Best Online Poker Sites for Real Money
Online poker is one of the most played games at Canadian gambling sites. Many versions of this popular card game are online, but the game’s basic rules apply to each. A dealer assigns players hands of cards, and the players then place wagers on these cards to try and defeat their opponent(s). The number of cards dealt, the number of hidden cards, the number of community cards, and the betting methods differ between variants.
If you want to play online casino poker in Canada, you’re in luck; plenty of online poker casinos are available. To find top sites that fit your gaming style, read our in-depth guide below and explore our list of trusted and reputable poker sites for Canadians.
New Casinos with Poker
| Rank | Casino | Deposit bonus | Bonus without deposit | Terms and Conditions | Play |
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| 5 |
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| 6 |
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Best Casinos with Poker
The History of Online Poker
Before we delve into the various poker rules and variants, let’s look at the background of online casino poker. Until the late 1990s, you could only play poker at traditional gambling venues such as brick-and-mortar casinos and poker rooms. Thankfully, everything took a new turn in 1998 when Planet Poker, the first-ever real money online casino poker game, launched.
By 2010, online casino poker had become one of the most popular online games. It is now extremely easy to find online poker rooms, even if you’re a novice or an experienced player. With your mobile or desktop device, you can play poker with the click of a button.
How to Find the Best Online Poker Casinos
As a new or experienced player, finding the best poker sites is very important if you want to win big without worrying about your online safety. We’ve compiled a list of safe and reliable poker sites on this page, highlighting all their features. Before recommending these platforms, we took each of them on a test drive and ensured they met the criteria below. Make sure you compare each poker casino against the below factors.
Variety of Poker Games
We only recommend online casino sites with many poker games to pick from. Make sure you find a casino with plenty of poker titles.
Promotions & Bonuses
A large first deposit bonus and ongoing promotions are excellent ways to begin your online poker journey. For this reason, we only recommend poker sites with juicy bonus packages and advise players always to seek the best offers.
Methods of Payment
We ensure that all poker sites we recommend come with a diverse range of deposit and withdrawal options. There are tons of payment options available, from credit and debit cards to prepaid cards and eWallets.
Trustworthiness
Our list of recommended sites only includes online casino poker sites that have earned the eCOGRA Seal of Approval and are licensed by reliable gambling regulators. Always look for a license when you browse casinos.
Mobile friendly
Mobile compatibility is an essential aspect of online gambling. We have ensured that all our recommended poker sites provide mobile access to players across major mobile devices. So whether you use an Android, iOS or Windows device, you’ll be able to play your favourite poker games on the go.
Customer Support
To ensure you never have to wait hours for a reply from the support team, we only recommend platforms with swift and responsive customer support. These platforms allow players to reach them via email, live chat, and phone call.
Basic Poker Rules
The phrase “practice makes perfect” perfectly describes the game of poker. Unlike other games, you must improve your skills and adopt a winning strategy to succeed in online poker. Of course, you also need luck on your side.
Poker rules differ between variants; however, knowing the basic rules will aid you in whatever game you choose to play. In each game, a dealer will shuffle and deal cards to players (the number of cards dealt per hand may differ depending on the game you play). Then, each player will make bets depending on the strength of their hand and the upwards-facing community cards.
Players can make more bets in each round, ask for more cards, or bow out. Eventually, the player with the best hand relating to the community cards wins.
How to Get Started Play Online Poker
Playing poker online is easy as long as you know the rules and have a stable internet connection. To help you get started with playing poker at an online casino, we've compiled some steps below.
Online Poker Sites for Beginners
If you’re an inexperienced gambler who has never played online poker before, then you’re in luck. There are several real money poker sites which are well-suited for beginner Canadian poker players; here’s a closer look at some of our favourites:
Red Dog Casino
One of the best poker websites for beginners is Red Dog Casino. This casino has an extremely user-friendly interface and is well laid out, which makes it easy for new players to navigate the site and check out what’s on offer. There is also 24/7 customer support if you need help at any time.
