People have been playing poker in California for nearly as long as the game has been around.

1. Best Poker Rooms In California Casinos
2. Best Poker Rooms In California
3. Best Poker Rooms In Southern California

California has a total of 1273 poker tables spread across 96 poker rooms. You can play a number of poker games, including NL Texas Hold'em, Stud, Omaha Hi-Lo, Limit Holdem, No Limit Holdem, NL Holdem, Crazy Pineapple, 7 Card Stud, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better, Draw, Pot Limit Omaha Hi, Pai Gow Poker, Texas Hold'em, Mixed Games, Razz, Omaha, Sit-n-go, 5 Card Poker, 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, Big. PokerSites.us - #1 guide to the best US poker sites. 2020's top portal for online poker in the USA. State-by-state coverage of poker legislation.

Over the years the relationship between poker and the Golden State has even been showcased in major Hollywood films including 1974’s California Split with George Segal and Elliott Gould.

That tradition has continued with various celebrities taking up poker as a hobby (sometimes an extremely high-stakes hobby!).

Thanks to the state’s close proximity to Las Vegas some of the best poker players in the world come from California including Phil Hellmuth, Antonio Esfandiari and JC Tran.

Online poker in California is a brave new world, however, and with a plethora of new offerings to choose from it’s important to get the most bang for your buck.

Fortunately PokerListings has over a decade of experience in reviewing poker rooms and has created a toplist of the best online poker sites in California.

Can You Play Online Poker in California?

You can! Or at least you will be able to soon. While traditional card rooms have a rich history in California it’s only recently that legal online poker has finally been introduced to the state.

At the end of the day the legal climate for online poker in California is a moving target so it’s best to keep up to date by following our California poker news updates.

But Didn’t Lawmakers Outlaw Online Poker?

It’s never been illegal to play online poker in the U.S. but the DOJ did clamp down on the operators running online poker sites.

You’re probably thinking about UIGEA in 2006 and Black Friday in 2011.

To summarize: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act forced publicly traded online poker sites out of the U.S. market by making it illegal to process transactions – not to play.

Five years later the DOJ indicted a couple of privately run sites to get them out of the market as well. Those sites have since settled with the U.S. market and are set on returning.

Over the last few years online poker has slowly been legalized in a few states but California is the biggest market yet to jump on board.

Are the California Poker Sites Good?

Yes. Fortunately the poker industry has matured considerably over the last 5-10 years and the current software has weeded out a lot of the problems with early versions.

More game variety than ever before is being offered and most of the California poker sites are just versions of poker software that’s been tried and tested throughout the rest of the world.

That’s a good thing because they can provide superior experiences compared to starting from scratch.

Will There Be Anyone to Play Against?

Although legal online poker in California is still new, it didn’t take long for people to get on board.

Thanks to the massive population in California online poker sites are hopeful it could single-handedly reboot the industry in the United States.

While the state doesn’t have access to the truly massive worldwide pools of the major sites it still offers a ton of tournaments, cash games and Sit & Go’s to play.

Can I Play Against Players in Other States?

Not yet but that is something that’s believed to be in the works. There is a great deal of government red tape involving intra-state poker.

A unified poker network would be better for everyone as online poker players would have access to bigger fields and bigger prize pools while fledgling U.S. poker sites would finally be able to grow in earnest.

How Do I Get Money on California Poker Sites?

Fortunately this part is really easy since online poker is completely legal in California now.

If you’ve ever purchased anything you should be able to deposit money on a poker site. Just pull out your credit card or debit card and you should be able to get money on a site.

Keep in mind there are a variety of age and location verification steps so you’ll have to prove you aren’t underage/out-of-state before your start playing.

What Are Deposit Bonuses? Will I Get One?

New players are the lifeblood for online poker sites so they have no problem providing a little extra incentive for signing up.

That usually comes in the form of a sign-up bonus where the site will match a certain percentage of whatever amount you deposit. These are a great way for new players to build a bankroll and you should definitely looking into getting a bonus code.

