Best Legal Online Poker Sites

  

These days, the privacy of your home may be the best place to play poker in NewJersey. Poker went online in the Garden State in 2013.

Online poker rooms were a part of the synchronized launch of NJ’s first legal online gambling sites.

BetOnline Poker is one of the highest-ranking card rooms for US players for a number of reasons, among which is the fact that the site offers some of the highest clearance rates for credit and debit cards as depositing methods. To win poker, you must play not just a good game, but your best game. The errors that are significant for your bankroll are most likely unknown to you. Moreover, the more boring and commonplace you find situations in which you are mistaken, the more important they are. There are two ways for online poker sites to offer real money poker to U.S residents, either a poker site operates from an off-shore location to provide online poker within MOST STATES of the U.S., or they must be licensed for each state where poker is legal to serve its residents. The current problem with poker sites in the legal states is that you can only play against players from the.

Today, the online poker market includes seven sites, interstate player pools, and apps so you can play anywhere in New Jersey.

These days, you can find juicy cash games and big-time tournaments running all the time. You might even bank a six-figure score or win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet when playing online poker in New Jersey.

Best NJ online poker sites in 2021

Our site is dedicated to helping rounders find legit legal poker sites for the best possible online poker games in the US. Thanks to resolutions passing in Nevada and New Jersey that resulted in the best outcome possible for poker online, the legal atmosphere in America has changed in recent months.

Today’s best online poker sites combine great software, large player pools, and lucrative welcome bonuses to enhance your online poker experience.

Poker sites in New Jersey are well-known for offering cash games and tournaments across a wide variety of poker variants. Each also offers the best seasonal poker tournament series with lucrative guarantees and unparalleled cash game action 24/7.

The following poker operators in New Jersey are the best in the online poker business.

Poker Room
Features
On Sign Up
100% up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus Offer
On Sign Up
100% up to $1,500 Deposit Bonus Offer
On Sign Up
Limited Time & Exclusive 100% Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
Use Bonus Code: PLAYNJCASH
On Deposit
100% up to $600 Match Bonus Offer
On Sign Up
100% Deposit Match up to $600
On Sign Up
Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
Use Bonus Code: PLAYNJFREE

NJ online poker reviews

Each poker site uses its own software client, which creates small differences in presentation. Available stakes and game types also vary from site to site, as does the size of tournaments and prize pools.

  1. Pala Poker

Free play poker vs. real money poker

Real money online poker has been around New Jersey since 2013. Most licensed NJ operators brought free play money online poker to the market with it. In some cases, free play money online poker has been around a lot longer.

Free play money poker games do offer a way to learn the game without risk. However, few people take it seriously, so gameplay is often a poor simulation of the real thing.

So much so that real money micro-stakes may be a better place to learn, particularly if players plan to move up to real money stakes eventually.

Play money poker sites are often linked to social media. Furthermore, they offer player loyalty programs where players might be able to earn something while they play.

So, if you want to play poker to earn, you should hit the real-money games instead and keep play-money poker around just for fun.

Is real money poker legal in NJ?

Yes, real money online poker is legal in New Jersey.

It has been since Feb. 26, 2013, when a bill permitting internet gambling in the state was approved by the New Jersey Legislature and signed into law by then-Gov. Chris Christie.

Almost nine months later, the state’s first legal online poker sites were a part of the synchronized launch of online gambling in New Jersey on Nov. 21, 2013.

Online poker operators have generated an average of about $2 million in revenue annually ever since.

New Jersey signed on to an interstate compact known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) in October 2017. This changed the law to allow NJ sites to apply for regulatory approval to share player pools with those in Delaware’s and Nevada’s legal online poker markets.

Of course, WSOP.com and 888 Poker are the only other NJ online poker operators that run sites in these other states. As a result, they were the only sites to apply.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) granted the sites the necessary approval and the first interstate games launched May 1, 2018.

WSOP.com has gone on to run a schedule of online WSOP bracelet events available in New Jersey and Nevada the past two years.

How to play online poker on Android

WSOP.com on Android

The WSOP.com Android app is available for download from the WSOP.com website.

The app promises to be optimized for on-the-go Android poker play. It is an excellent product for the one-trick, one-table No Limit Hold’em ponies.

Unfortunately, WSOP.com mobile apps only support playing one table at a time. Also, the Pot Limit Omaha games and tournaments you might find on the desktop client are not there.

