables running – and all of them are probably no-limit hold ‘em.

Online card rooms, on the other hand, have every poker game imaginable, from hold ‘em to Omaha to Chinese open-face pineapple. There’s always something new to try – you just have to know where to find it.

More Money

When you play poker at brick-and-mortar casinos, you’re lucky if you get a few bucks in player comps for every hundred hours you play. That might buy you a plate of their greasy food but not much else.

Online casinos are constantly competing for your business, though, and they have much less overhead than live online poker rooms. As a result, they can shower you with rewards, from deposit bonuses to loyalty programs that you can use to play poker games and slots.

More Convenient

In the past, if you wanted to get a game of cards, you’d have to put on pants, get in your car, fight traffic, find a parking space…we’re getting tired just thinking about it.

Now, you can find great real money online poker games in just a few seconds, and all you have to do is turn on your phone or computer. You don’t even have to put on pants (we won’t tell anyone).

Guide to Playing Poker Online for Real Money: FAQ

Can I Play Online Poker for Real Money?

Yes, most online poker sites let you play for real money. You can play ring games or poker tournaments at just about any limit you like, from microstakes to nosebleeds.

Are Real Money Online Poker Sites Legit?

Assuming you play at a reputable site, then yes, online poker rooms are legit. Every single site on this list is registered with a reputable gaming commission, and they’ve all been in business for multiple years with sterling reputations.

Is Online Poker a Game of Skill or Luck?

There’s both skill and luck involved in poker. Luck can be important in the short run, but over time skill wins out.

Can I Play Real Money Poker from My Phone?

Yes, most online poker sites have mobile applications that you can use to play for real money. You might not be able to play every single game they have available, but you should be able to play a few cash tables and a tournament or two.

Which Online Poker Site Has the Best Deposit Bonus?

Ignition and Bovada have the best deposit bonuses but in very different ways. Ignition has the biggest bonus, which is up to $3,000 (half of which can be used for poker).

Bovada’s isn’t as big, at just $500 max, but it’s the easiest one to earn back because it’s released in $5 increments.

What is the Best Real Money Online Poker Site?

Ignition is currently the best real money online poker site we’ve found. It has great bonuses, tons of traffic, and plenty of features in place designed to ensure a fair and fun gaming experience.

Comparison of the 5 Best Poker Sites for Real Money

Ignition: Our top site has excellent action at both the ring game and tournament sections, and the anonymous tables discourage pros from feasting on weaker players. Register a new real money poker account, and you can earn up to $3,000 in bonus cash.

Bovada: You’ll find over $2 million in guaranteed tourney prize pools every week at Bovada, making it our top choice for tournament action. They also have a $500 bonus that’s exclusively for poker players.

BetOnline: If you want a live poker experience, head to BetOnline. They allow things like live straddles and all-in cashouts, and you’ll also be eligible for a 100% deposit match up to $1,000.

SportsBetting.ag: When you get tired of hold ‘em and Omaha, SportsBetting.ag has fun games like six-plus hold ‘em and Chinese open-face pineapple. You’ll also get a 100% match up to $1,000 here.

Black Chip Poker: No site has better special events than Black Chip, as some of their tourneys have prize pools of up to $10 million. New players are eligible for a 100% deposit match up to $1,000.

How to Sign Up at a Real Money Online Poker Site

Never played online poker before? No worries – signing up is easy and only takes a minute or two. We’ll show you exactly how to do it below.

Step One - Choose a Poker Site

Browse our list and choose a poker site (our top pick is Ignition)
Head to the poker website

Step Two – Register an Account

Click the orange "Join" button in the upper right-hand corner
A registration form will pop up
Once it’s filled out, check the box at the bottom and click "Register"

Step Three – Verify Your Account

To proceed, you’ll need to verify your account
Some sites will send you an email, others a text message
Once you find the verification message, follow the attached instructions

Step Four – Deposit & Play Real Money Poker Online

Now that your account is verified, head to the cashier page
Choose your preferred deposit method
Enter a bonus code (if applicable) and decide how much to deposit

That’s it - you’re ready to play online poker for real money!

Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money

Poker is a game that can be learned in a few minutes, but it takes a lifetime to master. The following tips might not transform you into Phil Ivey overnight, but they’ll go a long way toward giving you an edge over the other players at the table.

Stick to Strong Starting Hands

More often than not, the best cards at the start of the hand are still the best cards at the end of it. While you might see certain pros get cute with trash hands, it’s very hard to play online poker like that and win.

Be patient and wait for premium hands like AA, AK, suited connectors, and so on. That QJ-off might look good if you haven’t seen any decent cards in a while, but playing hands like that can often leave you in a world of hurt.

Be Aggressive

Once you get one of the premium hands mentioned above, play it hard. Don’t be afraid to punish limpers, and try not to give free cards if possible.

Being aggressive gives you two chances to win, as you could either show down the best hand or force the other player to fold. And in the instances in which your hand proves to be the best, aggression will help you build a nice-sized pot as a reward.

Pay Attention at All Times

Many players only pay attention to the hands that they’re in, and as soon as they fold, they immediately start looking at their phones or checking out YouTube. This robs you of valuable information you could potentially use to make a tough decision later on.

Instead, watch the action as it unfolds. Note how the other players play poker online – which ones are loose, which are tight, which are maniacs.

Pay attention to bet sizing as well. How much does a player bet when they have a monster? Do they bet more or less when they’re bluffing? This info can be worth a fortune at the poker table.

Don’t Be Afraid to Leave the Table

The beauty of online poker is that there’s no shortage of games running at any given time. If you’re at a table that doesn’t seem very juicy, don’t be afraid to get up and move to another game. You can even switch poker rooms entirely if you need to.

On a related note, don’t be afraid to quit if you’re not playing well, either. Chasing losses rarely works out well, and many bankrolls have been destroyed by a single night of tilted play. Better to cut your losses and come back tomorrow – the online poker room will still be here then.

If you’re as interested in other casino games as you are in poker, check out this guide to learn how and where to play craps online for real money

So, Where Will You Play Poker Online for Real Money?

There isn’t a single game that can match poker for its mix of strategy and fortune – but poker isn’t really poker unless you’re playing for real money.

All of the real money poker sites listed above are fantastic for pitting your skills against live opponents, and while we feel Ignition is the top poker site in the world today – each of the other card rooms is worth exploring as well.

At the end of the day, the best poker site is the one you’re most comfortable with – but then again, the best pond is the one with the most fish in it, if you catch our drift.

Good luck, and play poker online responsibly!

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with risks. There’s no guarantee of financial gain, so you should only gamble with what you can afford to lose.

While gambling can be fun, it can also be addictive. If you or anyone you know suffers from a gambling addiction problem, we recommend that you call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 to speak with an advisor. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are only for people who are 21+. Also, check with local laws to find out if online gambling is legal in your area.

For free online gambling addiction resources, visit these organizations:

Best Online Poker Sites for Real Money by Traffic & Tournaments (2024 Update)