Best Online Poker Sites In Canada

Welcome to our complete guide for the best online poker sites in Canada. Our team of poker experts at Casinos.com bring you reviews of the best poker sites, an overview of how to play poker games, poker rules, and the biggest online poker bonuses and offers. With online poker enjoying a surge in popularity, you can find some excellent poker sites in Canada to choose from. Whether you're an experienced poker player, or a newbie just looking to learn the game at the best online casinos for Canadians – read our online poker guide and start playing!

There are many different things to consider when choosing the best online poker room. As safety and security are a top priority, the trustworthiness of an online poker site is a key factor in every poker site we review.

Our experts put together a list of the best, most trustworthy poker sites in Canada that let you play poker for free and real money. Use our site to find general ratings, the poker site’s specific advantages and its licensing information. You can browse through the online poker bonuses available in 2023 and click further to read our in-depth expert reviews to find the best online poker site for you.

Having played and reviewed hundreds of online poker sites, we only bring you the best sites and most generous bonuses found in Canada. We constantly update our guide with new online casinos in Canada and bonuses, so bookmark this page and visit us regularly to stay up to date with the latest online poker news and offers.

With a wide selection of online poker rooms to choose from, there are many aspects I consider before recommending a poker room. The best online poker sites compete with each other by offering different games, innovative software, bonuses and other features. 

Here are some of the things I look out for before choosing a Poker site:

• Poker Promotions And Bonuses - A key factor that attracts most online poker players is the promotions and top casino bonuses. Not all of these can be spent on poker games, so the top 2 sites give you the best poker bonuses for your money. Otherwise, checking out the loyalty program of any site is a good idea. Some require you to opt-in, so look out for anything extra that can boost your balance.
• Poker Tournaments - The best online poker sites offer a tournament. It's a great way to interact with other players and become part of the poker community, as poker is a social game, after all. It is also a great way to develop your poker skills and strategy in a real-game environment. Poker tournaments provide the excitement of competition, leader boards, and of course, big prizes for winners.
• Cash Games - If you don't feel like waiting for a table to fill up for a Sit & Go tournament, cash games are a great way to dive into poker action right away. These are more casual and do not require you to spend large amounts at the table. This is why many newbies prefer playing cash games until developing their skills further to then join tournaments.
• Competition Levels - As poker involves an element of skill, experienced players stand a better chance to win money off beginners. So choose a poker site that has the right level of competition for you. While some large sites and networks are known to have many experienced, poker savvy players, there are smaller sites that would usually offer lower stakes and therefore attract beginners more.
• Game Variety & Software Providers - Some online poker sites tend to offer just the most popular poker games. Usually, this includes the vastly popular No-Limit Texas Hold’em and in some cases Pot-Limit Omaha. However, some sites are known for offering a wider selection of variants such as Razz Poker, Seven Card Stud, Chinese Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker and more.
• Supported Devices - Most Canadian online poker sites provide an instant-play client that is accessible on your phone screen. Some also develop mobile poker apps that makes your life easier if you log in frequently. Whether you are looking to play poker on a PC, Mac, mobile device or perhaps even alternate between devices – the sites I recommend support all that. Another safe bet is to go for a mobile casino that offers Poker.
• Sign Up Process - The sign up process for Canadian online poker sites is pretty much standard these days, as all MGA licenced sites must do an account verification for new users. Still, some poker rooms let you sign up very quickly and easily with just a few required steps, whilst others ask for more information and details in a process that can be a bit tedious. All the online poker sites we recommend on Casinos.com have a swift, easy and intuitive sign-up process.
• Security - Your safety and security is our primary concern when reviewing and recommending online poker sites. We therefore only list poker sites that are fully licenced by recognised licensing authorities, like the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) for offshore sites. These sites comply with the highest standards of encryption, security, safe gambling and fair play.
• Customer Support - Many online poker players rate their entire gameplay experience based on the quality of customer support they receive on the site. When reviewing poker sites, we always look at all the support methods available (e.g. FAQ section, email, phone, etc.) and contact the agents to see how professional and helpful they are. We also consider the site’s hours of support and response times.

Editor's Pick: Best Ontario Poker Sites

Without a shadow of a doubt, the most popular poker game online, and probably offline as well is Texas Hold’em. Omaha Poker comes in distant second place, but Stud Poker and other game variations also have their legion of fans. Following are some of the most popular poker variations, as well as niche poker games that are gradually gaining traction with online poker players.

Texas Hold’em

The most recognised version of the game which is estimated to capture over 80% share of all poker played online. Hold’em Poker is played by the best players in the world in the World Poker Series Main Event, among other tournaments.

