Doug Polk and Joey Ingram discuss the latest poker news in a rapid-fire format. This week on Table Talk, they cover Brian Hasting's announced retirement from poker, the public backlash against a PokerNews opinion writer, the troubling landscape of online poker in Australia, Dan Smith's charity challenge, and Viktor Blom's (Isildur1) potential to continue upswinging to a cool million.

It has been a long wait for poker to return to Pennsylvania. With online poker legal in PA, many of the biggest names in online poker have returned. They include Party Poker, PokerStars and 888 (under the WSOP.com brand).

Online poker has come a long way over the years. Poker sites now offer real money games on your iPhone or Android along with the traditional desktop format. These sites have released new variations including fast-fold poker, lottery sit and go’s, and progressive knockout tournaments.

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This page offers everything you need to find the best PA poker games, bonuses and apps. We also provide you with a list of no deposit and welcome bonus offers, which will give you a legitimate shot at building your bankroll from scratch.

Play online poker in PA at PokerStars

Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, when Gov. Tom Wolf signed bill H 271 into law on Oct. 30, 2017, online gambling became legal in Pennsylvania. This bill includes poker, casino table games, slots, and sports betting. That made Pennsylvania the fourthstate to legalize online poker.

Seven of the 13 casino license holders in Pennsylvania applied for licenses to operate online poker sites.

The PGCB put together regulations to govern Pennsylvania online poker sites that include the followingrules:

• Players must be 21 years or older.
• Sites must verify the identification of all potential players.
• Players must be located inside state lines to play.
• Sites must verify all players’ location using geolocation software.

How online poker works in PA

If you want to play online poker in Pennsylvania right now, you’ll have one option – PokerStars. So, you will need to download the PokerStars client on your laptop or mobile phone / tablet.

Once your account is active, you can login and head to the lobby. Within this area, you can access games of almost every type and size under the sun.

One thing to note, however, is that every player you encounter will be physically inside Pennsylvania at the time. In fact, in order to play at PA online poker site, you will have to verify your location through geolocation software before you will be allowed to sit down at a table.

While that requirement might be a bit irritating, the good news is that the player pool you’re facing might not be only from Pennsylvania for long. Pennsylvania regulators have long hinted they are interested in joining the Multi-state Compact, which would allow players from New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware to come together on Pennsylvania poker sites. This means the player pool and traffic would increase significantly, allowing you more options for cash games and tournaments.

Best online poker sites in Pennsylvania

At least for the time being, the new PA poker rooms will only be for players in the Keystone State. Building a critical mass of players is important. The site(s) that get the most traction will be able to offer bigger tournaments, better promotions and a great choice of real money games.

Here are three poker sites we know that have or are expected to launch in 2020:

PokerStars PA: This was the first site to launch. PokerStars has amazing software covering both desktop and mobile devices. You will be able to play the new “spin and go” format, and try out the range of cash games, tournaments and sit and goes. PokerStars offers new players $30 in free play with just a small deposit. This includes spin and go tickets as well as cash. Alternatively, you can get a 100% matched bonus, up to $600. It is also well known for promotions, loyalty rewards and poker tournament events.

Party Poker: The original online poker site will soon be back in Pennsylvania. This partnership is with Valley Forge Casino. While a lot has changed, including brand-new software, the recreational feel to the play at this site remains in place. In other states, Party Poker has given away $25 completely free for new players to check out the games. New poker games include “Spins” and “Fast Forward Poker.” You will find plenty of action at the small stakes cash games, too.

WSOP.com Poker: This brand uses the smooth poker software produced by 888. It is part of the Caesars Entertainment “World Series of Poker” brand. It is licensed by Harrah’s Philadelphia. You can qualify for WSOP tournaments around the country online. New poker formats include Blast Poker and Snap (fast fold) poker. WSOP.com offers generous matched welcome bonuses in other regulated states. This includes a $10 no-deposit bonus, plus a matched deposit bonus up to $1,000.

Playing for free vs. real money at PA poker sites

You can choose to play real money poker games — or play for fun with free play options on the Pennsylvania poker sites. While the free poker games can be entertaining, you need to be aware that the skill gap between players at free and real money sites is massive.

If you jump to real cash games and employ the same strategy that play-money players use, you will be relieved of your bankroll quickly. Read up on some poker strategy, play fewer tables and take careful notes on your opponents in the real money cash games.

Online poker for real money attracts skilled players. If you are able to beat the $1/$2 game in your local casino, you might well struggle to beat the same size game online. Start small, making sure you can beat the regulars at each buy-in level before you move up.

When you jump from free poker to real money, taking advantage of the welcome bonus offers can give your bankroll a big boost. Some sites like Party Poker offer the chance to join special beginner tables for the first 30 days. This will keep you out of the crosshairs of the poker pros while you sharpen your online skills.

PA online poker games

There are four main types of games that you will find in Pennsylvania’s online poker sites. They are:

• Cash games – Cash games are available at any time in both real money and play money mode. Cash games have a fixed minimum and maximum buy-in limits, and play is available for almost any amount of money. Tables usually seat 6 or 9 players, although it is possible to play heads-up.
• Tournaments – Tournaments are scheduled around the clock in a variety of formats. You can expect rebuys, bounties and even fast-fold, where you can fold and move onto the next table without waiting for the current hand to play out. Prize pools range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re looking for the big guarantees, you’ll want to check out the weekend lineup. The buy-ins at PA poker rooms vary from a dollar up to a few hundred.
• Sit n’ Go Tournaments – SNG tournaments are perfect if you don’t have time to wait for an MTT. These events run when they reach a certain number of entrants and buy-ins. They also have predetermined prizepools and payouts, and tend to be smaller events than the scheduled tournaments. Some of these tournaments can come with a jackpot feature, which can give each player a chance at an outsized payout.
• Fast-fold games – These games are cash games at their core. However, as you play, you are switched to a new table immediately after folding the previous hand. Thus, you will end up playing with a larger group of people, but you will end up seeing far more hands than at a typical cash table.

Real money poker vs. free play

Real money poker sites in PA is limited to just one site. PokerStars was the first site in Pennsylvania to offer online poker.

Although you can play free online poker, the players on play money sites have no regard for playing wisely or skillfully. Since they can only lose faux currency, anyway, they figure that there’s no reason not to chase a draw, even if it’s a minute one.

However, real money PA sites are not equivalent to friendly games, or even live poker games in a casino. As a general rule, in fact, they require far more skill and focus to master than equivalent live games.

Most long-term successful players on real money sites keep detailed notes on their play, study the game all the time, and are always looking for ways to improve their return. Even breakeven players have to be more cautious, since the ratio of sharks is so much higher.

Many players on real money sites play multiple games at once, too. This practice can lead to higher profits for the very skillful, but please be careful not to overwhelm yourself.

Don’t misunderstand – real money poker sites are still fine to play. It’s just important that you know what you’re getting yourself into before you begin trying to win real cash.

Online poker apps vs. downloading the poker client

For most online poker games, using a mobile app is preferable since it’s easy and you can play anywhere. However, due to the nature of poker, players actually prefer to use their laptops or desktops to play.

There are a couple of reasons for this preference. For one thing, a laptop/desktop with a larger screen and mouse makes it that much easier play multiple games simultaneously. Multi-tabling three or four games on an app leaves room for error. It’s easy to click call when you meant to fold.

Another reason to prefer a land-based computer is that it might come with a more stable internet connection and setup than a mobile device. Losing a connection can result in a hand being lost, and depending on the situation, such an outcome could be disastrous.

Nevertheless, you can play online poker using either your laptop or your mobile device. PokerStars offers both options, including apps for both iPhones/iPads and Android users.

Please be aware that you will have to verify your location using a specialized app if you choose to use a personal computer for access. The apps will use your device’s GPS to determine your location automatically.

Online poker variations

Most of the action in the online poker market revolves around No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. That said, some sites offer other poker variants.

Find yourself on the right site at the right time and there may be your favorite poker variant running, including RAZZ, HORSE, or 2-7 Triple Draw.

No-Limit Hold’em

The biggest cash game in real money poker is far and away No-Limit Hold’em. You’ll find stakes ranging from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 with 6-max and full, 9-handed tables.

That said, most of the games are micro- and low-stakes action. Games beyond $1/$2 do not run regularly. Neither does the more pedestrian Limit Hold’em version of the game, where the stakes go as high as $100/$200, but the player pool is rather small.

Pot-Limit Omaha

You’ll find Pot-Limit Omaha at online poker sites, just not as many tables running as No-Limit Hold ’em. Stakes range from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50. However, there isn’t much action in the micros. Instead, it’s $0.50/$1 and $0.25/$0.50 tables running most days.

Other Omahavariants, like Hi-Lo, may be available on the sites, but again, the player pools are small to non-existent.

Stud

You might find poker sites that claim to offer stud games, even RAZZ. What you won’t find are the players to fill those games. Stakes will generally range from $0.50/$1 to $40/$80, but it’s $0/$0 with a nonexistent player pool most of the time.

HORSE, 2-7 Triple Draw, other variants

Poker is more than hold ’em and Omaha, but PA poker online isn’t really. Some of the more notable poker brands claim to offer games, including HORSE and 2-7 Triple Draw, but it usually applies to specializedtournaments.

Cash games for variants like this do not run regularly because the demand isn’t there. But never say never. After all, most sites’ clients support these formats, and if their popularity increases, you’ll perhaps find action.

Fast-fold games

Most online poker clients support some version of fast-fold games like PokerStars’ Zoom tables, though not at first. Once you fold your hand, you are instantly transported to a different table to start another one. This format requires a large player pool, so it will not always be running on the PA sites that eventually will have it.

Multi-table tournaments

All online poker clients offer a daily schedule of No-Limit Hold’em multi-table tournaments (MTT) with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $50. Some even come with prize pool guarantees.

There’s plenty of micro- and low-stakes action daily, but the bigger buy-in MTTs are usually reserved for Sundays. The high traffic PA online poker sites run Sunday majors with buy-ins from $50 to $500 and guaranteed prize pools of up to $50,000.

Sit & Go tournaments

Poker sites offer No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Sit & Go tournaments. Most have nine-handed, six-max, and heads-up formats. Buy-ins range from as low as $0.25 to $500. These games go off when the players are there, which is usually limited to peak prime-time hours.

Lottery Sit & Go tournaments

Lottery Sit & Go tournaments, like PokerStars’ Spin N’ Go tournaments, are three-handed Sit & Go tournaments with randomized prize pools, ranging anywhere from two buy-ins to 1,000 buy-ins.

The odds are slim that you’ll be playing for the max, but Lottery Sit & Go tourneys, from $1 to $25, should run regularly. This format has become more popular than standard Sit & Go tournaments themselves.

Poker bonuses and first deposit offers

The best poker sites offer a variety of no deposit and first deposit bonuses to try to attract new players. Also, they offer various rewards programs that are intended to help retain players.

Here’s a look at some of the larger poker sites, and the types of bonus offers and rewards programs they provide.

PokerStars PA

PokerStars PA is giving new players a choice of either one of two welcomes bonuses. Players can claim a $30 free package using the marketing code FREE30 on first deposits of $20 or more. It includes $20 in cash, $10 within 36 hours and the rest after seven days. It also includes five Spin N’ Go tickets valued at $10.

Meanwhile, another welcome package offers a 100% match of up to $600 on first deposits. Players can claim this one using the PokerStars PA bonus code STARS600. This bonus clears at a rate of $10 for every 100 VIP Player Points earned, which works out to 55% rakeback.

In addition, PokerStars runs a rewards program for players, which offers chests of valuable and varying rewards. In the end, it adds up to be about 55% rakeback as well.

How to get money on and off the sites

The goal of every PA poker site will be to make the process of moving your funds as easy as possible and for fast payouts.

That means each site will offer a variety of easy-to-use deposit and withdrawalmethods and are always on the lookout to add new ones. It usually will mean that whatever way you used to make a deposit, you can also use it to make a withdrawal. However, other options are available, too.

Here’s a list of all the poker deposit and withdrawal methods available:

Visa and Mastercard: You can use the most well-known credit card brands in the world at most PA online poker sites. However, some issuing banks may not authorize online gambling transactions, meaning another deposit method will need to be employed.

The following list of issuing banks decline online gambling transactions regularly:

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase/JP Morgan
• Wells Fargo
• TD Bank
• Santander Bank
• Huntington Bank

Types of deposit options available

• Play+: This prepaid credit card acts like both a credit card and an e-wallet account, and several Pennsylvania online poker sites accept it. You can fund the Play+ prepaid card using a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card, or even a checking account.
• Prepaid Cards: Prepaid cards are a safe and convenient alternative method of depositing on Pennsylvania online poker sites. You can load money onto a prepaid card and then use it to deposit on a poker site. Several credit card companies offer prepaid credit cards, and some online poker sites have a branded-prepaid card.
• Cash at the casino cage: Legal, regulated online poker sites in Pennsylvania are all affiliated with a PA casino. Most will accept cash deposits at the cashier cages inside these casinos.
• PayPal: PayPal is the largest third-party payment processor in the world. PayPal allows you to funnel money to the sites from several sources, including your bank account.
• ACH e-checks: ACH allows you to write an electronic check to the online poker site of your choice. In other words, ACH helps you move funds between your bank account and that of an online poker site.
• PayNearMe: The convenience store 7-Eleven, CVSPharmacies, and financial services provider PayNearMe have created a financial services management app, which allows users to make bill payments. You can make payments to PA online poker sites with cash at these locations.
• Online banking: If you can make bill payments online, the chances are that you can deposit at an online poker site from your bank account as well.

PA online poker gears up for launches

Online poker in PA rolled out November 2020 through PokerStars via Mount Airy Casino. The online poker site attracted more players than PokerStars drew on its established site in NJ.

The primary poker games in Pennsylvania is Hold’em, followed by Omaha. Sunday tournaments at PokerStars are offering reasonable buy-ins and larger guarantees than their counterpart site in New Jersey.

Online poker in Pennsylvania began as a fenced-in market; however, at least a couple of sites should eventually join forces to create a PA-only network.

Right now, only WSOP.com and 888Poker sites do this.

Pennsylvania will eventually join the compact known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association compact, which gives sites in Delaware, Nevada, and NewJersey the right to share player pools with the Keystone State, boosting the pool.

Introductory promotions include several bonuses and freeroll offers, meant to lock down market share right out of the gate.

To retain players, online poker sites will also likely offer customers competitive rakeback or a loyalty rewardsprogram. PokerStars uses a randomized chest-base program with real money prizes.

PA poker and compacts

Online poker in PA is launching as a fenced-in market. That means only players inside PA can play, and also that sites in the state are not sharing player pools with others on the outside.

There’s no need for residency to play, but PA poker sites will use geolocation software to verify that you are within the state; there’s no getting around that.

Considering the population, online poker in PA is expected to quickly become the largest intrastate online poker market in the US.

The nature of the fenced-in market means PA poker sites won’t be sharing player pools with those in any other states, but that should happen eventually.

The state ultimately anticipated joining such agreements when it built provisions into its online poker legislation allowing for sharedliquidity.

This legislation gives the PGCB the authority to enter into these kinds of agreements with other states. Plus, it allows licensed operators to offer games to out-of-state players, and local players to participate in out-of-state networks.

PA could join shared liquidity compact

Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware launched the first licensed and regulated online poker sites in the US in November 2013.

At the time, all three states launched as fenced-in markets. Nevada and Delaware then signed an interstate compact known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA), allowing sites in each to start sharing player pools in 2015. New Jersey signed on to that interstate compact in October 2017.

WSOP.com and 888 Poker are the only operators with sites in all three states and were the first to apply to launch tri-state shared liquidity games.

The first-ever real money poker games featuring players in all three states launched on April 30, 2018. Since then, WSOP.com has been able to host multi-state online WSOP bracelet events in New Jersey and Nevada.

The hope is PA can make it a four-state market within the next year. The US shared liquidity online poker market could potentially double in size if PA comes aboard.

Poker partnerships

Below is a look at the PA casinos planning to launch online poker. It also includes which online poker operators they’re planning to partner with, when each license was approved, and when they expect to launch:

PA poker card rooms

Pennsylvania plays host to one of the most extensive live poker scenes in the US. Live poker became legal in 2010. Here’s a look at the 10 poker rooms in the Keystone State that have launched since then, their locations, and what they have to offer poker players.

Parx poker room

In 2018, Parx underwent a $50 million expansion, which included a 48-table, state-of-the-art poker room on the property.

The room features low- to mid-stakes No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha games, plus higher-stakes action most nights. The $15/$30 limit games also run with higher mixed games featuring variants you won’t find elsewhere, including games like Omaha 8-Or-Better, Big O, and SuperStud.

Parx is also well-known for its seasonal BigStax tournament series and nightly tournaments.

• Address: 2999 Street Rd, Bensalem
• Phone Number:+1 888-588-7279

Wind Creek Bethlehem poker room

Wind Creek inherited the second-highest-grossing poker room in the state when it took over Sands Bethlehem. There are $1/$2 and $2/$5 No-Limit Hold’em runs every day inside the 30-table card room. Higher-stakes action runs on most weekends when there are Omaha, Limit Hold’em, and stud games available.

There are nightly tournaments. However, we have yet to see what Wind Creek will do to replace the popular seasonal Sands DeepStack Extravaganza series.

• Address: 77 Wind Creek Blvd, Bethlehem
• Phone:(484) 777-7777

Rivers Casino Philadelphia poker room

The Poker Night in America poker room at Rivers Casino Philadelphia, the former SugarHouse Casino, is currently the only poker room in Philadelphia. However, Live! Philadelphia Casino is building a room that should open in the city before the end of next year.

Rivers has 28tables featuring low-stakes, No-Limit Hold’em, a daily tournament schedule and regular Rush Challenge events, which feature a $250 buy-in tournament with a $100,000 guarantee.

• Address: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia
• Phone: (877) 477-3715

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh poker room

The Rivers Casino Pittsburgh 30-table poker room sits across a parking lot from Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. There’s 24/7 No-Limit Hold’em action with stakes running from $1/$2 to $10/$20. Pot-Limit Omaha and Limit Hold’em games also run occasionally.

The tournament schedule features two daily events six days a week, with the room running regular promotions.

• Address:777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh
• Phone: (412) 231-7777

Harrah’s Philadelphia poker room

Harrah’s Philadelphia is actually on the Delaware River in Chester. The poker room features 28 tables spreading No-Limit Hold’em and some limit games. For the most part, it’s $1/$2 or $1/$3 No-Limit Hold ’em.

The tournament schedule features two daily events and satellites into the World Series of Poker Main Event in LasVegas.

• Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester
• Phone:(484) 490-1800

Penn National Casino poker room

The 17-table poker room at Hollywood Casino at Penn National is pretty much a $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em room. Although higher-stakes games, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Limit Hold’em sometimes run on the weekends.

Papi Poker Online Game

There are tournaments six days a week and a Bad Beat Jackpot promotion.

• Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville
• Phone:(717) 469-2211

Mohegan Sun Pocono poker room

Papi Poker Online Poker

The poker room at Mohegan Sun Pocono runs dailytournaments often featuring bounty structures. Promotions include a Bad Beat Jackpot for cash games and tourneys.

The atmosphere is relaxed with the action of the low-limit variety. There are sometimes 20 or so $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Limit Hold’em games on weekends.

• Address: 1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre
• Phone:(570) 831-2100

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino poker room

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino is outside of Pittsburgh. The poker room includes 14 tables, all with a view of the live horse racing action. It hosts No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games. Plus, tournaments run twice daily, six days a week, and special events on Sundays.

The room is an annual stop on the Heartland Poker Tour.

• Address:210 Racetrack Rd, Washington
• Phone:(724) 503-1200

Mount Airy Casino Resort poker room

The poker room at Mount Airy Casino Resort features only nine tables that usually offer low-limit, No-Limit Hold’em. There’s a High Hand promotion.

• Address: 312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono
• Phone: (877) 682-4791

Presque Isle Downs poker room

Presque Isle Downs, in Erie, features the smallest poker room in the state with only seven tables.

However, it offers a tournamentschedule that runs six days a week with guaranteed prize pools.

• Address: 8199 Perry Hwy, Erie
• Phone Number:+1-866-374-3386