Our Ya Poker review breaks down what it’s really like to play on their platform, from user experience to game offerings. On the surface, Ya Poker is a beautifully designed online poker site with a range of bonuses and well-liked tournaments. But is it right for you?
After careful research, our gambling experts have compiled a comprehensive review covering everything from welcome bonuses to the newest payment methods. All this gives you an inside look into the workings of Ya Poker.
Ya Poker Review Updated for December 2024
Established | 2001 (Joined WPN 2013) |
---|---|
License | Curacao |
Owned by | America’s Card Room (ACR) |
Device Compatibility | Android, PC |
Games | Omaha Hi/Lo, Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7 stud Poker |
Poker Network | Winning Poker Network (WPN) |
Min. Deposit | $10 |
Payout Speed | Instant and fast payout methods are available |
ReadWrite Rank | 9.8/10 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Instant withdrawals are available through Luxon Pay
- User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate
- Provides extensive learning resources for new poker players
- Secure poker site with two-factor authentication
- Multi-tabling and detailed poker stats displays are available
Cons
- The tables are usually shark-infested
- Deposit fees are applicable on some amounts
YaPoker Fixed Limit Rake Structure
Rake is a commission the poker room extracts from each wager to cover operational expenses. Ya Poker has a transparent fixed rake structure, with caps in place so you know exactly what to expect.
Stakes | 2 Players %/Cap | 3-4 Players %/Cap | 5+ Players %/Cap |
---|---|---|---|
$0.02/$0.04 | 4.5% / $0.01 | 4.5% / $0.01 | 4.5% / $0.01 |
$0.04/$0.08 to $0.05/$0.10 | 4.5% / $0.04 | 4.5% / $0.04 | 4.5% / $0.04 |
$0.10/$0.20 | 4.5% / $0.10 | 4.5% / $0.10 | 4.5% / $0.10 |
$0.25/$0.50 | 4.5% / $0.16 | 4.5% / $0.16 | 4.5% / $0.16 |
$0.50/$1 | 4.5% / $0.40 | 4.5% / $0.40 | 4.5% / $0.40 |
$1/$2 | 2% / $0.50 | 3% / $0.70 | 4% / $0.80 |
$2/$4 | 2% / $0.50 | 3% / $0.70 | 3% / $1.25 |
$3/$6 to $5/$10 | 2% / $0.50 | 3% / $2 | 3% / $3 |
$10/$20 | 2% / $0.50 | 2.5% / $2 | 2.5% / $3 |
$15/$30 | 2% / $1 | 2% / $2 | 2% / $3 |
$20/$40 to $100/$200 | 1% / $1 | 1% / $2 | 1% / $3 |
Ya Poker Promotions 8/10
The Ya Poker app offers a full range of promotions for new and regular players. You must ensure you review all the bonuses on offer before signing up. We have highlighted the best offers below to give you a head start.
Ya Poker Rakeback Deal
Ya Poker does not provide direct information about rakeback deals on the site. But if other poker sites also on the Winning Poker Network are anything to go by, you can expect a 27% rakeback when you play.
Welcome Bonus
Like other online poker rooms, Ya Poker offers new players a welcome bonus upon signing up. The current offer is a 100% deposit match of up to $2,000, secured by depositing at least $25 on your first transaction. This bonus is paid in increments of $1 for every 27.5 award points earned.
The Ya Poker bonus offer compares very well with similar bonuses from sites like CoinPoker. It promises the same total bonus amount but with a more favorable 100% bonus match. New players will like its straightforward terms and easy-to-fulfill requirements.
Learn more about the Ya Poker 100% welcome bonus through in the video below.
Understanding the T&C for Ya Poker’s Welcome Offer
As stated, you must complete an initial qualifying transaction to get the Ya Poker welcome bonus. The minimum deposit is $25 and you do not need a promo code.
The poker room gives you 60 days to play the bonus through. You also have 60 days to release the offer and earn your bonus.
