About Us
US Poker was built for one purpose: to help US poker players work out where it's actually worth creating an account. Regulated online poker in America is fragmented by state, the operator landscape shifts often, and headline welcome bonuses rarely tell the full story. We compare the sites, so you don't have to open ten tabs and read ten sets of terms and conditions before you've even sat down at a table.
We are not a poker room. We don't deal cards, hold player funds, or process cash-outs. What we do is research operators — their traffic, their game formats, their payment options, their bonus terms and their standing with regulators — and put that research into plain comparisons.
Who this site is for
Our readers fall into a few different groups, and we try to write for all of them at once:
- Recreational players who want a trustworthy site, an easy sign-up, and games that aren't full of pros
- Regular grinders comparing rake structures, rakeback, traffic at their stakes, and cash-out speed
- Players looking for a specific angle — a new site to clear a bonus on, a crypto-friendly cashier, or an alternative after a room stopped serving their state
Because most people landing here already know how to play, we focus on comparing operators rather than explaining poker itself.
What we actually compare
Every write-up and ranking on this site is built around the same core questions, applied consistently across every operator we cover:
| What we look at | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Traffic and player pool | Determines game availability at your stakes and how soft the games are likely to be |
| Game variety | No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, fast-fold formats, Sit & Gos, Spin & Go-style games, and MTT schedules |
| Rake and rakeback | How much of every pot the site takes, and what's realistically returned through loyalty or rakeback schemes |
| Bonus terms | Not just the headline figure — playthrough requirements, time limits, and what games count toward clearing |
| Deposits and withdrawals | Which methods are supported, how long cash-outs take, and any fees or verification steps involved |
| Software and mobile experience | Client stability, HUD support where relevant, and how well the iOS and Android apps hold up at the tables |
| Licensing and player protection | What oversight applies to the operator and how it handles player fund segregation |
How the ratings are put together
Each operator on US Poker carries an editorial rating built from the criteria above, weighted by what matters most to real players: game traffic and rake structure carry the most weight, followed by payment reliability, software quality and the fairness of promotional terms. No operator can pay to move up the rankings, and commission arrangements have no bearing on where a site is placed. When we identify a genuine weakness — thin traffic at certain stakes, slow withdrawals, or a restrictive bonus — we say so, including for the highest-rated sites.
Money, disclosure and how we're paid
US Poker earns revenue through affiliate partnerships with some of the poker sites we review. If you follow a link from this site and sign up, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This relationship never determines a rating or a ranking position — we'd rather lose a partnership than mislead a reader about which site actually deserves the top spot.
Where a promotion is mentioned — a deposit match, a welcome bonus, a series of freerolls — we try to note the conditions that come with it: minimum deposit, playthrough or wagering requirements, time limits and any games excluded. Bonus terms change, so always check the operator's current terms page before you deposit.
Licensing, eligibility and playing safely
Online poker in the US is regulated at the state level rather than federally, meaning legal real-money play depends on where you live and which sites hold licences in that state. We note licensing and regulatory status where we can verify it, but we never assume a licence applies nationwide, and availability can change. You must be at least 21 years old to play real-money poker in most states that regulate it (a small number set the threshold at 18) — this site is not intended for anyone under the applicable age, and nothing here is written to appeal to minors.
Poker involves real financial risk. Skill can shift the odds in your favor over time, but it doesn't remove the possibility of losing money, and no operator or review site can guarantee winnings. If gambling stops being fun, or you find yourself chasing losses or spending more than you can afford, free and confidential help is available through 1-800-GAMBLER. Our Responsible Gambling page has more on setting limits and where to find support.
Questions about our reviews
If something on this site looks out of date, or you think we've missed a relevant detail about an operator, we want to hear about it. You'll also find our full site terms on the Terms and Conditions page. The quickest way to reach us directly is through Contact Us.
A note on scope
This site focuses on online poker sites and apps for US players. If you're researching casino options outside standard US licensing, our sister coverage of Non Gamstop Casinos UK 2026 looks at a different market entirely and isn't a substitute for checking a poker room's US-specific licensing before you sign up.