The three basic poker formats are cash games, poker tournaments and Sit n Goes. While No-Limit Holdem is the most popular variant offered at US online poker rooms, other poker formats available include Pot-Limit Omaha, Razz, Stud and Draw. Needless to say, choosing the biggest sites also means more games and a wider variety of stakes to enjoy. Online poker cash games (occasionally referred to as 'ring games') are huge. It's the most popular way to play online poker for real money in 2020, with the no limit Texas Hold'em variant getting the most action.
How We Find the Best Play Money Sites
Our team of experts have years of poker experience. They play poker online for money and for fun, using their knowledge to seek out the best free online poker sites. They do this by acting the same way you will, creating accounts and testing the free poker sites for real.
This means that they usually follow standard steps:
- Creating an account: This is usually quick and easy, simply creating login credentials and giving basic personal details at a top free poker site.
- Finding a great game: The team checks which games are available and popular at each free online poker site.
- Entering a freeroll: To truly experience the full scope of a site, it's best to try out their freerolls and tournaments, just like you will.
- Switching to real money poker: Once the team has a sense of the free play poker for fun, they will make a deposit to test if it's easy to switch to real money poker.
- Resolving an issue with customer support: Whether it's to verify an account or ask a question about freeroll prizes, our reviewers will contact customer support to test how long it takes to get a response and how friendly the team is.
What is Play Money Poker?
Play money poker is known by many names. Some sites refer to it as free play poker while others talk about free online poker games with fake money. You might also call them free poker sites for fun.
The point is that you'll be visiting free poker sites that let you play free online poker games for fake money. You won't need to make any deposits or worry about any risks as you won't be playing for real money.
Usually, you'll use a certain amount of play money to take part in various poker games for fun. You might accrue points through play, or win a certain amount of play money, and then you can be invited to special tournaments and events where you'll play free poker and win real money.
What are the advantages of playing free poker online?
- Test out a casino without any risk
- Earn special rewards at free poker sites
- Learn a new poker variation without any risk
- Try different poker strategies for free
- Get all the thrills and excitement playing poker for fun
What Makes a Free Poker Site the Best
Plenty of free poker sites have decent offerings, but of course you want to play the best free online poker. You might even be looking for the best free poker sites to win real money.
That's why all our reviews are based on a variety of criteria, with each casino ranked across those elements to determine which are the best play money poker sites. The assessments include:
- Licensing and security: Even though you're playing for fake money, sites should still be reputable, with full certification for fairness. Additionally, they need to still protect your personal data with modern encryption technology.
- Software: Whether using apps, software, or instant play in your browser, the free poker sites should be stable and work well on any modern device.
- Games: The reason you're visiting free poker sites for fun, there needs to be a wide range of poker variations available.
- Customer support: The customer service team should be available across different communication channels to answer questions or resolve issues.
- Banking methods: Whether you decide to play online poker for money, or you simply need to withdraw your winnings from a free-entry tournament, online poker sites need to offer fast payouts with a range of banking methods.
Types of Free Games Available to Play
When you visit the best free poker sites online, you'll be able to play a range of different poker variations. These are just some of the free poker games available.
- Texas Hold'em: The most popular form of poker, this is the variation played at the World Series of Poker. With a combination of community cards and your hole cards, you have excellent chances to form a stellar hand, or bluff your way to success.
- Omaha: Similar to Texas Hold'em, except you get four hold cards instead of just two. Still, you'll combine your cards with the community cards to create a winning hand.
- Stud: This is the poker that was played in saloons for decades. When you see poker played in old Western movies, this was the variation of the game.
- HORSE: The letters stand for Hold'em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, and Eight-or-better, with these games played in rotation, letting you experience all the different variations.
What are Freerolls?
Freerolls at free poker sites are poker tournaments that don't require any entry fee. They often offer cash prizes, though, which means that you can play free poker tournaments for real money.
You may need to use your play money to enter, or get invited after clocking a certain number of free online poker games. Either way, you can visit the best free poker sites to win real money in freerolls.
How to Play Free Poker Online for Real Money
If you're looking to play free poker online for real money, one of your best options will be freerolls. These are tournaments that don't require any entry fees, but let you win cash prizes.
There are also options at some free poker sites to play in real money tournaments without a buy in. This is most common for players who are in the top tiers of play money poker players, added to the mix for some extra fun and challenge. You might be invited to these tournaments if you're a loyal player at top free poker sites.
Finally, you could take advantage of no deposit bonuses, letting you playing poker online for money. The amounts are usually quite small, but you'll still get some real money to play with, without any deposits or risks.
Enjoy Free Poker on Mobile
You can visit the best free online poker sites when you like and where you choose with your smartphone or tablet. You can choose to download free online poker apps, or visit free poker sites with no download instantly in your browser.
Play Online Poker For Cash
No matter how you choose to play, you can access the best free poker sites on any modern mobile device. This includes iOS, Android, Windows, Kindle Fire or BlackBerry smartphones and tablets.
Conclusion
It's clear that free poker sites offer excellent experiences and tons of great rewards. Whether you simply want to play free poker online for fun, or you're looking to win real money playing free poker, you can do it all.
Visit one of our recommended sites today to enjoy the best free online poker games with fake money.
Play Money FAQWhat is play money poker?
Play money poker (sometimes also called free play) are online poker games where you don't risk any real money.
How much money do I get to use?
Every site is a little different and starting amounts can vary by game type and from table to table. For tournaments, there will of course be a set starting amount that will be the same as the rest of the players.
