Finding the best California online poker sites shouldn’t feel like a Wild West showdown — but with so many options, it sure can.
That’s why we’ve sifted through dozens of places to play online poker in California. We’ve ranked them based on their reputation, traffic, tournament variety, bonuses, and more.
A little spoiler: we ranked Ignition as the best online poker site in California for its incredible bonus, high-traffic rooms, and frequent tourneys — but that’s just the start.
Let’s find your next California online poker room.
Best California Online Poker Sites
- Ignition: Best California poker site overall
- America’s Cardroom: Highest traffic
- Black Chip Poker: $2,000 welcome bonus
- Bovada: Best knockout tournament
- BetOnline: Top crypto poker site
- Everygame: 200% match bonus
- mBit Casino: Top pick for video poker games
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Is Online Poker Legal in California?
California has yet to legalize online poker, meaning that the state doesn’t issue licenses to poker operators.
There have been several attempts to legalize the market, but all online poker bills have failed. So, instead of legal online poker sites, Cali residents can explore offshore poker rooms that are licensed in other jurisdictions.
These platforms are licensed and regulated out-of-state and offer safe and secure poker platforms.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into our reviews of the top 5 poker apps and sites in the Golden State.
1. Ignition – Best California Poker Online Site Overall
Pros:
- Up to $1,500 bonus for online poker
- Feature-rich online poker app
- Weekly freeroll promotions
- Fully anonymous tables
- Fast-fold ‘Zone Poker’ feature
- $100,000 guaranteed tournament weekly
Cons:
- Credit card deposit fees
- Low weekly payout limits on some methods
Ignition is hands down the best online poker site in California.
Not only does this CA online poker site have great bonuses and exciting tournaments, but the downloadable poker app is built to run beautifully on PC, iOS, and Android devices, letting you experience the best poker room possible from wherever you are most comfortable.
Online Poker Offerings – 5/5
Ignition’s online poker rooms are all built around Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Hi/Lo. You’ll find plenty of tables to join in 6 or 9-seat configurations with a variety of limits available.
There’s even a practice mode so that way if you’re new to the game (or looking to expand your poker playing horizons) you can do it without burning through your bankroll.
In addition to cash games, you’ll have access to Zone Poker, which instantly moves you to a new table when you fold (which gives you a chance to play significantly more hands-per-hour than standard games), Sit & Go games, and Jackpot Sit & Gos — for players looking for more substantial prizes.
Ignition also hosts a ton of tournaments for high rollers and casual players, with all manner of buy-in and bet limits up to $100,000 in GTD money — and, thankfully, a filtering system perfect for finding the ideal tournament for you.
And with fully anonymous tables (one of our favorite Ignition features) you won’t have to worry about other California online poker players learning your play habits and exploiting your style, giving you one of the most fair poker experiences around.
Welcome Bonus – 5/5
Ignition has one of the best online poker bonuses in California. All new players get a combined welcome offer of up to $3,000.
The best part is that you can exclusively use half of the welcome bonus on poker while the other half is reserved for slots and other casino games.
To get the maximum bonus amount, you should deposit using cryptocurrency. Fiat depositors can still get up to $2,000 — $1,000 for poker and $1,000 for slots.
Deposit Methods – 4.8/5
This online poker California real money site accepts credit cards and e-wallet deposits through MatchPay, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
There are no fees attached to crypto deposits, but Ignition’s credit card transaction fees start at 15.9% and go up from there, so we recommend playing with some form of cryptocurrency since you’ll also get a bigger bonus.
>> Get a $3,000 bonus at Ignition
2. America’s Cardroom – Highest Traffic of All Poker Online California Sites
Pros:
- Up to $2,000 welcome bonus
- Wide range of banking options
- Dozens of daily tournaments
- Downloadable desktop app
- Deposits of up to $25,000
- Instant payouts
Cons:
- Games invisible without an account
- Visually busy homepage
While some California online poker sites struggle to fill tables, it’s refreshing to see America’s Cardroom packed with high-traffic games around the clock.
Online Poker Offerings – 4.95/5
We recommend downloading the America’s Cardroom desktop app to play live poker. It’s a fantastic piece of software in itself, and the actual gameplay is very impressive, too, thanks to some great live dealers and impressive payout potential.
We enjoyed the packed tournament schedule in particular. This online poker California site has dozens of tournaments to participate in every day, covering a wide range of fees and potential prizes to suit all kinds of players.
You can also go to the regular casino section to play various video poker games if you so wish. There’s a good range of choices here, but you won’t be able to see any of the options without an account.
