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Ignition Poker came onto the scene in 2016, and quickly gained recognition and credibility with its Curacao license. The platform, which welcomes players from all over the United States, has a significant player base in California.
When it comes to transactions, Ignition sets flexible limits for you. You can deposit anything between $5 and $5,000 and withdraw amounts ranging from $10 to $9,500. The site accepts payments through MasterCard, VISA, MatchPay, vouchers, direct bank transfers, and even cryptocurrencies.
Ignition offers a wide array of poker games for you to choose from, including Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo and Texas Hold’em. There are also high stakes tournaments on this platform, such as the Gumball 3000 which has a total prize pool of $250 000 and the Golden Spade Poker Open where $500,000 can be won.
As a new player, you’re eligible for the Ignition Poker welcome bonus. This could be a 200% bonus up to $2,000, or if you prefer to deposit and play with cryptocurrencies, a 300% bonus up to $3,000. The minimum deposit is $20, and you can unlock the bonus over 30 days by wagering. Remember to use the bonus code IGWPCB100. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the $2,500 per week freeroll bonuses and Ignition Rewards, which give you various perks as a standard player from California.
Formerly known as Intertops before being rebranded, Everygame Poker hosts Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo and several Texas Hold’Em poker variants, including No Limit Hold’Em.
Californians can also participate in the Sunday Myriad to win a share of a $10,000 pot offered in Sit & Go’s. They also reward players with rakeback and freerolls, making Everygame a fantastic place to play poker.
Everygame is the oldest of the poker sites on this list, harking back to the mid-1990s when it was renowned for its RNG poker titles.
Depositors have a range of banking options available, including all major bank cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and much more.
Few brands can match Bovada’s reputation as a top-tier US poker casino.
Californians can opt to play Omaha, Texas Hold’Em and other variants, including tables that feature Pot Limit, Fixed Limit and No Limit rules.
Bovada hosts daily, weekly and monthly tournaments, the most notable being the Monthly Millions that has a prize pool of one million dollars. Sit & Go’s, knockout competitions, and satellites to major events are also available.
Bovada has been around since 2011 and is a licensed and regulated name that Californian poker fans can trust. Their poker room is run by Morris Mohawk Gaming.
You can deposit into your account using VISA, MasterCard, and American Express as well as several of the biggest cryptocurrencies.
Online poker is currently unregulated in California. However, there is nothing within Californian law that makes joining offshore online poker sites illegal, and therefore, it is safe to play at our featured casinos.
The California Gambling Control Resource Book (2021), coupled with regulations put forward by the Office of Administrative Law in the California Gambling Law and Regulations Act do not permit locally licensed online poker.
However, several recent attempts have been made to get online poker off the ground in CA. The Iipay Nation (located in Santa Ysabel) tried in 2014 and even got as far as setting up a poker room. However, the federal government deemed it to be a breach the UIGEA in 2016 and it was then closed.
Fortunately, offshore poker rooms are outside the Golden State’s jurisdiction and therefore fine to play at. While it is illegal for Californians to play at state-based poker rooms (there are none for this reason), playing at offshore poker rooms falls into a grey area. So, you cannot be prosecuted for joining our top and recommended offshore poker rooms.
It still might be advisable, however, to use a VPN to protect your identity and ensure your complete anonymity.
If you’re ready to start playing online poker in California, we’ll guide you through the process, whether you prefer using a mobile poker app or play on desktop.
Begin by selecting a reputable online poker site like Ignition Casino that accepts players from California. You can explore reviews and comparisons of various platforms to make an informed choice.
Visit Ignition Casino’s website and click on the ‘Join’ button. Fill out the registration form with your personal details, including your name, address, and other required information to create a new account. After completing the form, submit it, and confirm your account by clicking the verification link sent to your email inbox.
Log in to your online poker account and go to the cashier page. Here, you can choose your preferred payment method and specify the deposit amount. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction. Some welcome bonuses activate automatically upon your initial deposit, while others may require a unique bonus code, which you can typically find on the promotions page.