As one of the oldest poker guides PokerListings has always prided itself on getting exclusive bonus deals for players who sign up using one of our codes or links.

Want to play at the top live US poker rooms? If so, listen carefully because we’ve put together a list of venues that are recognized as America’s most impressive. Regardless of whether you’re interested in size, style, history or gaming options, our rundown of the best live USA poker rooms has got you covered.

The Bellagio:

Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Arguably one of the most iconic casinos in the world, let alone the USA, the Bellagio is home to the infamous Bobby’s Room. Synonymous with high stakes gambling and the poker top pros, this intimate alcove is the proverbial jewel in the Bellagio’s crown.

Home to the likes of Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and Gus Hansen on a daily basis, Bobby’s Room has seen some of the biggest poker games in the world over the last 20 years. From million dollar bluffs to prop bets involving male breast implants, this exclusive section of the Bellagio’s poker room has given rise to a slew of legendary tales.

Unfortunately, unless you’re super talented or super rich you’ll probably never get to ante-up inside Bobby’s Room. However, that doesn’t mean the Bellagio isn’t a top US poker room. In fact, it’s because of Bobby’s Room that the venue is loved by grinders from all over the world. While you may need a few million dollars in your bankroll in order to get into the casino’s richest game, there are hundreds of smaller games on offer each week filled with players aiming for the top.

The presence of the most exclusive live poker game in America is enough to pull people into the casino and give them something to aim for. This means that you’ll often find a string of low stakes games filled with weak players. Blinded by the dream of running a bluff against Doyle Brunson, these fishy players are commonplace inside the Bellagio and always ripe for picking.

In fact, aside from being known as one of the top live USA poker rooms, the Bellagio is known as one of the softest. Of course, when you move up to the higher limits you’ll find yourself amongst a host of top players, but below the top-tier it’s generally the case that the games are easy. In general, you’ll find that cash games start from $1/$2 and run as high as $1,000/$2,000 during the World Series of Poker. At high limits it’s possible to find Mixed Games, but in general you’ll find that Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha will be on offer.

Foxwoods Resort Casino:

Foxwoods Resort Casino
350 Trolley Line Boulevard
Mashantucket, CT 06338-3777

Another top live USA poker room outside of Nevada, Foxwoods is another structural behemoth in the gaming world. Offering 300,000 square feet of floor space, the venue has everything the hopeful gambler could wish for.

Contained with the six interconnected casinos is every class game you could wish for. From blackjack and roulette, to craps and slot machines, the adrenaline junkies among you will have plenty of opportunities to swing the pendulum of luck when you enter Foxwoods Casino.

However, if the virtues of skill and logic are more to your liking, then Foxwoods poker room will, provide an oasis of tranquility amid the chaos of the six gaming floors. Boasting 125 poker tables and the honor of being the second largest poker room in the world (not just the US); this venue is one that literally offers something for everyone.

Regardless of what your poker persuasion is, Foxwoods will have something to tickle your fancy. Of course, Hold’em and Omaha are by far the most populous games on the menu and you can enjoy each at limits ranging from $1/$2 to $100/$200. However, if you’re looking for something a little different, then Foxwoods is one of the few live US poker rooms that offers 7-card stud cash games. Running regularly throughout the week (mainly because of the venue’s high volume of players), fans of non-Hold’em poker games can grind out a fortune at limits ranging from $1/$3 and $75/150.

For those that enjoy the rush of a good tournament, Foxwoods plays host to a busy schedule of daily tournaments with prizepools the regularly top five-figures. However, it’s when the Foxwoods Poker Classic gets underway that this live USA poker room comes into its own. Regularly welcoming the best players in the world, the event is a major fixture on the US poker calendar for thousands of players.

The Commerce Casino:

Commerce Casino
6131 East Telegraph Rd.
Commerce, CA 90040

In America, bigger is always better and there are a few live poker rooms in the country that can stack up to the Commerce Casino. Situated in the Los Angeles suburb of Commerce, this casino offers a poker room that can hold up to 200 tables at once.