Welcome Bonus – 4.9/5
America’s Cardroom offers one of the strongest online poker welcome bonuses. It’s a 100% matched deposit of up to $2,000 – all you need to do to trigger it is put down at least $25.
There are a lot of poker bonuses to enjoy at America’s Cardroom. Other exciting promotions include plenty of freerolls every single day. With such generous offers, America’s Cardroom is popular beyond CA.
Deposit Methods – 4.9/5
Players at this online poker real money California site will benefit from various payment methods, including credit cards, Bitcoin, and e-wallets.
The max deposit here for most payment methods is a massive $25,000, which shows that America’s Cardroom is a great fit for high-roller players. But you don’t have to pay a fortune here, as players can get involved for as little as $10.
However, the most exciting aspect, aside from playing poker, is instant payouts. You should never have to wait more than a few minutes to get your winnings at America’s Cardroom.
>> Grab your $2,000 bonus at ACR Poker
3. Black Chip Poker – Largest Online Poker Bonus in California
Pros:
- Up to $2,000 welcome bonus
- Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud
- 20+ year reputation
- Rewards for regular Sit & Go players
- Great small-stakes cash games
- Massive Sunday tournaments
Cons:
- No anonymous tables
- Cashout fees on some options
Black Chip is no stranger to the scene, having been around for nearly 20 years, consistently offering the best poker bonus in California.
It has made immense improvements over the last decade, always staying up to date with poker trends, and is easily one of the top CA online poker sites you can entrust your bankroll with.
Online Poker Offerings – 4.85/5
As is the case with the best online poker sites for real money, Hold’em is far and above the most commonly played game here — though you will also have access to Omaha and even 7-Card Stud.
The poker app is sleek, stylish, and easy to use. If we had one major complaint, it would be the lack of anonymous table support. In fact, this online poker site in California openly supports a variety of HUDs, so unless you’re really into HUD life, this might not be the best choice for you.
Tournament player? You can look forward to huge GTD tournaments: $100,000 GTD, $250,000 GTD, $300,000 GTD, and $500,000 GTD are up for grabs.
Welcome Bonus – 5/5
New players will get a 100% welcome bonus up to $2,000.
Similar to the other top poker bonuses we’ve covered, you won’t get the bonus up front but will instead unlock it over time by playing real money games — in this case, you unlock $1 for every 27.5 Black Chip Award Points you earn playing poker online.
Plenty of other exciting offers are available at one of California’s best online poker sites, like the Daily Double, a Mystery Bounty feature, and more. Freerolls are also common here.
Deposit Methods – 4.8/5
California players can load up their accounts via credit card, MoneyGram, e-wallets, and a respectable number of cryptocurrencies.
Deposit limits are fairly high, going up to $25,000 for many options. However, not every deposit method is available for withdrawals.
>> Unlock your $2,000 bonus at Black Chip Poker
4. Bovada – Best Online Poker California Site for Knockout Tournaments
Pros:
- 100% bonus up to $500
- Easy-to-use poker app
- $1.5 million in GTD tournaments
- Great selection of bounty tournaments
- Find your perfect table in two steps
- Zone Poker and other features available
Cons:
- Smaller bonus than some competitors
- Higher fees on credit card deposits
Next up, we have Bovada. While primarily known as a powerhouse in the CA sports betting and horse racing industry, Bovada also offers an excellent collection of online poker rooms for serious poker players.
Considering it is a sister site to Ignition Casino, you can expect the same sterling support and a similar suite of features here.
Online Poker Offerings – 4.9/5
As stated above, you’ll find a very similar collection of poker options at Bovada. This means you’ll have access to a wide range of Texas Hold’em and Omaha tables, prime for all skill levels.
And with Bovada’s Quick Seat system, you’re just a couple of clicks away from being able to play poker games for real money.
One of our favorite aspects is Bovada’s attention to detail when it comes to Knockout Tournaments. These tournaments not only have a significant prize pool as the end goal, but players will earn a bounty on every player they knock out.
There are also a variety of Knockout Tournament games available, including the classic Knockout format, Sit & Go Knockout games (which combine the best of both worlds), and Progressive Knockout tournaments where the more players you knock out, the higher your bounty gets — with the winner claiming their own bounty as well.
Welcome Bonus – 4.7/5
This California online poker site offers players who use the PWB500 promo code a 100% match on their first deposit good for up to $500 in bonuses.
The bonus has no rollover requirements but instead is unlocked by earning Poker Rewards points by playing real money poker games.
For every 150 points you earn, $5 of your bonus will be unlocked until you’ve unlocked the whole thing, but you’ll only have 30 days to do so, so make sure you get right on it.
