Online Poker Sites Canada

Those Canadian operators which do offer online poker rooms and sites to national players are usually licensed out of Kahnawake. This is an Indian territory inside Canada, and like many Indian territories in the USA, they have their own set of laws (to a certain degree). Hang on a minute, though? This is the place to be if you’re looking for the best online poker sites for Canada players. The landscape has changed over the years, but the game of poker is just as popular as ever. There are a handful of Canadian poker sites that stand above the rest when it comes to the total player experience, and we’re going to show you them. Free poker - free online poker games. 247 Free Poker has free online poker, jacks or better, tens or better, deuces wild, joker poker and many other poker games that you can play online for free or download. Best Online Poker Sites in the Canada LIST OF TOP POKER RECOMMENDATIONS Important Online Poker Terms. There’s a lot to remember when you’re learning online poker, but if you get a handle on the lingo, you’re halfway there. Check out our list below to start learning.

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This is the place to be if you’re looking for the best online poker sites for Canada players. The landscape has changed over the years, but the game of poker is just as popular as ever.

There are a handful of Canadian poker sites that stand above the rest when it comes to the total player experience, and we’re going to show you them.

Rank	Poker Site	Exclusive Bonus	Get Started
#1	888poker	100% Up To€400	Visit Site	Visit Site

We take our ranking process very seriously. As you will see when you get to the next section, we dig deeply into every aspect of the online poker sites that we evaluate.

When recommending real money online poker sites for Canada or anywhere else, we need to check off all the boxes.

There are several key factors that we dive into when we’re establishing our rankings for the top Canadian poker sites online. We’re not looking to recommend internet poker rooms that are just satisfactory, we’re looking for the sites that offer the best possible all-round experience.

This means that poker sites need to perform well in a number of key areas to make our list. Let’s take a look at some of the most important.

The Canadian real money poker sites that have received our stamp of approval are licensed in reputable jurisdictions. Applicants must bring sufficient operating capital to the table, and they have to submit to background checks. When a site is approved, they have to cough up hefty licensing fees.

All of our preferred online poker sites carry permits that have been issued by government bodies that provide strict oversight. You may win, and you may lose, but you can rest assured that you will be treated fairly at these poker rooms.

When a site passes the first test, we go straight to the monetary part of the equation.

We will never recommend a website unless they make it easy for players to deposit and withdraw funds. These real money Canada poker sites facilitate efficient transfers, and Bitcoin is an alternative currency that can be utilized.

There are online poker forums and message boards that are frequented by people that have played at them and others that are looking for feedback. Social media groups have also been created that serve the same purpose. We participate in these groups to monitor the firsthand experiences that are shared.

Though we do not jump to any judgments based on one single anecdote, if we see a pattern developing, we take it seriously. We have our own experiences to draw upon, too.

Longevity is another indicator, because a poker site that has been able to withstand the test of time must be doing something right.

When money is changing hands, it’s important to have access to customer service if and when you need it.

The top Canada poker sites place an emphasis on the player experience, so they’re readily available over the phone and through email. Some sites have live chat functions.

If you’re going to spend time at an online poker room, the virtual environment is definitely a factor. We evaluate relevant design details, including ease of use, because intuitive navigation is key.

The leading poker sites have invested considerable resources to perfect their site designs.

You can’t play real money poker online in Canada if there are no other players that join a game. Even if everything looks great on the surface, in large part, the volume of players will dictate the quality of your experience over the long haul.

The sites that have received our stamp of approval are popular because they have built solid reputations. There are peaks and valleys as you might imagine, but you will always be able to find a game with enough willing participants.

The Benefits of Online Poker

When you tap into the world of online poker, you add an exciting new dimension of entertainment to your life.

The convenience is off the chain when you can play from anywhere at any time. This is the most overarching benefit, but there are a number of other reasons why online poker is the way to go.

If you’re interested in learning how to play poker, or if you simply want to get better, it’s tough to play in a land-based casino environment. People in these card rooms are grizzled veterans, and they don’t have any patience for newcomers that don’t understand protocol and nuanced rules.

The dynamic is entirely different when you play online at one of our approved Canada poker sites. Yes, there are other players, but you cannot see them or hear their remarks.

