The Best Poker Apps & Mobile Sites for Real Money 2022

How we Choose the Best Poker Apps & Mobile Sites

All of the best poker apps and mobile sites will have a few key traits in common, as well as some stand-out features that set them apart from the competition. From fast loading speeds and welcome offers, to a range of titles and ease of navigation, here are the factors we take into consideration when rating and reviewing mobile poker apps in 2022. 

Available Poker Games

The number one ranking factor of any world-class poker app is its range of poker titles, recurring cash games, and weekly tournaments. Poker games should run at different stakes, buy-ins, and betting structures. The best poker apps offer pot-limit, no-limit, and fixed limits. In addition to Omaha and Texas Holdem, we’re looking for extra casino games as well, like Pai Gow, Caribbean Stud, and Oasis Poker.

Mobile Optimization

When it comes to mobile poker apps, the overall betting experience takes center stage. Apps should be fully optimized for smartphones, simple to navigate, and compatible with both Android and iOS. Cash tables and tournaments should be clearly visible from the home tab, with ultra-fast loading screens, and zero buffering. All these details create fast, seamless, and uninterrupted play.

Game Software

A mobile app’s poker software plays a massive role in determining speed and quality. We look for platforms that are actively developed and curated by world-class poker providers, such as the Chico Network and AIS Technolabs. Regular updates and software rollouts are also a must to ensure a great platform. Furthermore, reputation is key and the poker apps with the best software carry the strongest reputation. 

Safety & Security

When reviewing top poker apps, security and safety are essential. Mobile poker platforms need to have the right licensing and security in place, with registered licenses, SSL certificates, end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and added password protection in place. To ensure that your funds, profile, and private information stay secure, it pays to side with industry veterans. 

Poker Bonuses & Promotions

Of course, no poker app would be complete without a range of strong (mobile-friendly) welcome offers, bonuses and incentives in place. Recurring bonuses for new and existing players should include a strong match deposit poker welcome offer, various freeroll incentives, top-ups, rebuys, boosts, and more. Bonuses should have high payout potential with flexible terms. 

Range of Payment Methods

Payment methods are vital when determining the best poker apps. They need to be safe, fast, convenient, and varied with a special emphasis on cryptocurrency. We look for the best deposit and withdrawal methods, including wire transfers, eWallets, Person to Person, and debit/credit cards, as well as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and more. 

Are Poker Apps Legal in the US?

As of 2022, there are still only 6 states where playing online poker is fully legalized and regulated. These are Nevada, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Additionally, real-money poker apps would fall under the online poker umbrella and are fully legal in accordance with the state’s regulations on digital poker. 

However, keep in mind that all of the platforms mentioned in this article are fully accredited offshore gaming entities with licenses held out of state. These sites are not being held to the same governing poker restrictions and regulations found throughout the US and operate as standalone entities. 

Players can sign up in a few steps and start wagering and withdrawing at one or more top offshore poker apps, including BetOnline, Bovada, SportsBetting.ag, or Ignition. The apps themselves are fast, intuitive and fully compliant with international regulations for online poker.

How to Sign up & Play Poker on Mobile

Now that you’re familiar with the best poker apps and mobile betting sites on the market, we’re sure you’re itching to register your account, deposit funds, and tap into the best action around. These are the steps needed to start playing poker on mobile:

Step 1: Hit the Join Button

First things first, you’re going to want to register your account at a leading mobile poker platform. We’ll use BetOnline, but the process is mostly the same across all sites. Head over to the BetOnline homepage and select the “Join” button at the top right of the screen. 

Step 2: Fill in Your Details

You’ll be directed to an online form asking you to fill in a few key details. These are standard and include the name, email address, unique password, date of birth, mobile number, password, and the country you’re logging in from. You’ll also get to choose a player nickname when you enter the poker room to keep a nice level of anonymity. Once done, hit “Create Account”.

Step 3: Verify Your Email Address

The site will send you an email prompting you to verify. You’ll also see a unique account number that you’ll need to log in with. Enter the number in the space provided and include your unique password.

Step 4: Make a Deposit

Now it’s time to make your first deposit. Navigate over to the cashier (or deposits) page from your app or mobile screen. Select the currency you’d like to deposit funds with and follow the necessary steps to complete the transaction. Depending on the method used, deposits are either processed instantly or may take up to a few hours at a time.

Step 5: Redeem Your Welcome Offer

Remember to redeem your welcome offer on the platform’s cashier (or deposits) page when adding funds to your account. Simply place the unique code in the relevant box provided. Then complete the deposit to activate the bonus offer.

Step 6: Find a Table

Congrats! With your new account up and running, all that’s left to do is find your preferred table, wager a stake, and start winning with the best poker apps for real money. Navigate through the platform’s dropdown list, or visit the BetOnline dedicated poker suite for a list of recurring tournaments, top-up bonuses, and other incentives.

Most Popular Games available on Poker Apps

Some poker formats and tournament types are a breeze to play on a poker app for real money. The action is fast-paced and captivating, the pots are large, the formats are friendly, and the games are easy to navigate through. These are the most popular games played on poker apps in 2022:

Popular Cash Game Variants

Nothing beats the thrill of sitting down at a game of cash poker. The most popular cash game titles on poker apps are for No-Limit Texas Hold’em at various stakes. Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is the second most popular poker cash game variant. Other options include 7-Card Stud, 2-7 Triple Draw, and 7-Card Hi-Lo.

Popular Tournament Game Variants

Most tournaments on the best poker apps are played in No-Limit Texas Hold’em format. Other variations of stud and community card poker are less popular but you’ll find some on online poker apps. Special variations for poker tournaments can include added features for more excitement. BetOnline and Bovada alone have 8 different tournament types running weekly, including progressive bounties and rebuy frenzies. 

