Best Online Poker Sites in California for 2024

While the state legislature has yet to legalize online poker in California formally, bettors continue to wager with offshore operators. So, what are the market-leading CA online poker sites? Our team of experts has analyzed and reviewed the best online poker sites in California, from comparing their bonus offers to their most popular poker games, to help you find the best online poker room available in the Golden State.

Best California Online Poker Sites

  • Icon Popular
  • Freerolls
  • Satellites
  • Rakeback
  • Mobile app
  • Anonymous tables
  • High traffic

150% Deposit Bonus Up To $2,000

9.8/10
Review
10 USD
Min. Deposit
Instant
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Bitcoin
Ethereum
Tether
+1

300% Poker & Casino Welcome Bonus

9.6/10
Review
20 USD
Min. Deposit
1-24 hours
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Visa
Master Card
Bank Wire
+5

New Player Poker Bonus Up To $2,000

9.6/10
Review coming soon
10 USD
Min. Deposit
Instant
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Visa
Master Card
Bank Wire
+5

100% Bonus Up To $2,000 on Your 1st Deposit

9.6/10
Review coming soon
10 USD
Min. Deposit
Within 24h.
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Bitcoin
Ethereum
Litecoin
+3

100% match deposit bonus of up to $1,000

9.8/10
Review
25 USD
Min. Deposit
Within 24h.
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Visa
Master Card
Bank Wire
+9

100% Up To $500 Deposit Bonus

9.6/10
Review
20 USD
Min. Deposit
24-48 hours
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Visa
Master Card
Check
+3

100% Deposit Match of Up to $2,000

9.8/10
Review
10 USD
Min. Deposit
Within 24h
Payout Days
PLAY NOW
Visa
Master Card
Bitcoin
+3

List of the Best Online Poker Sites in California

We’ll explore each of the leading California poker sites in depth later. However, let’s start with a brief look at California’s top online poker sites.

  1. CoinPoker – The Best Online Poker Site in CA
  2. BetOnline – Our Pick for Competitive Poker Tournaments
  3. Bovada – Offers Large Guarantee Multi-Table Tournaments
  4. Ignition – Provides the Quickest Payouts
  5. ACR – Operates a Multi-million Tournament Series

Is Online Poker Legal in California?

If you’re wondering, “Is online poker legal in California?” the technical answer is, no. However, while the state has yet to legalize the practice or create a regulated marketplace formally, no laws prohibit you from frequenting offshore sites to play online poker.

So, as a CA resident, you can safely and lawfully start playing online poker at any of the sites listed above. These operators are all fully licensed by a trusted offshore regulator, such as Curaçao eGaming or the Panama Gaming Authority. When choosing your preferred offshore site, you should always ensure that it holds a reputable license.

Regulations and Laws for Poker in California

While there was a rush to legalize online poker in CA between 2015 and 2017, enthusiasm has waned. This has much to do with the unresolved conflicts involving tribal casinos, revenue-sharing rules, and the different card rooms involved in online poker legislation talks.

Some online poker bills also include a so-called and disputed “bad actor” clause. This would prohibit sites like PokerStars from receiving a license following the fallout from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

Currently, there are no formal plans to legalize poker in California. The state has yet to legalize sports betting and online gambling, so legal online poker in California may have to wait. But here’s a look at a few previous bills that were considered despite their failure to move the needle.

AB 431

In 2015, four online poker bills were proposed, although AB 431 was the only one to pass a committee vote. However, the bill was barely a two-page shell, featuring no specific policies or regulatory guidance for legal online poker. It subsequently passed without consideration.

“AB

The following year, an online poker bill sponsored by Assemblyman Adam Gray (AB 2863) unanimously passed a committee vote. This included a significant subsidy for the horse racing industry, which had previously opposed the legalization of online poker. However, a tribal coalition featuring the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians opposed the bill. There was a failure to reach a consensus, and the bill was shelved.