Many of the sites even offer free gameplay, so you can play without risking anything until you’re ready to move onto real money poker games. You can also learn to play variations of poker that you’re not familiar with to add variety and broaden your skillset.

When you first sign up on one of our highly-rated Canadian poker sites, you will be greeted with some type of welcome bonus. In many cases, it will be a percentage of your original deposit, and it can actually be 100%. There’s nothing better than free money, and there are other promotions beyond the signup bonuses.

And guess what? Nothing is stopping you from opening accounts at multiple different poker sites. If you go this route, you can pocket several different welcome bonuses. Once you identify the online poker room that you like the most, you can stick with that operator and earn loyalty rewards points.

When you play poker with others in a physical environment, savvy players look for “tells.” This is some type of indicator that someone may inadvertently reveal through their actions. For example, the look in your eyes and the facial expression you show when you first look at your cards can be hard to mask.

Some people will finger their chips in a certain way when they have a good hand or show some signs of impatience. In addition to physical actions, decision-making patterns can be detected.

You never have to worry about tipping anyone off when you play at the Canada poker sites online, because you cannot be seen. On the surface, this may not seem like a big deal, but you can rest assured that winning players do exploit tells to gain an edge.

There are a few different types of games that can be played at real money online poker sites for Canada players. The exact offerings will depend upon the policies of each respective site. There are also different formats.

You have options, and when you understand all of them, you can add variety to your poker playing experiences. Here’s a look at the various different formats and games that are most commonly available.

Online poker rooms typically offer three different structural formats. When you get into a cash game, you can come and go as you please. If you choose to do so, you could play one hand then pick up your chips and leave the table. You keep whatever you win on any given hand.

Cash games can carry either pot limit or no limit designations. The no limit is self-explanatory, and with pot limit, the maximum bet is the amount that’s in the pot when you’re making a wager.

Tournament play is another option. Everyone that’s participating will pay a buy-in fee, and the accumulation is the prize money minus the cut that is raked by the house. All players are given the same amount of tournament chips, so everyone starts out on an even playing field.

Some tournaments have a minimum guaranteed amount of prize money, and it will vary depending on the price of the buy-in and the number of players that are expected to comprise the field.

Sit and gos are the third option. This type of poker can best be described as a much smaller tournament with either six or nine players, but you have a better chance of winning. The final three finishers get shares of the prize money in a nine-player game, and for six-player sit and go tournies, it’s the top two.

One poker game that you will definitely see on all of the online poker websites is Texas Hold‘em. In Texas Hold‘em, each player is dealt two cards face down. The dealer then overturns three cards that are the community cards. This is called the “flop.”

All of the players use the community cards along with the two individual cards that belong to each respective participant. There’s a round of betting after the flop, then a single card is added to the community cards. This is called the “turn.”

Once again, there is a round of betting, and then the last card is overturned by the dealer. This stage is called the “river.” There is betting after the river card is revealed. When all bets are in, the cards are overturned and the winner takes down the pot.

The game of Omaha is another variant that is offered at all of the top Canadian poker sites we recommend. In this game, each player is dealt four cards face down.

Community cards are drawn by the dealer in the same sequence as they are for Texas Hold‘em. You can only use two of the four cards in your hand and three of the community cards.

There is high hand Omaha, and there are also hi/lo games. With the latter, the pot is divided with half going to the person with the highest hand, and the other half won by the player with the lowest hand.

Seven-Card Stud is another game that you often see at internet poker rooms.

To initiate a game, each player is dealt two cards face down and one card face up. Then, there are additional rounds with each player getting another card face up until everyone that has not folded has seven cards.

These are the three poker games that are most commonly played online, but there are some others, including the following.

Canada Online Poker FAQ

There is no absolute answer to this question.

Some of the leading poker sites do require a software download, and others offer browser-based poker rooms.

Many would say that Bitcoin is the ideal choice.

Since there is no intermediary processing entity, the transactions can be consummated very quickly in a cost-effective manner.

Believe it or not, there are cash games that have blinds as low as .01/.02. Some tournaments have buy-ins of a quarter or a single dollar.