Red Dog is a great poker site for all skill levels and has casino games that suit both beginners and experts. There is a dedicated poker section with tons of game variations to choose from so that you can find something that suits your level. Better yet, you can play demo versions of all the video poker games available at Red Dog before you start gambling for real money.
Casumo
Another one of the best poker sites for beginners is Casumo. This online casino is extremely well-known and is available in many countries, including Canada. The casino is extremely safe to play at, and it holds a license from the UK Gambling Commission, which is reassuring for new players who are cautious about playing poker online.
Along with video and live poker, players can find other great online casino games at Casumo and enjoy a variety of promotions, including a $25 match deposit bonus for new users. Many incentives encourage beginners to try out Casumo and stick around once they know how to play online poker.
LeoVegas
One of the biggest online poker sites is LeoVegas, a great casino for newbies who have never tried gambling online. When you sign up at this casino, you’ll receive a $1,000 welcome bonus which you can put towards playing a real money online poker game.
You’ll find loads of poker games from the best game developers, including Microgaming, Playtech, and Play’n Go. You’ll find great poker variants for beginners, like Texas Hold’Em and some live dealer games if you decide to play in some of the top online poker rooms after learning the rules of the game.
Online Poker Sites for Experienced Players
If you’re a high roller or a more experienced poker player, you’ll likely be looking for the best Canadian poker sites that allow you to play high-stakes games and enter online poker tournaments. Below are three of our favourite online poker sites for players who know the game very well and want a challenge.
Jackpot City Casino
Playing online poker is a fun and rewarding experience at Jackpot City Casino, thanks to the large variety of games on offer. There are video poker games, which are easier to play, and more challenging games like Double Double Bonus Poker, which require more strategy.
If you’re a high roller, you’ll enjoy the rewards you can get when you play poker online at Jackpot City. You’ll earn points in the casino’s loyalty program for every wager you make during a poker game. The more points you earn, the higher the tiers you’ll climb and the better rewards you’ll receive.
Spin Casino
If you’re looking for a legitimate real money poker site that offers both video and live poker, then Spin Casino is a good option. There are 3 and 5-card poker cash games available and many live poker games powered by Evolution Gaming. In the live games, you can make bets up to $2,000, which is perfect if you’re looking for a high-stakes game.
Experienced players may want to play fast-paced real money poker games at times that suit their schedules. Fortunately, Spin Casino has one of the best mobile poker apps in the industry, allowing players to quickly and seamlessly start a game of poker and make strategic bets.
Wildz Casino
We recommend playing at Wildz Casino if you know how to play many different poker variations. A wide selection of real money poker games are available, including Texas Hold’em, 3-card poker, and Caribbean Stud poker. You’ll also find live poker rooms where you can join and play against a real dealer and other players.
The Loyalty+ program at Wildz Casino rewards dedicated players who spend a lot of time playing real money poker at the site. You’ll appreciate this program if you’re a high roller who knows poker well. You’ll be able to receive cashback from lost wagers and weekly rewards, which can boost your bankroll.
Our Favourite Canadian Online Poker Sites
We’ve already looked at some of the best online poker sites for beginners and experienced players. However, three stand-out platforms are worth highlighting when it comes to our all-around favourite Canadian poker sites. Find out more about them below:
Party Poker
As the name suggests, you’re in for an extremely fun time when you play at Party Poker. Not only can you find many real money games, but you’ll also be able to take part in scheduled or daily poker tournaments.
When you sign up at Party Poker as a new player, you’ll be able to claim a match deposit bonus of up to $400. There are also daily party gifts that users can claim and cashback deals to ease any losses you incur. So, if you’re looking for a great poker site that offers a lot of rewards and a guaranteed good time, Party Poker is the place for you!
Bodog Poker
Another one of the biggest poker sites in Canada is Bodog Poker. At this site, Canadian players can win up to $200,000 every Sunday in weekly poker tournaments where they can play against real players from across the globe.
