Cameron has written on sports and poker for 11 years in both a newspaper and online capacity, including with PokerStars and PokerListings. As a proud winning poker player at 50NL on PokerStars who achieved his poker dream by playing finishing 420th in the in the 2023 World Series of Poker's Millionaire Maker, Cameron shares his expert knowledge when writing articles for Basketball Insiders.
All posts by camerondhaliwal
David spent 25 years as both a writer and editor within the betting/casino industries - including at The Guardian, Racing Post, 888Casino and Sky Sports Racing - prior to joining BBI. He has a diploma in sub-editing and law, is the author of four books, and remains a successful sports tipster.
All posts by David MyersLive casino poker is the closest alternative to playing in a poker room around a table at a brick-and-mortar casino. It is not only convenient but also fun and potentially rewarding, especially when playing at a top-quality online casino. Fortunately, you don’t have to sort through hundreds of online casinos to find the best – the casinos listed are all secure to play.
Here is a comprehensive review comparing the top seven live online casino poker sites. This review also includes a detailed guide on playing live online poker like a pro to help get you started before looking at any upcoming tournaments.
|
100% Poker Welcome Offer Up To $1,000 |
|
Play Now |
|
100% Poker Bonuses up to $500 |
|
Play Now |
|
200% Welcome Bonus Up to €25,000 + 50 Free Spins |
|
Play Now |
|
200% up to $1,000 |
|
Play Now |
|
Up To $4,000 Casino Welcome Bonus Spread Across First x4 Deposits |
|
Play Now |
|
150% Poker Welcome Bonus Up To $1,500 |
|
Play Now |
|
$1000 Deposit Bonus for new Poker Players |
|
Play Now |
- To top
Best Live Online Poker Sites
There are hundreds of online casinos, and many offer live poker. However, some offshore poker sites are better than others, and the following seven rank among the best. Overall, they offer crystal-clear graphics, fair gaming policies, exciting cash games varieties including live poker tournaments, enticing rewards, and a fun playing experience. Most notably, they are based off-shore, fully licensed and regulated, and legal to use.
- BetOnline – No.1 live poker casino with excellent poker promotions
- Bovada – Offering high-stakes live poker daily tournaments
- Lucky Block – Modern crypto casino with over a dozen poker variations
- Everygame – Fabulous range of poker promotions and immersive live dealer tables
- SportsBetting.ag – World-class poker experience via its flawless gaming software
- Ignition – Excellent online poker software giving real-life playing experience
- Juicy Stakes – Poker game variants for players of all budgets big or small
Why Play Live Poker at an Online Casino?
Playing in a poker room is always fun. In addition to the fun, live poker is convenient because you can play in a poker room from anywhere whenever you feel like it; you only need an internet-enabled device, such as a smartphone, to access hundreds of online poker sites. In 2020, online poker revenue reached approximately $3.3 billion globally so this demonstrates its worldwide appeal.
Live casinos also offer diverse poker variants to suit different players’ tastes and preferences. You can try out different types, move between tables and develop your strategies against other skilled players in any live poker room.
Overall, winning is the most enticing reason for playing live poker online. Many casinos host cash games, and you can win cash prizes using a reliable strategy and with some luck on your side. However, it is also worth noting that most casinos offer certain poker variations for free.