Game selection functions are also more frustrating than functional. The cash game and Sit and Go sliders work, but you can’t see these lobbies, so it makes it a guessing game.

The mobile software is the same employed by 888 Poker, but the WSOP.com features the more robust better tournament selection and an efficient and easy-to-reg lobby.

The WSOP.com Android app does deliver on bringing the most prestigious name in the game to your Android device. But unfortunately, the actual desktop online poker experience is not available on WSOP.com mobile.

PokerStars on Android

The PokerStars NJ Android app is among the biggest in the market at over 80MB. What you get is mobile access to the industry-leading poker software and the PokerStars brand, which is optimized for your Android device.

That means No Limit Hold’em (NLH) and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) cash games and tournaments, Sit and Gos (SNG) and the popular Spin and Gos. There are even Zoom Poker fast-fold games, although these tend to run only sporadically.

The PokerStars NJ Android mobile app offers access to all the account management features.

Some serverlag and unresponsiveness issues remain, but these are minor problems for an Android app.

The app also includes chatfeatures, quickseating, multi-tabling and tutorials for how to optimize it for phones and tablets.

You must go to the PokerStars NJ mobile page to download and install the app. However, once that’s done, you’re in for something special.

888 Poker on Android

888 Poker NJ promises the slickest poker app in the business for Android devices available for download from the 888 Poker website.

All of its poker games are there, including cash, tournaments, Sit and Gos, super turbo games and SNAP poker fast-fold. However, the app features the same frustrating game selection sliders as WSOP.com. The problem is you can’t see these lobbies and what games are running first.

Other than that, the 888 Poker NJ app does feature smooth functionality, quick deposits and real poker games with real opponents, in real-time.

It’s just not as close to the desktop client experience as others in the NJ market.

How to play online poker via your iPhone / iPad

PokerStars for iPhone / iPad

PokerStars NJ seems to understand the need to replicate the desktop computer experience on mobile devices as much as possible. It does that with the PokerStars iOS app available for download on the PokerStars NJ website and the Apple App Store.

It’s designed natively for iPhone or iPad devices and features almost everything you’ll find on the desktop client.

There’s a “PlayNow” button, allowing you to instantly join your favorite games, tournaments and access to about every poker game and popular PokerStars’ product.

WSOP.com for iPhone / iPad

You can download the WSOP.com mobile app for iOS devices on both the WSOP.com website and the Apple App Store.

Unfortunately, the same limited functionality you find with its Android app is there on the Apple app as well.

That means No Limit Hold’em is the only game and it’s a single-table only experience. That said, there are freerolls, Sit & Gos, multi-table tournaments, cash games and even casino games available.

It provides 24/7 access to games and customer support.

Plus, the WSOP.com app is optimized for iPhone and iPad users.

888 Poker for iPhone / iPad

The 888 Poker iOS app is available for download on the 888 Poker NJ website and the Apple App Store. Plus, the mobile app seems to be designedbetter for iOS devices than Android.

It’s got the full account functionality of the desktop client. Plus, Sit & Gos, multi-table tournaments, satellites, step tournaments and cash games including Hold’em Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven Card Stud Hi Lo. There’s even access to the 888 Casino games.

Plus, 888Blast poker jackpot games are there as well.

How to clear online poker bonuses

The top online poker sites in New Jersey offer a variety of online poker bonuses to players. These include everything from free tournament tickets to no-deposit and deposit-match bonuses.

Most include wagering requirements that players must complete before they can withdraw the bonus funds. There is a straightforward way to meet these wageringrequirements and clear the bonus: play online poker.

Of course, the amount you must play to clear a bonus is specific to that bonus. That’s why it’s always essential to understand the terms and conditions of a bonus before you try to clear it.

You’re going to want to know how many days you have to clear the bonus, if it will be released incrementally, and if and when it expires. Plus, you’re going to want to know exactly how much poker you need to play to clear the bonus.

In most cases, players earn frequent player points (FPP) based on the amount of rake they pay on a site. Poker bonuses are cleared when certain FPP thresholds are met.

It’s always a good idea to look for times when online poker rooms run promotions allowing you to earn extra FPPs. You might be able to clear a bonus faster as a result.

Another rule of thumb worth noting is that the bigger a bonus, the harder it is to clear.