You’ll enjoy Bodog Poker’s selection if you’re a fan of Texas Hold’em and Omaha variants. While it is limited to only these poker variations, the games on offer are fun and provide players with plenty of potential winnings. If you win big at Bodog Poker, you’ll be able to enjoy fast withdrawals using several payment methods.
Americas Cardroom
Since Canadians can play at offshore poker rooms, they have many more options to choose from, including Americas Cardroom. This online casino is owned by the Winning Poker Network (WPN) and offers players many poker games. There are also several poker tournaments per day, meaning you can join one at any time and enjoy massive poker winnings.
While the casino doesn’t hold an official license, it has a longstanding reputation in the gambling industry, and its affiliation with WPN speaks volumes. Therefore, it is generally considered a safe casino to play at.
Types of Poker Online
As mentioned earlier in this guide, various poker variants and rules exist. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Aces, and Stud are the three most popular table and video poker variants. Find out more about the types of poker below.
Texas Hold’em
Players receive two face-down cards in this variation of poker. After that, five community cards are revealed. After three rounds, these community cards are finally revealed:
- The Flop – Three cards are shown
- The Turn – One Card is Exposed
- The River – One Card is Disclosed
Texas Hold ’em aims to predict which cards will be dealt and how to use them effectively. You must figure out:
- What other people will try to do with the community cards
- Your chances of winning with your current hand.
Omaha Hi/Lo
In terms of betting and community card arrangement, Omaha Hi/Lo is similar to Texas Hold’em, but the starting hand is different. Instead of two cards, you’ll get four cards. You must build the best possible hand with two of the four cards and three community hands. Each round’s betting is the same, and the player with the best hand wins once the final bets are placed.
Five Card Stud
5 Card Stud Poker has no community cards, and the “hole card” is the only point of the game where you can utilize a strategy. The 5 Card Stud game is played in four rounds, allowing for various potential moves. Winning at 5 Card Stud can sometimes be difficult, but if you play your “hole card” well and use basic methods, you can be the champion.
Five-Card draw
A five-card draw is the most basic poker game and the foundation for video poker. It is often regarded as the most straightforward variant for novice players. The rules of the game are straightforward. Each player receives five cards face-down. At this point, betting begins. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins.
Multiplayer Online Poker
Multiplayer online casino poker has grown in popularity. Unlike before, players don’t need to visit land-based casinos to play against opponents. All they need is their mobile or desktop device. Most online casinos in Canada host virtual poker games that are extremely easy to join.
Even though it’s virtual, multiplayer online poker can be fun and rewarding. This multiplayer version of the game provides you with a wide range of features that would be difficult to implement in the real world. Below are three of the biggest poker platforms for multiplayer games so that you can familiarize yourself with the concept.
Pokerstars
Pokerstars is a renowned online poker cardroom owned by The Stars Group. Pokerstars is the world’s largest real-money online poker site, accounting for more than two-thirds of the overall online poker market. Pokerstar allows players to compete against opponents for a chance to win awesome prizes.
Bwin Poker
You can play in the best tournaments and cash games online from the comfort and privacy of your home at Bwin Poker. You’ll find popular poker games on the platform, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
888Poker
888Poker is the fastest growing poker room, with new players joining every 12 seconds. Currently, it has over 10 million registered members worldwide. 888Poker is one of the world’s most well-known and respected companies, offering diverse game selections, high-value tournaments, and thrilling live events for international poker players. An easy-to-navigate website is available on both PC and mobile as part of their multi-platform offering.
Poker Terms
Poker comes with diverse terms that are used during gameplay. As a new player, it is vital to learn the terminologies to communicate effectively and understand what’s happening at the table. In this section, we’ll explain some of the frequent terms for poker hands:
- Action: This means to place a bet or raise a bet.
- All-in: All-in means betting all your chips.
- Bluff: Bluff refers to a huge bet made to convince your opponent to fold their stronger hand.
- Call: To raise or match a bet.
- Fold: To purposely forfeit an opportunity to win by dropping your hand rather than raising a bet.