AB 1677

In 2017, Gray’s fellow Assembly member Reginald Jones-Sawyer introduced AB 1677. This comprehensive bill sought to create legal online poker and card rooms, while establishing potential licensing fees and terms for operators. In this case, an annual $60 million subsidy was pledged to the horse racing industry. However, even this detailed bill failed to make progress in the house and was subsequently shelved.

When Will California Regulate Online Poker?

After bill AB 1677 failed to gather momentum, no further legislative attempts were made. The appetite for California online poker has certainly dwindled in recent years, while the most recent legislative session in CA passed without any further bills being proposed.

The deep divide between the PokerStars and Pechanga coalitions remains more problematic than ever. This will have to be bridged if there is any chance of online poker being legalized in CA in the future, with 2024 likely to pass without state legislation.

Top 7 CA Online Poker Sites Reviewed

We will now delve a little deeper into the best online poker sites in California. While California’s legislation continues to battle for state-regulated online poker, we recommend a few offshore poker sites for players looking to play online poker in the Golden State.

1. CoinPoker –  The Best Online Poker Site in CA

  • Website: https://coinpoker.com/
  • Poker Network: Proprietary
  • Established: 2017
  • License: Curaçao eGaming License
  • Deposit Methods: Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, USDT, CHP (Native Token)

Poker Game Selection: 4.5/5

No-limit Texas Hold ‘em, pot-limit Omaha and 5-card pot limit Omaha are all available through the CoinPoker site. The former offers six and four-max tables, while stakes start from just $0.02 per hand. Interestingly, CoinPoker’s no-limit Texas Hold ‘em game also holds the record for the biggest ever online poker pot, at $7.75 million.

Poker Rakeback, Offers, and Promotions: 5/5

The rake at CoinPoker is also referred to as Community Contributions. It’s also contingent on you having the site’s native CHP token in your wallet, and this can unlock up to 33% rakeback on cash games and tournaments. If you bet using USDT, you’ll have to hold at least 50% of the amount payable in rake in CHP to cash in.

Poker Tournaments: 5/5

The online poker tournament schedule at CoinPoker is hectic, with everything from ‘Signature Tournaments’ and ‘Big Stacks’ to ‘Free Buy’ events available. The latter lets you enter for free and compete for either real money online poker prizes or tickets. At the other end of the spectrum, the ‘CSOP’ tournament guarantees a minimum prize of $1 million.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options: 4.5/5

CoinPoker is a crypto poker site constructed around its native CHP token. You can also wager using Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and USDT, transferring funds directly from a personal crypto wallet or reputable exchange. Currently, you cannot credit your account or withdraw using fiat banking methods.

Our Verdict: 5/5

CoinPoker is our pick as the best online poker site in California. It offers an excellent range of games, table limits, and tournaments, while its rakeback offer of 33% is among the most generous in the marketplace. Of all the offshore poker sites our experts reviewed, CoinPoker has it all.

Pros

  • Rakeback of up to 33% on cash games and tournaments
  • Huge pots when playing No-limit Texas Hold ‘em
  • Multiple ‘Free Buy’ tournaments that deliver cash prizes

Cons

  • There are no fiat payment methods available

2. BetOnline – Our Pick for Competitive Poker Tournaments

BetOnline Online Poker California

  • Website: https://www.betonline.ag/
  • Poker Network: Chico Network
  • Established: 2004
  • License: Panama Gambling License
  • Deposit Methods: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Debit and Credit Cards, Neteller

Poker Game Selection: 4.5/5

You’ll also find No Limit Hold ’em at BetOnline, with bet limits ranging from $0.05 to $5 on average. There are also Omaha 5 and Omaha 6 iterations available. Faster paced ‘Boost’ cash games are accessible to NLHE and PLO players, which gives BetOnline an edge over some of its rivals.

Poker Rakeback, Offers, and Promotions: 5/5

If you play weekly tournaments at BetOnline, you can build rake contributions and unlock rewards. Tiered prizes are available, with the top rake amount of $1,925 and above triggering the biggest prize. You can play for up to $75,000 at the Sit and Go poker variant ‘Jackpot Windfalls’, too.