Of course, there are other games to satisfy players that are on all portions of the budgetary spectrum.

We’re not lawyers, so we don’t like to answer legal questions with any kind of definitive answer. And, in any case, gambling laws are often something of a grey area.

With that said, as far as we’re aware it’s perfectly legal to play online poker in Canada.

Yes, as long as you play at reputable online poker rooms.

Stick with our recommended Canada poker sites and you’ll be fine.

Best Online Poker Sites Canada

Ready to Play?

We have done extensive research to identify the top poker sites for Canadian players. These online poker rooms offer tournaments, cash, and sit and go games, and there are different variations.

There are very inexpensive games, and the limits go up incrementally, so there’s something for everyone. Our approved Canadian poker sites offer generous bonuses, and they facilitate swift and efficient asset transfers.

Playing poker online for real money is a lot of fun, and it’s rewarding, because you can always get better as you gain experience. We have provided the basics here, and you can explore our website to obtain further information about poker and other forms of gambling.

Canadians adore poker. Some of the most prolific poker players in the world come from Canada with the likes of Daniel Negreanu, Michael Watson, Jonathan Duhamel and Gavin Smith, to name but a few.

The Great White North is home to dozens of world-class poker rooms spread across all ten provinces. These top-notch establishments host tons of different poker tournaments, including WPT Montreal, Punta Cana Poker Classics, and a couple of events from the WSOP circuit.

This is all great, no doubt about it. But what if you can’t afford the trip to these venues? Is there a way for Canadians to enjoy their favourite casino game without having to drive hundreds of miles to the nearest poker room? There is — online poker.

In the past few years, the number of Canadian-friendly poker sites has exponentially risen. Due to liberal gambling laws in the country, Canada-based poker players can join hundreds of poker sites. Here, they can compete in high-stakes tournaments and claim superb promos that will keep them ahead in the game and boost their chances of winning.

But are all of these sites trustworthy? Hardly.

Think of us as your guide on your journey that will ultimately lead you to the best Canadian poker sites. Somewhere along the way, we’re going to present some of the most salient facts about the online poker industry. When it’s all said and done, you’ll gain knowledge of:

What are we waiting for? Let’s roll!

Best Canadian Online Poker Rooms

Finding a trustworthy poker site can be a burdensome task. There are plenty of landmines you can step into — blacklisted operators with a dreadful reputation for scamming players. And beyond that, you have to know the ins and outs of the poker industry to be able to recognize a potentially great poker site. You can try doing it on your own, but it’s time-consuming and straight-up boring.

We have a better proposition. Why don’t you let us do the heavy lifting for you? We do this kind of stuff for a living, and so far, none of our readers have ever been disappointed with our picks. Tell you what, why don’t you try out one of our recommended sites below, snoop around a bit, and if you don’t like what you see, feel free to leave. Deal?

CAD 250	5/5
2	CAD 200
CAD 2500	4.9/5
4	CAD 200

How Do We Rate Canadian Poker Sites

The majority of our selection process comes down to comparing and contrasting different sites. Every operator must pass a range of strict criteria before we recommend it to our readers. During our rigorous testing procedures, we get down to the nitty-gritty analysis of every aspect, from licensing and bonuses to customer support and banking.

We wanted to be as open and honest as possible about our recruitment process. Below, you’ll see how we go about our business. After seeing how much effort we put into this task, we’re pretty sure that you’ll feel more comfortable about putting your trust in us.

Complete Background Check

Before we start dissecting gaming-related areas, we need to make sure that the poker site we’re reviewing is legit. How do we do that? To begin with, we check up on the brand’s reputation and look for any red flags. If it checks out ok, then we head over to the homepage, looking for a stamp by an esteemed licensing jurisdiction. Validation by a respectable regulatory body tells us that the poker room has done its utmost best to provide a safe and fair gaming setting.

Unfortunately, not every regulated poker site is 100% secure. To warrant maximum security, each operator must use SSL encryption and the latest firewalls to protect its servers. Only then can we be sure that our readers’ money and personal details are kept hidden from unauthorized access, meaning hacker attacks.

Is The Bonuses More Generous than its Competitors?