Comparison of the Best Live Poker Sites
The best live poker sites differ in some aspects, such as betting limits, daily tournaments and game variants. Here is a quick comparison of the cash games these sites offer ahead of any upcoming tournaments, their bet limits, and poker promotions:
Poker Played Against the House
Casino Texas Hold’em Omaha 7-Card Stud Min/max Bet Limit Casino Welcome Bonus BetOnline ✅ ✅ ❌ $0.01/$0.02 – $5/$10 100% up to $1,000 Bovada ✅ ✅ ❌ $0.05/$0.15 – $30/$60 100% up to $3,000 Lucky Block ✅ ❌ ❌ $0.01/$0.02 – $5/$10 200% up to £10,000 Everygame ✅ ✅ ❌ $0.02/$0.04 – $10/$20 125% up to $1,000 SportsBetting.ag ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.05/$0.10 – $15/$30 100% up to $3,000 Ignition ✅ ✅ ❌ $0.05/$0.10 – $30/$60 150% up to $1,500 Juicy Stakes ✅ ✅ ❌ $0.01/$0.02 – $500/$1,000 25 free spins Live Dealer Poker Sites
Casino Live Poker Freerolls Texas Hold’em Omaha Min/Max Stakes Poker Welcome Bonus BetOnline ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.01/$0.02 – $5/$10 100% up to $1,000 Bovada ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.02/$0.05 – $30/$60 100% up to $500 Lucky Block ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ $0.01/$0.02 – $5/$10 200% up to £10,000 Everygame ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.02/$0.04 – $10/$20 200% up to $1,000 SportsBetting.ag ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.05/$0.10 – $15/$30 100% up to $1,000 Ignition ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.05/$0.10 – $30/$60 150% up to $1,500 Juicy Stakes ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ $0.01/$0.02 – $500/$1,000 200% up to $1,000 Advantages of Playing Live Poker
Playing online live in a poker room has many advantages, including the following:
Easy & Quick Access
You don’t need to drive all the way to a brick-and-mortar casino to enjoy a round of poker. You can play live poker games online from anywhere and at any time via your smartphone or PC in a live poker room.
Diverse Game Variants
Poker comes in diverse variations with slightly different rules and playing styles. Brick-and-mortar casinos offer limited game variations because of their limited floorspace and staff. In contrast, the best poker sites offer as many variations and daily tournaments are available via a virtual poker room to suit your diverse tastes.
Bonuses & Promotions
Poker bonuses and poker promotions are rare at brick-and-mortar casinos. However, you can claim various poker promotions at online poker sites, such as welcome and deposit bonuses. The bonuses can help you play for longer or cushion your losses.
Less Intimidation & Better Tracking
Sitting across a group of experienced poker players can feel intimidating, especially with everyone trying to read your body language. Fortunately, live online poker is remote, so no one can make you feel uncomfortable in a live poker room. Additionally, you can track your opponents’ moves and take notes of their strategies to boost your own strategy, especially in poker tournaments.
Managed Financial Risk
You can play certain variants of poker for free at most online casinos, eliminating a financial risk. Additionally, there are ways to cushion your financial risk when playing with real money in cash games, such as making small wagers and taking advantage of poker promotions.
How to Play Live Online Poker
Playing in a live poker room is easy and follows the same rules observed when playing at a conventional casino. Here is a step-by-step guide on playing Texas Hold’em, the most popular live poker variation in the world, with some pointers to help you get started:
1. The Blinds
Before any cards are dealt, two mandatory bets are made called the small blind and the big blind to kick-start the round of betting.
2. The Deal
The next step involves the dealer dealing each tournament player two facedown cards to each of the players. Obviously in a real-life poker room you want to keep these hidden from other players, in live online casinos, these are only visible to you.
3. The Bet
Based on the two cards you have been dealt, you are then expected to make one of the following three decisions:
- Check – decline the offer to start betting.
- Call/bet – match another player’s bet.
- Fold – give up if you have a weak hand.
However, it is worth noting that all players must call/bet to match the amount if one tournament player makes the first bet. This stage is often referred to as the pre-flop.
4. The Flop
Next, the dealer deals the community cards (three face-up cards), also known as the flop. The community cards give you a better idea of your hand’s strength, which is why it’s not always advisable to fold before betting starts. This step also involves another round of betting.
5. The Turn
The dealer then deals a fourth face-up community card, known as the turn, further giving you a better idea of your hand’s strength. This step also involves one more round of betting.
