GGPoker is the poster child of the “Good Game Network”, which was launched in 2014. Originally focused on the Chinese and Asian market, the site began to open its door towards European and Canadian players.
The site has been packed with so many features to make it exciting for recreational players. For instance, you can protect your hand with all-in insurance and can share hands on social networks through “hand moments”.
They also have an analysis tool called PokerCraft, which gives you all the stats you need to have more insights into your game.
With innovative features such as the Fold game or All-In, partnership with prominent poker players and entrepreneurs, generous offers and promos, a variety of banking options, there is everything to play for on GGPoker.
The tournaments have high guarantees, action-packed games, and a rewarding VIP program. However, despite becoming one of the largest and most popular online poker sites in the world, GGPoker is not available in the United States.
The online poker site has previously indicated its interest in breaking into the US market, but their efforts have not yielded many results so far. Let us see why.
Can You Play In the US?
No. You cannot play poker in the US but GGPoker does accept players from some US states where online poker is legal, such as New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Nevada.
So, technically it depends on the state you are in as online poker regulations vary from state to state. However, according to US federal law (The Wire Act), movement of funds for gambling of any type over state lines is prohibited; all the players in a poker game must be within the state.
The legal status of online poker in the US is a complex and evolving issue, so you should carefully research the laws in your state to make sure you are not breaking any laws.
Top 3 Poker Sites for USA Players
It is not all doom and gloom for poker players from the United States. Despite GGPoker not being available in the United States, there are a couple of alternative poker sites that offer similar action.
Based on their reputation, gaming quality, legitimacy, security, and overall user satisfaction, I’ve put together the top 3 alternative poker sites for players in the United States.
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
Ignition Poker was launched in 2016 but even before then, it had been in operation under different names. The site was originally launched as Bodog in 2004, and it has since become one of the largest online gambling sites in the world.
In 2011, the site was rebranded as Bovada in the US alone, while the international business continued to operate as Bodog until 2016 when the brand was split into two; Bodog.eu serving the European market and Ignition Poker serving the US.
Ignition Poker is popular in the US market because it offers a variety of poker games and tournaments, as well as a rewards program that allows players to earn cashback and other rewards. Ignition Poker also features anonymous tables, which can help protect players’ identities.
I play on here almost weekly at the mid stake cash games. The variety is excellent here with some of the biggest online poker tournaments in the world including the monthly million-dollar series.
To get started, all you need to do is create an account on their website and provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and date of birth.
You will also need to fund your account using one of the available deposit methods, such as credit card, Bitcoin, or bank transfer. Once your account is funded, you can start playing. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- Accepts players USA.
- Largest poker site in the US
- Provides a mobile poker app.
- Excellent welcome bonus
- Offers anonymous tables.
- 24-hour live chat
- Rewarding loyalty programs
Cons
- High stake games are hard.
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada Poker was launched in 2011, although the site itself has been in operation since 1994 under different names.
Bovada is not only a poker room but also a top online gambling site offering a full-service experience including a sportsbook, online casino, race book, and live dealer casino.
This is another site I play on all the time. It shares a player pool with Ignition Poker since it runs off the same network. Player traffic is excellent here with over 7000 players at peak playing times.
The poker site offers instant play for a variety of games such as cash and premium tournaments. Regular poker events are scheduled all week including weekends and new players get a welcome offer of a 100% match on initial deposits up to a total of $500. You can get started on Bovada here.
Pros
- Offers a variety of poker games.
- Huge guarantee tournaments
- Mouthwatering bonus options
- Has a mobile app
- Offers anonymous tables.
- Offers a great reward program.
- Fast and reliable withdrawals
Cons
- USA players only
- Email support can be slow.
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline was launched in 2001 and its headquarters is at St. John’s, Antigua, and Barbuda. Known for its innovative approach to online gaming, the online poker site has become a household name among players in the United States.
Although originally a sportsbook, BetOnline also operates as an online casino and a poker room. I’ve had a lot of fun playing here since they also give you the option to create custom avatars for your player profile.
BetOnline also has lots of different options for customizing, card decks, auto mucking, and changing the color of tables. A feature worth exploring is the hand re-player as well.
This would allow you to re-check each session to play and see what could be improved upon before you play again.
This was one of the very first online poker rooms to accept the use of cryptocurrency and it has a license from the Panama gaming commission. It welcomes new players with a 100% match-up bonus up to $1,000. You can get started on BetOnline here.
Pros
- Lots of player traffic
- Mobile-friendly
- Custom avatars
- Lots of table features
- Reasonable welcome bonus offers.
- Offers 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- No option to use a HUD.
- Limited deposit options
Changes Are Coming
We’re seeing big changes in online poker. At some point GGPoker may open to the states but right now it’s not looking that way.
Be aware that you can try and use their site but may end up getting restricted if you don’t live in one of the locations, they allow players to play. It really shouldn’t be an issue since I’ve listed some great options to try out.
Final Thoughts
Even though GGPoker is unavailable to play in the USA there are still great alternatives in the market. At some point things may change but for now we highly recommend you try out the options I have listed above.
It’s always important to remember that poker is a game that involves skill, strategy, and luck. Beginners should start with lower stakes while learning the basics of the game before moving up higher.
With GGPoker still not available in most parts of the United States, we are left with the three best alternatives – Ignition Poker, Bovada, and BetOnline Poker.
Although each of these online poker sites have their pros and cons, what matters most is your personal preferences and priorities.
For instance, some players do not care about a wide range of deposit options, they may prefer a site that offers a wider range; they are simply after the game or tournament variety.
Hopefully, soon we might get to see law changes that will allow for different sites to be played in the United States and in other restricted countries.