Poker Tournaments: 4.5/5

Most tournaments focus on the Hold’em and Omaha formats. BetOnline also runs various Tournament Money Builders, which feature low buy-ins and minimum guarantees. Progressive Bounty tournaments are also available, enabling you to knock out opponents and win money before the final payout.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options: 4.5/5

BetOnline accepts both crypto and fiat payments. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Dash enable you to withdraw as much as $25,000 per transaction. You can also transact using Visa debit and credit, Skrill, Neteller, and Ecopayz.

Our Verdict: 4.5/5

BetOnline’s dedicated poker room is stacked with games and tournaments, including Progressive Bounty events that trigger regular payouts when you knock out players. You can also qualify for regular prizes based on your rake contributions, which is particularly rewarding for high rollers. On top of their real money online poker offerings, BetOnline constantly finds itself at the top of our list for other online gambling aspects, such as casino games and sports betting. Simply put, when it comes to offshore online poker sites, BetOnline is a key player.

Pros

  • Unlock incrementally higher prizes based on your rake contributions
  • Access faster-paced ‘Boost’ cash games
  • Tournament Money Builders create low buy-ins for players

Cons

  • Relatively few versions of Texas Hold ‘em available

3. Bovada – Offers Large Guarantee Multi-Table Tournaments

  • Website: https://www.bovada.lv/
  • Poker Network: PaiWangLuo Network
  • Established: December 2011
  • License: Curaçao eGaming License
  • Deposit Methods: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Debit and Credit Cards, MatchPay

Poker Game Selection: 4/5

Bovada’s cash game library features Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo iterations. Although you’ll find more games at CoinPoker and BetOnline, Bovada offers incredibly flexible bet limits (from $0.02 to $20) and impressive player traffic. Fixed-limit games offer maximum stake limits of up to $60, too.

Poker Rakeback, Offers, and Promotions: 4.5/5

While Bovada no longer allows new players to earn rakeback, you can qualify for a 100% welcome offer up to $500. This will be released in $5 increments for every 150 Rewards Points earned when playing cash games or tournament poker. Bovada also pledges up to $2 million in weekly prizes across its full games and tournament libraries.

Poker Tournaments: 5/5

Bovada offers an excellent range of tournaments, including weekly knockout events with nominal entry fees of just $2.50. There are also fast-paced ‘turbo’ tournaments that offer guaranteed prizes of up to $10,000. Popular ‘Sit and Go’ tournament types include ‘Deep Stack’ events (which let you double up on your starting chips).

Deposit and Withdrawal Options: 4.5/5

Bovada also offers a combination of crypto and fiat payment methods. These include Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin tokens, which enable you to deposit a maximum of $5,000 per single transaction. Fiat options include Visa and Mastercard payments and direct bank transfers, which have a maximum deposit limit of $50.

Our Verdict: 4.5/5

Bovada is one of the most recognizable offshore gambling brands and has its dedicated poker vertical live up to that hype. This is home to a diverse array of real money online poker games and tournaments, while the site’s welcome bonus unlocks up to $500 in free play.

Pros

  • Access ‘turbo’ tournaments that payout up to $10,000
  • Maximum stakes of up to $60 for fixed-limit games
  • $2 million in weekly prizes across all poker verticals

Cons

  • A relatively small number of cash games are available

4. Ignition – Provides the Quickest Payouts

  • Website: https://www.ignitioncasino.eu/
  • Poker Network: Pai Wang Luo Network
  • Established: September 2016
  • License: Curaçao eGaming License
  • Deposit Methods: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Debit and Credit Cards, MatchPay

Poker Game Selection: 4.5/5

Ignition is renowned for its range of soft games, while its ‘Zone’ poker vertical is also highly impressive. This unlocks variation iterations of No Limit Hold ’em and stake limits ranging from $0.01 to $10. Most cash games at Ignition are centered on No Limit and Limit Texas Hold’em, while there are fixed limit variations with maximum stakes of up to $80.