- Off suit: Off suit means holding cards of varying suits.
Poker at Live Casinos
With the advancement of technology, players in Canada can now enjoy live casino poker from the comforts of their homes. Live casino poker refers to a variety of real-time online games that are based on classic poker. Moreover, unlike online poker, where players compete against each other, the house can sometimes be the opponent in live casino poker.
Think of live casino poker as visiting a brick-and-mortar casino venue, but this time, without the hassle and noise. You get to sit right in front of a real dealer and start playing poker as you would in a real casino. Live casino poker makes the whole experience very realistic with well-positioned cameras streaming from a gaming studio. To fully enjoy gameplay without restrictions, ensure you have a stable internet connection and a compatible device.
Online Video Poker
Video poker is a computerized video slot machine inspired by the game of draw poker, in which players attempt to make specific poker hand combos.
Regardless of your moves, the deck’s outcome is determined by an RNG (Random Number Generator), which shuffles the deck constantly. As a result, when you hit deal or draw, the RNG stops at whatever shuffling combination it has randomly landed on.
Because there are 2.6 million probable card combinations, winnings are often based on luck and skill.
Playing Online Mobile Poker
Many of the best online poker sites offer mobile compatibility so that you can gamble on your phone and not be limited to playing on your computer. Mobile poker games are made to fit the smaller screen, so you can still enjoy high-quality graphics and features on your smartphone or iPad.
There are a few ways you can play internet poker games on your phone. First of all, you can visit the poker site via your phone’s browser to get full access to the casino’s gaming library. Many online poker sites offer dedicated apps which you can download from the website or your device’s app store.
Mobile apps offer a better interface for your phone than websites. However, some apps have a limited selection of poker games, such as live games, which may be frustrating for players. the upside is that you’re likely to come across specific mobile poker bonuses on the app, which are unavailable on the website version of the casino.
Strategies for Winning at Online Poker
If you’re playing to win at an online poker room, then it’s a good idea to learn some strategies and put these into practice. There are many poker strategies, but some have a better success rate than others. Here are some of the top strategies we recommend you use:
Learn the rules of the game
This is an obvious strategy, but many overly confident players don’t fully understand the rules of a specific poker variant before they start playing. You need to read up on the rules or play free poker games to learn what the game entails. In doing so, you’ll be able to make well-informed bets.
Don’t be overly cautious
It’s common knowledge amongst poker aficionados that cautious players are generally beginners. This sets cautious players apart from the rest, allowing more experienced players to manipulate them and read their cues.
If you have a good hand, make big bets and push other players with weaker hands out of the game. Make sure you don’t hesitate too much or show signs of uncertainty since this will alert other players that you have a weak hand.
Be aggressive at times
While it isn’t a good idea to always bet large sums of money, the only way to win big in poker is to make big bets. Therefore, at times you’ll need to be aggressive and go all in on strong hands. Although this might not always work in your favour, when it does, you’ll reap the benefits.
Watch the other players
Keep an eye on your opponents and look for tells that let you know whether they have strong hands. Many players have repeated habits that let you know whether they have a strong hand or are bluffing.
Learn poker terms
Make sure that you understand the lingo. You’ll be more likely to succeed if you can confidently play a game of poker without asking what terms mean. Before you play in live poker rooms, ensure you’re fully up to date with all the terminology.
Fold if necessary
There’s no shame in folding if you have a weak hand and know there is no way you’ll beat your opponents. In fact, it is a good strategy since it can save you from incurring large losses.
Online Poker Bonuses and How They Work
The best online poker sites offer various bonuses that you can use in live poker rooms and on video poker games. You can usually get cash bonuses or free spins (for slots) by making a small deposit at the casino. The bonus will then be added to your account, and you can use it on applicable games, depending on the bonus terms and conditions.
When you play at Canadian poker sites, you’ll find bonus offers like the ones below.
- Welcome bonus: If you register as a new player at an online poker site, you’ll likely receive a generous sign-up bonus in return. Welcome bonus deals are usually large cash sums that require a minimum deposit to collect.