Once your account is funded, head to the poker lobby. There, you can explore various options, including cash games, tournaments, and Sit ‘n Gos. Before making a selection, review the game’s details, such as minimum and maximum stakes, pot rules, and buy-in requirements. If you’re new to online poker, consider starting with a freeroll tournament or trying your skills at play-money tables.
There is work afoot to try and legalize online poker in California. In 2018, the US Supreme Court laid the groundwork for each state to pass online poker legislation. Many have either set up state-licensed casinos, poker rooms and/or sportsbooks, or they are in the process of doing so.
California has not taken this step yet, and there are no legal California sportsbooks, casinos, or poker rooms. However, There has been ample debate on legalizing some forms of online gambling in the Golden State. Any legalization would require licensing and regulation by an appropriate body.
California already has such an authority: the California Bureau of Gambling Control actively regulates physical gambling options in the state. Similarly, those venues receive their license from the California Gambling Control Commission.
Both would work together to license and regulate Californian online poker rooms and work with tribal agencies to establish a Californian online poker sector if legislation to legalize California online poker should pass.
Not every player looks for the same thing from online poker sites. In this section we’ll recommend which casino is best for various games and features.
Our selection of recommended offshore online poker rooms can support all manner of popular games. These are among the biggest hits with Californian poker players:
Of all the Texas Hold’Em variations that you can play, it is No Limit that attracts the biggest crowd.
No Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker is played with two-hole cards and five community cards. You’ll get to call, check, fold, and raise while playing and the table limits involved in the game depend on the room. It allows you to raise any amount of chips from your stack at any time in the betting process.
Bovada, BetOnline and Everygame Poker lead the way when it comes to offering No Limit.
Pot Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker gets its name from the way that your betting is fixed.
Unlike No Limit, which allows unlimited raises, and Fixed Limit, which has predetermined bet and raise sizes, Pot Limit lets you raise and bet as high as the current pot size.
Fixed Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker is played with small and big bets and features the same rules as other versions of Texas Hold’Em. However, Fixed Limit does not allow you to raise your bet by any amount like No Limit does.
Instead, you can only bet or raise using fixed increments that are predetermined before the game takes place. Ensure you check what this is before committing to play.
Often described as tricky for first-time poker players, Omaha Hi-Lo is a spin on Omaha Poker and is played using both high and low hands.
Any Californian interested in playing should check out Ignition poker, America’s Card Room or BetOnline.ag, which boast Omaha Hi-Lo tournaments or can be played on Sit & Go tables.
Omaha is often played with Pot Limit rules. It may look like Texas Hold’Em Poker but Pot Limit Omaha sees players required to use two of the four cards they are initially dealt alongside three of the shared community cards. This is in contrast to Texas Hold’Em where only two cards are dealt.
Once again, this version sees raises restricted to the current level of pot size.
California has a rich and complex history when it comes to gambling and poker legislation. Over the years, the state has witnessed significant changes in its approach to gaming and betting. Here’s a chronological overview of key developments in California’s gambling history:
Yes, you can play poker online for free in California.
There are several types of free poker options that you might consider, including free RNG poker games and freerolls.
RNG poker table games are played against an AI dealer and stands for ‘Random Number Generator’. These can be played for free and represent a great way to hone your skills before tackling other players for real money.
By contrast, freerolls are a poker bonus. They allow you to play hands on selected tables without having to pay an entry fee. If you’ve played slots before, you can consider them a poker equivalent to free spins.
Freerolls aren’t available at all online poker rooms, but Ignition offer $2,500 worth of weekly freerolls, while Everygame Poker offers them daily.
New players can snap up $2,500 of guaranteed freerolls when joining Sportsbetting.ag Poker, while they are available on demand as part of the loyalty structure at America’s Card Room.