What poker variations are available?
Texas Hold 'Em is going to be found on 99.9% of these sites. However, games like Omaha, Stud, and mixed games are starting to gain momentum with the play money crowd as well.
How does it compare with real money play?
Using play money can be just as fun as real money play. It's a great opportunity to focus on the fun of trying to figure out what other players are holding, what card will come out next, and if you should hold them or fold them.
One other thing about play money poker is much more aggressive play. This is only natural since really there is no downside to going all-in.
Are there any benefits?
For players that may be new to poker in general or one of the less common game types (lowball, razz, etc.), choosing play money games may be a good place to start. Even for intermediate to advanced players, play money is a great option for testing different poker strategies.
Additionally, many of the sites we recommend even offer real money rewards (such as freerolls or various prizes) for winning in play money games.
What are the best free poker sites?
We are always updating our list, found on this page, of the best play money poker sites. We regularly assess the best free poker sites, adding new ones and even removing some that don't meet our standards.
Can I play free poker for real money?
Yes you can! Whether you join freerolls or enter free poker tournaments for cash, you can win real money playing free poker.
- Play Money :
Table Of Contents
The United States has been a precarious place for online poker since 2011. Only a handful of states have legalized and regulated the activity, leaving thousands of poker enthusiasts looking for a place to enter real-money online games.
But there are options, even if you don't live in one of the states that offer legal online games. In this article we look at some of those options; be sure to check back as more states pass bills to allow us to play the game we love and don't forget to visit this page about online casinos in the USA if you want to play more games too!
New Jersey – The Place Where Online Dreams are Made
888poker NJ
888poker is one of the most trusted brands in poker, and with over 25 million customers around the world, there’s a reason for it.
888 offers large welcome bonuses and $10 free to get started. Players can also enjoy 888poker on their mobile devices. While players can only play one table at a time, cash games, sit & go tournaments and multi-table tournaments are all offered.
Obviously, the only downside to this U.S. poker site is that traffic is relatively low, because, there are only so many people in New Jersey who play poker.
So get going! Take to 888poker for all the games, bonuses and special offers.
PokerStarsThe best poker software around, PokerStars New Jersey is the real deal!
Play Nowpartypokerpartypoker has seen a major resurgence, and their New Jersey client is just as great.
Play Now888poker888poker NJ customers can enjoy playing at the site via their favorite Android or iOS powered mobile device.
Play NowBorgata PokerProperty of the world-famous New Jersey land-based Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Borgata Poker is available in New Jersey.
Play NowBorgata Poker
Of all the poker rooms you could choose, BorgataPoker.com is one of the most superb, namely because it’s the official poker site of the famous Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
Online Poker Cash Games Usa
Given its large signup bonus and VIP program, players enjoy a brand that’s trustworthy and secure with a free $20 in pocket.
BorgataPoker.com offers a similar range of games as 888poker but it is also home to FastForward poker, or “fast-fold” poker, meaning you can pick up a new table if you don’t like your hole cards and fold.
WSOP.com NJ
Play for a share of $700 for free; get a 100 percent match up to $400 first deposit bonus; and have all of it be legal!
With WSOP.com NJ, online poker rooms take a new form with exciting cash games, an awesome tournament schedule and, last but not least, the opportunity to qualify for the World Series of Poker!
Play on your mobile device or take it to the desktop, but either way, this trusted name won’t let you down. Play now!
PokerStars NJ
PokerStars' unrivaled game selection makes it a top play. Considered to be the best regulated online poker site in the U.S., PokerStars NJ is the market leader with excellent customer service, great software and a lucrative VIP scheme.
There’s a reason PokerStars says “We are Poker.” Their software is available on Mac, PC, iOS and Android devices. Their welcome bonuses are the most robust in New Jersey and they run alongside great promotions.
Download PokerStars today to see what you’re missing in this online poker room!
partypoker NJ
Partypoker NJ, an operator since 2001, is a major player in the online poker tournament scene. Play all your favorite games directly from your smart phone: cash games, FastForward poker, sit & go tournaments and other casino game favorites.
While partypoker does not offer multi-table tournaments, don’t let that stop you from enjoying their major signup package or free $25 bonus. This operator regularly offers value-packed promotions, so stop procrastinating and get going at this great U.S. poker site!
Nevada – Vegas, Baby!
WSOP.com NV
WSOP.com is the only online poker site where you can not only win your way into WSOP live events, but also win a WSOP bracelet. Enough said.
With the backing of Caesars Interacting Entertainment the famous World Series of Poker brand, this U.S. poker site finds favor because it offers almost everything: a wide variety of game types and limits, 888poker software, a player pool linked with Delaware, deposit and withdrawal options at live venues and excellent customer service.
And to top it all off, if you sign up to WSOP.com from PokerNews, you can get a 100 percent match up to $400.
WSOP.com NV will make your online poker experience as enjoyable as possible. So take advantage of this state-of-the-art software and have some fun!
So, have no fear! U.S. gaming is here. These online poker sites are just waiting for you.
Anywhere But No Real-Money Element: WSOP's Social Site
You can't play for real money, but you can experience the thrill of poker anywhere in the world by logging onto WSOP's social poker site. You can play no-limit hold'em and omaha, and both ring games and tournaments. Sign up for the World Series of Poker social site via PokerNews.com, and receive 250,000 extra chips!
Finding a trustworthy room to play online poker can be a monumental burden. That's all the more true if you're just looking for a place to play poker for free. We've listed five of the best play-money poker sites to enjoy and help hone your skills.
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