This is something that draws the most attention among players. We’ve all seen exquisite bonus offers worth thousands of dollars. But is there an even more lucrative welcome bonus on the market? To determine this, we compare sign-up offers of hundreds of poker sites. If the poker operator offers a monster welcome package for newcomers as well as different kinds of ongoing promos, it’s most likely going to end up on our list.

But it’s not all about the size. If the bonuses have unfriendly terms and conditions, it’s almost impossible to win anything. That’s why we also consider wagering requirements, minimum deposit requirements, and other restrictions.

Performance on Desktop and Mobile Devices

The software that powers the poker site must run smoothly across all devices. You surely don’t want to end up getting disconnected in the middle of your session due to some bugs or technical glitches.

When reviewing poker sites, we do a benchmark test on the poker client to see how it performs on different devices. If the response time is low and the site works seamlessly on both desktop and iOS/Android devices, we give it a green light. Also, the platform needs to be neatly organized so that you can find your way around with ease.

Attentive Customer Support Is a Must

We know that many of you guys think that you can do everything on your own and that you need help to get settled in. But the chances are that you’re likely going to need someone to show you the way — how things are done. Maybe you’ll need help during registration or perhaps you can’t figure out how to deposit funds onto your account. That’s why, when something like this occurs, you’ll need to have amiable customer support at your disposal.

In our humble opinion, customer service needs to be available at all times via live chat and/or email. More importantly, support representatives have to be polite and efficient in solving players’ queries.

Is Online Poker Even Legal in Canada?

Officially, online poker is neither legal nor illegal in Canada. The Canadian iGaming market is just starting to blossom, and the laws that regulate gambling in the country are still complex and borderline obsolete. In other words, there isn’t yet a regulatory framework that specifically addresses online gambling in Canada.

With that in mind, Canadians are allowed to sign up with offshore poker sites. These brands are registered in licensing jurisdictions across the globe, and the Canadian government doesn’t have any kind of authority over them. So, even if you get caught playing poker on these sites, you wouldn’t be prosecuted by the lawmakers. There isn’t anything in the statues that specifically forbid gambling in offshore sites. Worst case scenario — the government blocks your access to gambling sites. But even that is highly unlikely.

Federal Law Regarding Gambling in Canada

To help you get a clearer picture of the legal status of online poker, we’ll take a short trip down history lane. We’ll go back to the 19th century when it all started.

The first gambling laws in Canada were created in 1892. That’s when the lawmakers decided to horse racing betting, charity lotteries, and raffles. Canadian casino gamblers were left in the dark until 1985 — the year in which the Federal Government changed the Criminal Code to hand off all gambling activities to individual provinces.

When the provinces got the green light to regulate gambling however they wanted, it paved the way for new opportunities. Canadian market opened up, allowing foreign operators to offer their services to Canadians.

What’s interesting is that when the Federal Government transferred all regulatory obligations to individual provinces, it didn’t change the Criminal Code in terms of what people are allowed to do and what’s forbidden.

According to the Criminal Code, it’s illegal to operate a gambling site from within Canada. But there is a paradox to all of this. Namely, some of the world’s offshore leading poker brands have their servers based in Canada and are licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

So, despite gambling being considered illegal in the country, the Mohawk Tribe has declared themselves a sovereign nation, and therefore don’t have to oblige by the Federal Law.

Different Types of Games in Canadian Poker Sites

The majority of the poker world is hooked on Texas Hold’em. This variant is widespread across all gaming establishments that offer poker games, both online and offline. But what about other poker formats, can you try out something else besides Hold’em in Canadian poker sites? Of course, you can. In fact, there is a versatile collection of poker games available on each of our featured sites.

Texas Hold’em

5 Best Online Poker Sites In Canada

Easily the most popular poker variant in Canada, Texas Hold’em is played in the World Series of Poker — the most prominent poker tournament in the world. The rules are pretty simple; players are dealt two hole cards and wait for five community cards to be revealed.

There are four betting rounds in total. The first gets underway once the hole cards are dealt; the second one takes place after the flop (when the community cards are revealed) and then the last two betting rounds unwind after the turn and the river. The goal is to make the best possible combination of 5 cards (their hole cards + the community cards).