Poker Rakeback, Offers, and Promotions: 4.5/5

The Ignition welcome offer is worth up to $3,000 for crypto users (or $2,000 if you deposit with a credit card). This comprises a 150% first deposit match up to $1,500 for poker players, who can also benefit from a $2,500 weekly poker freeroll. However, the latter promotion is available for a limited period of time.

Poker Tournaments: 4.5/5

There’s a wide range of Sit and Go tournaments at Ignition, which deploy either Turbo, 6-man, 18-man, Heads Up, Double Up, and Triple Up formats. Stakes here range from just $1 to $200 for high rollers. The site operates several weekly tournaments too, with daily buy-ins starting from as low as $11. Weekly prize pools range from $3,000 to $12,000.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options: 4.5/5

Ignition is renowned for offering incredibly quick payouts. This is especially true when using cryptocurrency, with most Bitcoin, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash transactions completed within 10 minutes or less. There’s also no limit in play when withdrawing via crypto, although you can only transfer $1000 from your account via MatchPay.

Our Verdict: 4.5/5

Ignition is another popular offshore poker room that’s stacked with Sit and Go tournaments and competitive weekly events. There are also fixed limit Hold’em with a maximum stake level of $80. You can even access unlimited withdrawals via cryptocurrency.

Pros

  • Zone Poker games with Guaranteed Minimum Payouts
  • A 150% Deposit Match up to $1,500 for Poker Players
  • A broad range of Sit and Go tournament formats

Cons

  • Relatively limited banking methods

5. ACR – Operates a Multi-million Tournament Series

  • Website: https://americascardroom.eu/
  • Poker Network: Winning Poker Network
  • Established: 2001
  • License: Curaçao eGaming License
  • Deposit Methods: Bitcoin, American Express Debit and Credit Cards, Skrill, Neteller, EcoPayz

Poker Game Selection: 4.5/5

There’s an excellent games selection at America’s Cardroom (ACR). This allows poker players to play cash game iterations of No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha/Hi-Lo and 5-Card Omaha Hi/Lo, with average stakes ranging from $0.02 to $200 for selected fixed limit games. Occasionally, options are open for stakes up to an incredible $10,000.

Poker Rakeback, Offers, and Promotions: 4.5/5

ACR offers poker players a choice in terms of the available rakeback. More specifically, you can opt for a flat 27% rate of rakeback or join the site’s ‘Elite Benefits’ program. The latter is a VIP scheme that has been tailored for high rollers, with 5.5 frequent player points accumulated for every $1 in rake or tournament entry fees.

Poker Tournaments: 4.5/5

Tournament play at ACR is focused on Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo and 32 Card Draw. The most popular events here are Satellite tournaments. There’s also an impressive selection of on-demand tournaments at ACR, while so-called “Rebuy” events enable you to recoup lost chips during competitive play.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options: 4/5

You can deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin at ACR, although this is the only crypto-token accepted. Fiat payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Card, while the accepted e-wallets are EcoPayz, Skrill, and Neteller. The minimum deposit at ACR is $10, while you can draw a maximum of $25,000 per transaction via BTC.

Our Verdict: 4.5/5

While ACR is last on this list, it has operated since 2001 and was the first ever poker room to launch in the Winning Poker Network. It offers an impressive range of cash and so-called “Blitz” games, while you have flexibility regarding the type and rate of rakeback you earn.

Pros

  • A flat 27% rate of rakeback is available to casual players
  • The Elite Benefits program offers a higher rake to frequent players
  • A broad range of tournament games and formats

Cons

  • Bitcoin is the only accepted cryptocurrency
  • A limited range of banking methods overall

Comparison of Online Poker Sites in California

Our recommended sites all offer an excellent experience to those who enjoy participating in poker events online. However, it’s still important to consider exactly what each has to offer before deciding which one is best for you. This is why we’ve provided more information about the poker software, MTTs, freerolls, and more you can expect to find at our top-ranked poker sites.

