What are the best Android poker sites with a real-money poker app?
Android is one of the most flexible operating systems around. Many mobile device makers have customized Android to suit their hardware and customer ecosystem. You’ll find poker apps and instant-play options which work on a wide range of Android powered mobile devices.
This page covers all you need to know on getting started with Android poker. This includes coverage of both phones and tablets. You will also find out about the different games, and the options for getting your money into and out of an Android device below.
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Here is how the Android poker topic is broken down:
- Devices: Here you will find how different sized screens make a difference to the interface and best games to play.
- US Android Poker Rooms: What are the options for US players looking for real money poker on their smartphones and Android tablets.
- International Options: Some of the big brands have developed Android apps, but are these the best places to play?
- Best Games on Android Devices: Here I break down the five main types of poker game and discuss which ones work best.
- Android Poker FAQ: All the important information you need on safety, deposits and withdrawal options.
List of the Best Real Money Poker Apps for Android
How Big is Your Android Device?
Android phones and tablets have very different screen sizes – which affect the kind of poker games you can enjoy on them. Leaving aside the ‘hybrid’ devices, smartphone users will be less likely to play multiple games at once – and more likely to want to play quick sessions while on the go.
Tablets are ideal for playing while watching TV. These make longer format games such as tournaments more suitable. With some international brands, you can effectively multi-table on your tablet, playing 4 games at once. While this is possible on a smartphone, that small screen size does make this tricky.
Many sites offer their fast-fold poker variants through instant-play. This is perfect for those short, sharp sessions while you are on the move. If you are serious about ‘grinding’, then Android devices are probably not your best bet. I’d invest in a desktop or laptop with a second screen instead to make mass multi-tabling possible.
What are the Options for US Android Users?
There are only 3 networks which are big enough to offer regular games. You will find multiple sites within each network. No US poker site offers a dedicated Android poker app. Instead you will play on browser-based instant-play clients. These work with Flash and HTML5, making compatibility easy with all types of Android phones and tablets.
Here are the options in order of size & popularity:
- Bovada / Ignition Poker App: These sites share the PaiWangLuo poker network with the Canadian Bodog brand. Instant-play poker works on Android devices. This gives you access to ‘Zone Poker’ (a fast-fold variant) or No Limit Hold’em cash games.
- BetOnline Poker Poker App: This Android option is on the Chico Poker network, which is shared with Sportsbetting Poker. The instant-play client supports multiple games and (limited) multi-tabling. Initial reports that this software was buggy have now died down.
- Winning Poker Network Poker App: This network includes America’s Cardroom Poker and others. Again, you can play on Android phones and tablets using an instant play client. With incentives for high-volume play, this network has many more ‘grinders’ than either Bovada or BetOnline.
What are the Android Poker Options for International Players?
Some of the biggest global brands have developed the top Android poker apps. These give you the best of both worlds. You get access to the full list of game types, and mobile / touch screen play too. The best of these apps also allow for up to 4 tables at once. Multi-tabling is far easier on tablets (or phones with huge screens), as you can jump between the active tabs faster.
Here are the international Android apps, in order of size & popularity:
- PokerStars Poker App: This is the biggest site – and has an Android app you can download (as well as an instant-play client). You’ll be able to play up to 4 tables, which is a lot more comfortable on a tablet.
- 888 Poker App: Smart blue design and access to both poker and casino games via the various Android apps at 888.
- Party Poker App: Another app, which uses the updated look of the Party software and showcases some of their unique games including the entertaining SNG Hero format.
- Bet365 Poker App: This Android app is unusual, as it is the only one you can access the easy poker games on the iPoker Network from. You can play all the different formats, and up to 4 tables at once on this app.
Which Are the Best Poker Formats for Android Devices?
The biggest single factor is the size of your screen. If you are sitting in front of the TV with a tablet, then longer-format games work. If you are out and about with an Android smartphone, then a form of poker you can have short, sharp sessions on works best.
Top 5 Formats for Android Poker Players
Here are the 5 biggest poker formats you can access on Android devices, along with my thoughts on how they compare:
- Real Money Cash Games: This is a great format for short sessions. You can play as many or as few hands as you like, with the chips having a real cash value. You’ll find NL Hold’em, PLO, PLO8 all available on Android poker apps.
- Fast-Fold Poker Games: The pooled cash game format is best overall for Android smartphones. With no waiting time (while others complete their hands), this allows a lot of action on one table. Fast-fold poker goes under different names depending on the site. These include Zone Poker (Bovada), Zoom Poker (PokerStars) and SNAP Poker (888).
- Sit N Go Games: 1-table tournaments last up to an hour (Turbo versions are obviously quicker). These work fine on Android devices, though lack the action of many other formats – at least until you get to the push / fold part at the bubble.