That means you’ve got to be willing to put in the time at the tables to clear a significant bonus. Most recreational players would be better off choosing smaller and easier-to-clear bonuses they may be able to get their hands on playing only part-time.

Remember, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and if you want to clear a poker bonus, you are going to have to put in some work to do it. The bigger it is, the more practice you’ll have to do to get it.

However, those with a clear understanding of how to clear the bonus they seek and a willingness to grind it out should find the pursuit of poker bonuses profitable.

Moving money on and off poker websites

NJ online poker sites work hard to make moving money on and off the sites as quick and easy as possible. Each site offers a variety of easy-to-use deposit and withdrawal methods and is continually adding new ones.

Whatever method you used to make a deposit can usually be used to withdraw funds. If not, NJ online poker sites are happy to make other options available.

Here’s a list of some of the mostpopular deposit and withdrawal methods at NJ online poker sites:

  • Visa and Mastercard: NJ online poker sites accept major credit cards as long as the bank the card is issued by approves. Some issuing banks may not authorize online gambling transactions. If that’s the case, you’ll need to find another deposit method. However, several exist where you still can use your Visa or Mastercard.
  • Play+: Several online poker sites in New Jersey take the Play+ prepaid credit card. The card can be funded using a Visa, Mastercard, Discover card or even your checking account.
  • Prepaid Cards: Prepaid cards can be a safe and convenient option for making deposits on NJ online poker sites. Players load money onto the prepaid cards and then use the funds to deposit on a poker site. Several major credit card companies offer prepaid credit cards and some NJ online poker rooms have their own branded cards.
  • Cash at the Casino Cage: NJ online poker sites run under licenses held by Atlantic City casinos. Most will accept cash deposits at the cashier cages inside the associated casino.
  • PayPal: This third-party payment processor is the largest in the world and available at several online poker sites in New Jersey. You can fund a PayPal account from several sources, including your bank account and credit cards.
  • ACH E-checks: ACH e-checks is an online money transfer service that essentially lets you write an electronic check to an online poker site. It’s a great way to move money from a bank account to an online poker site.
  • PayNearMe: Financial services provider PayNearMe has partnered with 7-Eleven convenience stores and CVS Pharmacies to create a financial services app. The app allows users to make bill payments via retail sites. Also, you can make payments at several NJ online poker sites with cash.
  • Online Banking: Those that make bill payments with their online bank account can often deposit to an NJ online poker site directly as well. But this too is often subject to authorization issues.

Types of poker games available to NJ poker players

Most of the tournament and cash-game action in the NJ online poker market revolves around No Limit Hold’em. There’s also some Pot Limit Omaha around and some sites that have software capable of running other poker variants.

The thing is, games don’t run without players and most of the time, it’s hard to find even six players willing to sit at RAZZ, HORSE or 2-7 Triple Draw games.

So, even the sites that advertise a wide variety of poker variants available don’t run much outside of No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha games most of the time.

That said, it’s all about timing. You might be able to jump in a cash game or tournament featuring your favorite poker variant.

  • No Limit Hold’em (NLH): The biggest cash game in NJ online poker is far and away No Limit Hold’em. There are usually tables running with stakes ranging from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 with six-max and nine-handed tables. However, the majority of the action is at the micro- and low-stakes levels. Most NJ online poker tournaments are No Limit Hold’em as well.
  • Pot Limit Omaha (PLO): Most NJ online poker sites run Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) games, just not as many as No Limit Hold’em. The stakes online in New Jersey run from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50, but the $0.50/$1 and $0.25/$0.50 tables are the most popular. If your timing is right, you might also find Omaha Hi Lo games running, too.
  • Stud: A lot of NJ online poker sites claim to offer studgames. In reality, the games run rarely. Stakes range from $0.50/$1 to $40/$80 when they do get off the ground.
  • HORSE, 2-7 Triple Draw and other variants: While mixed games are fun and everybody knows poker is more than hold ’em and Omaha, NJ online poker isn’t. Alternative poker variants are usually only found in specialized seasonal tournaments. Cash games do not run regularly.
  • Fast fold games: Most online poker sites in NJ run some version of fast-fold games akin to PokerStars NJ’s Zoom Poker tables. In this format, you are instantly transported to a different table to start a new hand when you fold one. Zoom cash games and the like requires a large player pool, so it doesn’t always run on NJ sites.
  • Multi table tournaments: All NJ online poker sites offer a daily schedule of No Limit Hold’em multi-table tournaments (MTT) with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $50. However, the bigger buy-in MTTs are on Sundays in New Jersey. Larger online poker operators run SundayMajors with buy-ins ranging from $50 to $500. Prize pool guarantees for these events go up to $50,000.
  • Sit and Go tournaments (SNG): Online poker sites in New Jersey host No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha and Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Sit and Go tournaments. Most are nine-handed, six-max or heads up. Buy-ins start at $0.25 and go up to $500. Prime-time peak hours are the best time to find Sit and Go tournaments running.
  • Lottery Sit & Go tournaments: Lottery Sit & Go tournaments akin to PokerStars’ Spin & Gos run on a variety of NJ online poker sites. These are three-handed Sit & Go tournaments with randomized prize pools awarded. That means they are playing for anywhere from two buy-ins to $1,000. The Sit & Go tournaments that run regularly in NJ will range from $1-$25 and are even more popular than standard Sit & Gos.