- Match bonus: A common bonus you’ll find at the top poker sites is the match bonus. With this promotional offer, casinos match player deposits (up to a certain percentage or amount), so users can increase their bankroll size. With this bonus, you’ll be able to make more bets and play for longer periods of time.
- Deposit bonus: Another common poker bonus type is the deposit bonus. When you add money to your account, you can receive a cash bonus in return. The no deposit bonus is also available on several poker websites, although this offer is harder to come by.
- Cashback bonus: Poker operators understand that it is sometimes hard to avoid losing money. Therefore, they offer cashback bonuses to ease players’ losses. These bonuses give players back a percentage of the money they’ve lost during poker games so that they can continue to play without a huge dent in their casino account.
- Loyalty rewards: If you play at an online poker site for a long time, you’ll earn points and be added to the casino’s loyalty program. As a member of the loyalty program, you’ll receive regular bonuses and rewards.
Terms and conditions
The bonuses available at real money poker sites will likely come with strict terms and conditions. Some of these include the following:
- Wagering requirements: Most bonuses have playthrough requirements attached. For example, a $100 bonus with 30x wagering requirements means you have to spend $3,000 to withdraw any bonus winnings.
- Game eligibility: You can’t use all bonuses on poker games of your choice. You’ll need to check which games are eligible for use with the bonus.
- Maximum win: Casinos limit how much you can win using a bonus so that they don’t lose too much money for free.
Payment Methods for Online Poker Sites
Unless you’re playing at free money poker sites, you’ll need to make a deposit to enter an online poker room. Fortunately, multiple payment methods are available at the best online poker sites, including e-wallets and card options.
- E-wallets: You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to e-wallets. Most Canadian poker sites accept transactions with MuchBetter, Neteller, and PayPal. Virtual wallets allow you to make fast and easy payments without sharing too many personal details.
- Credit and debit cards: Mastercard and Visa cards are accepted at all of the top online poker sites in Canada, meaning you can make fast deposits and withdrawals using your card.
- Banks transfers: If you don’t mind sharing your bank details at an online poker site, then you can send and receive money using your bank account. These transactions are more secure but require you to share personal information with the casino.
- Prepaid cards: You can find a range of prepaid vouchers, including Paysafecard. These are great for budgeting; the only downside is that you can’t make withdrawals with these cards.
Online poker and cryptocurrency
Several online poker sites now accept cryptocurrency payments, which is great news if you have Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin. The best thing about crypto transactions is that they are instant and show up in your account almost immediately. Better yet, crypto payments cannot be easily linked to you, meaning you can enjoy totally anonymity when you gamble at an online poker site with BTC or ETH.
Make Sure You Have the Best Online Poker Software
When playing at Canadian poker sites, it is worth checking out the software in use. Many poker rooms operate on software from the same developers, meaning you’ll likely enjoy a similar experience at the top casinos.
It is a good idea to find out the developer before starting a game to ensure that the software performs well and isn’t laggy but is fast and responsive. We recommend developers like Microgaming and Evolution Gaming since they are known for producing some of the best video and live poker games in the industry.
Poker on Your Mac
Most Canadian poker sites work on Mac devices and allow you to play online poker via your Safari browser. You can also download software onto your Macbook so that you can play poker games offline. However, these likely won’t be cash games on which you can win money.
Poker on your PC
If you’re a Windows user, then you’re in luck since this is the most popular operating system for casino gaming. You’ll find that almost all poker software is compatible with Windows devices, meaning you can easily play in your browser or desktop, depending on whether you decide to download the software onto your device or not.
The Difference between Download and No Download Poker
The top poker sites normally offer no download poker games, meaning you don’t need to download any software to play these games. Instead, you can play them directly in your internet browser, regardless of the operating system you use.
Download poker requires you to install third-party software onto your device so that you can play the game. Most of the time, you may not be able to play for cash prizes on download poker games unless you play over an internet connection. These games are also more likely to crash or be laggy if you don’t have sufficient storage space on your computer.
