Specificity: Many real money mobile poker sites in the USA now have exclusive apps made specifically for smartphones and tablets.Many of these games have a fast-fold format (you are taken to a new table each time you fold) which makes it much easier to play via your mobile. Downloading Mobile Poker Apps For poker online, mobile options come in two flavors: download and no-download. First, head to the App Store (if you're using an iPhone or iPad) or Google Play Store on an Android phone or tablet. Other, independent app stores like GetJar also stock specialist gambling apps. Android online poker is ideal for smartphone players who want to enjoy mobile Texas Hold'em on the move. Android phones and tablets have taken over the global market in recent years thanks to a variety of devices using the Android OS – good news for mobile poker players wanting to use their device to play Texas Hold'em. Mobile poker apps are like having a little casino in your hand at all times. The great part is playing on your mobile doesn’t exclude you from receiving bonuses. Poker rooms offer players different kinds of bonuses not only to entice players to play new games but to get playing poker at their site.

• Online Poker With Friends Mobile App
• Best Online Poker Mobile App

What are the best iPhone / iPad apps for poker?

If you want to take your online poker experience out of your home or office, mobile poker apps may be for you. We found the top USA mobile poker rooms with: Software that supports iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry. Great customer support when you need it.

Poker has come a long way since the early days of Windows-only downloads. You can now enjoy browser-based games and even find dedicated apps for poker on iPhones and iPads. These are reserved for the biggest international brands – which have the development teams and number of players using Apple devices to make this worthwhile.

Best Online Poker Sites for iPhone / iPad

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This page covers all you need to know to play poker for real money on devices running oSX. Here is what you will find:

• Compatibility: Practical steps to getting a poker game running on your iPhone or iPad.
• Pros and Cons: What are the benefits of mobile poker, and what drawbacks should you be aware of before you start?
• Apps or Instant-Play: Where you have a choice, which option should you go for?
• Limited US Poker Room Options: Players using iPhones or iPads have limited choices of offshore poker rooms with mobile-compatible games, you’ll find the main options here.
• International iPhone Poker Sites: Which of the giant international brands caters to Apple users the best?
• Apple Pay Poker Rooms: Which online poker rooms let you load your account with Apple Pay? This section also covers the alternatives.

Compatibility: Flash and iPhones / iPads Don’t Mix!

Many of the earliest browser-based online poker games used Adobe Flash as the base software. While this has come a long way since the earliest, laggy versions – it is still not compatible with Apple devices. This was a deliberate choice by the late Steve Jobs.

Fortunately, the best iPhone online poker sites have evolved. Many now use a mix of Java code and HTML5 to power their instant-play functionality. If you prefer an old Flash site, then you also have the option of installing the Chrome browser on your iPhone – along with a plugin to enable Flash.

Some of the earlier iPhone models are no longer capable of handling the poker room apps or instant play. If you have anything earlier than a 5S, then you will almost certainly need a hardware upgrade before you play poker for real money.

Pros and Cons of iPhone / iPad Poker

Today’s real money poker environment is very much optimised for desktops (preferably with multiple monitors). Multi-tabling, software tools and note taking all need space. When it comes to mobile poker – there are many options – the big question is whether poker is suited to this format.

Here are the pros and cons of iPhone / iPad poker:

Pros:

• Play on the move: Whenever you have a moment, simply pop out your phone and have a quick session.
• Watch the TV: This might seem like a strange positive, though with an iPad you can enjoy poker games alongside your family in the evenings – with no need to shut yourself off, alone in a study.
• Enjoy the fastest games: Games like Zone Poker / Zoom are entertaining variants, which are perfect for mobile devices.

Cons:

• One Game at a Time: A few sites allow extra tables, though these are not easy to manage on a smaller screen. Mostly, you’ll need to play just 1 game at a time.
• Disconnection Risk: If you are out and about, there is a risk you’ll lose connection, and your pocket aces will be automatically folded!
• Limited Choice: Many poker rooms only offer a sub-set of their game selection on apps or instant-play clients.

Should You Download a Casino’s iPhone / iPad App?

