2 Top Poker Sites

What to check before you play poker online

Online poker is regulated in some countries and US states, unregulated or banned in others. Where it is licensed, players are usually limited to people inside that jurisdiction. Some platforms run under sweepstakes rules instead. Check what applies to you and the minimum age.

• License and player pool. A licensed site names its regulator. Some sites share player pools across regions, which affects traffic and game choice.
• Rake and fees. Cash games take a rake from each pot, usually with a cap. Tournaments charge an entry fee on top of the buy-in.
• Game integrity. Look for published policies on bots, collusion and multi-accounting, and how the site acts on reports.
• Cash-outs. Check payment methods, processing times and any verification needed for a first withdrawal.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Reviews often mention slow withdrawals, accounts frozen during security reviews, and disconnections in the middle of a hand. Read the site's disconnection policy and test your connection before large games. If you suspect collusion or bots, report hand numbers to support; vague reports are hard to investigate.

Keep login details private and turn on two-step verification. Software from unofficial sources that claims to give you an edge may contain malware and often breaks site rules.

CandorRated shows who runs each poker site, how long its domain has existed and what contact details were found, along with player reviews. Set loss and time limits; many sites offer them in account settings.

Frequently asked questions

Are online poker games rigged?

Licensed sites are typically required to use tested random number generators. Reviews and the regulator's information can help you judge a specific site.

Can I use tracking software?

Rules differ by site. Some allow certain tools and ban others. Check the permitted software list.