About Us

Online Poker compares online poker sites and apps for players in the US, looking at traffic, game variety, bonuses, deposit and withdrawal methods, and mobile play. This page explains who we are, how we arrive at our rankings, and where our money comes from — so you know exactly what you're reading before you rely on it.

Why We Built This Site

Choosing where to play real money poker isn't as simple as picking the biggest sign-up bonus. Two sites can offer near-identical headline offers and still be completely different experiences once you factor in player traffic at your stakes, how the rake is structured, how fast a cash-out actually clears, or whether the room is regulated in your state. Online Poker exists to lay that detail out plainly, in one place, for recreational players, regular grinders and anyone switching sites for a specific reason — a new bonus, a faster payout method, or a room that's still available where they live.

Commercial Disclosure

Online Poker may earn a commission when a reader clicks through to a poker site and signs up. This is how the site stays free to use. It does not buy an operator a better rating, a higher position, or a more favorable write-up — a room appearing at the top of a table reflects our assessment, not a payment. Where a site falls short on something that matters, such as thin traffic at higher stakes or slow withdrawals, we say so.

How We Rank Online Poker Sites

Every site on Online Poker is assessed against the same set of factors, applied consistently across the board. Ratings shown alongside each brand reflect this process, not a customer review score.

• Traffic and liquidity — how active the cash game and tournament pools look across common stake levels, and whether games stay soft enough for recreational players to find action
• Game variety — coverage of No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, mixed games, Sit & Gos, fast-fold formats and Spin & Go-style lottery games where offered
• Bonuses and loyalty value — the size of a welcome offer measured against its playthrough or clearing requirements, plus ongoing rakeback or rewards schemes
• Payments — the deposit and withdrawal methods on offer, typical cash-out timeframes, and any fees or limits attached to them
• Software and mobile experience — client stability, table speed, and how well the iOS and Android apps hold up against desktop play
• Licensing and player protection — what regulatory oversight applies, how funds are safeguarded, and whether the operator publishes fair play or RNG certification

We do not deposit or play on these sites ourselves as part of this process. Our assessments are built from publicly available operator information, licensing records and how each site presents its terms — verified and cross-checked rather than tested first-hand.

What "Best" Actually Means Here

No single site suits every player. A recreational player who wants a soft, low-stakes cash game and a simple mobile app has different priorities from a semi-serious grinder tracking rake-back percentages and MTT overlay across several sites. Our reviews try to separate those angles rather than collapsing everything into one generic "best" label. Where a site's core strength is deep tournament traffic rather than cash game action, or a strong crypto deposit option rather than a large welcome bonus, our write-ups say so directly.

How the Money Works, in Plain Terms

Every offer listed alongside a poker site carries conditions — a minimum deposit, a wagering or playthrough requirement, a time limit to clear it, or restrictions on which games count. We list those material terms next to the offer itself rather than burying them elsewhere, because a headline bonus figure means little without knowing what it takes to actually withdraw the money. Deposit and payout methods for US players typically run through cards, ACH bank transfers, PayNearMe, operator prepaid cards, and increasingly crypto options — availability and processing times vary by operator and by state.

Licensing and Playing Legally in the US

Online poker in the US is regulated at the state level; there is no single federal license covering the whole country. Availability, minimum age and which operators can legally accept players all depend on where you're located. Some states set the minimum gambling age at 21, and a few permit 18. Always confirm a site is licensed to operate in your specific state and that you meet the age requirement there before creating an account or making a deposit.

Play Within Your Means

Poker is a game of skill, but no amount of skill removes the risk of losing money, and no site or bonus changes that. We never present poker as a source of income or a way out of financial difficulty. If gambling stops being enjoyable, or you're spending more time or money than you intended, free confidential support is available around the clock through 1-800-GAMBLER. Our Responsible Gambling page has more detail on state-specific self-exclusion tools and support resources, and you must be 21 or older (18 in a small number of states) to gamble legally in the US.

Questions or Corrections

Our terms of use, including how ratings and affiliate links work, are set out in full on our Terms and Conditions page. If something on Online Poker looks out of date or inaccurate, or you simply want to ask a question about how a review was put together, reach us through our Contact Us page — we'd rather hear about it than leave it wrong.