Omaha

A great game for you to try if you are a fan of Texas Hold’em. With each player receiving 4 hole cards instead of 2 as in Hold’em, this is an action-packed game which draws many players, especially for Pot-Limit Omaha.

Casino Hold’em

A relevantly new game in poker history which dates back to the 1990s but quickly earned its popularity in online casinos . The rules are pretty similar to Texas Hold’em Poker and the hand rankings are identical. The biggest difference is that you don’t play against other players, but rather your goal is to beat the dealer like in most other online casino games.

Seven Card Stud

It was one of the most popular games in America a few decades ago. If you played Texas Hold’em before, it will take some time getting used to. There are no community cards and it’s almost always played with fixed betting limits. Though it's a challenging version of poker that takes time to master, it rewards good memory and skill.

Razz

A lowball poker game which means the card and hand rankings are the opposite of Texas Hold’em. The goal in Razz is to get the lowest-ranking hand according to traditional poker. Razz is easy to learn and has a slow, relaxed game pace. It is mostly popular amongst older players and poker purists.

Five Card Draw

The classic version of poker that reminds of Texas Hold’em but with some key differences. Five Card Draw is played with a dealer button and blinds just like Hold’em, but there are no community cards. It is relatively easy to learn, but there are a lot of mind games and strategy involved in this poker variant.

Red Dog

A fast-paced banking game (where you play against the dealer) in which two cards are dealt face up, and the player bets on whether the third card will rank between the first two cards dealt. Red Dog Poker has several game variations such as Shoot, Slippery Sam and Polish Red Dog.

Three Card Poker

An easy game to learn that is liked by players of all skill levels. There are two ways to play it: an Ante Play where you play against the dealer and a Pair Plus where you place a bet on whether you are dealt a pair or not.

2-7 Triple Draw

Another fun lowball poker game where the goal is to make the best possible five-card low hand. Online poker players love this game because it’s a fun way to spice things up when Texas Hold’em gets a bit redundant. It’s also a great game for bluffing and playing mind games.

Chinese Poker

A game that is very different than normal poker and takes time to learn and master. Still, it’s a great game of skill and many players say it’s worth the effort. Chinese Poker is played with four players, where each is dealt 13 cards and needs to arrange them into three different poker hands. Once learned, it’s a game with a lot of action and strategy.

If you play poker online because of convenience but still miss the buzz of the land-based casino floor, Live Dealer Poker is for you. You can join poker tables at live dealer casinos online and watch the dealer and table streamed to your computer screen or mobile device in real-time. As the name suggests, Live Dealer Poker is usually offered for variations such as Casino Hold’em where you play against the dealer. The best poker sites have an extensive live dealer section with poker, blackjack and many other live casino table games on offer. Likewise, while there are many great options to choose from, some of the best blackjack casinos also offer a range of other exciting games, including poker.

Editor's Pick: Best Live Dealer Casinos In Canada (Excluding Ontario)

Freeroll in poker refers to the situation where you never lose, but still stand a chance to win. Freerolls are a great way to join poker tournaments, as you will not be charged any entry fees but still have chances to win prizes. Some online poker sites also offer freeroll hands which guarantee that you split the pot if you and another player have a winning hand. But there’s also an additional draw component (e.g. certain cards dealt) which can let you win the entire pot.

The wagering structure differs between poker game variations, tables and tournament structures. In order to better understand the differences, it’s important to first know the basic terms:

• In Pot Limit poker games, as the name suggests your bets are limited to the amount of money in the pot.
• In a No Limit game of poker, you can bet at any stage of the game on part of, or all the chips you own.
• In Fixed Limit games, you can raise the stakes to a pre-set amount that is defined for the table or tournament you are playing at.

Poker is a great game that combines luck, skill and strategy. Beyond understanding the basic rules and fundamentals of the game, learning poker depends solely on the player and how he/she wants to develop and implement their strategy. You can develop your own style of play which suits your personality: whereas some players are happy to take risks at the table, others are risk-averse and calculated.

While aggressive players tend to constantly bet, raise the stakes and put other players under pressure, passive players will call or fold until they have a promising hand – but there is no one winning strategy. The following are a few popular strategies and tactics:

• Loose: Continue playing with weaker hands and rarely fold.
• Tight: Avoid weaker hands and fold often to avoid major losses.
• Passive: Play a lot of hands and make frequent calls.
• Aggressive: Try to intimidate and confuse players by raising stakes often.
• Position: Use the seating order around the table by taking advantage of later hands.
• Bluff/Deception: Try to act differently than how you normally would when you see/play your actual cards.

