About Us
Poker Sites was built for one reason: to help US poker players cut through marketing noise and find a site that actually suits how they play. We compare licensed operators, real-money apps, and offshore-facing platforms on the things that matter once you sit down at a table — traffic, game variety, rake, payout speed, and whether the games are actually beatable.
What We Actually Do
We research and compare online poker operators available to US players, covering everything from regulated state-licensed rooms to internationally licensed sites that accept US traffic. We look at cash games, tournaments, Sit & Gos, and fast-fold formats, along with bonus structures, deposit and withdrawal options, and mobile usability. We do not play with real money on these platforms as part of our process — our reviews are built from publicly available information, operator disclosures, licensing records, and ongoing monitoring of terms and promotions, not from wagering activity.
How We Rank Poker Sites
Our editorial ratings reflect a consistent set of criteria applied to every operator on this site. No brand pays for a higher position — commercial relationships, where they exist, are disclosed below and never influence ranking order.
- Player traffic and liquidity — how much action is available at common stake levels, and how that affects wait times and game selection.
- Game variety — depth of cash games, MTTs, Sit & Gos, and formats like Spin & Go or fast-fold tables.
- Rake and rakeback — the rake structure at each stake, and whether a loyalty or rakeback scheme offsets it.
- Welcome bonuses and promotions — the headline offer, the deposit match required to unlock it, and the playthrough or clearing conditions attached.
- Payments — deposit and withdrawal methods available to US players, and typical cash-out timeframes.
- Software and mobile experience — client stability, HUD/tracking software policy, and how the iOS/Android apps hold up at the table.
- Licensing and player protection — what regulatory or licensing framework applies, and how funds are reportedly segregated.
These factors are weighted differently depending on what a page is comparing — a page built for recreational players leans harder on bonuses and soft games, while a page aimed at grinders weights rake, traffic, and rakeback more heavily.
Why Licensing and Legal Status Matter
Online poker in the US is regulated at the state level — there is no single federal framework covering real-money play nationwide. That means legal availability, minimum age, and consumer protections vary depending on where you live. Some states set the minimum gambling age at 21, others at 18, so always check your own state's rules before signing up anywhere. We do not claim any operator holds a specific license unless that has been verified, and we encourage readers to confirm current licensing and legal status for their own state directly with the operator before depositing.
Bonuses Come With Conditions
Every welcome bonus or deposit match mentioned on this site is a promotional offer with material terms attached — typically a minimum deposit, a playthrough or clearing requirement measured in hands or rake, and a time limit to clear it. We publish the headline figure alongside those conditions where they're available, but terms change and operators can amend or withdraw promotions at any time. Always read the current terms on the operator's own site before you deposit.
Where Commercial Relationships Fit In
Poker Sites may earn a commission when readers sign up through links on this site. This does not affect how sites are scored, ordered, or described — our ranking criteria are applied the same way regardless of whether a commercial relationship exists. If you'd prefer to read the full terms governing use of this site, they're set out on our Terms and Conditions page.
Responsible Gambling Comes First
Poker is a game of skill mixed with variance — skill can shift the odds in your favor over time, but it never removes the risk of losing money, and no site or strategy guarantees a profit. We never present real-money poker as a source of income or a way out of financial difficulty, and nothing on this site should be read that way.
If gambling stops being enjoyable, or starts affecting your finances, relationships, or wellbeing, help is available. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, confidential support, and check your state's self-exclusion program if you need a break from real-money play. We've put together more detail on staying in control on our Responsible Gambling page.
All content on this site is intended for adults of legal gambling age in their jurisdiction — 21+ in most US states, 18+ where applicable. This site does not target or knowingly reach anyone under that threshold.
Get In Touch
If you've spotted outdated information, have a question about a review, or want to flag something we've missed, we want to hear about it — accuracy is the whole point of this site. Reach us through our Contact Us page and we'll follow up.