Poker Online Comparison

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When all things appear to be equal, how do you know which is better?

BetOnline has settled into a nice niche as one of the best online poker sites, offering quick payouts, new software, a very good mobile app, and decent cash game traffic. Although the players aren't quite as bad as they used to be, I've played poker at BetOnline for years and have consistently rated them highly. Online Poker Rankings Compare the top online poker sites by rake & fees with rakeback, freerolls, and sign-up bonuses to find where to play online poker! Poker Site Reviews If you are playing poker online, check out our reviews of the best poker websites! Home; Poker Rankings Best Sites by Game.

In this case, I’m talking about gambling sites and, specifically, Bovada and BetOnline. They’re two of the top full-service online gambling sites that cater to US players.

At first glance, you can see that both of the operators have a full range of real money gambling options, including a sportsbook, casino, live casino, and poker room. There’s nothing out of the ordinary with one bonus program compared to the other, the slot games, or the odds in the sportsbook.

So, it appears to be a coin toss, right?

Comparison between Live Poker Games and Online Poker Games. There are several notable differences between live and online poker even though the fundamentals of the game are the same. The overall experience that you get is not the same when live and online poker games are compared to each other.

Not quite. Once you dive in deeper and take a look at the actual casino games in the virtual slot banks, the live dealer tables, and overall promotional programs, some distinctions emerge.

To help you make the best decision that aligns with your preferences, I’m going to assess Bovada vs. BetOnline in four areas to see which one rises to the top.

Please bear in mind that these are my personal observations. Our official rankings of the best US gambling sites are compiled by our resident team of experts and are more objective.

I’m sure that we all agree that quality banking and betting are the two most important aspects of online casinos, sportsbooks, or poker rooms.

But when you’ve got options, why not go for the best in all areas? That includes a well-designed, user-friendly, and mobile-friendly website.

The overall design is a matter of personal preference, and Bovada has received quite a few positive reviews in this area. However, BetOnline recently redesigned its site. Not only is the homepage now filled with valuable information, but the menu is better.

Bovada has you go on a little quest to find a few things like banking and promotions. BetOnline, on the other hand, has everything at the top. There’s a separate banking button, as well as links for promotions and contests.

There’s also a help menu in the bottom right corner of the BetOnline site, giving you direct access to customer service.

Printed materials are more of a focus on Bovada. It has a comprehensive help center with a long list of questions and answers. So, Bovada encourages you to use those resources first. If you still have problems, then customer service is your next option.

You’re accessing a gambling site because you’re interested in doing some online gambling. So, betting and gaming opportunities, whether in the casino, sportsbook, racebook, or poker room, are the services that you’re “buying.”

When you compare Bovada vs. BetOnline, you’ll start to see some differences in both the casino and the sportsbook.

Sports betting opportunities are relatively similar. Both Bovada and BetOnline cover a wide range of sports, leaning heavily on the US top four of MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. They both offer a broad selection of props and futures, as well as live betting.

But BetOnline has the edge over Bovada when it comes to betting limits. Bovada has one of the lowest minimums around with 0.50, compared to BetOnline’s 1.00. However, BetOnline takes a significant lead with maximum betting. Whereas Bovada is capped at 5,000.00 for NFL spreads, BetOnline accepts up to 25,000.00.

Both sites offer a wide range of poker tables, including tournament action. Bovada and BetOnline also host live dealer casino tables courtesy of Visionary iGaming (Vig).

But BetOnline takes live casino games a step further by adding a second one to its site. The “red” casino is dedicated to Vig, and the “black” casino has Fresh Deck Studios tables.

Many of the tables are similar, but Fresh Deck has a Casino Hold ‘em table that you won’t find in the red casino.

When you hit the virtual casino floors to look for your favorite slot game, you may hit the jackpot in one, and come up short in another. That’s because Bovada uses Realtime Gaming and Concept Gaming software, and BetOnline is a Betsoft casino. So, slot titles will be entirely different.

So far, BetOnline has taken the lead in the Bovada vs. BetOnline competition. But Bovada is the superior casino for real money slots. Not only does it have RTG slots, including Zombies vs. Cheerleaders and Football Frenzy, both jackpot progressives, but provides twice as many titles.

If you’re a fan of Betsoft games, like Back to Venus and Fruit Bat Crazy, then quantity won’t matter to you, and you’ll head toward BetOnline anyway.

