As online poker has evolved and grown in popularity, the number of poker sites where you can play poker online has increased dramatically. There is a simply bewildering choice of where to play poker online and it can be really hard to know which site to choose. There are some fabulous online poker sites that have great reputations, but equally there are some that should be avoided at all costs. In recent years, it has become harder to find good poker websites that accept US players, although there are still a few of them about. On this page, we list our recommendations for the best US poker sites and also look at some of the factors that should be considered when choosing an online poker website.

Recommended US Poker Sites

If you are looking to play online poker from the United States, then we strongly recommend signing up at any of the following US friendly poker sites. These sites have all been extensively tested and researched and you can safe in the knowledge that you will have a positive experience playing at them.

1. BetOnline Poker

2. Lock Poker

3. Carbon Poker

4. Bovada Poker

Choosing a Poker Site

As mentioned above, choosing a US poker site can be a difficult process; there are lots of sites out there, but they are not all of the same standard. Also, a poker site that suits one online poker player may not necessarily be right for another. Some aspects of choosing an online poker room come down to personal preferences, so it is important to know what factors are important to you and what it is you want from a site.

Below, we look at some of the main considerations that should be taken on board when choosing which US site you are going to play at. These factors are all taken into account when we decide which poker sites we should be recommending. Some of these will be more relevant to you than others, but it helps to have an understanding of exactly what you should be looking for.

Online Poker Room Software

Different poker sites will use different poker software to power their games. Most of the poker sites out there have software that at least does the basics, but the best US poker sites are regularly developing and upgrading their software to improve it. Good poker software should be pleasing on the eye and user friendly. Ideally, the lobby will make it easy to find the games you are looking for and there will be a range of useful features and some customisable options. Above all else, the software should be secure, stable and run smoothly. Although the poker websites that we recommend don’t all use the same software, we only list those sites where the software is up to a decent standard.

Variety of Poker Games & Stakes

If you are new to playing poker, then you may not be sure about which particular form of poker you want to play. In that case, you want to play at a poker site that offers a variety of different games. Texas Holdem is by far the most popular form of poker currently, but a good US poker option will also offer other forms such as Omaha, Seven Card Stud or Omaha Hi/Lo. If you do know what form of poker you want to play, then you should obviously make sure it is available at a poker site before signing up there.

You should also ensure that there is plenty of traffic – at the stakes that you prefer to play. A poker site with lots of traffic at the micro-stakes is not much use to if you want to play at mid-stakes or high-stakes. The poker sites that we recommend generally have a good range of stakes available, at both ring games and tournaments, but you should check that there is lots of actions at your preferred stakes.

Bonuses at US Poker Sites

Most poker sites will offer new customers a sign up bonus to encourage them to join. Some of these bonuses can be really generous and give your bankroll a significant boost. However, you shouldn’t necessarily just choose the poker site that offers the biggest bonus. A good bonus is obviously a good selling point, but you should be looking at the other factors too. There is no point joining a poker site that doesn’t provide the games you want just because there is a big bonus on offer. Generally, a poker bonus will need clearing before you can cash it out – that is you will have to play a certain amount before the bonus is released. You should also check the requirements for clearing a bonus before signing up.

Other Considerations

There are a few other factors that we consider when recommending US poker rooms, and they too are of importance. For example, they all generally have a good reputation for providing quality customer service. This is often ignored by poker players when choosing where to play, but it can actually make a big difference to your overall experience. It can be very frustrating to send an email to customer support only to wait days for an answer to a simple query. Conversely, it is always nice to receive a quick, helpful and friendly response.

You might also like to consider any rewards program or loyalty scheme offered by a poker site, particularly if you are planning on playing a lot. Most United States poker sites will reward players based on how much they play, and these rewards can add some significant extra value to your poker play.

Finally, you should also look at the various methods for depositing and withdrawing funds. The best US online poker sites will offer a variety of options and make it as easy as possible to get your money and off the site. Transferring money to and from your online poker websites from the US is a little harder than it used to be, for the reasons outlined below, but the rooms that we list are among the best for processing deposits and withdrawals currently.

Online Poker in the United States

Online poker in the United State has been affected by the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) – legislation that was introduced in the US in 2006 with a view to regulating online gambling. The UIGEA “prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law”. This act led to many online gambling companies – particularly those that are publically listed – ceasing to accept US players.

However, the act is decidedly unclear and does not explicitly clarify what constitutes legal and illegal gambling. There is a strong argument that poker is a game of skill rather than chance and is not, therefore gambling. As such, several poker sites continue to accept customers from the United States. On April 15^th 2011, three of the largest poker sites where US poker players were allowed, had their domains (websites) seized by the Department of Justice and  various individuals connected to these companies were indicted for charges related to the UIGEA. That date has become known as Black Friday.

There is much talk of formal regulation of the online poker industry, but at this point in time the future is still somewhat unclear.  It should be made clear that it is not illegal to play poker in the United States. However, for poker sites that do accept players in the US, it has become more difficult to process deposits and withdrawals. That is why it is important to use one of the poker sites that we recommend, as they are among the best for facilitating deposits and withdrawals from US players.