Deposit Methods – 4.8/5
This California online poker site accepts Visa and Mastercard deposits, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
There are some fees on credit card deposits, though, and they can vary from one card to another, so make sure you do your homework before making any deposits.
>> Claim the $500 bonus at Bovada
5. BetOnline – Best Online Poker Site in California for Crypto Users
Pros:
- 100% match up to $1,000 welcome bonus
- Poker odds calculator tool
- Bad beat jackpot feature
- Sunday majors up to $150,000 GTD
- 15+ crypto payment methods
Cons:
- High fees on some deposit options
- Many bonuses favor sports betting
BetOnline offers a stellar poker experience that is hard to beat — especially for cryptocurrency bettors, thanks to the surprisingly wide range of accepted forms of crypto.
Couple that with fast digital currency payouts, and BetOnline is the best Bitcoin gambling site out there.
Online Poker Offerings – 4.75/5
While we don’t like the table browser as much as we do Ignition Casino, this California online poker site still manages to offer a very intuitive experience, making it easy for you to find practice and cash games with relatively few clicks.
In addition to your standard cash games and tournaments, you’ll find plenty of Sit & Go tourneys and a ton of fast-paced Windfall format tournaments which offer an exciting multiplier feature to really amp up your potential winnings.
Add to that one of the best bad beat bonuses we’ve seen (taking the sting out of getting a win swept out from under you), and BetOnline does poker well.
If you want to try other card games, BetOnline also offers some of the best online blackjack options, including unique virtual variants and live dealer tables.
Welcome Bonus – 4.8/5
New poker players at this CA online poker site can get a 100% match up to a $1,000 bonus when they use the POKER1000 promo code.
This real money online poker site in California also offers weekly leaderboard offers with $100,000+ in prizes, a rarely-seen but appreciated poker reload bonus, and other exciting promotions for poker players.
Deposit Methods – 4.8/5
This real money online poker site accepts most standard fiat deposit methods including credit cards, money orders, bank transfers, and so on, but what impressed us was its dedication to cryptocurrency.
You can load up your account for playing online poker with Bitcoin, Avalanche, Binance, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, Tron, and USDCoin — and all of those options have very low minimum deposit limits.
With so many crypto options, it stands out as one of the best Bitcoin gambling sites in California.
>> Score a $1,000 poker bonus at BetOnline
How We Ranked the Best Real Money Online Poker California Sites
Online Poker Offerings
Whether we’re looking for top New Jersey online poker sites or those in CA, we look at what sort of poker is available. We check if they offer Seven Card Stud, Texas Hold’em, or Omaha Hi/Lo. We also consider other noteworthy features like games, GTD tournaments, and more.
Welcome Bonus
The best online poker sites for real money know that a good welcome bonus is the best way to get new blood in the door.
That’s why we’ve read all the fine print to make sure that each of our California online casinos on this list offers you a generous starting bonus of some sort to ensure you can hit the ground running.
Deposit Methods
Having quick and easy banking options is important when playing poker online.
We considered the variety of banking options available and the processing times for each of the top online poker CA sites, so whether you want to deposit with Bitcoin or a debit card, you’ll have all the options. Many of these sites also take cues from the top instant payout casinos, ensuring quick and stress-free withdrawals.
Security and Fairness
In California and beyond, the security and fairness of offshore poker sites are the most important. We thoroughly examine each site’s encryption and data protection practices to protect your personal and financial details.
Additionally, we checked the fairness measures of California online poker rooms, such as using random number generators and undergoing independent audits, ensuring a trustworthy and unbiased gaming experience.
Customer Support
We assess how responsive and helpful each online poker California site’s customer service is. Factors like 24/7 availability, multiple contact options (including live chat, email, and phone), and quick problem resolution are key. Our focus ensures you get timely and effective support when you need it.
Mobile Experience
We evaluate mobile compatibility of online poker real money California sites, including the availability of dedicated apps or well-designed mobile websites.
Our reviews focus on user interface, game availability, and overall performance on smartphones and tablets, aiming for a smooth and enjoyable mobile poker experience.
We also used many of these benchmarks when ranking the best keno sites in Australia in this guide.
Why Is Ignition the Best Online Poker CA Site?
If you want to play online poker in California, Ignition is the best CA online gambling site. Let’s have another look at its standout features.
Generous Welcome Bonus: One of the most compelling features of this real money online poker site is its generous welcome bonus. New players are greeted with a $1,500 sign-up offer, substantially boosting your starting bankroll.