Is it safe to play online poker for real money in NJ?

Online poker is legal and regulated in New Jersey. That doesn’t mean big brother is watching; however, it means theNJDGE provides oversight in the state. It ensures it is entirely safe to play online poker for real money in NJ.

The NJDGE vets every operator, issues permits, and tests and approves software and games. Fair play is a part of the equation every step of the way.

Offshore online poker rooms are the ones to concern you. Unlike legal and regulated NJ online poker sites, these are unlicensed and don’t undergo any testing.

You may have read about superuser scandals in the past where someone was able to see an opponent’s hole cards and take advantage. The NJDGE has strictguidelines in place to make sure nothing like that ever happens in the state’s legal, regulated online poker market.

Licensees are also required to keep customer funds separate from their operational budget. That means your money is always safe and secure with an NJ online poker operator.

Even if an online poker operator goes belly up, your funds will be safe.

You may remember that UltimatePoker left the NJ online poker market in 2014. Every dollar on deposit was paid back to customers before the site closed because those funds were held separately from the site’s operating budget.

More resources on multistate online poker:

Top 10 poker sites for us players

Welcome to USLegalPokerSites.com, where poker players in the United States can look for the latest online poker legal news, information and tips. Our site is dedicated to helping rounders find legit legal poker sites for the best possible online poker games in the US.

Thanks to resolutions passing in Nevada and New Jersey that resulted in the best outcome possible for poker online, the legal atmosphere in America has changed in recent months. Both states - and more are set to follow in the near future - have written into law that playing at licensed poker sites is completely legal. Moves are in place for a federal solution to online poker being found too. That's good news all round for Texas Hold'em players across the country.

PLAY ONLINE POKER LEGALLY IN THE US!

If you live in the USA and want to play at a legal Internet poker room, all of the pages on USLegalPokerSites.com are dedicated to giving you the best information possible about playing poker games at a table online.

While some US states have restricted poker rooms from doing business within their borders, every lawyer in the industry agrees that it's only a matter of time when the question of whether online poker is legal (or not) at the federal level will be answered definitively. Our site is devoted to our readers to make sure they have all the legal information possible about legit poker online.

With the poker scene in the USA thriving, more and more sites are appearing on the market each month. This is great news for American players but can make the choice seem overwhelming. Luckily, there’s plenty of high quality guides which can help you make sense of it all. PokerSites.com is run by professional poker players and it’s worth having a look at their guide for US online poker options.

It is Legal to Play Poker in the United States?

Currently there are no federal laws that forbid citizens in the United States from creating online poker web accounts and engaging in real money poker online. For state legal standing, the situation for playing poker on the Internet becomes more complicated. A large number of states have out-dated legal interpretations that make both understanding the law and enforcing it tricky. While some states are currently sitting on the fence with regard to poker's legality, some states like Washington, New York, Maryland and Kentucky are flat out unfriendly to websites that offer real money poker rooms. If your state is known to be unfriendly, you should tread carefully. In other states, however, online poker is welcomed in 2021, such as in Nevada and New Jersey, with more states expected to follow suit. These are certainly exciting times, with American players finally getting back online at regulated US legal poker sites.

While no website can offer a proper substitute for legal advice from your lawyer, USLegalPokerSites.com is dedicated to giving poker players in America as much up to date news and data as possible, as it breaks, so that they can make informed decisions and have a better understanding of the legal waters for players in the USA and what makes US poker sites legal.