BetOnline makes up for its lower slot count with a more extensive table game section, though. Approximately 40 tables are always open in the virtual pit, including 17 poker games on top of what’s in the dedicated poker room.

I bounced back and forth with one casino’s strength over the other in the Bovada vs. BetOnline battle. But when it comes to gambling, it’s up to you to decide. If you’re a slot player, you’ll want to state your preference of RTG or Betsoft. Table games are more prevalent in BetOnline, and video poker and specialty options are up for grabs.

Follow the Money

So far, I have to declare BetOnline as having a slight advantage. But that’s about to change in the banking section.

Bovada implemented one little player benefit that could make all of the difference to you when it comes to deposits and payouts.

Before I reveal the financial game-changer, let me start with a little cryptocurrency plug. This tip is particularly for US players who have a challenging time getting money in and out of gambling sites and, therefore, put up with online casino banking fees.

I highly recommend using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency if you’re an American looking to use a gambling website, whether for sports, casino, or poker.

The evidence for the crypto advantage is evident in both Bovada and BetOnline. Each of these operators provides free Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. Now, you may wonder why I included deposits in the statement, but that’s because you’re going to pay for card deposits, whether you use a debit, credit, prepaid, or gift variation.

No, I’m not being compensated by the Global Cryptocurrency Organization – is that even a thing? But I’ve looked at enough online casino banking menus to know that it’s the way to go unless you live in a country with e-wallet provisions.

When you compare crypto transactions, Bovada and BetOnline are accommodating. The difference, however, comes into play with those card transfers.

So, here are the numbers.

Bovada vs. BetOnline in the deposit arena breaks down as follows.

• Bovada – 5.9% for card deposits
• BetOnline – 7.5% for card deposits

Card payouts are off the table with both casinos. Bovada replaces them with checks by courier, and BetOnline also issues check payments. But BetOnline’s are noted to be a few days faster.

As far as withdrawal fees, though, here’s the situation.

• Bovada – first check free every 90 days and then $100 per check
• BetOnline – checks under $1,500 = $50; Over $1500 = 3%

If you’re looking for that Bovada bright spot, go back and look at the withdrawal fee, and you’ll see that Bovada gives you one free payout every 90 days. There’s also a little perk for new players in the deposit realm, as your first deposit as a new Bovada player is also free.

In a heads-up banking comparison, Bovada is a clear winner. But you have to plan so that you take advantage of the freebies.

Bonuses and Other Promotional Benefits

Promotions, like deposit bonuses, is an area that may or may not appeal to you. Some online players love the concept as it can stretch their betting funds. But others steer clear because the rollovers are challenging.

I wanted to include bonuses in this Bovada vs. BetOnline comparison as they could make or break your decision about using one or the other of these two industry giants.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that it’ll guarantee your commitment in this case, though, as, once again, it’s a similar situation.

Bovada and BetOnline each offer a three-part welcome bonus for new players. It gets you a 100% match up to $1,000 for the first three deposits you make into your betting account.

The top spot for rollovers goes to Bovada. Its playthrough requirement is X25 on both the deposit and bonus, as compared to X30 for BetOnline. But, there’s a little twist to the story.

Once again, we’re back to the subject of Bitcoin, as BetOnline lowers the rollover to X14 for a welcome bonus using Bitcoin. That makes quite a difference in how much you have to wager to meet the bonus stipulations.

BetOnline appears to put more of an emphasis on bonuses, promotions, and contests. There’s a promos button in the top menu that opens up quite a few possibilities for incentives in all areas of the operations (casino, poker, sports, etc.).

In addition to bonuses, contests are also more prevalent with BetOnline. They’re primarily sportsbook-related and seasonal, but the contests button is also in the main menu, so you can take a peek whenever you visit BetOnline.

BetOnline has been around for a decade longer than Bovada. But with its recent makeover, it’s far from looking dated. I don’t think that you’ll be disappointed with either service, regardless of your game of choice.

It’s a tight competition with Bovada vs. BetOnline, and that’s a good thing for players, as you can’t go wrong either way. They both accept cards, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies. The two providers cover the gamut with sports, racing, e-sports, poker, casino, and live casino gaming.

Additionally, BetOnline and Bovada welcome new players with three deposit matches and other promotional opportunities throughout the year.

My goal was to determine which of the two rose to the top in the Bovada vs. BetOnline competition, and I didn’t know which one it would be until I broke it all down into sections.

Now that the results are in, I find that BetOnline has an ever so slight edge over Bovada in all areas except banking and the number of slot games.

