Best Online Poker Sites
Nowadays, online poker sites are quite popular in Canada. However, trying to choose from the endless titles available can be overwhelming. There are many details to consider such as licensing, promotions, and so forth, before settling on the best online poker site. This guide details everything you need to know about poker and includes a highlight of the best poker sites in Canada.
Note: If based in Ontario, any content mentioning bonuses, promotions, wagering or free spins is not intended for you, following Ontario regulations. If located in that province, please go to Ontario Casinos
Prime Casino
100 Bonus Spins
Mega Casino
100% Bonus up to $100
PlayOJO
80 Free Spins
Swift Casino
100% up to $100
+ 50 Free Spins
Lord Ping
Up to $100 Bonus
Ice36 Casino
100% Deposit Match
up to $100
How we choose the best poker sites
At Gambling Zone, we recommend only the best poker sites. Our team of poker experts has a set of criteria that casinos must meet. These include casino features that are most important to players. Here is a detailed list of all the factors we take into consideration and why each factor counts.
Mobile-friendly
The best poker sites in Canada must work seamlessly with the different mobile platforms. The sites need to work either via browsers through a mobile optimised site or a specific downloadable app. We prioritise sites that load effortlessly on mobile screens, offering a user-friendly experience.
Poker Site Reputation
A poker site's reputation is a cornerstone in our recommendations. Through comprehensive evaluations, including online reviews, certifications, and security assessments, we ascertain a poker casino's credibility. We delve into player testimonials and firsthand experiences, endorsing only sites with a solid reputation and relevant certifications, such as an eCOGRA certificate, emphasising player protection and fair gaming.
Variety of Poker Games
Diversity in poker games enhances the gaming experience. We prefer poker sites that provide a broad spectrum of games, ranging in style, duration, and complexity. Whether it is classics like Texas Hold'em or emerging variants like 5-Card Omaha, our recommended sites cater to various preferences. The games should offer a wide buy-in range to suit players with different bankrolls, and live dealer poker games should feature skilled professionals.
Poker bonuses & promotions
Bonuses tailored for poker players are integral to our recommendations. Our endorsed sites have bonus offers such as reload bonuses, deposit bonuses, and free spins, all with fair terms and achievable wagering requirements within the stipulated validity period. However, we also look at whether the site has specifically created poker bonuses.
Different stake amounts for different bankrolls
Recognizing that players have diverse bankrolls, we advocate for sites with a favorable betting range. Our recommendations ensure that both novices and seasoned players can enjoy wagering, with lower-stake options for beginners and higher-stake games for experienced players.
Different skill levels
Poker combines chance and strategy, making it essential to accommodate players of varying skill levels. Our recommended sites feature games that differ in complexity, allowing beginners to learn and seasoned players to apply advanced strategies, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable poker experience.
Fully licensed
Operating under legitimate guidelines is non-negotiable. Our recommendations include poker sites with proper licensing from reputable regulatory bodies like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for those based in Ontario (AGCO). Sites outside these jurisdictions should hold a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence, ensuring legality and up-to-date compliance.
Different tournaments
Online poker tournaments add fun and stir a competitive spirit. Our experts identify top sites hosting regular tournaments catering to various players. Top online poker sites host regular tournaments for a small fee. Further, our experts seek the most impressive tournaments that offer cash and bonus prize pools. Types of tournaments include game launch tournaments, seasonal tournaments, and buy-in tournaments. We also highlight tournaments with different entry requirements.
Popular Poker Games
There are lots of poker games out there, each differing in strategy and complexity. From popular options such as Texas Hold'em to simpler variants such as 5-card draw, here are details about five popular poker games.
Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em Poker is a classic and one of the most popular variants. The game starts off with the dealer dealing two cards known as hole cards face down to each player. Then five community cards are dealt face-up to form the board. Players use the community cards to form the best hand in three stages. The goal of this game is to have the best five-card hand from the combination. Your betting options include to call, raise, check, or fold.
Omaha High
The variant is similar to Texas Hold'em with a very small twist. Unlike Texas Hold'em, the dealer deals out four hole cards instead of two. Then the rest are dealt out in three stages. In the flop stages, three community cards are dealt out face up. Then the fourth card is dealt in the turn stage and finally, the fifth card is issued in the river stage. Similar to Texas Hold'em, the goal is to make the best poker hand from all the cards dealt. However, you can only use two of your hole cards.
7-Card Stud
7-Card Stud is one of the most popular variants of stud poker. The game begins with the dealer dealing two cards face down and one card face up in the Third Street round. Gameplay begins with the player holding the lowest face-up card. This player has to make a bet within the accepted low bet limit. Once this round is complete, the dealer deals out the fourth up to sixth round of cards. The player with the highest face-up card decides the order of betting.
In the final round, the dealer will deal the seventh card face down and all players in the showdown show their poker hands starting with the highest hand. The best 5-card hand wins the game.
Five-Card Draw
Considered the simplest poker variant, five-card draw is the basis of poker. The game begins with players posting an ante, a small forced bet. Then the dealer deals out five cards to each player. In the first round, players place their bets depending on the cards they have. Players who don't fold can discard and replace their cards.
Another round of betting starts, and so on. When more than one player stays in the pot, the showdown will commence. At this point, players compare their hands and the player with the best five-card poker hand wins the game.
Razz
This seven-card stud variation has a twist in that players attempt to have the lowest five-card poker hand. Like 7-card stud, the dealer begins by dealing three cards whereby two are face down and one is face up. This round is referred to as the Third Street. Subsequent rounds will be referred to as Fourth Street up to Seventh Street. After the seventh round, players who don't fold have a total of seven cards, two being hole cards and five being door cards. Players then attempt to create the lowest five-card combination and the player with the lowest hand wins the pot.
Other Live Dealer Games
Explore beyond the poker table and try out some other possible live dealer games. The top online casinos for Canadian players present a diverse array of live table games, including variants of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Just like poker, these games come in various forms, each demanding unique strategies and skills.
If you are interested in these live dealer options, check out the best Live Casino Sites on Gambling Zone.
Online Poker Final Thoughts
Poker Sites FAQs
Here is a collection of the most frequently asked questions regarding the best poker sites in Canada.