However, if you don’t want to rely on an internet connection to play poker, no download games are a great alternative. You can launch these games at any time and enjoy plenty of poker variations, including Seven Card Stud and Texas Hold’em.
Play Online Poker Safely and Securely
When reviewing online poker sites, we make sure that they are safe and secure for players by assessing several areas. All of the casinos on our recommended list meet our high standards regarding player safety, but if you come across casinos not on our list, look for these features to ensure they are safe to play at:
- A license: The best online poker sites will hold licenses from the top gambling bodies in the industry. Look for licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, or the UK Gambling Commission and ensure that the casino you play at follows online poker regulation rules.
- SSL encryption: You’ll need to make transactions whenever you play real money games at an internet poker site. Therefore, it is incredibly important that the site uses SSL encryption to ensure your connection to the website is secure and that any financial data you enter remains private.
- Data protection: All of the top online poker sites need to have decent privacy policies which protect user data. Poker operators shouldn’t share or sell user information without the consent of players.
- Good reputation: Finally, make sure that any Canadian poker site you play at has a good reputation amongst players and review sites like CasinoGrizzly. You can check our list to find a regulated online poker room which will provide you with a stellar gambling experience.
24/7 Customer Support
Even the most experienced Canadian poker players can suffer technical issues from time to time at internet poker sites. Fortunately, first-rate Canadian poker sites offer dedicated support for players so that they can get help whenever they need it.
At all of the online gambling sites on the list above, you’ll be able to find 24/7 live chat and email support. Most of the poker platforms we recommend also have dedicated support sections with FAQs and guides on playing games.
With the expansion of online gambling, players can now also reach out to customer support teams on social media sites for fast and personable responses.
Online Poker Sites to Avoid
Sadly, not all real money poker sites are safe to play at. Here are some poker casinos that we recommend avoiding.
Issues with real money payouts.
Low-quality customer support.
Rigged cash games.
Negative online gambling experience.
Withdrawal issues
Bad reputation with other gamblers
Have Fun Playing Poker Online!
You should now be ready to dive into the world of online poker. In this guide, we have provided you with all you need to play poker online. However, if you’re entirely new to poker, try some free games before gambling with real money. Free games allow you to test and adopt different poker strategies without putting your money on the line.
So, are you ready to start winning? Browse through our list of reputable poker sites to get started! Good luck!
FAQs: Online Casino Poker
How do I play online poker?
You can play online casino poker by visiting any of our recommended poker sites in Canada. Browse through the list to find the perfect site for you. Once you make a selection, create an account and make an initial deposit to get started.
How can I win at poker?
When it comes to winning at poker, the only advice we can give you is to learn the game. Understanding the rules and adopting strategies will significantly increase your chances of winning. You can also try out free games to test your abilities before playing with money.
Are online poker games rigged?
No, online poker games are not rigged. Online poker games are just like regular land-based poker, where your skills and abilities determine your chances of winning. If you adopt the right strategies, you can win frequently. Always remember to only gamble at licensed poker sites.
Can I play poker online for free?
Yes, you can play poker online for free. Bonuses and promotions are also available to help you earn more money while playing.
Is online poker legal in Canada?
Yes, it is legal to play internet poker in Canada. However, you'll need to play at offshore casino sites since casino, and sports betting platforms are not allowed in all Canadian provinces.
How does traffic affect online poker rooms?
If a poker site has a lot of traffic, it is usually a popular gambling platform with great poker bonuses and games. However, the more players that visit a poker room, the more likely the games are challenging, meaning it could be harder for you to win. If you come across a poker site with less traffic, don't hesitate to play some of its games. These games are often easier; therefore, you could increase your chances of winning big.
Chief Editor and slot-aficionado Todd Knowles is our go-to guy for everything related to iGaming. Todd has a wealth of online casino knowledge since he has worked in the industry for more than 11 years and in the digital media industry for more than 15 years. In his spare time, Todd is a family man, but still finds time to play his favourite slotmachines.
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