Ya Poker has security policies to ensure this bonus will not be used to launder money. One requirement is that the name on your Ya Poker account and method of payment match. If this is not the case, the bonus will be void.
Poker Reload Bonus
The Ya Poker reload bonus is another offer from the poker room that can be used to extend your bankroll. Every Wednesday, you can deposit a minimum of $25 and get a 50% deposit match up to $100. Remember, you must use the Ya Poker bonus code ‘HUMPDAY’ to claim this offer.
Ya Poker gives you 30 days to release your reload bonus. For every 120 award points you rake up, you will release $5. This offer is available every Wednesday for all Ya Poker players.
VIP Program
At Ya Poker, everyone is a VIP. When you sign up, you are instantly placed in the bronze level of the Elite Benefits Program. Here you will have access to medals of achievement and earn points.
Bronze is the introductory level, but depending on how much you play, you can make up five other levels to the Black Diamond. Members of the exclusive top-tier level get 5 Combat Points for every 1 Rank Point earned and are guaranteed to stay a Black Diamond until February of the following year.
Popular Tournaments at Ya Poker 8/10
Players at Ya Poker can enjoy a full schedule of tournaments available around the clock. This includes tables hosting No Limit Holdem, Pot Limit Omaha, and Omaha action. Here, you will find options to suit your budget, and prize pools range from $50 – $200,000.
Highroller Tournaments
If you are looking for big-ticket action, Ya Poker does not disappoint. The poker room is home to some of the best high-roller events online. Regular events are scheduled daily, with the most lucrative tourneys played on Sundays. Here is what you can expect:
Time | Tournament | Buy-in Amount | Tournament Info |
---|---|---|---|
02:45 | PKO Hyper Super Stack | $630 | 92m LR – 4m Levels – 50k SS |
13:30 | PKO Lunch High Roller | $630 | 3h30m LR – 15m Levels – 35k SS |
18:05 | PKO High Roller | $630 | 3h30m LR – 15m Levels – 35k SS |
Sunday – 14:05 | $200,000 GTD | $1,050 | 4h LR – 20m Levels – 160k SS |
Sunday – 18:05 | Apestyles AfterParty – $100,000 GTD | $1,050 | 3h15m LR – 15m Levels – 35k SS |
Low Buy-In Tournaments
Low buy-in events are some of the most popular tournaments at Ya Poker. These are ideal for beginners who want to learn the game at their own pace without spending too much money. The table below highlights some of the cheapest poker tourneys at Ya Poker.
Time | Tournament | Buy-in Amount | Tournament Info |
---|---|---|---|
07:05 | PKO Turbo – $20 GTD | $0.10 | 2h LR – 12/8m Levels – 10K SS |
11:05 | Survival Mode Hyper – $20 GTD | $0.12 | 2h LR – 12/3m Levels – 45k SS |
14:20 | $25 GTD Freezeout | $0.12 | 4h LR – 15/12m Levels – 35k SS |
16:05 | Survival Mode – $20 GTD | $0.12 | 2h LR – 12/3m Levels – 45k SS |
19:15 | $50 GTD | $0.25 | 2h LR – 8m Levels – 20k SS |
Punta Del Este Satellites
Ya Poker is famous for its exclusive satellite tournaments and live events. One example is the Punta del Este satellites, where you can play for a ticket to the $1.5 Million GTD Final Millonaria and the $500,000 GTD Main Event. You can buy your seat for $95 or qualify for $0 by ranking on the Beast Tournament Weekly Leaderboard.
The Daily Double Promotion
The Daily Double is billed as the event where you can win life-changing money for a small investment. YaPoker runs two sets of MTTs daily, with minimum jackpots of $20,000 and $5,000 respectively. The two events are named the Bosksi and the Loncar, after two of the best pros at ACR.
Million Dollar Jackpot Sit and Go Poker
Ya Poker has a series of Hyper-Turbo Sit & Go tournaments where you can win up to a million dollars. Buy-ins are pegged at $5, $15, and $50, and prize pools are determined by a random draw. Million-dollar jackpot tourneys feature 3-minute levels, and each player at the table starts with a 500-chip stake.