Diverse Poker Games: The best online poker real money California site caters to different preferences. It offers the ever-popular Texas Hold’em, and players can also test their skills at Omaha and 7-Card Stud. With so many popular poker game variants, all players find something to enjoy regardless of their preferred game.
Long-Standing Reputation: Online for close to 10 years in the California online poker scene, Ignition has established a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. Its continuous adaptation to the evolving world of online poker is a testament to its commitment to providing a quality experience.
Exciting Tournaments: Tournament fans have plenty to look forward to with the best online poker site in California. These tournaments boast massive 6 and 7-figure prize pools and cater to various buy-ins, accommodating players with different bankroll sizes.
More Than Just Poker: Ignition shines as the best online poker site in California, but it also delivers exciting online craps action and features many high payout titles for those who love spinning the reels. Whether you’re rolling the dice on high-stakes craps or chasing jackpots at the best real money slots, there’s no shortage of ways to play.
Popular Poker Games at California Poker Sites
Those who want to play poker online in California have tons of options. Here are some of the most popular poker games you can find at the best California poker sites:
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game worldwide. At California’s online poker sites, you’ll find plenty of tables and tournaments dedicated to it. Each player is dealt two cards, and they combine these with five community cards to form the best five-card hand possible.
Simple rules and widespread appeal make it a staple in California online poker rooms.
Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo, also known as Omaha 8 or Better, splits the pot between the highest and lowest hands, adding an extra layer of strategy. Players receive four private cards and must use two of them along with three community cards.
Seven-Card Stud
Before Texas Hold’em took over, Seven-Card Stud was the go-to game in poker circles. It’s still a favorite at several California online poker sites. In this version, players are dealt seven cards, with some face-up and others hidden, and they use the best five to form their winning hand.
Though less common now, it remains a popular choice for players who enjoy a slower, more strategic game.
Razz
Razz is a form of Seven-Card Stud where the lowest hand wins. It’s a unique and challenging game that requires a strategy different from most other online poker games. Players at the best online poker sites for real money aim to make the lowest possible five-card hand from the seven cards dealt to them.
How to Play Online Poker in California – All You Need to Know
New to online poker? Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player looking to explore the world of online poker in California, here’s a quick guide to get you started.
Understanding Poker Hands
Before diving into the California online poker scene, it’s crucial to understand all of the poker hands. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the different hand rankings, from high cards to royal flushes.
Knowing the hands will massively enhance your decision-making when playing online poker.
Basic Strategies
Having some kind of strategy when you play poker online can help you to stay in control and therefore improve your chance of winning.
Learn when to bluff, how to read your opponents, and the importance of position. A well-thought-out strategy can make all the difference!
Technical Requirements
Ensure that your computer or smartphone can handle the processing power of your poker game. Also, you’re going to need at least 1 Mbps of internet bandwidth to be able to handle live poker games.
Participating in Tournaments
Tournaments add more excitement when you play online poker in California and increase your chance of winning some cash. There are tournaments for all kinds of players out there, no matter how much you want to spend.
Online Poker Etiquette
Maintaining proper etiquette is important in the online poker community. Be respectful to fellow players and read any rules for each individual online poker site.
Community Forums
Engaging with the California online poker community through forums and discussion groups is always fun. You can share experiences, seek advice, and stay updated on the latest trends and strategies, which could help you improve your game.
Online Poker Tournaments in California
With California’s diverse population and vibrant gaming culture, players can enjoy various online poker tournament formats and stakes that cater to different skill levels.
The best real money poker sites feature regular events, including multi-table tournaments, sit-and-go tournaments, and freerolls.
For example, one of our top picks – Black Chip Poker, hosts many formats, including their popular Sunday $100K Guaranteed tournament, which takes place weekly and features substantial prize pools.
You can also participate in daily tournaments that vary in buy-in amounts, catering to different budgets. Additionally, Black Chip Poker offers Sit & Go tournaments, allowing players to enter when it suits them, with quick turnaround times and exciting gameplay.
Ultimately, as the CA online poker scene continues to grow, Cali players can expect even more options and features on different platforms.
Engaging in these events not only fosters competition but also creates a sense of community among players and helps you develop your strategies, making it an exciting time for poker enthusiasts in the Golden State.
Best California Online Poker Networks
The California online poker landscape thrives on robust software solutions that enhance user experience and ensure fair play. Below is an overview of some of the leading poker networks, their games, and the associated poker rooms.
| Poker Network | Poker Games | Poker Room |
| PaiWangLuo Network | Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Hi/Lo | Ignition |
| Winning Poker Network | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud | Black Chip Poker |
| Chico Poker Network | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud | BetOnline |
California Online Poker – FAQs
What Is the Best Online Poker Site in California?