If you’re not going to use cryptocurrency, then Bovada is the only way to go to avoid payout fees, as it provides one free check every quarter.

I prefer the BetOnline menu to Bovada, though, as more information is front and center. Customer service is more comfortable to access with BetOnline, and it also provides more bonus opportunities as compared to Bovada.

Whether you agree or not, one thing is for certain. These two sites both deserve their place among the top US gambling sites. Why not join both?

Whether you’re new to poker or simply new to playing poker online, No Deposit Poker offers a chance to get your first online hands in for no money out of your own pocket.

While you can always play for free on any poker site in play-money games, most online poker sites also give you credit to play in real money online poker games just for signing up.

This is known as “No Deposit” Poker. While it’s usually not a ton of money (typically up to $25 or $30), and it can’t be cashed out right away, a no deposit poker bonus makes it easy to play for fun in actual, competitive poker games and start building your online bankroll.

All you have to do to claim it is set up a new account, create a username, and start playing.

No Deposit Poker Bonus Codes

Where can you play no deposit poker in the US?

As of 2021, there are five states that currently offer legal, real-money poker sites to US players:

At ;east one more state has passed regulation to license and legalize online poker but has yet to launch any real money sites:

While the amount of real money poker sites available in each state varies (NJ has the most options, for example), most if not all poker sites offer no deposit poker for new players.

No Deposit Bonus Poker Sites

Whichever your state, use the links in the table above to claim your no-deposit poker bonus. After downloading the online poker software, you can then create your account.

This is where you enter your “Bonus Code” (see table above) to secure your no deposit bonus. After signup, the bonus is instantly credited to your account. You can then hit the tables and get started.

If you want to play no deposit poker outside of the above states, see our Global Poker section below.

WSOP.com (NJ, NV) – $10 free

This is the online poker arm of the famed World Series of Poker. WSOP.com offers online poker to players in Nevada (where it’s the only operator in the market) and New Jersey.

The WSOP partners with 888poker in the US for its software platform. 888 is a respected international online poker operator and a regular sponsor of the WSOP in Las Vegas.

WSOP.com offers the only shared player pool in the US among Nevada and New Jersey, and with 888 in Delaware. This makes for larger prize pools and player pools in most events, which makes it the regular revenue leader in New Jersey.

WSOP.com gives you a free $10 no deposit bonus simply for signing up. This makes it easy to play low-budget cash games, tournaments, sit & go’s, and other events.

That 10 bucks may not seem like a lot, but there are cash games that start at only pennies and low roller tournaments and sit & go’s for that as well. Those who decide to play for even more will also find an extra bonus of 100% match up to $1,000 on your first deposit.

If you prefer taking your poker on the road, WSOP.com also has a nice real money poker app for your phone. The free $10 No Deposit Bonus is also available to app users so it’s easy to jump right in the action and test drive what’s on offer.

888poker (NJ, DE) – $20 free

888poker offers online poker in New Jersey as a partner with WSOP.com, but also offers all online poker in the state of Delaware. 888 players also benefit from being part of the New Jersey/Nevada/Delaware interstate player compact with WSOP.

As for a no-deposit bonus, new players get $20 free to play real money casino games and poker tournaments. Here’s how that cash is distributed:

• $10 in free play for select casino games on 888 Casino.
• A credit of $4 worth in bonus money that can be used at 888poker or 888 Casino.
• Six 888poker tournament tickets with a value of $1 each.

If you want to deposit into your account for further play you can also claim a 100% match bonus up to $1,500.

partypoker (NJ) – $25 free

This is another excellent option for players in New Jersey offering a $25 No Deposit Bonus for players simply signing up. That can go a long way for players looking to play some cards on house money.

partypoker is one of the best platforms in the world and partners with MGM’s Borgata casino in Atlantic City. The additional skins BorgataPoker.com and BetMGM Poker also make use of partypoker software and all three share the same group of players.

You can receive your $25 in a few different ways. This makes for a nice way to play some of what partypoker has to offer including:

• $10 in poker cash
• $5 free for use in partypoker tournaments
• $10 free for use in the party casino

Players simply have to set up and account to earn that free money. The partypoker app also offers a great playing experience, and the company has worked to make it an even better option since 2019.

Beyond the free money option, those looking to fund their account will find another nice deposit match bonus of 100% up to $600.

