Best Free Online Poker Sites
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Top rated poker
- Welcome Bonus
- $888
- PROS
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- High RTP percentage
- Generous welcome bonus
- High-quality graphics in games
- CONS
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- No live chat support
- Banking options (7)
- Banking options (7)
888 Poker review
If you’re looking for a big name poker site that’s safe, secure and constantly entertaining then 888 Poker is going to put a smile on your face. You’ll get a handy 200% bonus when you sign up, soft competitors to play against and a whole range of different ways to play poker wherever you are.
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- Welcome Bonus
- $100
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- Welcome Bonus
- $30
- PROS
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- Wide array of banking options
- Can play on a mobile app
- Hosts lucrative tournaments
- CONS
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- Email-only customer service
- Limited bonuses and promotions for players
- High rake
- Banking options (7)
- Banking options (7)
Pokerstars review
PokerStars is home to a huge selection of games and players will be able to find a fun and safe place here, with people from all over the world. It hosts things like the Sunday Million as well as qualifiers for events like the European Poker Tour and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. PokerStars also holds the world records for hosting the "biggest ever online poker tournament" and "the highest number of people playing at once".
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- Welcome Bonus
- $500
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- Welcome Bonus
- $30
- PROS
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- Unusual promotions and bonuses
- Caters to new and experienced poker players
- Wide variety of tournaments
- CONS
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- Slow withdrawal speeds
- Banking options (7)
- Banking options (7)
Party Poker review
Party Casino hosts 160+ games yet is considered small at least when placed side by side to the giant casinos boasting 500 games and more. However being a part of the Party Gaming network supports the notion that it has a powerful network behind it. If blackjack is your game, then you are in luck because there are several varieties to choose from. While not as many as the sites with 400+ games, there is still a vast selection. As for roulette, the more favorable European wheel with the single zero, is available, as well as the American (with single and double zero).
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What Online Poker Games Can I Play for Free?
With the exception of satellite and big money tournaments, there are very few restrictions when playing poker for free. Texas Hold'Em, Omaha, and online casino games like Three Card Poker and Caribbean Poker are the easiest to find.
However, you can play free versions of all poker variations if you know where to look. Here's a list of poker games you can play for free, along with the basics to help you decide which you think you might enjoy.
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- Texas Hold‘Em
- A hugely popular form of poker on the web, Texas Hold'Em players use two hole cards and five community cards to put together the best five card hand possible.
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- Three Card Poker
- Played against a dealer rather than other players, Three Card Poker players place an initial bet then decide whether to bet or fold when they're dealt a three card hand.
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- Omaha Poker
- Think Texas Hold'Em, only with another two hole cards. Omaha players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards to put together a hand.
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- Video Poker
- Similar in play style to online slots, video poker sees players keeping or discarding cards in an effort to put together the best poker hand they possibly can.
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- Stud Poker
- In stud poker, of which there are several varieties, players must use a certain mixture (which varies by game) of hole cards and face-up cards to put together a hand.
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- Caribbean Poker
- Similar to both stud poker and Three Card Poker, Caribbean Poker players must decide whether to wager on their own hand based on a face-up card that the dealer is showing.
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- Draw Poker
- Multiple different variations of draw poker are available, but a common thread is that players keep their cards to themselves and get an opportunity to swap some out.
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- Hi-Lo Poker
- Like the name suggests, Hi-Lo variants of poker typically place emphasis on building a high and a low hand. The pot is split between players who have the highest and lowest hands.
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- Limit Hold'Em
- In Limit Hold'Em the bets that players can place must adhere to certain limits. For example, in a 20 and 40 limit game, players may bet $20 in the first two betting rounds or $40 in the third and fourth rounds.
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- OFCP
- Open Face Chinese Poker sees players put together three hands (3 cards in front, 5 in the middle and 5 in the back), each subject to certain rules, to compete against each other.
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- Razz Poker
- Razz plays a lot like 7-Card Stud except, unlike in most forms of poker, the aim of the game is to put together the lowest hand possible. Only here is A, 2, 3, 4, 5 the best you can get.
Benefits of Free Poker Online
While not as exhilarating as playing for real money, playing free poker online certainly has many benefits. The biggest of these is that, should you experience a string of losses, you can walk away from the table knowing that your wallet or purse hasn't suffered for it.
Beyond that, playing poker for free gives you an opportunity to learn the rules of different variations and test out distinct styles of playing without the pressure that comes with using real money.
Since wins and losses aren't real in free poker, you can play for as long as you want. When there's money in the pot you might not feel comfortable continuing to play after a bad beat or a big loss, even if it's very early in your playing session.
The main thing to remember is that, if you do decide to move up to playing real money poker, you'll want to be a lot more cautious with your chips when they represent a deposit that you've made.
What is Freeroll Poker?