- Lottery / Jackpot Sit N Goes: Super-fast blinds, 3 or 4 players and randomly determined prize pools make these the ‘fun’ game of the moment. The short format works great on mobiles, and you never know, you could end up winning up to 10000x your buy-in!
- Multi-Table Tournaments: This is my least-favourite mobile poker format. The length of these games is what makes the difference. Not many players enjoy being glued to their smartphone for 6 hours (with no guarantee of making big money). Android tablets work better for the MTT format.
Android Poker FAQ
This section contains all the questions you might have on depositing, legality and safety at Android poker sites. If you have any questions on specific rooms, you can find more information in the dedicated Poker Reviews section here at GambleOnline.co.
#1 Are Android poker apps legal?
This question is often asked by US residents, where there is a lot of confusion on the role of federal and State laws concerning gambling. The short answer is ‘yes’. It is not illegal for US players to play poker on their Android phone or tablet. The law often bought up (called the UIGEA) only affects poker room operators and banks. That law explains why banking is sometimes difficult with gambling sites!
Poker rooms which offer real money Android games are based outside of the US. They are legal and regulated in their countries. State laws do vary, and some states (Utah / Washington State) don’t allow individuals to gamble online. Nobody has ever been indicted for enjoying real money online poker.
#2 Are Android poker apps safe?
A follow-up question often comes up when US players find that the sites welcoming them are based in the Caribbean or Central America. Many of these sites have been around for more than 10 years, and have very solid reputations.
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I like to see at least 5 years’ service, and that the fairness of the deal has been verified by an independent auditor. Brands including Bovada and BetOnline have spent many years building trust, for me these are completely safe places to play.
The bigger global Android poker options are very safe. These sites are regulated in the UK, Malta, Gibraltar and other reputable jurisdictions.
#3 How can I make a deposit through my Android phone or tablet?
These apps share a long list of deposit options with the desktop clients. The list open to you will depend on your location (US / International) and the site you are playing at. For US players, the list includes Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Person-to-Person transfer, Prepaid Visa and sometimes Bank Wires. Internationally, you can add PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, EcoPazy, Local Bank Transfer, iDebit and many more.
#4 Which Android poker site has the easiest games?
You’ll find huge differences in how easy or difficult games are at the different sites. Some sites are dominated by recreational (amateur) players, while others are home to multi-tabling pros. Look for sites with a source of cross-over traffic. Brands attached to sportsbooks are always a good bet. You can also check for sites which incentivise high-volume players. These create tougher games. For more on this, check our detailed guide to the easiest poker games.
#5 What happens if I lose connection?
If you get disconnected while enjoying an Android poker game, you’ll be given some time to reconnect. This will depend on the site and game format. If you don’t make it back, then your hand will be folded. In a cash game, you would forfeit the bets in the pot – and then sit out next hand. In a tournament or sit n go, you will continue to post blinds until you return or run out of chips.
Wrap Up: Android Poker Sites
There are plenty of options out there for Android devices these days. You simply need to find a site open to you (for US players), and then choose the games which work best for your screen size. I recommend cash games or fast-fold poker for smaller devices like smartphones. If you have the patience, then tournaments work with Android tablets much better.
The big international sites have a choice of app or instant-play – while there are currently no real money apps for US sites. As more and more people move exclusively to mobile devices, lets hope those US rooms catch up soon!
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Enjoy Real Money Poker on Your Mobile Devices with this Guide
You no longer need to spend hours glued to your desktop to get the benefits of real money online poker. Both the game formats, and the software, has evolved to let you enjoy poker on the go. You can play on tablets or smartphones – including both Apple and Android powered devices.
This page takes you through the practical information you need to get the best from mobile poker sites & apps. You’ll find the access options, best games to play and a list of what to check to make sure your mobile poker site is legitimate below. Here are how things are laid out:
- Accessing Mobile Poker Games: Apps and instant-play (browser-based) games are compared in this section. With special notes for devices which are not Flash compatible.
- Which Games Suit Mobile Play Best? There are 5 major formats of poker available, though not all of them work well on mobile devices.
- Getting the Most from Mobile Poker: Don’t deposit without going through this checklist, which covers bonuses, safety and more.
Reviewing the Best Poker Apps for Mobile Poker in 2020
Options for Mobile Poker Games
There are two main options for finding real money poker games online. These are via a downloadable app – or using your browser for ‘instant-play’ poker games. Both will work fine, though there are some factors to consider before you decide on which path to follow.
Apps are not as common as Instant-play poker clients. Only the biggest international poker rooms have them at all. At the time of writing none of the offshore sites welcoming US players offer downloadable apps.
Where apps can be found, you’ll need to locate separate ones depending on your device. These are usually downloaded via the poker site web pages – as the official app stores are not always gambling friendly!
The advantage of these is that they run smoothly – and require less time to initialize than browser-games. Some apps (for example 888) allows you to have separate tabs for each table, this works best on large screen smartphones or tablets.