PokerStars (NJ, PA, MI) – $30 free play (on deposit)

When you’re the most recognized and popular online poker site in the world, a no deposit bonus isn’t in the cards. But you can get $30 in free play for a minimal deposit.

Known for its world-class software and massive tournaments, PokerStars now offers real-money online poker in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan. As of January 2021, it’s the only poker site in PA and MI, but that should change shortly when partypoker launches. In the US, all of NJ, PA and MI are still “fenced-in” markets, which means players can only play against others located in that state – not against a national or international player pool (yet).

That being said, you’ll find many similar series and promotions that you’d find on the international PokerStars platform, only geared toward each state. Both have proven popular so far and offer access to big tournament series such as the NJ/PA Championships of Online Poker and the Bounty Builder Series.

Players won’t find a completely free no deposit bonus for poker, but a pretty solid deal nonetheless. For a deposit of $20, players get $30 in free play. Or, on that first deposit players can also choose a 100% match bonus up to $600 instead.

The $30 free play bonus includes:

• $20 Bonus Money
• $10 in Spin & Go tickets
• Free entry into a $5,000 depositor freeroll
• 1 million in Play-Money chips

BorgataPoker.com (NJ) – $20 free

The online site of one of Atlantic City’s most renowned poker rooms, Borgata Poker online is a partypoker skin that offers another nice no deposit bonus – simply set up your account and earn a free $20.

As they share software, you’ll find the same excellent and newly revised table layout you’d find on partypoker NJ plus the same cash game and tournament selection.

Your no deposit bonus comes in the form of:

• $10 in cash
• $10 poker bonus

If you choose to go on and make a deposit you’ll get a 100% match bonus up to $600.

Players at BorgataPoker.com will find some nice daily and weekly events as well as major tournament series. That includes chances to qualify at the property’s regular live tournament events – some of the best in the country.

BetMGM Poker (NJ) – $25 free

Another partypoker skin, this platform also uses the same software and player pool. It also offers the chance to earn another nice no deposit bonus.

Set up an account and take the free $25 to jump on a table and do some betting and bluffing. No big requirements here; just use this link and get started playing with your free cash.

If you decide to actually make an additional deposit, you’ll get a 100% match bonus up to $1,000.

Global Poker No Purchase Bonus (All US except WA & Canada except Quebec)

This is a unique Sweeps Coin poker site available to players in the US (excl. WA) and Canada (excl. Que). Similar to a social casino gaming site, players can play for a free with a virtual currency called Gold Coins (GC).

Those who purchase more Gold Coins receive Sweeps Coins (SC) as a bonus. These can also be used in separate tournaments and ring games and ultimately be redeemed for cash prizes and gift cards.

Global Poker is a great promotional sweepstakes poker option with a $20 Gold Coin no purchase package for you to get started and try the platform out.

Free Poker vs No Deposit Poker

No deposit poker is a great way to jump in to your first action online. These bonuses are indeed real money and can be a great jumpstart to having a proper poker bankroll you can use to play progressively bigger stakes.

That’s certainly not required however – you can play at the lowest stakes (literally pennies) for as long as you want to. Legal poker sites also offer the chance to simply play for virtual currency (play money), too, although the game is decidedly different strategically than real money poker.

Regardless, through both you can see how the site functions, get used to the speed of the online game and work on your own strategy weak spots.

Playing at a legal, regulated online poker site in the US is the same as playing at a live poker table at a casino. They offer safety and security and must meet strict gaming regulations like traditional casinos. Read more about safe and secure online poker sites.

Poker Online Game

Beyond the traditional poker software client, playing for real money on poker apps is also an option.

These are not to be confused with other social gaming and similar play money apps. These don’t offer a real-money option and playing poker is much different when not playing for real money. You’ll find traditional real-money online poker is much closer to what you might experience in a real casino card room.

Traditional online poker sites in the US offer players a virtual game as well as the ability to play for real money in major tournaments and cash games.

New Player Freerolls to Build a Poker Bankroll

Another great way to build a bankroll on an online poker site is to make use of freerolls. These are free tournaments to enter where the poker site puts up a real money prize pool.

There is no tournament fee and you can earn real money if you win or make it into the money spots. Many sites offer new players exclusive freerolls in addition to no deposit bonuses.

Freerolls are another nice option to make some money on a poker site without having to make a deposit. Additionally, these tournaments aren’t solely for new players and many sites use them as promotions.

No Deposit Bonus vs. Welcome Bonus

Most poker sites offer all new players a Welcome Bonus. This shouldn’t be confused with a no deposit bonus.