Where poker sites have downloadable apps, I’d recommend you take it. This is a much better overall experience, and in the case of PokerStars, will allow you to multi-table. The big advantage is that you download the graphics and animations onto your phone – so you don’t need to initialize these from the network each time you play.

Apps usually come direct from the poker site’s website – rather than via the app store. If you go to the site with your iPhone or iPad, you’ll be directed to download (where available).

Unfortunately, apps are the exception and not the rule. Many more poker sites (including the big offshore US brands) use instant play and do not have apps at all. Most smaller rooms can’t justify the expense, and others believe that the browser-based gaming is sufficient. While this may be true in some cases, I feel there is a lot of work to be done before many smaller sites are truly compatible with mobile Apple devices.

US Poker Sites Which Work on iPhones / iPads

There are not too many choices, and no download apps for iPhones or iPads. You will find games to enjoy in your browser. I see these are extensions of the main sites to enjoy while you are on the move – and not replacements for the old download clients.

BetOnline.ag / Sportsbetting Poker: These sites have an instant play client which works for Apple devices. You can get started by scanning a QR code on the main ‘mobile poker’ page. This will give you a choice of the (cash game heavy) game selection at these sites. While up to 4 tables can be played at once, this software may not be stable enough (yet) to cope with multi-tabling.

Bovada: Bovada also offer an instant play client which will work on iPhones (4 and up) and compatible iPads. This will allow you to reach the ‘Zone Poker’ games, which is the biggest US fast-fold poker format – or the regular cash game tables. Tournaments are not available via Instant Play at Bovada.

International Poker Sites Which Are iPhone / iPad Compatible

When you check out the biggest sites, you’ll find apps as well as instant play clients that work with Apple devices. Only the top brands have apps. You will find these for PokerStars, 888 Poker and Bet365. All require download and installation – and will let you reach a lot of different game formats – multi-tabling up to 4 tables in the case of PokerStars or Bet365.

As with the US sites, Instant-play clients have their limitations for iPhone and iPad users. You’ll find these work (using HTML5 instead of Flash). At the same time the play can involve lags, and multi-tabling is difficult.

Apps Compatible with iPhones and iPads in 2020

Can I Play Real Money Poker on my iPhone Using Apple Pay?

At the moment, only one poker brand – 888 Poker – accept Apple Pay for deposits. This makes the process of installing the app and depositing to play for real money completely within the Apple infrastructure. At the time of writing this option is only available in selected countries. I hope to see more sites (especially those which have already developed iPhone apps) to join this list in the near future.

What Other Deposit Methods Can I use at iPhone or iPad Poker Sites?

While we wait for Apple Pay to take off as a mainstream poker deposit option, there are plenty of established options. The biggest factor in what is available to you is your location. US players are restricted by laws covering banking transactions with offshore poker rooms – and Canadians are affected by these laws too. Outside of the US, things are very easy – it is more a case of which deposit and withdrawal methods suit you the best here.

Popular US Deposit Methods for iPhone Poker Rooms:

• Credit Card: Even with the banking restrictions, cards which can make international payments are the single most common deposit method. Visa and MasterCard are the most frequently accepted brands, with Amex sometimes taken.
• Prepaid Visa: If your card gets declined, a prepaid Visa will often work (you need to contact your iPad / iPhone poker room to ask which brands to buy).
• Bitcoin: Fast becoming the go-to deposit method for US players, this is easy to set up and completely secure. The sites work in dollars, so you’ll only need to hold the Bitcoin for as long as it takes to deposit or withdraw.
• Person to Person Transfers: This option uses established international wiring companies, for example MoneyGram. You send cash to a representative of the iPhone poker room.
• Bank Wires: These are sometimes possible, though generally reserved for high roller players.

More Options for International Players

• PayPal: The biggest iPhone poker sites like Bet365 and 888 will accept PayPal deposits.
• Alternative eWallets: There are many brands providing similar services to PayPal which will let you deposit via your mobile device. These include Trustly, Skrill and Neteller.
• Local Bank Transfers: A popular choice, where banking is restricted (for example in Canada) you can use gateway services like iDebit.
• Vouchers and Virtual Cards: Prepaid services in these categories include PaySafeCard, EcoPayz and Click2Pay.

