In the world of online poker, only the best sites survive. No joke, the competition for poker sites these days is fierce, but Global Poker isn’t all cracked up to be.
To me, one of the most confusing aspects of Global Poker is that it’s not really a real-money site. It’s a sweepstakes model where you buy virtual coins and then use the coins to buy into cash games and tournaments.
I think it would be best if they were a little more transparent about this since most online searches for them are about whether they are a real money poker site or not.
Which brings us up to the topic of this article. What are some similar sites or alternatives to using Global Poker? And I’m glad you asked because I’ve got some solid options, all of which are reputable and play great whether you’re using a PC or phone to play.
Trying Something Else
Even if you’re comfortable playing poker where you’re currently at, it still doesn’t hurt to see what else is out there. I mean if you never try you will never really know for sure.
And lots of other sites have great software, big tournament offerings, and most importantly real money games. So, it would make sense that you might be on the prowl to try something new.
Here is a quick overview of some of the top alternatives to try out. Read on to learn more.
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
- ACR Poker – Read Review
- Sportsbetting Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
My first top recommendation would be to use Ignition Poker. Ignition currently accepts players from most of the United States, as well as Australia. They host some of the biggest online poker tournaments in the world, including the monthly million-dollar special.
They also have other tournaments that go on throughout the year, such as the weekly 200k and 100k guaranteed. The cash games are wide, with buy-in ranges from $1 all the way up to $2000 per table.
You will be dealing with a lot of casual players on this site, so the competition is easy to crush if you’re a skilled player. The software is excellent, and you should have no issues finding a game since the traffic is very high.
And getting paid is always easy via cryptocurrency whenever you want to get your winnings out. They also have 24-hour customer service for additional needs with a phone number, live chat option, or email support. Bottom line: This is an excellent alternative to using Global Poker. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
2. Bovada Poker
Next up, we’ve got Bovada Poker. Bovada has been around for over a decade and has an amazing game selection. You can play games like Texas holdem, Omaha, sit-and-go’s, turbos, and, of course, multi-table tournaments.
The software for playing on here also allows you to play up to four tables at a time, and they currently share player pools with Ignition. That basically means there is a lot of player traffic here at all times of the day and week.
You can also customize table colors with up to eight different color options at the moment. The chat box is a fun way to interact with other players, and you can use features like rabbit whole cards and auto mucking. Basically, there are a lot of different ways to customize your playing experience.
On-site customer service is also very good, with live chat available 24 hours a day. Lastly, getting paid is a smooth process via cryptocurrency. It usually takes 15 minutes or less to get your money off-site. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
3. BetOnline
BetOnline is an excellent poker site that’s seen many upgrades these last few years. They have added a very smooth poker app that plays great on both iOS and Android as well.
BetOnline has been doing its thing since 2004, making it one of the oldest sites to play on. Personally, I’ve been using them since 2011 and have enjoyed stacking opponents here on a regular basis. They currently allow you to do things like customize table colors, use the chat box for interacting with other players, and create custom avatars for your player profile as well.
Player traffic won’t be as big as on our first two options, but they make up for it with weak opponents. You will be dealing with a lot of recreational players on the virtual felt since most of the people here go for the sport book.
Getting paid is also a smooth process via cryptocurrency. They accept a wide range of cryptocurrencies and always pay! You can get started with BetOnline here.
4. Americas Cardroom
Another option I would recommend looking at if you’re into tournaments is America’s Cardroom. Also known as ACR Poker, they host one of the biggest online poker tournaments in the world called “Venom.”.
This one tournament alone has a payout of 10 million dollars plus, which is incredible! It is quite normal to see high-paid celebrities playing on this site, whether it’s in the cash games or bigger-payout tournaments.
The cash games on here are also very good, but be aware that you will see a lot of pros playing on here as well. Stakes range from as little as $1 to $5000 plus a buy-in per table. That is a wide range, but it’s the reality of playing on here. Just make sure to have a stacked bankroll if you try the higher-stakes games.
As far as customer service, they only allow email for the most part, but they respond quickly. Getting paid does take a little bit longer here, with sometimes needing to wait a full day. However, with the big payout tournaments available on site, it’s worth the wait, in my opinion.
5. Sportsbetting.ag
And our final site, like Global Poker, worth looking up is Sportsbetting.ag. And I know exactly what you’re thinking—is this a sports betting site? And the answer is not exactly.
You see, this site currently runs off the same network as BetOnline; it’s just a separate skin. The poker software for playing here is excellent, and they’ve also been operating for more than 10 years. You can do things like customize the look of tables, play cards, and use the chat box feature. The site also allows you to have custom avatars, which brings a more personal experience to playing here.
The sign-up bonuses for playing here are quite good, and they also have a solid rewards program for regular players. Payouts work the same as on the other sites listed, with cryptocurrency being the main option.
If you plan on possibly sport betting and playing poker, this could be the site to try out. I’ve been a member for a long time, and the software for all things betting works great on both PC and mobile.
Reasons To Play Poker Online
Here are just a few reasons to get started with online poker that I put together for you.
- Very Convenient
I think the convenience factor can’t be overlooked. We no longer need to drive to a casino or a place hosting a tournament to play poker. This makes it very appealing to anyone who enjoys playing the game. I mean, you could literally be sitting around on your couch eating a slice of pizza and stacking someone for a large amount.
- Lots of Games
With just a few clicks of the mouse, you could be entering your next big payout tournament with a first-place winner! Okay, we can all dream, but with the wide variety of games available online, there is something for everyone who enjoys playing.
- Promotions
Yes, you can opt in to receive free money bonuses upon signing up at a poker site. They consistently do this to entice new players to try out their site. This is a great way for you to build a bankroll quickly and possibly move up in stakes.
- It’s Comfortable
What I mean is that you can create your ideal gaming environment within your home. Online poker provides a level of comfort that a casino just lacks. You can be lounging in your bedroom, drinking some coffee, and eating a snack while you stack an opponent for a $500 pot! That’s what it’s all about.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed learning about some of these alternative sites to Global Poker. While Global Poker is a good option for most people, the sweepstakes-only model can become tiresome. You might wander off at some point and have the itch to play some real-money games.
And I totally get it. You’re not going to get better at online poker until you put up some real money and see if you’ve got what it takes to win both in the short and long term. And yes, you will deal with the ups and downs of playing, but it’s all just part of the game. I mean, that’s why we play.
Each one of the options I’ve laid out for you is reputable and has been operating for many years. Customer service is top-tier on each one, and getting paid is always fast and easy.
I wouldn’t be mentioning them if they weren’t. Whatever you choose to go with, just remember to play responsibly and have some fun. You should also consider playing in the Venom or one of the other big-payout tournaments to see if you can get a big score.
Just keep working on your game and improving, no matter what. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you, and remember, tomorrow is another day. Good luck.