Popular Casino Poker Games

Casino poker is a great way to perfect your strategy and have some fun in an environment with lower stakes. You can set your own buy-ins, choose your playing style, and find the game that works for you. Some of the most popular casino poker games are Caribbean Stud Poker, Ride’m Poker, and Oasis Poker. Video poker variations also fit in this category and include Joker Wild, Double Bonus, Jacks or Better, and Deuces Wild. 

Real Money Poker for Android & iPhone

Real money poker Android and iPhone apps are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. The ease of navigation, mobile compatibility, and range of titles ensure high-quality play from start to finish.  

Google Play and the App Store do still impose certain restrictions on gambling and poker across regulated states. These days, most poker platforms offer standalone apps that can be downloaded directly from the site in a few easy steps.  

Rest assured that all major poker apps are well optimized for mobile and their offerings are fully compatible with both Android and iOS. You’ll always find a clean fast-loading interface with top titles and clear navigation. Some of the best apps for Android include BetOnline Poker and Bovada Poker. 

Poker Mobile Apps vs Desktop Sites – Differences and Benefits

When comparing mobile apps and desktop poker sites, the main difference that comes to mind is convenience. Mobile apps allow players to wager and win real money from anywhere they like, at any hour of the day. You’ll always have a selection of top poker matchups, tournaments, and incentives in your pocket, regardless of where you’re based. 

On the other hand, the larger screen when playing from a desktop computer can be beneficial. This is especially true if you plan on playing at multiple tables at the same time. Being able to see all the hands at a glance can be easier than switching between them on a mobile device.

The best option mostly comes down to your preferences and playstyle. For a few quick poker hands, mobile apps are ideal. For a serious session across multiple tables, we recommend desktop sites.

Best Real Money Bonuses for Poker Apps

The best poker apps and mobile-optimized sites will always have a range of recurring promotions, offers, and incentives to help you explore the platform. Here are some of the most profitable bonuses that you can find:

Welcome Bonuses

Every online poker platform and mobile app will have an enticing welcome offer for new players to redeem and enjoy. They come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, with the most common being a match deposit bonus. This is where your first-time online deposit will be matched by the house, up to a certain percentage. 

Welcome bonuses come with their own set of wagering requirements where you’ll need to redeem the offer by completing certain rollover criteria. Some leading welcome bonuses include BetOnline’s 100% up to $1,000 poker welcome bonus or Everygames’ 100% match deposit up to $1,000 + 25 free casino spins. 

No Deposit Bonuses

These bonuses will reward you for completing a particular action onsite, such as locking in a specific hand, betting a certain amount, or reaching a set online target. No deposit bonuses are a great way to continue playing and accumulating wins on poker without having to top up your account in the process. 

No deposit bonuses also tie in nicely with in-app loyalty incentives and existing referral programs. Play enough hands of poker and you’ll climb to a higher tier to unlock bigger and better no deposit bonuses. Bovada has a great loyalty program where you earn points for playing poker on the app and you can then turn the points into no deposit bonuses.

Bad Beat Jackpot

A great recurring promo that’s unique to poker platforms is the Bad Beat Jackpot. Look for tables marked with yellow stars, stake your initial wager, and you’ll share in a community jackpot with other players. To win the lion share of the jackpot, you must lose with a hand of four-of-a-kind or better. Other players also get portions of the progressive jackpot when it is hit.

Certain platforms carry an additional Bad Beat Jackpot that can be claimed when playing Boost Poker (known as a Boost Bad Beat Jackpot). This “fast-fold” poker format allows players to see more hands per hour, which means a faster growing jackpot and more chances to win it. Check out SportsBetting.ag for top Bad Beat Jackpots. 

Payment Methods for Poker Apps & Mobile

The best poker apps are primed to deliver fast and convenient banking methods at every turn. You can make deposits and withdrawals using a variety of different methods. Top brands even accept leading cryptocurrencies, which carry zero processing fees and clear instantly. Below are the four main methods for depositing and withdrawing funds when using poker apps.  

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin remains the world’s go-to cryptocurrency and the driving force for real money casinos. Every leading online platform and poker app has adopted Bitcoin as a viable payment method. Fast, reliable, anonymous, and valuable, Bitcoin remains the preferred crypto banking method for online platforms. 

Altcoins

Altcoins are cryptocurrenies other than Bitcoin, which can come with various perks. For example top Ethereum casinos are fast and secure as the digital currency is highly regarded in the crypto space and is readily accepted by most major poker platforms and apps. Other popular altcoins include Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ripple, and Dash.

Credit/Debit Cards

Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards are still some of the most straightforward and effective depositing methods when playing mobile poker online. The only downside is that the acceptance rate can vary based on the selected poker app. Deposits start at around $20 and move up to $5,000 daily, depending on the platform.

eWallets

Some poker platforms have entrenched agreements with leading money transferal services (eWallets) such as Neteller, Skrill, or PayPal, and will happily accept incoming deposits through these channels. The processing fees are relatively quick, with minimum deposits starting at around $50. Unfortunately, eWallets aren’t widely available on offshore poker apps due to gambling regulations.

The Best Poker App / Mobile Site in the US

That’s it for our guide of the best poker apps making their mark in 2022. While each platform has its own set of unique draw cards, it’s BetOnline that takes the top position. The site’s fast-loading, intuitive, and captivating poker app is packed with all the latest and greatest titles, tournaments, bonuses, and features. Plus, the network has great traffic with loose competition, which is the ideal combination.

Furthermore, the site’s cutting-edge poker software continues to refine its offering to exceed global poker standards. Mobile poker players can also enjoy a 100% poker welcome bonus, freeroll incentives, and special promotions for an added boost. 

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