Wrapping Up: Your iPhone / iPad Poker Options

As you will see above, International players currently have a lot bigger choice of poker sites to enjoy on iPhones and iPads. The biggest brands are the place to head for downloadable apps with full functionality.

Online Poker With Friends Mobile App

At the moment the offshore US sites have instant-play options, which will work on your Apple devices. These are limited in game selection, and in the ability to effectively multi-table. The best of these is the Bovada instant-play option – which features their speedy ‘Zone Poker’ game.

Watch this space – I hope to be bringing US readers news on new iPhone / iPad poker developments in the not too distant future.

We know that many of you that have come to this page are already well versed
in the poker app market and are really just looking for the best place to play.
While we always encourage our readers to enjoy our comprehensive pages, we are
happy to get you on your way with a list of some of our favorite poker apps.
This list contains apps that allow players to play cash games and tournaments
for real money. When we review a site, we look to see what limits can be played
from the app, as well as a complete review of all the promotions that can help
you be a winning player.

While some of these apps may not be available in the country from where you
are trying to play, we have tried to compile a list that reaches the majority of
our readers, and the quality of these sites cannot be denied.

The introduction of online poker was a complete game-changer not only for
that sport but for online gambling as a whole. For the first time, players could
get together in large groups online to create massive tournaments, and for many
players, this was their first foray into the world of online gambling. While
many players have gone on to add sports betting and casino play, the majority of
poker players tend to stick to that game.

The online poker industry has been rocked by a couple of changes in
regulations, particularly in the United States, which provided a significant
amount of traffic for the online sites. For the operators that have remained in
the poker space since the events of 2006 and 2011, it has been a long climb back
to profitability. Thankfully, during the last decade, poker as a whole has
remained popular, and while the online games are smaller than once before, the
introduction of new delivery methods has made the game more accessible than ever
before.

Online poker apps are some of the most popular of any gaming apps downloaded
to iOS or Android devices, and these days, more players find themselves in front
of a phone or tablet for their poker play than ever before. Whether you are
playing for free or real money, there is a poker app for you, and this page will
cover all the types of apps you will find when you search your device’s app
store.

Best Online Poker Mobile App

Why Use a Poker App?

There are many players who are very comfortable playing poker on a PC and may
not truly understand the benefits of playing the same game from an app on a
phone or tablet. We don’t think either way is wrong, but let’s review some of
the top reasons that players could benefit from playing a poker app.

Convenience

Let’s face it: we almost always have a device within arm’s reach these days.
With most of our daily activities and responsibilities being available to manage
in app format, smartphones have really changed the way we approach both work and
leisure time. From a poker perspective, you may get the urge to play a game at
any time of the day. Being able to log into an account and start playing without
getting up and starting up your PC may save you valuable time you could spend
winning hands!

Mobility

We all know that a poker tournament can take a long time. While the online
tournaments move much faster than a live event, the number of players who enter
can be in the thousands. When you sit down to start a tournament, you, of
course, are planning to be there until the very end.

If you are playing from a PC, that means having to sit out hands, one of which could be the
difference between winning and losing. Playing a poker app allows you to get up
to use the bathroom, stretch your legs, or take your kids to the park, all
without having to stop playing.

Health

Over the last 20 years, there have been a lot of poker players who complain
about their health after long sessions of sitting at a table. Having your poker
game in app format means that you can move positions more easily. By switching
chairs, playing standing up, or taking the game outside for some fresh air, you
are doing a great service to your body, and over the course of a tournament that
could take hours to complete, the toll can be devastating.

We are bombarded by ways to motivate us to keep moving, and for poker
players, this means picking up your app and taking it with you wherever you go.
We want all of our readers to be healthy enough to continue enjoying online
gambling, so whatever you need to do to stay active, we encourage that behavior!