Blitz Poker Satellites
You can advance through six levels to win the tournament satellite tickets to bigger events. Unlike regular satellites, where you must make the final table to win, blitz poker satellites allow you to advance to the next level by earning 5,000 chips. Furthermore, you can win more than once with your initial buy-in, and you can use the ‘For The Win’ feature to pay the difference if you can’t reach 5,000 chips.
Ya Poker Freeroll Tournaments
Freerolls are another tournament type available at Ya Poker. You don’t need any money to start, but the rewards can be lucrative. For example, the schedule includes daily $50 freerolls on No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha tournaments. You can use this opportunity to practice or get a general feel of each tourney.
Network Traffic 9/10
As one of the operators on the Winning Poker Network, Ya Poker enjoys some of the best online poker traffic. This is especially true at peak times, usually from 08:30 New York time. During these hours, it’s not uncommon to find nearly 25,000 players online.
Licensing & Security 9/10
Security is front and centre at Ya Poker, so it’s unsurprising to see several measures in place to protect user data and transactions. A security form is available to log any suspicious activity on the site. Ya Poker also has a comprehensive responsible gambling policy that outlines how to protect yourself.
Third-party fairness watchdog iTech Labs checks Ya Poker games. The site has a Random Number Generator Certificate stating that YaPoker uses a well-known algorithm to generate random numbers. ITech also says it evaluated the shuffling of single-deck card games, and Ya Poker passed.
Ya Poker Lobby 9/10
No Limit Hold’em is the most popular poker format at Ya Poker. That said, you can enjoy Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha, and even 7 Stud.
Available Games at Ya Poker 9/10
There is a variety of games available at Ya Poker, including cash games and large MTT tournaments attended by hundreds of players. You will also find sit-and-go tournaments where the events kick off as soon as enough players are at the table.
You can also stack and benefit from the action of other players. This allows you to learn how the game is played as you follow and analyze the decisions they make.
Ya Poker Software 9/10
Ya Poker runs on the Winning Poker Network, so that should tell you it’s a solid site that enjoys lots of traffic. WPN is well known for providing software features that benefit new and regular players. When you visit Ya Poker, you will find ACR reshuffles, All-In or Fold, Double Or Nothing games, and a late registration feature dubbed Spin to Get In.
Ya Poker Deposit & Withdrawals 8/10
You can fund your Ya Poker account or receive a payout through various payment methods. Some methods are better, so you must find an option that works for you.
Payment Method | Deposit Limit | Withdrawal Limit | Fee | Payout Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bitcoin | $10 / $25,000 | $50 / $10,000 | No transaction fees | Less than 1 hour |
Luxon Pay | $10 / $10,000 | N/A | N/A | Instant once you set up an account |
Person 2 Person | $50 / $500 | N/A | N/A | up to 24 hours |
e-Wallet | $10 / $25,000 | N/A | N/A | Instant once cashout is processed |
Checks | Not available for deposits | N/A | A $55 fee | Up to 8 weeks to arrive |
Credit / Debit cards | Varies by card and country | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Mobile App Experience 8/10
Playing on the go is one of the best ways to enjoy Ya Poker. The Ya Poker app is available on Android and iOS devices. You can download the app by scanning the QR code when you click the phone icon at the bottom of your desktop client. You will be transferred to a page where you can download the app.
As with most online poker apps, installation is a breeze. However, since this is a direct download, you must allow the installation of apps from unknown sources on your device. Once you are in, you can use your account details to log in and enjoy poker games instantly.
Ya Poker Customer Service 7/10
Ya Poker offers support through virtual assistance and email (contact form) only. The site does not have live chat or phone support facilities. Depending on the situation, players who reach out via email can expect a response in 24 - 72 hours.
