About Us
Poker is an independent comparison site for players looking to play poker online for real money in the US. We break down the biggest poker apps and sites operating in this market, weighing game traffic, bonus terms, payment options and mobile quality so you can pick a room that actually suits how you play before you deposit anything.
We don't operate a poker room ourselves, and we don't process deposits or payouts. What we do is dig into the public terms, licensing information and features of each operator, then lay them side by side so the differences are easy to see rather than buried in marketing pages.
Why We Built This Site
The online poker landscape in the US is fragmented. Because there's no single federal framework, availability and licensing depend on the state you're in, and offshore-style sites fill the gap in states without regulated poker. That patchwork makes it genuinely hard to compare rooms on a like-for-like basis — a welcome bonus that looks generous on the surface can carry a playthrough requirement that makes it barely worth clearing, and a site with plenty of tournaments can still run thin cash games at the stakes you actually play. Our aim is to put that detail in front of you before you sign up, not after.
How We Compare Poker Sites and Apps
Every operator on this site is assessed against the same set of criteria. None of them can pay to move up the rankings — commission from any affiliate link never factors into a site's position or rating. Here's what we actually look at:
- Traffic and liquidity — how many active players a room carries at different stakes, and whether cash games, MTTs, Sit & Gos and fast-fold formats like Zoom or Snap stay populated outside peak hours
- Game selection — the mix of No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, mixed games and lottery-style Spin & Go formats on offer
- Rake and rakeback — the rake structure at common stake levels and whether a loyalty or rakeback scheme gives regular players anything back
- Bonuses and promotions — the headline welcome offer, but read against its clearing requirements, time limits and any games it excludes
- Payments — which deposit and withdrawal methods are supported, how long cash-outs typically take, and what fees apply
- Software and mobile experience — how the desktop client and app perform, and whether HUD or tracking software is permitted
- Licensing and player protection — what regulatory oversight or licensing an operator holds, and how it handles player funds and account verification
We revisit this analysis periodically as bonuses, traffic and terms change, and this page was last checked for accuracy on {{ '2026-09-09' }}.
What We Won't Tell You
Poker is a game of skill mixed with variance, but no amount of skill removes the risk of losing money, and we will never suggest otherwise. You won't find guarantees of winning, promises of income, or language that frames poker as a way out of financial difficulty anywhere on this site. If a promotion carries wagering requirements, deposit minimums or time limits, we state them next to the offer rather than leaving them for the fine print. If you ever feel your play is becoming a problem, resources including 1-800-GAMBLER are available, and our Responsible Gambling page has more on staying in control and on state self-exclusion programs.
Who This Site Is For
We write for three types of reader: casual players who want a trustworthy room with a simple sign-up and soft games, experienced grinders comparing rake structures and player pools at their stakes, and switchers looking for a specific angle — a new bonus to clear, a crypto-friendly cash-out, or an alternative after a previous room stopped serving their state. All of them need real money poker to be legal and available where they live, and eligibility is 21+ in most US states, with a small number setting the threshold at 18. Always confirm your own state's minimum age and licensing status before you sign up anywhere.
Our Independence
Poker earns revenue through affiliate partnerships. If you follow a link from this site and open an account, we may receive a commission from the operator. That relationship never decides where a site lands in our rankings or how we describe its strengths and weaknesses — every write-up carries at least one genuine limitation, including for the top-rated rooms, because no operator is a perfect fit for every player.
Have a question about how we cover a particular room, or spotted something on this site that needs updating? Get in touch through our Contact Us page, and see our Terms and Conditions for how this site operates.