Types of Poker Apps

Now that you have a clear picture of the benefits of playing poker using an
app, let’s take a look at what you will find when searching for one to download.
Not all apps are built the same or offer the same experience, so you need to do
a little research to make sure the game you are selecting meets your criteria.
Each of these sections also includes a link to a page with some more detail.

iPhone Poker Apps

The iPhone has revolutionized the way we ingest information and has done so
in a very stylish way. Apple has always been known to march to the beat of its
own drum, and this is the case when it comes to its position on online gambling
apps. For the longest time, it would only approve poker apps that didn’t allow
players to make a deposit. While the company’s stance has lightened over the
years, it is still a long approval process, so if you are using an iPhone, you
may find fewer options than you expected.

Android Poker Apps

Google has been a little faster in responding to the growing demand for poker apps, and as a result, players will find more options in the Google Play store
for their Android devices than Apple users. The games will be the same, but as
Android supports so many more devices, the sizing of screens becomes critical to
the overall development of a poker app.

Learn to Play Poker Apps

Regardless of what device you use, there are many of you who want or need to
learn the game. Poker is an easy game to learn but a difficult one to master, so
it is always good to have access to the best tips online. There are many poker
apps for Android and iPhone that are designed for learning purposes.

Texas Hold’em Poker Apps

Despite it being one of the newer variants of the game, Texas Hold’em is by
far the most popular of all the poker games being played today. The introduction
of this game to the public via the World Series of Poker and other televised
events blew the game up in popularity, and this is no different when the
delivery method is switched to apps.

We will show you the best sites for Texas
Hold’em players, along with links to some strategy pages that are bound to help
you improve your overall play.

Poker with Friends Apps

Many poker players are not interested in getting into huge tournaments with a
bunch of strangers, and would much rather play privately with their friends.
There are many poker apps that are designed with this in mind.
These apps give players the ability to create their own games,
within a set of parameters, and then send out invitations to their friends so
a “home game” can be played right from a phone or tablet.

Conclusion

If the introduction of online poker created the first real poker boom, then
we are certain that poker apps are going to be the driving force behind the next
major growth curve. Playing poker via an app, no matter what device you are
using, makes it so much easier to access the game you love from everywhere, and
the fact that more people have smartphones and tablets than PCs today opens up
the possibility of bringing new players to these sites. We hope that after
reading this page, you have a much better appreciation for the benefits of using
a poker app and that you have an excellent experience no matter which app you
select.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Get Disconnected While Playing on a Poker App?

This is a common question and also a common occurrence. Connections, no
matter how strong, will drop on occasion. This isn’t limited to players using a
poker app, so most sites have a well-defined policy on dropped connections. In
most cases, the hand will continue (it isn’t fair to other players otherwise),
and when you are reconnected, you will see the result of the hand and will be
able to sit back down at a table. If you get disconnected because of an issue
with the app provider itself, then there will be another set of terms for
refunding players. You should read the terms and conditions of whatever poker
app you use to get the full details.

Can I Use a Poker App Without Wifi?

This is a bit of a trick question. Most apps will allow you to play the games
with only a cellular connection. However, in most cases, a WiFi connection will
be faster, especially if you live in a remote area. Some sites load the entire
game onto your phone with the app installation, but these games are going to be
play money only. Real money games require a central server, which means you need
at the very least a 3G connection to be comfortable.

How Do I Know a Poker App Is Safe?

Poker app safety starts first and foremost with the app ecosystem. Both
Google and Apple have a list of security measures they require all apps to have
built into their code to protect personal information from falling into the
wrong hands. This doesn’t always protect players, but it is a good start. Also,
you want to choose poker apps offered by companies that have either a gaming
license or a seal of approval from a third-party auditing firm whose job is to
ensure that the random number generator is working to industry standards.

Doesn’t Having an App Make It Easier for Collusion Among Players?

When online poker began, there were many complaints about players sitting
next to one another and playing online games, therefore being able to
communicate about the hands they were playing. The industry started to wise up
about this problem and instituted policies that block more than one account
being used on the same IP. While this doesn’t entirely stop players from
colluding, it does make it much more difficult. On top of that, most sites have
fraud detection software in place that is looking for unusual playing patterns.
If anything is found that isn’t the norm, accounts are reviewed and possibly
suspended for rule-breaking behavior.