Best PA Online Poker Sites: Real Money Online Poker for 2024
By John Isaac,Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac
Editor at online-gambling.com
| Best PA Poker Sites | Find Here! |
|---|---|
| PA Poker App | PokerStars |
| Top PA Poker Bonus | Get $150 Bonus Play |
| Where to Play | PokerStars |
Recommended PA Online Poker Sites
Pennsylvanian players get to enjoy various cash games, poker tournaments & generous bonuses. If you want to safely experience these unique benefits, visit the best PA online poker sites below:
- Secure
- Trusted
- Verified
Top Online Poker in PA
| PA Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | Bonus Code | Legal In | Site Rating | Games | Secure Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PokerStars | Get $150 Bonus Play |
Not Needed
|
PA | Cash Games, Poker Tournaments, SitNGo’s | Play Now! | 21+. T&Cs apply. | |
| WSOP | 100% up to: $1,000 Deposit Match |
Not Needed
|
PA | Cash Games, Poker Tournaments, SitNGo’s | Play Now! | 21+. T&Cs apply. |
Best Online Poker Sites in PA
- 🥇 PokerStars (Best among PA online poker sites)
- 🥈 WSOP (Top online poker welcome bonus in Pennsylvania)
Online Poker in PA – Facts & Figures
Online poker in PA was legalized in 2017 [1]. However, not all gambling sites online are trustworthy, so look for legal poker platforms licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). You can also check out the summarized information in the table below to learn more about the online poker environment in the state:
| Legal Status | Legal |
|---|---|
| Legal Since | 2017 |
| Available Poker Sites | 2 |
| Top PA Poker Site | PokerStars |
| #1 PA Poker Site for Tournaments | Wsop |
| Best PA Poker Site for Cash Games | PokerStars |
| State Regulator | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board |
| Pennsylvania Legal Gambling Age | 21 |
All PA gambling sites featured in this article are licensed by the PGCB, so you can check them out without having to worry about safety. However, if you’re a beginner, we recommend going through this guide first, as it can help you figure out what aspects contribute to a high-quality experience when it comes to online poker in PA.
Top Poker Variations in PA
Offering a wide variety of poker variations is fundamental. Keystone state players have different preferences, so to meet these unique needs and improve player retention, poker platforms must offer diversity in their games and tournaments. Here are some of the most popular poker variants you can enjoy at the best online poker sites in PA:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha High
- Omaha Hi/Lo
- 5 Card Omaha
- 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo
- Courchevel
- Courchevel Hi/Lo
- Seven Card Stud
- Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
- Razz (Seven Card Stud Low)
- HORSE & 8-Game Mix
- Five Card Draw
- 2-7 Triple Draw
- Badugi
These are some of the most entertaining poker variants you’ll find online. Therefore, Pennsylvania players should consider themselves lucky, as the gambling sites recommended in this guide offer all of them. However, if you’ve realized poker is not for you, there’s other options. For example, the top PA online sportsbooks can offer a high-quality experience that’s most players enjoy.
Most Popular Types of Online Poker
At Pennsylvania online poker sites, you can find online cash games, Sit & Go competitions, freeroll tournaments, and so on. This diversity demonstrates how developed the local gambling industry is, but it also means you should familiarize yourself with the rules of different game formats. You can do that by checking the list below.
- Poker Tournaments – These are competitive events where players buy in with a fixed amount of money and play until one player accumulates all the chips, hence winning the top prize.
- Poker Cash Games – These games allow players to buy in and play with real money until they leave the table. They provide greater flexibility for players to cash out their chips anytime.
- Sit & Go Poker – This type of tournament has a pre-set number of seats and starts as soon as they’re filled. Sit & Go Poker is known for its quick and convenient format.
- Freeroll Tournaments – These poker events don’t require an entry fee. Many beginner players prefer freeroll tournaments, as they provide the chance to win real money or qualify for other games.
- Speed Poker – This fast-paced poker variant lets you join a pool of players rather than a specific table. This allows players to immediately move to a new table upon folding a hand.
- Satellites – Satellite tournaments allow you to qualify for bigger poker events. You can win entry into higher-stakes tournaments at a much lower cost through them.
You can determine which of these poker types suits your needs by considering your budget, experience level, and how much time you want to spend playing. Pennsylvania online poker sites cater to different players, so you can decide without being too influenced by the availability in your state.
How to Choose a Licensed Poker Site
Picking a poker variant and tournament type tends to happen naturally. However, when choosing a gambling site, things can be more complicated, as there are many more factors to consider. You can check out the primary criteria we use below and use them to find the right PA real money poker site for you:
When picking a PA online casino, you need to ensure it offers a generous bonus, a nicely designed app, diverse payment options, and so on. Keeping track of all these elements is challenging when it comes to poker as well, so when choosing an operator from our recommendations, ensure the platform ticks all your boxes.