In most circumstances, freeroll poker refers to tournaments that cost nothing to enter but feature a real cash prize. There are some exceptions, though, as some freeroll tournaments require a buy-in of points earned by playing real money games or feature entry to another event as their prize.
Although freeroll poker won't cost you anything to play, it's a little different to other types of free poker in that there's a real money prize on the line. You may notice your fellow players being a little more cautious than they would be in true free poker games, which makes freeroll poker an excellent bridge between free poker and playing for money.
How to Play Free Poker Tournaments?
Freeroll tournaments are widely available to players at online poker rooms and, barring the exceptions mentioned in the section above, are free to enter. As you might expect based on that, they're highly sought after and always feature lots of competitors.
Here's our brief guide to getting started with (and hopefully winning) freeroll tournaments:
- Sign Up & Register
- Most sites feature a calendar of when their freeroll poker tournaments kick off, along with any entry requirements and so on. Choose an appropriate freeroll event and register your interest in playing.
- Take it Slow
- When the tournament begins, play tight. There will be a lot of fish out there, many of whom will make foolish mistakes and crash out of the tournament early. Try to keep up, by matching their silly all-in bets for example, and you risk doing the same.
- Size up Your Opponents
- Pay close attention to what other players at your tables are doing, particularly as the tournament progresses. You'll need to keep tabs on lots of competitors as you progress, but this may end up giving you just the edge you need to close out a round.
- Step up Your Betting
- While we're not suggesting that you raise big on poor hands, it's likely that you'll need to bet more aggressively to build up your stack in preparation for the final rounds of the tournament. Don't try to bluff your way to victory.
- Timing is Everything
- As in all poker tournaments, there's an element of luck when it comes to winning a freeroll event. Sometimes you'll get hit with a string of bad beats but, other times, you get the perfect hand at the perfect time and can bring your last opponent down.
What is Free No Download Poker?
In a nutshell, this refers to any type of poker that lets you play the game without the need to download software. That might refer to any one of the following:
- Online casino games like Three Card Poker or Caribbean Poker
- Social poker games that can be played on Facebook or other websites
- In-browser poker rooms available via major poker sites
- Tutorial sites that include playable examples of poker hands
In most cases, with the possible exception of in-browser poker rooms, these won't require any type of registration before you can play. In other words, you can jump right into poker action without the need to go through any signup process. As well as this, you won't need to take up valuable space on your hard drive with downloaded software.
What is No Deposit Poker?
While more commonly associated with online casino sites, no deposit bonuses also appear at online poker sites too, allowing players to test all game types.
A no deposit bonus gives players a certain amount of cash to play with before they need to think about placing a deposit of their own. If that sounds too good to be true, it's because it usually is; any winnings from a no deposit bonus must be wagered many times over before they can be withdrawn.
The idea of racking up lots of bonus cash might not sound all that appealing, but no deposit bonuses are still very useful. Their biggest advantage, aside from padding your bankroll, is that they enable you to check out how an online poker room plays without the need to deposit any of your own money.
If you're not a fan, you can leave as quickly as you signed up, but if you like the place, and decide to stick around, then you might be starting off your time there accompanied by some decent bonus winnings to play with.
Free Offline Poker
Playing poker offline essentially means without needing an internet connection. This is most commonly enjoyed through free poker apps on your phone and aren't played against other players. Instead, actions are determined through a mix of RNGs (random number generators) and “players” powered by a crude form of AI that bets, raises and folds based on hand strength.
While it's true that the experience is very different to playing poker online, for free or for real money, it can still be useful for players who are yet to get familiar with all the rules. For example, you can take as long as you want to make moves without frustrating other players. Free poker apps are definitely a good way to get your foot in the door of playing poker.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Poker Games Can I Play for Free?
With the exception of satellite and big money tournaments, there are very few restrictions when playing poker for free. Texas Hold'Em, Omaha, and online casino games like Three Card Poker and Caribbean Poker are the easiest to find.
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What is Freeroll Poker?
In most circumstances, freeroll poker refers to tournaments that cost nothing to enter but feature a real cash prize. There are some exceptions, though, as some freeroll tournaments require a buy-in of points earned by playing real money games or feature entry to another event as their prize.
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How to Play Free Poker Tournaments?
Freeroll tournaments are widely available to players at online poker rooms and, barring the exceptions mentioned in the section above, are free to enter. As you might expect based on that, they're highly sought after and always feature lots of competitors.
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What is Free No Download Poker?
In a nutshell, this refers to any type of poker that lets you play the game without the need to download software.
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What is No Deposit Poker?
A no deposit bonus gives players a certain amount of cash to play with before they need to think about placing a deposit of their own. If that sounds too good to be true, it's because it usually is; any winnings from a no deposit bonus must be wagered many times over before they can be withdrawn.