You can check out the Ya Poker FAQs section for less time-sensitive inquiries. Here, you will find help on all topics, including payment issues, promotions, bonuses, and more.
How To Sign Up to Play at Ya Poker
Now, let's go through the Ya Poker sign-up process.
Step 1: Get started
Head over to the Ya Poker homepage and click Sign Up. The button is located in the top right-hand cornerStep 2: Input your details
You will be redirected to a form where you must add your nickname, email address, and password. Once this is done, click on the Send Code button. Ya Poker will send a code to the email you provide, which you must copy and paste to complete the sign-up process.Step 3: Download Yaa Poker
Choose the platform you are using from the provided links and download the app to your device. Ya Poker supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Follow the prompts to complete the installation and launch the app.Step 4: Enjoy Ya Poker
And that’s it. You can now enjoy Ya Poker tables and even sports and casino games.
Similar Winning Poker Network Sites
Although Ya Poker ticks many of the right boxes, it is not the only site available. As you will find in our Black Chip Poker review, several other sites can be found even on the Winning Poker Network.
- Coinpoker – Backed by one of the most famous poker players on the planet – Tony G.
- ClubGG Poker – The best option for free-to-play online poker games
- ACR Poker – Home of the Venom $12.5M GTD Tournament
- Black Chip Poker – Ideal venue for freeroll tournaments
Ya Poker Casino
- Welcome Bonus: 100% welcome bonus up to $2,000
- No. of Games: 220+
- License: Curacao
- Main Site Feature/Benefit: Quick and easy navigation
Besides online poker tournaments and cash games, Ya Poker has a decent casino site, offering everything from classic slot machines to real-time live dealer titles. You can set a balance for casino gaming separate from the main wallet. This way, you can easily manage your spending on casino games and other Ya Poker activities.
Casino Games
The Ya Poker app carries most fan favorites at regular casino sites. This includes bonus buys like Mariachi Party and Farm Ville 2. Different game categories are available, like classic slots, megaways, Asian-themed games, live dealers, and virtual table games.
Ya Poker Sportsbook
- Sports Welcome Bonus: 100% deposit match up to $2,000
- No. of Sports: 16
- Live In-Play Betting: Yes
- Main Site Feature/Benefit: Simple design, easy to navigate
Betting Markets
Ya Poker provides sports betting action from leagues in Africa, Central, and all other regions. The main US leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB) are a favorite of many. In the NBA, you have access to over 40 betting markets. The NHL is also a hive of activity, with 20+ markets you can bet on. The main action, however, is available in the NFL, where each gives you well over 160 betting options.
Live in-play betting is available at Ya Poker. The site has a useful feature that makes betting easy. You can choose the stake you want to bet or your expected return, considering the available odds.
Final Verdict on Ya Poker
New and regular poker fans will find plenty to be happy about at Ya Poker. The site offers a solid, no-nonsense welcome bonus with a 100% deposit match of up to $2,000. You can use several reliable payment options when claiming this offer. And once you have it, it applies to the casino and Ya Poker sportsbook.
Launched initially in 2001, Ya Poker is one of the longest-running platforms still in operation today. It offers an easy-to-navigate online poker room filled with a wide variety of multi-table tournaments and cash games for newbies and regulars. Use the link below to download Ya Poker and check it out yourself.
Ya Poker FAQs
Is Ya Poker safe and legal to play for US residents?
What is the biggest guaranteed weekly pool at Ya Poker?
Does Ya Poker offer players a no-deposit bonus?
How much rake does ya Poker take from my buy-in amount?
Can I play a qualifier for the WSOP at Ya Poker?
Responsible Gambling
Gambling carries inherent risks of addiction and financial loss. If you do not take measures to protect yourself and others around you, it’s easy to fall into these and other gambling-related issues.
Adopting responsible gambling practices is the best way to ensure you always have a healthy playing experience at the tables. A good place to start is to educate yourself on how to gamble correctly and also on how to identify the early signs of problem gambling and addiction.
We have included the links below to give you a head start.