Although the rules between poker variants differ, there are some similar fundamentals across all types of poker games. Once the initial cards are dealt, players are expected to react by placing bets. In Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker, these are known as Small Blinds and Big Blinds. If there is no bet placed in the current round a player can check, or forfeit his/her hand by folding. A standing bet can be matched by a call. When a player raises, you are expected to match the bets which have increased in value. Rules then differ between poker variations, with a few examples below:

• Rules for Texas Hold’em Poker: Each player gets two hole cards dealt face down with five face up community cards to make a five-card hand.
• Rules for Omaha Poker: This poker game uses four cards per player instead of the two used in Texas Hold’em, but at least two of those need to be used along with the three community cards.
• Rules for Stud Poker: Players start with three cards: one face up and two face down. Three other cards are then dealt face up and the seventh card is dealt face down. The aim is to end with the best five-card hand, as there are no community cards dealt in this game.
• Rules for Razz Poker: Similar to Stud Poker, this game has a seven-card draw and the same dealing pattern, except this time it’s the lowest five-card hand that wins the pot, so the best hand would be A-2-3-4-5 (a 'wheel').

Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Stud poker have some similarities but where they differ is in the number of cards dealt to each player. Stud is a little more challenging than the other two poker games because of the cards some of the players receive are dealt face up.

This means competing players can see a few of your cards from the start, thus shaping their next moves. Each version still holds the element of bluffing but with Stud, there's a twist because the competing players can have a glimpse into your game plan.

The best online poker sites in Canada offer a variety of payment methods that enable you to deposit funds and withdraw winnings quickly and easily. Methods include traditional bank and wire transfers, Interac, e-Wallets like PayPal, pre-paid cards like Paysafecard and more. There are also Pay By Phone casinos in Canada that also let you pay by phone.

Deposits are usually instant, and withdrawal processing times may take a few days, depending on the method used. All payment methods, when used on licenced poker rooms, are safe and fully encrypted. It is still recommended to check the terms and conditions of each payment method for limits, processing times and possible fees.

Online gambling is fully regulated for online Ontario casinos, with other provinces set to follow. In the meantime, players outside Ontario can play at sites that are regulated offshore by bodies like the MGA. To obtain an AGCO licence, or a license from regulators like the MGA, a poker site needs to go through strict background checks. Once the licence is granted, each poker room must comply with the policies and regulations.

Many online poker sites in Canada became household names that certainly guarantee a safe and secure online gaming experience. These sites use state-of-the-art encryption to ensure player protection during any and all financial transactions as well during gameplay. Beyond their licences, many poker rooms go through external testing and auditing by third-party companies such as eCOGRA.

These stamps of approval mean that the sites use a random number generator (RNG) that ensures fair play. Always look for the license number and other certifications at the bottom of the poker site, and only play in licenced sites which are legal and provide a safe gambling environment.

Editor's Pick: Best Poker Casinos For Canadians (Excluding Ontario)

There are many different options for playing poker online in Canada. Some sites provide their own proprietary software that lets you play against fellow players that are visiting the same site.

There are also poker sites that are part of a network which lets players from many different poker sites play against each other on the same tables. One example is the iPoker network by Playtech, which sets a high standard in online poker with a huge community and a variety of classic and modern poker games. Aside from “traditional” poker rooms, many casinos are starting to offer live dealer poker in their live casino lobbies. One of the biggest live dealer software providers is Evolution Gaming, which offers games like Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, 2 Hand Casino Hold’Em and Three Card Poker with live dealers.

Starting with desktop clients, poker sites offer browser instant-play versions. There are also poker rooms that offer a downloadable client that gives you access to their poker lobby, rooms, tables and features. Many poker sites provide an instant-play browser client that is accessible through any mobile device, and some also offer Canadian casino apps that are available for Android and iOS systems.

Online poker has many great advantages, the most obvious being that you can enjoy 24/7 poker action from wherever you are. You can find poker games that suit your speed of play and your budget in no time. Plus, there’s a huge selection of tables to choose from compared to brick-and-mortar casinos.

What’s more, you can find Freeroll tournaments so you can enjoy poker action without buying in with real money. You get to play against people from all over and they don’t get to suss out your poker face!

Although poker requires skill, always remember that luck has a big part of the game and it is therefore considered gambling. Set times and spending limits for playing and keep a close eye on your bankroll. Always gamble responsibly, so you can keep coming back and safely enjoy great games of poker at the tables.