Omaha

Much like Hold’em, Omaha features four betting rounds but follows slightly different rules. Namely, each player is dealt four cards at the beginning, and all five community cards are instantly revealed. It’s up to you to form the best 5-card hands from two hole cards and three community cards.

7-Card Stud

This is by far the simplest version of poker. Unlike Omaha and Hold’em, 7-card stud doesn’t use hole cards and community cards. Instead, each player is dealt with their hand, consisting of 7 cards (hence the name). Some of these cards are dealt face down (hidden from players), and some are dealt face up (everyone can see them). There are five betting rounds, and players must make the best possible 5-card combination out of their 7 cards.

5-Card Draw

In Five-card draw, each player is dealt 5 cards but can discard 3 of them, and pick up from the deck as many cards as he or she discarded. The aim is, of course, to make the best possible 5-hand combination.

Razz

This version may be a bit confusing for beginners because the object is to make the best five-card low hands from the seven cards you’re dealt. The ace is considered the lowest, therefore, the strongest card and the best possible hand combination is 5-4-3-2-A — this is called the bicycle or the wheel.

Tournaments in Canadian Poker Sites

Online poker tournaments come in various shapes and forms. From small to high-stakes, there are competitions for players of various budgets and skill levels. The most popular types of poker tournaments are:

MTTs (Multi-Table)

This poker tournament consists of many different tables; the precise number varies from 10 to a few thousand, depending on how many players have signed up for the event. Each table has nine to ten players and when more than half of the players at one table are eliminated, the winners will merge with another table. The process goes on until a group of ten players form the final table. MTTs can sometimes take a couple of days to finish.

SNGs

Stands for Sit-and-Go, and is a single-table tournament that starts as soon as the table fills up. SNGs follow the knockout format where the loser of each match is instantly eliminated. These tournaments are fast-paced and great for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of the game.

Shootout

The principle of shootouts is similar to MTTs. Each player must win his or her table to qualify for the next round, and ultimately the final table. The great thing about shootouts is that they boast huge prize pools.

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Mobile Poker in Canada

Mobile poker gives you the flexibility of being able to play your favourite cash games and tournaments anytime, anywhere. You can avoid getting neck spasms from sitting at your PC for hours. With mobile poker, you can lay back and chill on the couch with a couple of poker rounds. Or you can get in on the action while commuting from work or during the lunch break — the possibilities are limitless.

There are two ways to play mobile poker. One is via browser-based client, which is a replica of the desktop version. All the games will be at your disposal along with popular features like live chat and cashier. Best part? You don’t have to download anything. The browser-based, or instant-play mobile poker site is accessible via all the popular browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Mozilla and Opera. Most mobile poker sites are HTML5-based, which means that you don’t even have to own a modern device to play on the go poker. It works smoothly across all devices.

The other way is via dedicated poker apps. Some poker operators have released standalone apps for iPhone/iPad and Android users. These apps usually come with some handy features but are limited in terms of game variety. You can find the download links on the poker site and/or the Google/App Stores.

Playing Poker for Free

This is an option, too. The majority of Canadian poker sites allow its users to play the games for free — in demo mode. This can serve as a great learning platform for beginners who are still learning the fundamentals of the game. It’s also useful for advanced players who want to test certain strategies and try out some tactics that are considered risky when playing for real money.

You can also get the feel for the poker site. For example, you can check out the software and see if it works as it’s supposed to. If you run into any performance issues, maybe you should consider moving out to another site. And if you’re satisfied with how everything works, you can switch to real money play.

Are There Any Bonuses for Canadian Online Poker Players?

You bet! In the fiercely competitive iGaming industry, poker brands use bonuses to draw players in and keep them engaged. These are essentially some sort of benefit, perk, or a discount that can be used as soon as you sign up for an account and make the qualifying deposit.

There are several types of online poker bonuses. Below, we’ve outlined the most commonly offered ones.

Sign-Up Bonus

This is the first of the many gifts you’ll be entitled to when you sign up with a poker site. To show their generosity and hospitality, poker operators will give you a chance to double or even triple your deposit sum. In total, you could get a couple of thousand dollars of bonus cash for the first deposit you make on the site.