Online Poker Room Poker Rake % Poker Software Rakeback (Yes/No) Multi Table Events (Yes/No) Sit and Go Events (Yes/No) Freeroll Events (Yes/No)
CoinPoker 33% Proprietary
BetOnline N/A Chico Network
Bovada N/A PaiWangLuo Network
Ignition N/A PaiWangLuo Network
ACR 27% or variable through ‘Elite Benefits’ program Winning Poker Network

How We Rate and Evaluate Online Poker Sites in California

When reviewing the best poker sites in California, we adopted a consistent approach that utilized the same criteria for each one. This enabled us to compare and contrast sites fairly, while ensuring that each criterion is directly related to your experience playing online poker in California.

For example, we give significant weighting to each site’s range of games and tournaments. We also appraise the various bonuses and rakeback offers available in California online poker rooms and offshore poker sites, along with their accepted deposit and withdrawal options.

We also ensure that our offshore poker rooms are licensed by a recognized regulatory body, such as the Panama Gambling or Curaçao Gaming Control Board. Sites should also boast 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum security standard for users looking to play online poker. Operators are also rated on the quality and availability of their customer support.

Online Poker Tournaments in California

In terms of how to play online poker in California, competitive tournaments are among the most popular options. However, there are numerous tournament formats available, including the following examples.

Multi Table TournamentsSatellite TournamentsSit and Go TournamentsKnockout Tournaments

MTTs sees multiple tables in play simultaneously, while these events are renowned for offering competitive buy-ins and large payouts.

A so-called “Satellite” tournament is an event that doesn’t offer a direct cash prize or payout to participants. Instead, winners are rewarded with entry into a large or more expensive poker tournament, either on or offline at a brick-and-mortar establishment. This enables casual players to access high stakes tournaments without committing to a huge buy-in.

With ‘Sit and Go’ tournaments, you’ll see one table in play, while events will only commence once a predetermined number of players have registered. Typically, Sit and Go tournaments are based on Texas Hold’Em or Pot-Limit Omaha iterations, while they may deploy turbo or hyper turbo gameplay.

Knockout tournaments use common poker iterations and often deploy the same gameplay rules and regular competition. However, you’ll earn a cash prize each time you knock a player out of the tournament. This enables you to bank cash prizes without winning a tournament outright, while this format may also be referred to as a ‘progressive bounty’.

Poker Software Used at Online Poker Sites in California

Poker Room Poker Game Provider/s Games Provided
CoinPoker Proprietary Texas Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha
BetOnline Chico Network No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 5, Omaha 6, Boost Cash Games
Bovada PaiWangLuo Network Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, No-Limit Hold’em, NLHE,PLO
Ignition PaiWangLuo Network No Limit Texas Hold’ em, Pot Limit Omaha, PLO,
ACR Winning Poker Network No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha/Hi-Lo, 5-Card Omaha Hi/Lo, Blitz Games

How to Sign Up and Play Online Poker in California

In order to play online poker in California, you’ll first need to select a viable offshore site and sign up for an account. Here’s a step-by-step guide to registering with your chosen operator!

  1. Visit the Homepage

    First, visit the URL of your chosen site and hit the ‘Signup’ or ‘ Register’ button. When registering with Coin Poker, this is located in the top right-hand corner of the homepage.
  2. Coinpoker main page

  3. Confirm Your Email Address, Nickname and Password

    Next, provide a verifiable email and unique ‘nickname’. You’ll also have to set your password to help secure your new account.
  4. Coinpoker Omaha Account Set Up Step 2

  5. Verify Your Email

    A verification email will then be sent to the address provided. Hit the link to verify, and if successful, you’ll be transferred to a new screen.
  6. CoinPoker Sign Up Step 3

  7. Verify Your Mobile Number

    You’ll also be asked to verify your mobile number at this stage. Be sure to select the right country code before confirming. The code should arrive via SMS within minutes.
  8. CoinPoker Sign Up Step 4

  9. Hit the Tables!

    At this stage, your account will be verified and you can hit the tables. Just remember to deposit funds into your account and opt into a welcome bonus as and when required.

Top 3 Land-Based Poker Rooms in California

In addition to California poker online, you can also access a few brick-and-mortar rooms in the state. Here’s a summary of the top three and what helps to set them apart!