Licensing & Safety
Choosing a safe PA online poker site is the most crucial step. One foolproof way of doing that is to follow our recommendations as we check the licensing of all gambling platforms we feature in our guides. However, if you want to do your own research, here are the different licensing authorities and responsible gambling organizations in Pennsylvania that you can turn to for information:
Gambling licenses in America are granted at the state level, so Pennsylvania players should look for the logo of the PGCB in the casino’s footer. Furthermore, when playing online poker with real money in PA, you should have access to self-restriction tools and support. Therefore, collaborations with responsible gambling organizations are also a fundamental safety aspect.
Lucrative Bonuses & Promotions
Most online poker sites in Pennsylvania offer welcome bonuses for new players to jump-start their gambling experience. However, not all offers are on the same level when it comes to the size of the bonus sum, the fairness of wagering requirements, validity, and other terms and conditions.
Therefore, you should carefully examine the offers below to find the best PA online poker welcome bonus for you. All promotions in this guide are generous, but some will seem more attractive based on your play style and budget. Follow the safe link to explore the full terms and conditions of the offers or claim them.
| PA Online Poker Site | Bonus | Bonus Code | Playthrough | Validity | Min Deposit | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSOP | 100% up to $1,000 | Check Here | 50 wagering points for every $5 | 60 days | $10 | 21+. T&Cs apply. |
| PokerStars | Get $150 Bonus Play | Check Here | 5 redemption points for every $1 | 120 days | $10 | 21+. T&Cs apply. |
If you’re a beginner in the world of gambling, choosing online casino bonuses in PA that have low wagering requirements and long validity is typically recommended. This is also the standard for poker sites but remember to also pay close attention to the contribution restrictions. After all, not all poker games are eligible for promotions, and we wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.
Best Real Money Poker Apps
Mobile gambling has taken over the US, so it’s no wonder that Pennsylvania players consider the availability of an intuitive app to be a primary requirement. Luckily, we’ve found a few operators that offer native apps for Android and iOS. You can examine them below and find the best PA online poker app for your unique tastes:
| PA Poker Apps | Site Rating | Poker Bonus | Compatibility | Secure Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PokerStars | 4.9 | Get $150 Bonus Play |
iOS
Android
|
Play Now! | 21+. T&Cs apply. |
| WSOP | 4.9 | 100% up to $1,000 |
iOS
Android
|
Play Now! | 21+. T&Cs apply. |
These poker apps stand out with excellent design and streamlined navigation that makes browsing cash games and online poker rooms in PA easy. This intuitiveness also helps with multi-tabbing and toggling between screens. The apps are also supported on various devices, so whether you have an Android tablet or an iPhone, you should be able to download them.
Popular Poker Software Developers
Unlike slots and table games, which are developed by popular software companies like NetEnt and Evolution, poker software is usually developed in-house. This allows for greater customization, adaptability to trends, and integration. You can find the best gambling operators that develop in-house poker software below:
Furthermore, note that most poker software needs to be downloaded. Hence, having complete control over aspects like maintenance and updates is fundamental for gambling operators, as it ensures a smoother player experience. Of course, there are also some poker sites that allow instant play, but that’s rare.
Payment Methods for Deposits and Withdrawals
A high-ranking online poker PA site should also be able to provide a wide variety of payment methods. Of course, this shouldn’t come at the expense of security, so only trust gambling sites that partner with trusted payment platforms. Here are the recommended deposit methods you should seek:
Fortunately, the best poker sites in Pennsylvania have this covered by offering various credit/debit cards and eWallets. The most widely available online methods include Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. However, options like PayNearMe and Vanilla are also quite popular, as they allow you to keep your anonymity by making real-time payments with cash.
Game Rules and Strategies for Online Poker
If you’re a beginner, figuring out the poker rules is the first step. We recommend you check a detailed guide for the specific game variant to do that. However, to cover the basics, the game’s goal is to either have the best hand at showdown or to convince other players to fold their hands.
Poker is not a game solely based on luck, so figuring out the right strategy for you and the specific poker variant is another crucial step. While no guaranteed online poker strategy exists, skilled players tend to focus on consistency, deception, calculated bets, or a different tactic. Check out the primary and tested poker strategies below:
- Loose – This poker strategy is about playing a wide range of hands and is ideal for risk-takers. However, it might also make players more prone to losing chips.
- Tight – Gamblers who employ this strategy play a selective range of strong hands and fold weaker ones. This strategy consists of waiting for premium hands to maximize the chances of winning.
- Passive – Players who employ this strategy avoid aggressive betting and prefer calling or checking instead. The passive approach is about reacting to opponents’ actions rather than taking the lead.
- Aggressive – This poker strategy revolves around making bold bets and raises, thus forcing others to make decisions under stress. This pressure on the opponents allows aggressive players to control the action.
- Position – A positional strategy refers to exploiting the advantage of acting later in a poker hand. Late-position players have an advantage, as they have more information about opponents’ actions.
- Bluff/Deception – A bluff strategy uses various tactics to create uncertainty about a player’s hand strength. Deceptive players will bet or raise with a weak hand to make opponents believe it’s strong.
