Best Online Poker Games 2022: PokerStars, PokerStars NJ, and More

Play at the best online poker games of 2022! With our expert rankings and in-depth reviews of the best online poker games it’s easy to choose the right one.

Best Online Poker Games of 2022

PokerStars

PokerStars is the biggest poker room in the world – the online world at least. Poker traffic 2022 reports even indicate that it’s still the highest-traffic site, with almost 11,000 players online at peak hours. So you’re guaranteed to always find games running 24/7, from the micro-stakes right up to the highest levels. However, there’s also a play money poker cash game and tournament schedule if you’re just looking to practice a new format.

PokerStars is considered one the best online poker rooms in the business due to the many game formats the software provides. You can play mixed games, 8-game, Razz, all Stud variations – you name it. Combine that with the massive tournament schedule, and it’s no surprise PokerStars has been the leader of all poker brands for years.

A true innovator in poker software, PokerStars has continuously grown its offerings. With variations like Zoom Poker and Jackpot Spin & Gos. Alongside a wide range of mixed games and new poker formats like Short Deck Hold’em. PokerStars is also one of the best poker sites for private games – both cash games and tournaments. You just set up your own club for poker home games and game format and invite members to play.

The World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Social Poker site is one of the best free-to-play poker sites in the world. This poker site and mobile poker app comes from the kitchens of Playtika, the same social Casino giant that came up with uber-successful apps like Slotomania and House of Fun.

WSOP Poker is of the best options to play no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha cash games against friends, family, and opponents from all around the world. US players can play online poker games on the WSOP free mobile poker app.

Compared to other free poker sites, WSOP Poker hosts some massive games and tournaments where you compete for awesome prizes, including virtual WSOP bracelets. Link the WSOP free poker app to your Facebook account to challenge your friends and brag to them when you beat them in a big pot or major free poker tournament.

The WSOP poker app offers the best free poker games online. It is a superb place to practise poker for free and hone your skills without any financial risk to your bankroll.

PokerStars NJ

The New Jersey ‘division’ of the world’s largest online poker site has been the first one to get back to the United States in the post-UIGEA world.

Here you’ll play on (probably) the best poker client in the world and get the luxury to choose between the best (and juiciest) poker games in New Jersey. Like all the other PokerStars websites, PokerStars NJ features a wide choice of real money and free online poker games.

Since this article is all about how to find the best free poker games online, know that PokerStars NJ is where you get the largest selection of poker freerolls – the tournaments with no buy-in but with real prizes on tap.

GGPOKER

GGPoker is one of the new poker sites to hit the scene, having been established in 2017. But already it’s made a big splash, having shot up to number 3 on online poker traffic rankings. Undoubtedly because it’s offering what is arguably some of the best online poker software around. Including over the top poker features like rabbit hunting, snap cam, and one of the first platforms to offer staking – the in-app online poker betting feature. The site is mainly aimed at recreational players to offer max enjoyment and takes measures to prevent HUD use.

The brand has established big-name ambassadors like Daniel Negreanu, Fedor Holz, ElkY, and Bryn Kenney. And further solidified its status as a world-class contender by partnering up with WSOP.com and hosting the very first 100% online WSOP series in 2020. This was monumental not only because it was open to countries worldwide who could play from home, without traveling to Vegas. But also because they offered the biggest guarantee of any online tournament ever – $25 Million. Which they smashed, offering over $27 Million in prizes and over $3 Million for first prize in the Main event.

GGPoker is the GGNetwork flagship brand which initially started as one of the largest in the Asian poker market. Now, the site is also open to European and Canadian players and ranks among the highest-traffic sites. Notably, the rake is a bit higher compared to many European competitors. However, the abundant promos, massive guarantees, consistent series events and weak competition all make up for that. As we said, this is not the place for professionals and grinders, but for pure enjoyment and thrills of wins.

Why Care About the Best Online Poker Software?

Simple – because this has a huge effect on the overall user experience. Many poker rooms share common software platforms for which we detail the pros and cons. Playing on a poker site with buggy, unappealing software is something no player should suffer. Some software is simply sluggish and bloated while others are lightweight and lightning-fast.

It also depends what kind of player you are because certain software is much better for tournaments while other software excels in running cash games. There are some features that can only be found at certain sites. Like rabbit hunting and staking on the GGNetwork sites: GGPoker and Natural8. But others have become standard, like four-colored decks.

There are also questions about compatibility because some sites only run on Windows computers and not Apple devices. We take all of these factors into account when we are reviewing the best poker software.

Is it legal to play poker online for money?

The short answer is yes, online poker is legal in the United States on the individual level. It’s certainly not illegal federally, despite many misleading statements over the years from government officials and those in favor of online gambling prohibition.

In what states is online poker legal?

There are currently 5 states that offer legal online poker for real money in the United States – New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Delaware. Pennsylvania joined this group when PokerStars went live in the state on Nov. 4, 2019.

How legit is PokerStars?

There’s no questioning that PokerStars is one of the most legitimate poker sites online, even if I don’t like them as a player. PokerStars is extremely by-the-book, refusing to operate in any unlicensed jurisdiction. They also are one of the few online poker sites to work with massive payment processors such as PayPal.

Is there an app to play poker for real money?

The PokerStars Android app provides the most functionality out of any Android real money poker app in the world. The PokerStars mobile app is free to download, and players can enjoy playing up to four tables simultaneously. Depending on where you are located, you will need to download a different mobile PokerStars app.