Ignition is the best online poker site for California players. It stands out with its impressive welcome bonus, offering up to $1,500 for new users. The platform offers a range of casino poker games, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha, suited for all player types.
Which California Online Poker Site Has the Best Bonus?
If you’re looking for tons of bonus cash to take to the poker tables, we think Black Chip Poker offers the best welcome bonus. With a 100% match good for up to $2,000 in bonuses, that’s enough play to give pretty much all poker players a leg up.
Can I Play Poker Online in California on My Mobile Device?
Yes, you can play online poker using your phone, tablet, or other mobile device. Virtually all CA online poker sites offer flawless mobile compatibility, while others offer feature-rich, downloadable mobile apps that make it easy to enjoy cash games and tournaments.
Can You Play Online Poker in California?
Yes, you can play online poker in California by using offshore online poker platforms like Ignition and America’s Cardroom, which operate with legitimate licenses from jurisdictions like Curacao and Malta.
What Do California Online Poker Tournaments Look Like?
California online poker tournaments give players the chance to win even more prizes while playing poker by competing against other players on a larger scale.
Are Online Poker Sites in California Safe?
Yes, you can trust online poker sites in California if you choose reputable overseas platforms like those we’ve featured here.
These offshore poker sites operate under legitimate licenses from well-regarded jurisdictions, which means a secure and fair experience for players.
Top 5 Best Online Poker Sites California – Quick Comparison
Ignition: Our pick for best overall, Ignition offers exciting cash games, anonymous tables, and a fast-paced Zone Poker. Sign up today to get up to a $1,500 poker welcome bonus.
America’s Cardroom: If you’re after fast payouts and high traffic, you’ll find it at America’s Cardroom. They process withdrawals instantly and offer a stunning 100% up to $2,000 matched deposit welcome bonus.
Black Chip Poker: This long-standing online poker CA site offers a great blend of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud in one of the sleekest poker apps we’ve seen. Sign up today for up to a $2,000 bonus on your first deposit.
Bovada: If you like claiming bounties by knocking out other players, Bovada’s exciting Knockout tournaments are a perfect fit. Sign up today to get a 100% match up to $500.
BetOnline: This offshore online poker site is our favorite crypto poker site for Hold’em and Omaha cash games. Use POKER1000 to get up to $1,000 in bonus cash today.
How to Sign Up at the Best California Poker Sites
Ready to play online poker in California? Signing up for Ignition or any of the sites featured here is straightforward and quick.
Follow this guide to join and start enjoying online poker games in California.
Step 1: Choose a CA Online Poker Site
- Browse our recommended list of CA online poker sites
- We recommend Ignition
- Feel free to sign up for several poker sites
Step 2: Start the Registration Process
- Visit Ignition’s website to get started
- Locate and click the “Sign Up” button
- Wait for the registration form to appear on your screen
Step 3: Fill in Your Personal Information
- Enter the required details
- Create a unique username and a strong password
- Provide your email address and mobile number for account verification
Step 4: Agree to Terms
- Read through the site’s terms and conditions carefully
- Confirm that you are of legal gambling age
- Input additional details like your address and zip code
Step 5: Verify Your Email
- Check your email inbox for a verification link
- If you can’t find the email, look in your spam folder
- Click the verification link to complete your account setup
Step 6: Make a Deposit
- Log into your new poker account
- Navigate to the cashier section to make your first deposit
- Select a payment method that suits you
- Opt-in for the welcome bonus
Step 7: Start Playing Online Poker
- Explore the range of poker games
- Choose your preferred poker variant, like Texas Hold’em or Omaha
- Join a table that matches your skill level and bankroll
- Have fun playing poker for real money!
Ready to Play at the Best Poker Sites California Has to Offer?
Now that you know where to find the best sites for playing online poker in California, it’s time for you to get out there and deal yourself in.
While we think that Ignition is the best of our featured online poker sites — letting you play cash games, thrilling tournaments, and more with its stunning app — we understand that it might not be what you’re looking for. Luckily for you, we’ve dug up several other fantastic choices.
No matter which California online poker room you choose, the key is to enjoy the game and always bet responsibly.
DISCLAIMER: 21+ only. Online gambling comes with many risks. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, online gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.
Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this review may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local gambling policies. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
We are committed to providing our readers with accurate and timely information. The details mentioned in our review may be subject to change as casinos seek to improve their sites to offer their players a better gambling experience.
If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
The following resources may be helpful as well: