Best Online Poker Sites in Canada for 2024
Best Canadian Poker Sites for November 2024
| Poker Website | Poker Bonus | Real Money Poker | Speed Poker | Poker Tournaments | Site Rating | Secure Link: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1. Unibet | $1000+ $30 Extra |
4.95 ★ out of 5
|
unibet.com | |||
| 🥉 2. 888poker | $400 + $20 Free |
4.85 ★ out of 5
|
888poker.com | |||
| 🎖️ 3. PartyPoker | C$700+ C$40 Free Play |
4.80 ★ out of 5
|
partypoker.com | |||
| 🏆 4. Guts | Up to$1000 Welcome Bonus |
4.75 ★ out of 5
|
guts.com | |||
| ✔️ 5. NetBet | $1500 + $20 Free Cash |
4.70 ★ out of 5
|
netbet.com | |||
| 🎲 6. SIA Casino | $500 Casino Bonus |
4.65 ★ out of 5
|
sportsinteraction.com | |||
| 🔝 7. Betsson | $600 Welcome Bonus |
4.60 ★ out of 5
|
poker.ladbrokes.com | |||
| ✅ 8. 1xBET | $1500 + 150 Free Spins |
4.55 ★ out of 5
|
1xbet.com | |||
| ✨ 9. bwin | 40% Cashback Every Week |
4.50 ★ out of 5
|
poker.bwin.com |
Above all, the Canadian poker sites cited above have been thoroughly inspected and licensed as a consequence of that. We do our part by providing additional information for each operator gleaned through the process of hours of research. If you are genuinely interested in what playing poker online in a safe and regulated environment feels like, you should be looking forward to seeing the results of our tests. Let the numbers speak for themselves and point to the best Canadian poker site.
Pros and Cons of Online Poker
Playing at the best Canadian poker sites is an experience that comes with a lot of advantages and several setbacks. If we compare poker to other online games, such as video slots, blackjack, or roulette, it becomes clear that online poker is rather recommneded to experienced players who know at least the basic rules, such as the winning hand combinations.
- Diverse Tournaments
- High-Stakes Poker Games
- Plenty of Cash Tables
- Many Variations
- Available at Top CA Sites
- Great Community Games
- Not Suitable for Newbies
- Difficult-to-Find Bonuses
The positives when you play poker are so much more than the negatives – that’s why players are always looking for a better table or a more competitive tournament. There are several top sites for online poker in Canada where you can find your favourite table or tournament.
How to Play Poker Online in Canada
In the following section, you can find a useful step-by-step guide that should resolve the mystery of what you need to do if you want to play online poker in Canada. It is not very difficult, but you need to watch out for unregulated and shady platforms that operate in territories where online gambling is not regulated. Yet, that’s only the first of the steps.
Step-by-Step Sign-up Guide
- Time Needed: 00:60
- Tools Needed: Laptop or Mobile
- Software Needed: Email
How to Choose a Legal Online Poker Site in Canada
While nothing about gambling is certain, there are observable things we can measure to determine which is the best Canadian poker site. We will present you with a list of things Canadian real money online poker players should be extra careful about. We will talk more about Canadian poker apps, what poker games are available, and last but not least, the technical parameters that make these websites safe to use.
Choosing the right operator for you is not an easy task. However, we will try to make it easier for you by offering you the most important criteria for assessment of an online poker site. Examples include game portfolio, table limits, poker tournaments, deposit bonuses, and mobile compatibility. Operators like the one below excel in all these factors.
- Great iOS Poker App
- Canadian Players Accepted
- Proprietary Software
Canada has a lot of great operators, but you should pick the right online poker site for your specific needs. Because of that, you need to know your expectations. For instance, please decide whether you really want to claim a welcome bonus at your first deposit, or you just want to register and try the first online poker room. Stay tuned to the end of this guide if you want to learn many other nice tips.
Safe and Licensed Poker Operators
Upon playing at poker sites, you should always assess the level of online security offered by the operator. For instance, in Canada, online poker sites must be licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and/or other reputable organizations. These are other key components that constitute a safe poker website:
- A valid remote gambling licence is available.
- All connections are encrypted.
- Certified payment services are used.
- Responsible gambling guidelines are followed.
Before recommending poker sites in Canada, we make sure they align with the gambling laws in the country. We also ensure they meet the modern cybersecurity requirements in order to cover all angles. Knowing that makes playing online poker for real money in Canada less stressful. Also, we verify the licensing of each operator.
For offshore operators, we confirm that they possess a valid licence from regulators, such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), among others. They must also be certified by the top companies for responsible gaming, including names like BeGambleAware and Gamblers Anonymous.
Accepted Payment Options
There are different payment methods available at the top sites for online poker in Canada. Examples include Interac and PayPal as the fastest options for deposits, along with other e-wallets and many classic methods like Mastercard and Visa. It is important to play at a casino site that offers the following legitimate and trustworthy payment options.
These are some of the most popular and most frequently used payment methods at Canadian poker sites. Players prefer specific methods due to their higher limits or better privacy features. Also, some methods can be available only for deposits, which makes them less popular.
Free Online Poker Sites in Canada
If you don’t get there the first time, you can always try tomorrow or the next day. Most operators run freerolls daily. This is the Canadian poker site with the best selection of free-to-play tourneys.
- Freerolls, if You Reload
- Earn Freeroll Tickets
- Hourly Freerolls
Poker Betting Limits
| Poker Site | Highest Bet | Lowest Bet | Best High-Stakes Poker | Best Low-Stakes Poker | Secure Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| partypoker | $100 | $0.01 | PL Omaha | NL Hold ’em | Play Here |
| Guts | $40 | $0.01 | FL Hold’em | NL Hold ’em | Play Here |
| NetBet | $40 | $0.01 | FL Hold’em | NL Hold ’em | Play Here |
| Betsson | $40 | $0.01 | FL Hold’em | NL Hold ’em | Play Here |
Typically, each of the recommended sites above offers top options to play online poker for real money in Canada. They are very similar to the best real-money casino sites. Examples include regular cash games and tournaments for low-stakes players, as well as high-limit tables for the most serious poker fans.
Online Poker Bonuses
If you play at the best online poker site in Canada for the first time, you will have the opportunity to claim a welcome bonus. Often, such offers include a deposit match bonus and some free tournament entries. Cashback offers are also among the most popoular rewards for poker players.
| Online Poker Site | Poker Bonus | Tournament Tickets | Cashback | Min. Deposit | Full Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unibet | $1000 ($700) | $30 worth of tickets | N/A | $10 | 19+ only. T&Cs apply. |
| 888poker | $400 | $20 Free:
|
N/A | $10 | 18+ only. T&Cs apply. |
| partypoker | C$700 | C$40 in tickets | up to 40% weekly | C$10 | 18+. New players only. Minimum deposit of $10 CAD. 100% cash bonus, up to $700 CAD. $40 CAD offered in tickets. Tickets valid for 7 days. Terms and conditions apply. |
| NetBet | $1500 + $20 Free Cash | N/A | N/A | $20 | 18+ only. T&Cs apply. |
| Betsson | $600 | $100 GTD exclusive Weekly Freeroll ticket | up to 30% based on Loyalty Points | N/A | 18+ only. T&Cs apply. |
You should always check the terms and conditions that apply to the poker bonus you are interested in. For instance, this is the easiest way to learn more about the minimum deposit that qualifies for the welcome offer. You can also learn about the expiry period, the qualifying games, and the wagering conditions.
Mobile Poker Apps
Not only the future but also the present of online poker are mobile apps. There are a lot of such available to download, but some of the more advanced poker sites in Canada are available for instant-play. That means as soon as you load it on your mobile phone or tablet, you can begin browsing the cash games or tournaments that haven’t started. In doing that, you have the ability to register and play poker on a mobile device. Here is the top Canadian poker app in 2024:
- Play Poker in Your Browser
- Poker Chat
- Mobile Poker Games
Gone are the days when a personal computer was your only option to play on the best online poker sites in Canada. Nowadays, the mobile apps for poker are much more valued because they can be faster and more engaging thanks to their user-friendly interface. For the more professional-oriented players, playing on a desktop is recommended. Not only do you have the luxury of a bigger screen, but you also can be active on more tables simultaneously compared to mobile play.
Online Poker Tournaments in Canada
Tournaments are the best way to get a good payout at the cost of a relatively small buy-in. That’s because many players enter, and the prize pool builds up to a significant amount. If you want to start with fewer players, we recommend trying one of the Sit & Go tournaments. A shorthanded version of that format will have you face off against only a few other players. We found the $2000 GTD tourney to be one of the more popular ones in Canada.
| Poker Tournament Canada | Buy-in | Re-buy | Add-on | Play at: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Spartan | $16.50 | No | No | partypoker |
| Eliminator $10 Sat – 5 Seats | $0.50 | Yes | Yes | NetBet |
| Second Chance – $4000 GTD | $50 | No | No | Betsson |
| The Ninja $3K GTD | $7.50 | No | No | Bwin |
The tournaments in the most recommended online poker sites for Canadian players have a structure that allows rebuys. That sits alright with us, and we even recommend it. Having the ability to rebuy means that at the beginning stages of a poker tournament, the player can buy another starting stack of chips if they go bust.
This is a lifeline everyone would want. In that line of thought, there’s en excellent variety of online tournaments, not just rebuys. Don’t hesitate to check the top online poker tournaments in our list of the best poker websites in Canada.
An Overview of Online Poker Rules
- Kicker – The kicker is a card that helps determine who the winner is when two players have the same pair, two pairs or three of a kind.
- Button – The ‘Button’ position is considered the best one on the table, as the player acts last on the flop/turn/river.
- Community Cards – In most variations of online poker, community cards are dealt. All players see and can use those to make their hands.
- Pocket Cards – Pocket cards, or ‘hole cards’, are the personal cards a player receives before the start of each hand (round).
- Pot Limit – Every poker variant can be played by the pot-limit rules. This is when a specific formula determines the maximum bet allowed at the table for a single round.
- No Limit – That means there is no limit to the bets players can make.
Knowing how these terms function can only give you the confidence that you know what’s going on when playing online poker in Canada. Piecing together the whole puzzle that is poker is a whole different story. You will need to work on your table image, learn to read behavioural patterns, and know a little bit about human psychology to be successful.
That’s too much to take in at once, so we are here to tell you that most players develop these skills throughout the years. It’s good to know that whether you decide to focus on cash games or tournaments, you can find both on the best sites in Canada for online poker.
Types of Online Poker Games
Canadian online casinos offer various poker games. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and Five-Card Draw are among the most popular variations. Each game has unique rules and strategies to suit different skill levels and preferences. For instance, Texas Hold’em is the most popular in Canada, while Omaha offers more complexity. Let’s explore these types to find your favourite.
- SPINS Tables
- Rich Cash Games Selection
- Stakes Begin at $0.05/$0.10
Seven Card Stud
It is a classic poker game where players receive seven cards, with the best five-card hand winning. Unlike Texas Hold’em, in Seven Card Stud games there are no community cards. Players use a mix of face-up and face-down cards, adding strategic depth and complexity.
Five-Card Draw
This is one of the most straightforward poker variants at the best poker sites in Canada. Each player is dealt five cards, and then, they can exchange cards to improve their hands. Five-Card Draw is ideal for beginners.
Texas Hold’em
Without a doubt, this is the most popular online poker game and it is found at all poker sites in Canada. The game is played with two hole cards and five community cards. Players use a combination of these to create the best five-card hand. Texas Hold’em involves strategic betting rounds: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river, making it a game of skill and strate.
HORSE
As a mixed poker game, HORSE consists of five variants: Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Eight-or-Better (Stud Hi-Lo). Players rotate through each variant in sequence, testing their skills across different poker styles. This format challenges players to master diverse strategies, making it a favourite among professional players in Canada.
Chinese Poker
This is another highly strategic game of poker. Each player receives 13 cards, arranging them into three hands: two five-card hands (middle and back) and one three-card hand (front). The goal is to create stronger hands than your opponents, with specific rules for hand ranking. Chinese Poker emphasizes planning and adaptability, making it popular among diverse poker enthusiasts.
Razz
Razz is a more unique poker variant. It is similar to Seven Card Stud, but the objective is to form the lowest possible hand. Players receive seven cards, and the best five-card low hand wins. Straights and flushes do not count as playable hands. This game requires a distinct strategy focused on avoiding high cards.
Omaha Hold’em
A very popular poker variant similar to Texas Hold’em but with a key difference: each player is dealt four hole cards instead of two. You must use exactly two of your hole cards and three of the five community cards to make your hand. Omaha is known for its action-packed gameplay and often results in higher pots compared to Texas Hold’em. That’s why the more popular variation is Pot Limit.
Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo is a split-pot poker variant. Those who play poker with real money in Canada know that the aim is to make both the highest and lowest five-card hands using two of their four hole cards and three of the five community cards. You may use different combinations. The pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand.
Speed Poker
This type of online poker in Canada is perfect for those bored players who want to kick the hassle of their experience up a notch. It’s particularly useful for pros because you receive a new hand the moment you fold as you are transferred to another table with other players. Neat, isn’t it? You can squeeze in a large number of hands in just half an hour when playing on Speed Poker tables.
- SNAP Poker Tables
- Large Pool of Players
- Affordable Buy-Ins
Online Poker Strategies
Nobody wants to be the nit at the table, but being nitty is a strategy some players use to get on everyone else’s nerves. Call it a strategy or simply ‘table image’, but that behaviour, just like a number of other actions, will get your opponents to respond in a certain way.
You should also be alert when someone is doing something that’s not consistent with their table image because it might be a move. Whether you will be playing aggressively or tight is entirely up to you. Just choose a poker strategy fitting for your level of understanding, and that is not too far out.
- Play Good Hands Strong – Betting according to the strength of your hand and keeping your game clean of bad plays goes a long way. Good hands are meant to be bet to protect them from players who are on a draw.
- Trap with Good Hands – Keeping a low profile with good hands is not something new. Many may read this as weakness and try to bully you. This is when you strike back.
- Semi-Bluff – If you have a good draw, raise it up. Not only do you get more if you hit your draw, but you are also defending your hand.
- Defend Your Blinds – Stealing the blinds and ante is what most experienced players do. Don’t let them do that to you too easily.
- Aggressive on the Button – Play the button with authority and let everybody know there will be no limpers on your watch.
- See Flops with Suited Connectors – Naturally, a hand with a lot of potential, suited connectors give you a good reason to play and see the flop.
Not all strategies are easy to execute. Make sure that whatever you are trying on the real money tables makes sense to someone at your level. The best Canadian online poker site provides good advice on how some poker variants should be played, including the novelty games they come up with.
Reading through those will minimize the room for error in your play. Even so, it’s more than natural to choose a game you are familiar with. Luckily, Canada’s free online poker tournaments provide something like training grounds where you can test your strategies.
Poker Helping Software and Tools
There are some legit tools that help you keep track of what’s going on at the poker table. You can find such tools that are absolutely free, but others require a paid subscription. Of course, the possibility of signing for a masterclass from one of the best Canadian poker players is not to be overlooked. Here are some of the poker tools that are most helpful.
- Holdem Manager
- Poker Tracker
- My Poker Coaching
- Poker Copilot
- The Upswing Poker Lab
The majority of the HUD (head-up display) software was made with computer users in mind. What it does is display statistical information about the players above the avatar of each of them. That information updates live to help you make the right decisions as far as the mathematical side of it is concerned.
Conclusion: Canadian Online Poker Sites
This guide is almost over, so, in conclusion, you should know that Canadian poker sites offer a variety of games. You can find almost every online poker variant, but Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the two most popular games.
Also, the top platforms for online poker in Canada are attractive due to fast payouts, generous deposit bonuses, and many new features. All you need to do is find a licensed and safe platform, register, and try your favourite poker games.
FAQs about Online Poker in Canada
Now, when you know everything about the top options for playing online poker in Canada, we invite you to read the following Q&As. It is a short section with the most popular questions and answers about poker sites, table variants, tournaments, bonuses, and more.
Other Canadian Online Casino and Gambling Guides
For your convenience, we offer you a wide variety of other popular guides you might want to check upon playing for real money. We selected the best guides and reviews, so you can make an informed decision about bonuses, top sites, most popular games, etc. Please, read them before you chose a gambling site in Canada.