6. The River
The dealer deals the fifth and final card face-up, known as the river. This is when you understand your card’s full potential and make your final betting round – the post river.
7. Showdown
If two or more players remain in the game, then a showdown will take place where players reveal their hands to find the winner. Ties are possible, in which case the highest card (kicker) determines the ultimate winner.
Play Free Live Poker Online
You don’t necessarily need to spend money in cash games to play in a live poker room at a casino. Some of the poker sites above offer certain poker variants for free. You can enjoy playing these games solo or with friends just for fun. Other free poker offers include freeroll entries into live poker tournaments with incredibly low minimum bet limits.
The benefit of playing in a free poker room includes no financial risk, opportunity to try out different variations at no cost, and the chance to try out different strategies too. Free online poker is like a training ground and enables you to learn all the relevant terminology, get familiar with the bets, practice your skills against other players in daily tournaments and learn how to read your opponents by their actions.
Best of all, whether it’s free video poker or normal free online poker enables you to build your confidence, which is the most crucial skill you’ll need when playing with real money in a live poker room at an online casino – so keep an eye out for any upcoming tournaments.
Live Poker Hand Rankings
Winning live poker tournaments has a lot do with knowing your hand’s ranking, which is important to memorize. Here is an overview of poker hand rankings from the strongest to the weakest:
Player’s Hand Definition Royal Flush: A combination of five cards, from the same suit, of successive values ranging from 10 to Ace is the strongest poker hand. Straight Flush: A combination of five cards, from the same suit, of successive values excluding the Royal Flush is the second-strongest hand. Four of a Kind: A combination of four numerically matching cards from the four different suits. The highest card on the table or in your hand completes the five-card hand. Full House: A combination of three same-value cards in three different suits plus a pair of same-value cards in two different suits. Flush: A combination of five cards of random values within the same suit. The combination with the highest-value card wins. Straight: A combination of five cards of consecutive values across at least two suits. Three of a Kind: A combination of at least three same-value cards across three different suits, plus two other cards of varying values and suits. Two Pair: A combination of two pairs of same-value cards plus an extra card of any value to complete the hand. Pair: A pair of same-value cards across two different suits plus three other cards of different values. High Card: A combination of five different cards in no particular pattern with one of a higher value than the rest. Comparing the Live Poker House Edge to Other Poker Games
‘The house always wins’ is a popular phrase. It is also true to a point, as the casino always has an edge over players. Here is an overview of the average house edge based on the following four popular poker variants:
Poker Variant House Edge Caribbean Stud Poker: 5.22% Three-Card Poker: 1.5% Ultimate Texas Hold’em: 2.19% Pai Gow Poker: 2.5% The casino doesn’t determine the house edge – instead, it is built into the game’s mechanics. You can evaluate the house edge to determine the most rewarding cash games.
The Best Live Poker Strategy
The best poker players have tested and proven strategies that they rely on to help them win poker tournaments. Some strategies are generic, but the most reliable ones are personalized to suit each player’s individual needs. Here is an overview of five playing styles and tips to help you put together a reliable live poker strategy:
Play Fewer Hands
Playing too many hands in any of the upcoming tournaments online will deplete your chips faster than you can manage enough winnings. As such, start by playing fewer, more manageable hands. Additionally, play your hands aggressively to mask your actual hand’s strength.
Fast-Play Your Strong Hands
Slow-playing is safe if you have a weak or uncertain hand, but wasteful when you have a strong hand. Fast-playing your strong hands can help you build the pot, chase players with weak hands off the pot, and make more money in cash games.
Analyze Your Opponents & Exploit Weaknesses
You can still read your opponents’ moves even when playing casino live poker. Understanding your opponents’ approach can help you improve your playing strategy for that particular round. Additionally, if you want to become a good tournament player, don’t hesitate to exploit your opponents’ weaknesses based on their tells.
Select Your Games Wisely
A good live online poker game is one that gives you a considerable chance of winning. For example, finding one of the many daily tournaments with weaker players than yourself is good. Overall, analyze each game’s setting and only play if you have a high chance of winning.
Fold When You are Unsure
A good tournament player knows when they are beaten. Folding is the best option when defeat is inevitable. Unfortunately, many inexperienced poker players are too proud or curious to fold. Overall, you should learn to accept wins and losses graciously and fold when you have a weak hand.
Top Tips for Playing Live Poker Online
Poker is a strategic game, and winning not only takes luck but also a reliable strategy. Your playing style can help or hurt your chances of winning, and now that frequent poker tournaments are happening, here are eight tips to help you play live cash games like a pro and win some poker tournaments:
Memorize Hand Rankings
The player with the best high hand wins in poker. As such, understanding each hand’s ranking is essential so you can make quick decisions on whether your hand is worth playing or not. Fortunately, hand rankings are easy to memorize when you play regularly in daily tournaments.
Many online casinos such as BetOnline will assist you in getting familiar with the various poker hands and their ranking.
Pick a Strategic Position
Any upcoming tournaments with a live poker room or table can sit up to ten players on average. The chips usually flow in a clockwise direction, meaning that some players play before others. Information is essential in poker, and being the last to play enables you to evaluate other players’ moves. As such, picking a late position usually helps give you an edge over your opponents.
Develop a Reliable Strategy
Every successful tournament player has a clear strategy to show for their winning streaks. Poker strategies vary depending on your approach and playing style, and it is always advisable to personalize yours according to your needs. However, you can always borrow from other common poker strategies before developing yours so take the opportunity to learn from others. Poker is regularly televised and there are lots of written strategies out there to read up on so do your research to help develop your game.
Use Bluffs Wisely
Bluffing your opponent out of a high hand feels great, but it doesn’t always work. Bluffing can backfire if you have a weak hand, leaving you in a losing position. Overall, you should only bluff when you can back it up. Interestingly, bluffing is most common at low-stakes cash games.
Always Consider Your Bankroll
Playing for real money in cash games requires a sound mathematical strategy. Ideally, and obviously the aim is to win more money than you lose, which entails playing within your bankroll – overall, don’t risk more than you can afford to lose.
Control & Overcome Your Emotions
Playing in a poker room is exciting, and other emotions such as happiness, sadness, and anger are common when playing for real money. However, poker is a strategic game, and extreme emotions can cloud your judgment. As such, learning to control and overcome your emotions ahead of any upcoming tournaments is essential, especially when you realize that you can’t always win 100% of the time.
Take Advantage of Offers
Many online casinos offer bonuses, poker promotions, daily tournaments with promos and other giveaways to entice and retain their players. Offers such as cash bonuses and freeroll entries into tournament play can help boost your playing positions. Fortunately, because so many poker tournaments are happening, most of the offers have simple requirements for participating, making them easy to claim. However, always ensure you have read the full terms and conditions before signing up for poker promotions.
Choose the Best Live Poker Casino
Unfortunately some poker sites can be unreliable, untrustworthy and can make the online playing experience feel frustrating. In contrast, the best poker rooms offer sharp graphics, diverse poker variants, enticing offers, and overall enjoyable playing experiences. Choosing a live poker site from our list of recommendations will ensure you can play confidently and safely.
The Most Popular Live Poker Cash Games
Live poker comes in many variations featuring slightly different rules and playing styles. Some of the variants are more fun and popular than others. Here is an overview of the top five online poker variations:
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular online poker variation. It is based on the rules listed earlier. The goal is to get the best five-card set using any five cards from your two hole cards and the five community cards.
Seven-Card Stud
Seven-Card Stud was the most popular poker variation before Texas Hold’em took the spotlight. It requires more skill than Texas Hold’em, and it doesn’t involve flops or community cards. Instead, the dealer deals seven cards (three facedown and four face-up), and you choose the strongest set of five cards to win.
Omaha
Omaha mostly works like Texas Hold’em with a few differences. Most notably, players receive four facedown cards instead of two, but their final hand must use exactly two of their hole cards plus three community cards. Additionally, all players are obliged to play to the end. Winning requires the strongest set of five cards, just like in Texas Hold’em.
Five-Card Draw
Five-Card Draw poker leaves little room for strategy – it is mostly about the cards you are dealt. You get five cards to start with, and you can exchange three of them during the betting rounds. The tournament player with the best set of five cards wins.
High Low Chicago
High Low Chicago is modelled after Seven-Card Stud with a few notable differences. First, the highest or lowest hand can win, depending on the rules. Second, there can be two winners to split the pot: the winner with the lowest spade, and the winner with the strongest high hand thereafter.
Here is an overview of the individual poker sites variations’ benefits over each other:
Poker Room Variation Pros Texas Hold’em It is so popular that it is available at virtually all online poker sites. Seven-Card Stud You can view some of your opponents’ cards to make a more strategic move. Omaha Getting a stronger high hand is more likely because you get more hole cards. However you must use exactly two of them in your final hand. Five-Card Draw The game is quick and easy to follow because there is only one drawing round. High Low Chicago The rules are flexible and up to two people can win and split the pot. Playing Live Online Poker on Mobile
Now that poker tournaments are happening so frequently, 24/7 access is one of the most convenient advantages of playing live poker at a casino. Most internet-enabled devices will do, including your smartphone. Fortunately, playing in an online poker room on mobile is easy and enjoyable. Overall, the only notable difference to playing on a PC is the smaller screen size, which you will get used to over time.
Most poker sites have mobile-responsive websites that you can access via your smartphone’s web browser. However, you need an advanced mobile web browser to access all of the sites’ features for a smooth playing experience.
Many poker sites also have downloadable mobile poker online apps for Android and iOS devices. Overall, dedicated poker apps are smoother and easier to use than mobile websites. However, different apps have different system requirements based on your phone’s iOS or Android version – most are compatible with past and recent OS versions.
How to Start Playing Live Poker for Real Money
Playing in a live poker site for real money is not only fun but also potentially rewarding. Here is a brief guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Sign Up
You must register at a live poker casino before revealing a high hand to playing for real money. The registration process is easy and quick. Overall, the casino may ask you for personal ID details such as your full name, date of birth, phone number, and address. The casino may also ask to verify this information before activating your new account, so ensure that you provide accurate information.
Step 2: Deposit
You need real money to play live cash games like poker, so you must fund your account before proceeding. Most casinos accept various payment methods, including credit cards, online wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Minimum deposit limits vary, but they are usually low.
Step 3: Play
You are finally ready to play live poker games for real money. You can choose from the various poker game varieties and join any available live poker site depending on your preferred game. Remember to consult our top tips to help you win before you start playing.
Step 4: Withdraw Your Winnings
Withdrawing your winnings is the most exciting part of playing in a live poker room. You can use various payment methods to make a withdrawal. However, it is worth noting that withdrawal processing times and other conditions vary from one live poker casino to another.
Best Live Poker Site in the U.S.
As more frequent poker tournaments are happening all the time, choosing the right online poker site can make all the difference, and we believe BetOnline is the best live poker site in the U.S. The casino offers a popular range of poker site varieties, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, live poker tournaments, and other exotic titles. It also offers generous poker promotions, including a 100% welcome bonus worth up to $1,000.
You can access BetOnline’s live poker room via its desktop website or mobile app. It is also worth noting that you can also enjoy hundreds of other cash games. Visit the casino today to play in a live poker site and explore everything it offers – and look out for any upcoming tournaments.
FAQs
Can I play in a live poker room for free?
What is the best casino to play live poker?
Can I play in a live poker room with other players?
Are there live poker games and apps?
How do you play a live poker tournament?
What states allow live poker?