Instant-Play Options
If your site does not offer an app, then you are left with browser-based play as your only mobile poker option. Where this is offered, you simply access the site via your mobile device – you will be able to log-in and access the games from there.
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If your site only offers games created with Flash software, then access on iPhones or iPads will not be easy. These devices do not support Flash. You can get around this lack of support, using the Chrome Browser with a plug-in. Alternatively, find sites which use the latest HTML5 code instead – and give them your support.
Instant-play usually offers a limited game selection, and (depending on which site you play at) restricts you to a single table. For me this is more suitable as a stop-gap for those seeking a game on the move – rather than a serious replacement for the fully downloadable software.
What Games Can I Play on Mobile Poker Clients?
Not every mobile poker site will give you the option to play every game format. Some offer only cash games (and / or fast-fold poker), while others give you access to all the games, though only one table at a time.
Here are the main mobile poker game options. I have ranked these from the most suitable for playing on the move, down to the least!
- Cash Games: This is the best option for real money poker mobile poker fans. The key reason is that this is the most common format offered by the sites via instant-play. You can join for a short session, then simply leave whenever you wish (unlike tournaments, where you’ll need to stay to the end or lose your stake). Cash games are most commonly in NL Hold’em format, though you can also find PLO and Omaha Hi-Lo at mobile poker sites.
- Fast-Fold Poker: This is a cash game variant, which works well for very short, very intensive sessions. Players are pooled – and combined to play hands at random. What works best for mobile play is that there is no waiting time between hands. The moment you fold, a new hand (with new players) begins. Bovada, the biggest US poker site, offer Zone Poker, their fast-fold variant, for mobile devices.
- Lottery Sit N Goes: These games have various names like Spin N Go, Twister or Blast! Poker. What they share is a random prize pool (which can reach jackpot proportions) and a hyper-turbo structure. These games are fast and furious – ideal for a quick session while you are out with your mobile phone.
- Regular Sit N Goes: 1 table tournaments are not as popular as in the past, though these still run at the lowest buy-ins at many poker sites. The standard format is 9 players per game, with 3 getting prizes. Unless you choose a turbo game, these can be a little slow to enjoy on your mobile device.
- Poker Tournaments: At the bottom of my list are larger multi-table tournaments. For me, these are simply too long to enjoy on a mobile device. Their nature means that you can play for several hours, and still only min-cash! I recommend you check out the faster formats for mobile poker play – and save the bigger tournaments for when you are back at your desktop or laptop.
Getting the Best from Your Mobile Poker Site
Once you have decided whether to use an online poker app or instant-play, and which poker format you’d like to try – it is time to compare the available poker sites. The main factor affecting your mobile poker options is where you are located. US players have a limited choice, with only Bovada or Ignition Poker (who share a poker network) offering a decent mobile poker option.
Outside the US, you’ll have a much bigger choice.
Here are some of the things you should look for before you choose somewhere to play mobile poker:
- Easy Games: There is no point playing on a beautifully produced app if everyone else at your table is a poker pro. Look for sites with a great balance of recreational / amateur players and your bankroll can grow instead of shrinking!
- Choice of Formats: I recommend checking the specific game formats which are available at each site. If you are a tournament / sit and go specialist, and find only cash games are available, you could save yourself a lot of trouble!
- Bonuses and Rewards: Most poker rooms have welcome bonuses. I recommend checking out the ongoing rewards for loyal players before you commit. While that big matched welcome offer will be gone in 30 to 60 days – loyalty benefits could keep you going for many years to come. This makes the ongoing rewards disproportionally important, and worthy of close inspection.
- Security and Safety: Trust is vital at any poker room. I only play at sites which have a long track record of fast cash outs, and great support for their players. You should also make sure that any instant-play poker uses SSL security. Other checks include testing of a sites RNG (random number generator) – which controls the fair deal of the cards.
- Deposit Options: You can now deposit and withdraw your winnings from your mobile device – with the poker apps offering full cashier functionality. I recommend checking the deposit methods before you register. These should include a range of options, including cryptocurrency, credit cards, bank transfers and electronic wallets.
Wrapping Up: Plenty of Mobile Poker Options for Certain Game Formats
Poker is prevalent on mobile devices these days. Most sites offer at least an instant-play client, with the best also offering dedicated Android or iOS apps. While you can access the games, it is important to understand that not all poker formats work well with your mobile device.
The most popular formats are cash games (6-max is popular) or the fast-fold poker variations like Zoom Poker. These allow for short sessions, perfect for when you are out and about.
At the other end of the scale are the larger multi-table tournaments. Staring at your phone screen for 7 hours, only to min-cash is not always a positive experience!
As software and chip-speeds get better, I expect to see more mobile poker options as we move forward. At the moment, multi-tabling is either difficult or completely left out of this technology. There are also limited formats and poker game variants available via instant play. The move to HTML5, which allows users of Apple devices to enjoy instant-play games, is a positive step.