Yes, Californians can play poker on their mobiles either through their browser or via a downloadable app. However, not every California online casino offers an app, and you may find that the available options differ based on whether your phone is Android or iOS.
From our research, we determined that the availability of iOS apps, in particular, isn’t assured and that Android compatibility is more common.
That being said, modern HTML-5 developed poker rooms work fantastically on most mobile browsers, which in turn, can be bookmarked to your homepage to create a poker app for easy access. An additional benefit of this route is that you will face fewer security risks or updates.
California boasts a vibrant online poker tournament scene, offering players a diverse range of competitions to test their skills and win substantial prizes. Here’s an overview of some popular tournament formats you can find:
Many California online poker sites offer freeroll tournaments, granting players the opportunity to compete for real cash prizes without any entry fees or buy-ins. While not all platforms feature these events, numerous trusted sites provide regular freeroll opportunities.
Freezeout tournaments are a staple in California’s online poker scene, representing the most prevalent form of competition. In these contests, participants receive a fixed number of chips at the beginning of the game, and once those chips are exhausted, they’re eliminated from the tournament.
For players seeking additional security, California poker platforms often host multi-buy tournaments. Here, participants can purchase multiple chip stacks at the tournament’s outset. When one stack runs out, players can seamlessly transition to another, extending their chances of success.
California’s online poker landscape includes re-buy tournaments, allowing players to acquire more chips during the early stages of the game if they run out. However, once the re-buy period concludes, the tournament typically follows standard freezeout rules.
When browsing poker tournaments in California, you’ll come across GTD events, denoted by the “GTD” sign. In these competitions, a guaranteed prize pool is offered, ensuring that the specified amount is up for grabs. Sometimes, GTD tournaments even feature additional value-added “overlay” prizes.
Online satellites are an excellent route for California players to secure seats at prestigious poker tournaments like the WSOP and WPT. These satellite events provide an opportunity for players with limited budgets to earn their way into larger, high-stakes online competitions.
California’s online poker platforms host bounty tournaments, also known as knockouts. In these contests, players receive rewards every time they eliminate an opponent. The prize structures and rules for bounty tournaments may vary, so it’s advisable to review the specifics of each competition before participating.
When venturing into the world of online poker in California, securing your gameplay with a deposit is the first step. Most reputable poker rooms, whether dealing in crypto or USD, offer a selection of common payment methods for your convenience. These typically encompass debit/credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard, alongside conventional online bank transfers.
Additionally, offshore poker platforms often stand apart from regulated US counterparts by embracing cryptocurrency transactions. California poker enthusiasts can leverage digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin to swiftly and discreetly fund their poker accounts. To identify the preferred payment methods accepted by specific online poker sites in California, we recommend referring to our comprehensive reviews.
Furthermore, it’s essential to peruse our reviews for additional insights. Each poker site comes with its unique policies encompassing deposit limits, withdrawal fees, cashout thresholds, transaction processing times, and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification procedures. For instance, while one platform might impose a $50 withdrawal fee with minimum cashout limits of $100, another may provide $20 withdrawal thresholds without associated fees. Exploring the options and reviewing the finer details can greatly enhance your online poker experience in California.
Rakeback is a potential perk you might encounter at offshore online poker rooms. It refers to a refund from poker sites, often subject to specific terms and conditions. Some rooms provide rakeback regularly, as part of their VIP program or upon request, while others may not offer it at all.
For example, America’s Card Room offers on-demand rakeback through its Elite Benefits program, while Everygame Poker provides up to 36% rakeback, though it’s typically offered as a bonus with associated terms and conditions. To find the best rakeback options, refer to our poker room reviews for detailed information.
Although just across the state line lies Nevada and Las Vegas and its wealth of casinos and poker rooms, Californian has over 85 licensed homegrown options to choose from, including many tribal casinos.