As you can see, there are different styles, from more conservative strategies based on observing opponents and taking your time to more aggressive ones relying on creating pressure and bluffing. Adapting to a specific online poker strategy can help increase your winning potential and enhance the quality of the experience.
However, before you get there, you should have the basics down. For example, players have options like betting, raising, calling, or folding. These choices influence the game’s dynamics and outcomes. So, before you start playing, ensure you understand what actions you should take based on the strength of your hand and overall strategy.
Furthermore, there are various betting modes. For example, Texas Hold ’em is a popular no limit variation, which means there is no maximum limit on the amount you can bet or raise during a round. Meanwhile, Omaha often uses pot-limit betting. Therefore, this is another crucial aspect to consider before playing on one or multiple tables at the best online poker sites in PA.
Legal Overview of Online Poker in Pennsylvania
In the following sections, we’ll answer the questions, ‘Is online poker legal in PA?’ and ‘Are winnings from online poker taxable in the state?’. We’ll also shed some light on the consequences of problem gambling, as this issue affects more than four million adults in the US.
As previously mentioned, online poker has been legal in the state since the passage of the Pennsylvania Gambling Expansion Act in 2017 [2]. However, that’s not to say there are no illegal online casinos, so be careful when browsing the Internet. You should only trust operators that have a valid license from the PGCB. If in doubt, you can consider our top-rated poker casino in PA, PokerStars, as a safe bet anytime.
Winnings Taxation in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, winnings from online poker are generally considered taxable income and should be reported on your federal and state income tax returns. However, this also depends on the amount you’ve won. For example, PA online poker sites are required to report certain winnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but only when the winnings exceed $600 in a single tournament or session.
Problem Gambling Help & Assistance
Engaging in online poker in PA can be entertaining. However, if done irresponsibly, it can also lead to gambling addiction, which can have serious consequences. Therefore, we would like to promote some responsible gambling practices and organizations that you can turn to if you experience any negative behaviors like chasing losses and isolation.
Firstly, you can use the self-limiting tools offered by the best online poker sites in Pennsylvania. You can set a budget, time limits, and other restrictions that can help you stay in control. In addition, you can use informational resources provided by organizations like Gamblers Anonymous or seek help from other organizations that legit online casinos collaborate with.
Conclusion – Best PA Online Poker Sites for 2024
Before you decide which of the best real money poker sites in PA suits your preferences, let’s summarize the primary aspects you should consider. Firstly, the operator should be licensed and have a secure poker app. Secondly, it should offer a generous bonus with fair terms. Finally, it should provide various poker variants and tournaments. The top-ranking poker site below ticks all these boxes, so check it out one final time:
| PokerStars | Get $150 Bonus Play | PA | Various poker tournaments, Many poker variants,Excellent poker app | Play Now! | 21+. T&Cs apply. |
At this point, however, you may have decided that poker is not the game for you. The good news is there are many other real money online casinos in PA that deserve your attention. Whichever casino game you end up playing, make sure to follow our tips and only ever play at regulated casinos that are licensed for operation in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope this guide has helped you decide which one of the best PA poker sites has what you’re looking for in terms of tournaments, bonuses, and so on. However, if you still have questions, we’re here to help. In this section, we’ve answered frequent questions Pennsylavnian players have about online poker, so keep reading.
1. Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, it is. As mentioned, the best PA online poker sites featured in this guide are 100% safe and have been licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. This type of gambling has been legal in the state since 2017 when the Pennsylvania Gambling Expansion Act was passed.
2. Are there any online poker bonuses for PA players?
There is a great choice of online poker bonuses for Pennsylvania players. We have the best of the best featured in this guide, replete with the all-important terms and conditions. Make sure to check the requirements first and decide if you can realistically meet them before you opt in for any offer.
3. Will my online poker winnings be taxed?
Yes, you generally have to pay taxes on PA online poker winnings. Therefore, you should report all winnings on your federal and state income tax returns. Whether they get taxed depends on the amount you've won. The same applies to poker sites, which are required to report all winnings that exceed $600 in a single tournament or session.
4. What are the most popular online poker variations?
There are many different poker variations for PA players - from Texas Hold'em and Omaha High to Seven Card Stud and Courchevel. The gambling operators in the state have some of the most diverse poker collections we've seen, so there's something for every taste. All you need to do is figure out which game variant you prefer.
5. How can I increase my chances of winning at online poker?
While poker is a thrilling game, it's important to remember that there is no way of guaranteeing success while playing. Our advice is to only gamble with money you can afford to lose. In terms of giving yourself the best chance of winning, there is no better place to start than by understanding the basic rules and approaches to poker strategy, as outlined in our PA poker guide.
References
- Gambling in Pennsylvania, Wikipedia, (Retrieved December 12, 2023)
- (June 7, 2017), Pennsylvania House OKs Biggest Gambling Expansion In Years, CBS News, (Retrieved December 12, 2023)