The welcome bonus is usually expressed as a percentage, and their value depends on the amount of your deposit. For instance, you could be offered a 100% match bonus up to CA$,1000. That means that the operator will match your deposit by 100% up to the maximum value of $1,000.

No Deposit Bonus

Much like the sign-up offer, no deposit bonuses are awarded to new customers only. But there are some notable differences between these two bonus types. The most apparent one is revealed in the name of the no deposit bonus — it doesn’t require players to deposit. It’s an entirely free gift and all that you have to do to get them is register. Right after registration, the poker site will transfer a small sum of cash (around CA$20) to your account. This is not withdrawable cash, though. You have to meet the playthrough requirements before being allowed to cash out any winnings.

Reload Bonuses

Reload bonuses are almost identical to welcome bonuses, but with one distinguishing trait — they are being offered only to existing customers or ongoing players. Also, the match percentage of reload bonuses is usually lower than 100%, and it’s somewhere around 50%, at best.

Rakeback Deals

Rake is a small percentage of cash that the house, or this case the poker site, takes for ‘hosting’ cash games and tournaments. It’s usually between 4-10% of the share of total tournament buy-ins or the played pots (in cash games).

Rakeback promos give you a percentage of your generated rake back. Essentially, Rakeback is a cashback promo and a way for players to get rewarded for their play.

How to Make Payments on Canadian Poker Sites

The same way you’d do with any other online merchant. Just select a payment method, input the necessary details regarding your financial account, and enter the amount you want to deposit. In all Canadian poker sites, there is a whole host of banking methods to choose from, including several payment processors that are popular in Canada, This includes Interac, Mastercard, Visa, PaySafeCards, a couple of e-wallets and even cryptocurrencies.

Most poker operators in Canada don’t charge any fees when processing deposits and withdrawals. As for processing times, these vary from one payment method to another. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and e-wallets are the fastest way of cashing out your winnings and the usual time frame is around 24-72 hours. Credit and debit card withdrawals take a bit longer to process, but you can expect the funds to be transferred within 2-7 business days.

Final Thoughts

That would be all, our fellow Canadian poker fans. We did our best to teach you the basics of online poker. Now, it’s up to you to find the right poker site and test your newly-founded knowledge. If you’re not sure where to look for quality poker rooms, take a peek at our exclusive list — you’re surely going to find something that matches your taste.

Online poker should be considered a fun pastime, and nothing else. If it turns into an obsession, we advise you to seek professional help. Problem gambling is a severe condition that takes years to overcome.

So, stay strong, gamble responsibly, and good luck!

FAQ

In Canadian lawbooks, there are no mentions of online poker whatsoever, let alone playing on offshore sites. The Criminal Code of Canada is a bit vague and contains outdated terms that are open to interpretation. That said, you can legally play in any poker site that accepts Canadian residents.

It’s hard to proclaim the absolute king of poker sites. All of them are unique in their way and have their pros and cons. Some poker operators are better than others, but ultimately it all comes down to your preferences and skill level.

No, online poker winnings are not taxable in Canada, that is if you’re not playing the game professionally. In 99% of the cases, you will be not be charged any taxes for your poker winnings.

Absolutely not. Online poker sites in Canada are overseen and tested by respectable regulatory organizations. These entities impose a strict set of rules every poker operator must meet to obtain a gaming license. Also, the rumours of poker platform offering rigged tables would spread like wildfire among the poker community, and poker sites with a bad reputation don’t last for too long.

Online Poker Sites Canada

Not the slightest. Your cash, as well as your personal information, are heavily protected by top-notch cybersecurity tools. Typically, poker sites use SSL encryption to protect their servers from hacker attacks. We have yet to hear about someone being robbed in a world-class poker site.

Depends on the method you’ve chosen for withdrawal. On average, withdrawal processing time ranges between 2-7 business days. It’s worth mentioning that you may have to verify your identity before being allowed to withdraw. In this regard, you’ll need to submit a copy of your ID card, passport, or bank statement. This is a pretty common procedure, and while it seems boring and unnecessary, it has the purpose of preventing money laundering activities and underage gambling.