Land-based poker is legal, so if you fancy trying your hand at proper poker tables and winning some cash games, we’ve highlighted the four largest poker rooms you can head to in the Golden State. In reverse order, they include:
Found in Inglewood, Hollywood Park has 100,000 square feet of floor space and is home and host to Omaha, Stud, and Hold’Em poker games, with over a hundred and five tables for you to choose from. In-house games can also be found at this venue, including a poker and blackjack combo game, and Pai Gow Poker, amongst others.
Also known as Hawaiian Gardens, the Gardens Casino has its own poker tournaments and over 110 tables for you to explore. Three Card Poker and Pai Gow Poker are offered alongside traditional Hold’Em poker games at this venue, which spans over 150,000 square feet, and is located, as you might expect, in Hawaiian Gardens.
Located in Bell Gardens, the Bicycle is one of the most famous casinos in California. It has 185 tables covering 100,000 square feet. Unsurprisingly for such a renowned casino, the World Series of Poker, Ladies International Poker, WPT Legends of Poker, and other competitions all make a whistle stop at the Bicycle Casino. You can even watch poker being played online there, although you can’t participate in online poker games.
The Commerce Casino & Hotel takes the top spot on our list because it has over 210 poker tables, making it the largest poker room on the planet. Yes, even ahead of anything you’ll find in Las Vegas. It is home to the World Poker Tour’s L.A. Classic, in-house Hold’Em poker tournaments, and is the venue for the California State Poker Championship. There’s plenty of prestige attached to this venue, making it a must-visit haunt whether you want to play simple poker games or participate in marquee championships.
There are currently no publicized plans for new land-based poker rooms in California. It’s important to note that while California is home to numerous tribal casinos and cardrooms, the poker offerings may vary, with some establishments focusing on card games other than poker.
If you’re seeking a more robust poker experience, you might consider exploring commercial casinos located in neighboring states, as California’s gambling landscape continues to evolve. Stay updated with any potential developments by monitoring state gaming regulations and industry news.
At our recommended California online poker platforms, you’ll find an array of enticing promotions designed to enhance your poker experience. These promotions may vary in terms of their value and specific offers, so let’s delve into some of the common promotions you can expect to encounter when playing poker in California:
Much like at traditional online casinos, poker sites in California often extend welcome bonuses to new players. While these typically apply to initial deposits, they can substantially boost your bankroll. Be sure to review the terms and conditions associated with these bonuses, including any wagering requirements, before claiming them.
Freeroll tournaments are a popular bonus offering for poker players. These tournaments grant you the opportunity to compete for real money prizes without the need for a significant buy-in. Freerolls can be offered to new players upon registration or as part of a poker room’s regular schedule. Check our reviews to identify sites that feature these valuable events.
Rakeback promotions are highly sought after by serious poker enthusiasts. They provide a means to earn free cash, which can be used for further gameplay. The availability and value of rakeback offers may vary between poker sites, so consult our reviews for detailed information on this bonus type, including its duration and loyalty program inclusion.
Currently, online poker is unregulated in California, limiting the options available. However, even when legalized, we believe that many local players will stick with offshore poker sites due to the numerous advantages over the competition, including:
If California did license and regulate its own online poker rooms, these would likely be subject to strict regulation surrounding bonuses, as is common at other state-licensed US poker rooms.
Offshore poker rooms catering to Californians are at liberty to offer better bonuses on account of looser regulation. Because of this, you are likely to find sizeable bonuses worth decent chunks of change.
Of course, there is always a danger that offshore casinos will have wayward terms and conditions, but that doesn’t happen at our recommended offshore poker rooms. Each has been vetted to ensure that it has fair terms and conditions, especially relating to wagering requirements.
Offshore poker rooms feature far more tables than even the biggest land-based card rooms in California. For this reason, you aren’t likely to have to wait very long to get a seat at the table.
Our offshore poker rooms can be played as live-dealer or RNG games, so you’re guaranteed to find a spot in no time at all. Moreover, online poker rooms offer a more diverse choice of tables, some with high limits and others designed for low rollers.