The Commerce Casino & Hotel #1

Located on Telegraph Road, the Commerce Casino & Hotel features a total of 210 poker tables in its 90,000 square-foot premises. The venue also hosts a number of high profile poker tournaments and series every year, such as the World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classic, the Los Angeles Poker Open and Commerce Hold’em Series. The available games include Pai Gow Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Mississippi Stud and Chinese Poker.

The Bicycle Hotel & Casino #2

Situated in the picturesque Bell Gardens, you’ll find 185 poker tables at the Bicycle Hotel & Casino. This venue is only slightly smaller than the Commerce Casino & Hotel, while it has previously hosted high-stakes tournaments like the WPT Legends of Poker series, the Ladies International Poker Series, and various World Series of Poker Circuit events. Pai Gow Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are particularly popular here.

Hollywood Park Casino #3

Hollywood Park Casino is located on Century Blvd. in Inglewood. Although it has just 105 poker tables, it features a large number of poker iterations, most of which are based in Texas Hold ’em and Omaha. There are also seven-card stud and mixed games, including Badugi and Badeucy (which play a key role in the venue’s rotation). Other games include No Bust Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, while the venue hosted the US National Championship of Poker for years.

Bonuses on Offer at Online Poker Sites in California

There are various bonus types available at the best poker rooms in CA. Welcome offers and rakeback promotions are particularly commonplace, while you’ll also find limited-time jackpots and tournament leaderboards for specific games.

Bonus Type Info Perfect for
Welcome bonus A deposit match up to a fixed value (such as $100 up to $500). The value of the bonus is contingent on your deposit amount Ideal for all new customers when they register at a poker room
Rakeback Bonus This distributes a percentage of the rake taken by operators among players. Promotions may increase the rate of rakeback payable Ideal for high rollers or frequent players. Some casinos increase rakeback incrementally as part of a wider loyalty scheme
Monthly Tournament Leaderboards Leaderboards will be based on specific games and reward winners with a fixed payout each month Ideal for players who prefer specific poker games and like to wager frequently.
Sit and Go Jackpots Increased jackpot payouts for selected Sit and Go games (or tournaments). Prize pool is often 2x the buy-in Ideal for competitive players or high rollers. Tournament experience is key here as such promotions attract the best players

Compare Bonuses at California’s Online Poker Rooms

As you can see from our reviews, our recommended online poker rooms in California each offer their own bespoke welcome bonuses. Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of what’s being offered by the best CA sites and the relevant terms and conditions.

Online Casino Bonus Bonus Code Rollover (exclude if not relevant to poker) Minimum Deposit Crypto accepted? Bonus expiry
CoinPoker 150% up to $2000 N/A 2x the bonus value $10 Yes 14 days
BetOnline 100% up to $1000 N/A $5 released for every $50 earned in rake $50 Yes 30 day
Bovada 100% up to $500 PWB500 $5 released for every 150 rewards points earned $10 Yes Yes
Ignition 150% up to $1500 N/A N/A $10 Yes 30 days
ACR 100% up to $2000 $1 released for every 27.5 Award Points earned $25 Yes 60 days

Best Poker Games in California

There are also a number of different online poker games and variations available at offshore sites. Some of these are more popular than others, of course, including the following:

  • No Limit Texas Hold’em: The single most popular online poker game, this features two hole cards and five community cards (which are dealt face up in three increments). Here, players can raise any amount over the minimum up to all the chips in possession.
  • Omaha: Omaha also features five community cards, and you must combine three of these with two hole cards (you’re initially dealt four of these). This game is more popular among casual players and is widely available online.
  • Pot Limit Omaha: This version of Omaha features a maximum bet, which is the total sum of the chips in the pot. As a result, it’s usually inexpensive to buy into a game and wager, but it can become expensive to sustain gameplay over time.
  • Omaha Hi-Lo: Also known as Omaha 8 or Omaha Eight or Better, this is a split pot game in which the high hand wins half of the pot. It’s the best ‘low’ hand that claims the other half, and once again, four hole cards are initially dealt to players.
  • Seven Card Stud: This is a poker game that’s played with two down cards and one up card. These are dealt before the first round of betting, while three further up cards are drawn before subsequent rounds. After the final card is dealt, there’s one final betting round before the best five-card hand claims the pot!
  • Five Card Draw: Although this game is slightly less common, five-card draw is a poker variant that’s simple and aimed at casual players. Each player is initially dealt five cards, while you can discard up to three cards (or four if your final card is an ace or ‘wild’). They can then claim new cards from the deck and continue betting until a winner is declared.