A welcome bonus, also sometimes referred to as a match bonus, applies to players who make an initial deposit. Some of these bonuses can be for up to $1,500 and make for a great way to get started on a real-money online poker site if you intend to play a lot of poker. Meeting the clearing requirements for some welcome bonuses – particularly the largest amounts – will take some concentrated effort in a short period of time.

A no deposit bonus is just as the name implies. A new player only has to register an account and can play using these funds without even making a deposit. No deposit bonuses are the easier way to get started with online poker.

Play Free Poker on Your Phone

Online poker has exploded as a way to play poker for real money on a cell phone or tablet. Poker sites now tailor their product for mobile users as well as those using the traditional poker client.

All the traditional online poker sites mentioned here in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada and Delaware all offer nice poker apps. Those include:

• WSOP.com (NJ, NV)
• PokerStars (NJ, PA)
• 888poker (NJ)
• Partypoker (NJ)
• BorgataPoker.com (NJ)
• BetMGM (NJ)

Poker apps are easy to download for both iPhone and Android. You can still take advantage of no deposit bonuses as well as other deposit offers found here. You can expect to find all the games and events you’d find using a laptop including:

• Cash games
• Tournaments
• Sit & Go’s
• Major MTT series

If you try out a poker app you’ll find a platform built specifically for mobile play. Much of the play on a poker app can be done utilizing a single finger, which makes playing on the go very simple. Most features found on the desktop client are also available on the app.

For players not able to play traditional online poker on their phones, promotional sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker also offer an opportunity. While Global doesn’t yet have a mobile app, the site uses a browser-based system that also works great on a cell phone or tablet.

No Deposit Poker FAQ

Are online No Deposit Poker bonuses really free?

Yes, poker sites offer these bonuses to USPoker readers to try out the site. Players can build a bankroll using these funds and ultimately cash them out for real money.

Online Poker Free

What games can I play with a No Deposit Bonus?

While these bonuses may be smaller than players would typically deposit, they do offer a chance to play for real money. Players can take advantage of cash games, tournaments, and sit & go’s.

You can find stakes for all bankrolls and can play for as low as $0.01/$0.02 at many sites. You’ll also find tournaments and sit & go’s available for around $1.

Some sites may offer the no deposit bonus as a simple credit to your account allowing you to play as you wish. Others may offer players specific tournament or sit & go tickets. These can be used to actually win real money and build a poker bankroll just like funds you can deposit on the site.

Can I claim a No Deposit Bonus and a Match Bonus?

Yes, a no deposit bonus is free money a player can use after simply creating an account at a site. There is no deposit required and you don’t have to fund an account.

Match Bonuses or Welcome Bonuses are funds credited to a player’s account after making a deposit. These can be hundreds of dollars and even thousands, and are a great benefit for players looking to make a deposit.

These may have requirements for “play-through” before these funds are released however. That means a player may need to play a certain number of hands or events to have some of that bonus released and credited to his account.

When can I withdraw my no deposit bonus?

Most winnings from these bonuses can be withdrawn as they are accumulated. These funds are real money as if the player had made a deposit.

Free Online Poker Sites

What’s the catch with a No Deposit Bonus?

There’s no “catch” with these types of funds. They’re available to you to try out a regulated, legal online poker site for real money and see if it’s for you. It’s real money to play poker and it’s free. What could be better? You won’t be able to claim the bonus and then immediately cash it out, obviously, but that shouldn’t be classified as a “catch” per se. That’s simple common sense.

Where can I get a No Deposit bonus in the US?

Since 2011, after what’s known as “Black Friday,” the US has been limited to a state-by-state approach to legalizing online poker. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware have offered online poker since 2013.

Poker Online Comparison Chart

Pennsylvania began offering online poker in 2019 and Michigan online poker launched its first poker site in 2021. West Virginia legalized online gaming including poker in 2019 but has yet to go live as of February 2021.

Those looking for some No Deposit Poker are in luck with a few sites in some of these legal states. It’s also important to note that while you have to be located within these states to play, you don’t have to be there to sign up for a No Deposit Bonus or even fund your account.

Free Online Poker Sites Reviews

Some players see that No Deposit Bonus as a challenge – ie how long they can make it last as they try to build it up into an even bigger bonus. Here’s a look at a few popular sites where you can get in the games just for signing up.

If you’re interested in no deposit bonuses for online casino play, see our dedicated page here: