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Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice on the best US online poker options out there. I’ve been itching to play poker online for real money, but as a US player it’s a bit confusing to figure out which site is the safest and most reliable online poker site for us in the United States. There are so many "top 10" lists on Google for best online poker sites USA (often with affiliate links), but I’d much rather hear from the Reddit community and real users’ experiences.

A bit of background: I used to play casually years ago (back in the day of PokerStars and Full Tilt before they got restricted here). Now in 2025, I want to get back into online poker. I know that fully legal online poker is only available in a few states (like New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, etc.), but I’m not in one of those states. That means I’ll likely be playing on one of the offshore online poker sites that accept US players. I’m aware many Americans play on these poker platforms even if they’re not officially “regulated” in the US. The poker laws are a bit complicated, but from what I understand, players aren’t usually targeted by law enforcement – still, I want to make sure I choose a safe and legit poker site where I won’t have issues depositing or withdrawing money.

What I’m looking for (my criteria):

• Trustworthiness & Security: A trusted online poker site that has a good reputation among US players. I want to know my money and personal info are safe. (Heard horror stories of shady sites, so I’m cautious.)
• Player Traffic & Games: The site should have a healthy number of players, especially during US hours. I mostly enjoy Texas Hold’em (both cash games and tournaments), so a poker room with plenty of real money games and maybe some Omaha or other variants would be awesome. Basically, I don’t want to sign up somewhere dead where it’s hard to find a table.
• Bonuses & Promotions: Getting a nice welcome bonus or deposit match would be a sweet perk. Also ongoing promotions or freerolls would be cool – not a deal-breaker, but if multiple sites are good, might as well consider where I get extra value (like reload bonuses, loyalty rewards, etc.).
• Withdrawals (Fast Payouts): This is super important. I’ve read on Reddit and elsewhere that some sites are slow or troublesome when it comes to cashing out your winnings. I’d prefer a site known for fast payouts and hassle-free withdrawals (and multiple payment options: e.g. credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, bank transfer, etc., anything that works for US players).
• Software & Mobile: A smooth user interface. I’ll be playing from my PC mostly, but having a decent mobile poker app or mobile-friendly site is a big plus since sometimes I like to play on my phone. I care about stability (hate disconnections) and overall user experience.
• Competition Level: I’m no pro, more of a serious recreational player. I don’t mind a challenge, but I also don’t want to jump into a site that’s full of only hardcore grinders if possible. If you have thoughts on which poker sites have softer competition or a good mix of skill levels, let me know.
• Community & Features: Things like a good loyalty program/VIP rewards, or maybe the ability to track your stats, use HUDs (if allowed), etc. Not essential, but I’m curious if any site’s community or features stand out (like club games, home games, etc.).

So basically, what are the best online poker sites for US players right now? If you have experience playing on any US-friendly online poker platforms, I’d love to hear your recommendations and why you like them (or warnings if there are ones to avoid!). Some names float around a lot in other threads, but I’d rather not just trust random advertisements. Personal experiences or insights from fellow Redditors would be golden.

A few extra thoughts/questions I have:

• Legitimacy: How do you personally decide a poker site is trustworthy? Is it just word of mouth on forums/Reddit, or are there licenses/certifications I should look for even if they’re offshore? I really want to avoid any scam sites.
• Traffic by game type: Do certain sites have better tournament action versus cash games? I enjoy both, so if one site is known as best for tournaments and another is better for cash, that’s useful info too (though I’d prefer one place that has it all).
• US Cash Out Experience: If you’ve cashed out as a US player, how was the process? (e.g., did you use crypto for withdrawal to get it faster, or do bank withdrawals/cheques work reliably?)
• Any state-specific tips: I’m not in a regulated state, but if anyone from NJ/PA/etc. has insight on their regulated sites vs the offshore ones, feel free to share. I’m curious how they compare, even though I can’t play on the state-licensed ones where I live.

I really appreciate any help or suggestions! Reddit users’ recommendations carry a lot more weight for me than generic Google searches or ads. If you’ve found a great online poker site as a US player, let me (and others who might read this) know which one and what makes it the best in your opinion. Likewise, warnings about sites to stay away from are just as welcome.

Thanks in advance, and good luck at the tables!

I have just recently started learning and studying poker after years of just playing house games. I live in the US so I’m having a hard time finding a way to effectively practice and play since apps like WSOP are nothing like real games.

I'm not concerned so much about playing for money, though I do want the option. Mostly I want to make sure that I won't get scammed or hacked in some way.

I live in Arizona and it doesn't allow real money online poker. Do you have any recommendations for safe online poker? I just want to play low stakes. I'm using WSOP but I'm sick of the stupid way people play. I would like to actually improve my game.

By good I mean:

Actually pays out.

Not Rigged (Rediculous hands)

Accepts US players.

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?

I know it's technically illegal but is there any sites that you use to play money poker in California? I've read about Ignition and a couple others but I'm unsure what to use, thanks!

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