Although the Commerce poker room doesn’t sit pride of place on the Las Vegas strip, the stature of this venue is no less impressive. Owing to the sheer size of this US poker room, players from across the country are able to enjoy cash games and tournaments of all sizes. Unlike many of the top live poker rooms in the USA, The Commerce doesn’t only cater to high rollers. While venues such as the Bellagio have based their reputation around the wealthy games they host, The Commerce has a much more inclusive policy.

Average cash games limits will start as low as $1/$2 and reach as high as $100/$200+. In fact, if there are a number of celebrities in town, something that often happens at the Commerce, the highest games on offer can run a stakes exceeding $200/$400.

Aside from offering a variety of Hold’em, Omaha, Stud and Mixed cash games, The Commerce also offers a range of poker tournaments. Although the daily and weekly schedule isn’t anything to get too excited about, the casino comes into its own when it hosts the L.A. Poker Classic. Part of the ever-popular WPT season, the event is extremely popular and regularly produced prizepools exceeding $5 million.

If playing poker isn’t enough, then The Commerce Casino is also a complete entertainment complex. Mimicking the services found at some of the top venues in Las Vegas, The Commerce has six restaurants, a sprawling hotel complex as well as numerous bar and leisure facilities.

The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

Borgata Hotel Casino
1 Borgata Way
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Best Poker Rooms In California Casinos

Over the last few years the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa has become one of the top live poker rooms in the US. Located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and now the owner of an online platform, the Borgata has benefited from the recent changes in US poker legislation.

Being situated inside one of the states that offer legal US online poker, this venue is now being utilized by many of the world’s top poker tours, including the WPT. In fact, in 2013 and 2014 the casino wrestled the WPT World Championship event away from its traditional home inside the Bellagio. Such a move was not only seen as a sign of the times, but as a testament to the Borgata’s prowess as a top US venue.

One of the main selling points for the Borgata, aside from it being the home to some of the WPT’s top tournaments, is that it’s the largest hotel in New Jersey. Boasting 2,002 rooms, the venue is not only a giant when it comes gambling, but in terms of leisure and entertainment. However, we digress. When it comes to poker, the Borgata is equipped with 161,000 square feet of gaming space that encompasses 4,000 slots and 200 table games.

Best Poker Rooms In California

Alongside these options stands a poker room that can accommodate around 100 tables at once. Generally filled with a mixture of tournament players and cash game grinders, it’s the latter demographic that really benefit from the Borgata’s size and experience. In the tournament world more players equates to bigger prizepools and those that choose to ante-up inside this venue will always be in good company. In fact, such is the pedigree of this live US poker room that the WPT now hosts not one, but three major MTTs inside its walls.

Binion’s Horseshoe

Binion’s Horseshoe
128 Fremont St,
Las Vegas, NV 89101

It may not be the biggest live poker room in the USA, it might not be the most impressive, but Binion’s Horseshoe is undoubtedly one of the top US poker rooms. In historical terms, Binion’s is an industry icon as it was home to the original World Series of Poker. Providing the venue where the likes of Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese and Benny Binion decided who the best player in the world was, Binion’s has since gone on to host Poker’s Hall of Fame.

In today’s terms the casino’s ten poker tables and $4 rake on all cash games is a million miles from facilities offered by our other top USA live poker rooms. However, what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in nostalgia. Anyone who takes the time to visit downtown Las Vegas and ante-up inside Binion’s poker room will feel a sense of reverence. Knowing that the venue is the birthplace of modern poker tournaments and once played host to the greatest grinders in history is something that can’t be ignored. On top of that the intimate setting makes each game more personal and the level of service that much better.

Of course, on a good day you’ll probably only find a handful of cash games on offer with stakes no higher than $10/$20. However, in reality, none of that really matters because it’s a poker room that every poker player in America should have the pleasure of playing in.

Best Poker Rooms In Southern California

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