Poker Variations Available at Online Poker Sites in California

California online poker unlocks several different game and tournament formats, as outlined above. Here’s a summary of where you can find the most popular online poker variants in California and where you can find them!

Poker Room No Limit Texas Hold, em Omaha Pot Limit Omaha Omaha Hi-Lo Seven Card Stud Five Card Draw
CoinPoker
BetOnline
Bovada
Ignition
ACR

Payment Options for California Online Poker Sites

Similarly, you can access a broad range of banking methods at our offshore poker rooms. Most of these sites offer a combination of crypto and fiat payment options, but what should you expect from each one?

Payment Method Info Pros Cons Popular examples
Crypto Digital currencies and tokens that are built on decentralized blockchain applications Almost completely anonymous. Offers rapid payout speeds. Highly volatile and not universally accepted at all sportsbooks. Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Tether, USDT, Dogecoin, Dash
Traditional Fiat payment options that are secured using SSL encryption and connected to bank or credit accounts Secure and widely accepted. Highly trusted by bettors. May incur transaction charges. Triggers slow average payouts. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card, Bank Transfer,
eWallets Digital or electronic wallets that are convenient and can be connected securely to bank and credit accounts Normally quick payouts. Convenient, flexible, and able to connect multiple payment sources. May not be eligible to trigger bonuses and could incur transaction charges. Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Astropay,

Online Poker in the U.S

Related Poker Guides

Final Thoughts

It’s perfectly safe to wager at our recommended sites for online poker in California, as each is licensed by a reputable offshore regulator. However, our pick as the best online poker room in California is Coin Poke, which offers some of the biggest pots in the marketplace.

This is especially true when playing the site’s No-limit Texas Hold ‘em and the many other poker games offered by CoinPoker. You can also access rakeback of up to 33% on cash games and competitive tournaments, while free buy events deliver impressive cash payouts. It also has its own proprietary software, which contributes to a unique and varied online poker experience.

Simply put, CoinPoker has everything and more if you’re looking to play poker online.

Editors' Choice

Sign up To Claim 150% Deposit Bonus Up To $2,000

  • The main CSOP tournament series guarantees $1,000,000 in prize money
  • Low and high-stakes tables are always available, 33% Rakeback
  • No KYC process, decentralized blockchain poker

Responsible Gambling

Whichever online poker room you choose, you must always wager responsibly and within your means. Most importantly, your bankroll should never exceed an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose, while we’d also recommend using online customizable deposit limits to manage your betting activity. Any form of online gambling involves an appetite for risk, and playing poker online is no different.

Plenty of resources are available if you want to learn more about responsible gambling or receive direct help. Each of our poker rooms and online gambling operators offers its responsible gambling policy, while we’ve crafted our responsible gambling resource here at ReadWrite. You can check this out below, while the National Problem Gambling Helpline also offers practical assistance 24/7.

Online Poker California FAQs

Can I use a VPN to access an offshore online poker site from California?

Is it possible to play for real money at online poker sites in California?

How do you play poker online?

Who is the regulator of online poker in California?

Can you play live poker in California?

What is the best online poker site in California?

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Lewis Humphries
Sports Betting Expert

Lewis is a seasoned sports writer and betting expert at ReadWrite. He has been written about sports, remote betting and sportsbooks for more than 10 years, with his work featuring in publications such as The Boot Room, Yahoo Sports and 90min. He writes most extensively about soccer, basketball, American football and boxing, but retains an interest in a huge range of sports.

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