You’ll also have ample options when it comes to pots, betting limits and rules in variants. In short, you have more choices when you choose to play table poker at online betting sites.
Online poker rooms make it far more likely that you’re going to be able to participate in top poker tournaments and competitions. There are satellites that provide access to major competitions for budding amateurs who strike it lucky.
Sit & Go’s are open to everyone, and some tournaments are specifically designed for first timers. Freerolls can see you forgo entry fees and some jackpot competitions feature prizes worth over a million dollars.
Compared to land-based venues, your odds of getting involved in big-money tournaments are better when you play online.
California-friendly online poker rooms provide around-the-clock access to games. There are peak hours and off-peak hours at offshore poker sites, and you can take advantage of 24/7 support to boot.
Last, we would also highlight the fact that you can readily walk away from any table when playing. This isn’t always possible when you play offline. This flexibility undoubtedly makes playing at offshore poker sites advantageous.
You don’t have to be secretly gambling to prefer privacy at California online poker real money sites. In a real poker room, everyone will be consumed with interest in what you’re doing. Playing online allows you to keep your game secret.
There’s no need for players who struggle to bluff to worry, and the use of cryptocurrencies when betting means that your gambling hobby remains private if you want it to be. For players who want a touch of anonymity when they bet on poker, those options are there at our trusted and recommended poker rooms.
California poker players are some of the most renowned. Some of the World Series of Poker’s Most Notable players also dabble in online poker. Let’s introduce you to a couple of them right here.
Of course, because of California’s online gambling laws, Californian poker pros only play in selected online tournaments linked to major events (often in other states). If any Californian professionals are playing poker at offshore poker rooms, they are likely to keep their activity quiet, making it tough to get
Technically, no. California doesn’t license online poker games and there are no regulated, legal online poker sites. However, you won’t be prosecuted if you choose to play at offshore poker rooms in California, and you’ll find plenty of recommended and trusted sites right here which offer online poker.
Yes, you can play poker online. California’s offshore poker rooms offer both real money and free-to-play poker games. Some free-to-play games can even win you real money (through freerolls) if you strike it lucky when playing online.
Live poker games can be played in over 85 card rooms across the Golden State. You can also find live dealer poker games at many selected and recommended online poker rooms catering to players in California.
The Commerce Casino & Hotel may not have the largest floor space, but it has more tables than any other poker room. Moreover, it is officially the biggest poker room in the world. The Commerce Casino can’t make a much bigger statement than that.
That depends on where you play. We’ve already highlighted that some of our recommended California offshore casinos support freerolls. Check our poker room reviews to discover which sites have the best freeroll deals.
Yes, you can accumulate comp points when participating in online poker games in California. Many poker sites offer comp points as a reward for playing real-money cash games and tournaments. These points can often be exchanged for various benefits and rewards. For detailed information on which California poker sites provide the best comp programs, consult our poker site reviews.
Brian Rast, Justin Coung Van Tran and David Rheem are the most successful poker players from California. Together, they have amassed a pot worth over $49.4m in winnings. Other notable names include Jamie Gold, Men Nguyen, and David Pham.
While your skills and strategies can certainly influence the outcome of a poker game, predicting results with 100% accuracy is not feasible, especially without the ability to read your opponents’ expressions and reactions.
Ignition Poker operates in a legal gray area when it comes to offering online poker in California. The platform is based offshore and can provide poker services to Californians, but it operates in an unregulated environment.
BetOnline Poker is a reputable online gaming platform, offering a range of services, including online poker in California. Much like Ignition Poker, BetOnline operates within the legal gray area, allowing California residents to register and enjoy real-money poker games.
P2P (Player-to-Player) poker games involve real individuals competing against each other online. These games rely on computerized card shuffling and dealing but involve human opponents. In contrast, casino poker games are digitalized versions played against the house, featuring predetermined return-to-player percentages and fixed payouts.
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