Legal Online Poker Sites in New Jersey

Overall Information About NJ Online Poker

In 2022 there is a solid selection of platforms that offer online poker in multiple varieties. And while this may not be the full extent of what is available for New Jersey players, these websites excel in what they do and go above and beyond.

For the selection, there are a couple of immediate disqualifiers that should be regarded, further passing to comparing the number of games, quality, and presentation of those games, as well as the available size of pots and buy-ins.

Finally, what is tested is the operational quality that online poker apps in New Jersey have. This will include the quality of the app itself, deposits and withdrawal methods, as well as the safety and security of the platform for the players. Good customer support is also something to look for.

NJ Poker Laws

New Jersey was one of the first states in the US that legalized local online gambling. In general, the rules are the same as are with any other casino.

But, there are also some rules in place that are here only because of the availability of these platforms on the Internet. At the moment, there are three main rules:

1. Be at least 21 years of age^[1]
2. Have a permanent residence or proof of stay in New Jersey
3. Not to be on the self-exclusion list^[2]

To prove the first two points, you will need an official state or federal document showing your age and address. For that, you can use any type of ID, including a driver’s license or a passport. 

The third point will be done by providing your social security number, which will be matched to see if you are on the self-exclusion list. You can be on this list of your own volition or court-appointed for some reason.

But, if all three rules are abided by, you will be allowed to play online poker in NJ right away. In many cases, you will be allowed to browse the platform or even try out free games immediately, while you would need a confirmation if you want to deposit.

Best Online Poker Sites for NJ Players

It is very hard to determine what would be ”the best” online poker site NJ has to offer. Because player preference can vary so much, different platforms will appeal the most to different players, depending on what exactly they are looking for.

But, there are those that stand out due to their quality, safety, or service and it would be wise to at least check out each of them to see if they can draw you in.

888poker

888poker is one of the bigger global players and it has been active globally since 2002. The headquarters of the main company is in Gibraltar but in New Jersey they work under the domestic license and have quite a good selection of games and options.

Right from the get-go 888poker allows a $20 bonus and it will allow up to a $1500 deposit bonus, doubling the money you bring in.

Still, the biggest advantage of the 888 poker platform, both through the mobile app and through the browser, is the fact that you can play with friends. You can set up a table with your buddies and arrange a game that would be hosted by the platform.

And, even if you don’t want to play with your friends this operator is a good choice because it is safe, it has good banking options with VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, and direct ACH transfers. In all cases, you will be able to both deposit and withdraw your money fairly quickly.

Finally, 888poker also organizes tournaments fairly regularly where you can compete in growing tiers to win not only the buy-in pot but also the grand prize, which is exciting for those who know how to read the cards and wish to try their luck.

PartyPoker

PartyPoker NJ relies on the games being fun and the tables always being full and with tens of thousands of players active at all times that is something that they can guarantee. It is one of those New Jersey online poker sites that attracts virtually everyone.

Namely, while playing from New Jersey you will be using the local app and fall under all of the local rules, but that doesn’t mean that other people on the table would be from NJ as well. The site connects people from all over the world to play together.

The apps are good for both iOS and Android and don’t suffer a lot from different formats if you are changing between tablets and different phones. But, the desktop or laptop browser experience still seems superior because there are a lot of chat features and options that become apparent there which are hidden when you play on the app.

This Atlantic City operator allows solid bonuses and benefits, offering a $30 free play bonus as well as a 100% deposit bonus up to $600. There is also a loyalty program and the ‘’diamond club’’ that offers bonuses, free games, as well as prizes.

Banking with the platform is okay, offering deposits and withdrawals with VISA, MasterCard, and Maestro cards, as well as Skrill and Neteller. But, there is the obvious absence of PayPal that so many players use to deposit.

PokerStars

PokerStars NJ as a brand has been around for over two decades, but it experienced a rebirth in 2020 when it was sold to Flutter Entertainment. The new owners revamped the website and apps, making PokerStars one of the better operators for real money poker.

Currently, this is one of the best New Jersey online gambling sites, at least according to the public.

The reason why PokerStars is so engaging is that you can win much more than just real money. If you play enough you will gather bonuses where you can buy what the website calls ‘’loot crates’’ that can have many different goodies inside that you can spend in the rewards store and get real-life prizes.

Such benefits are really enticing and combined that the platform has a good selection of games, good mobile apps, browser platforms, and licenses from legislators all over the world making your experience very safe make PokerStars a very good choice for any poker enthusiast.

BetMGM Poker

BetMGM poker NJ, the namesake of its brick-and-mortar cousin in Nevada, is one of the bigger players in the US, offering online gaming in multiple States in the Union. But, while the sites all look the same you will be able to apply only to the one in your home state to prevent gambling across state lines that are forbidden by federal law.

The poker options on this platform are rather basic, but there are all of the regulars such as Hold’em and five-card poker. There are also daily tournaments, including regular tier tournaments as well as sit-n-go tournaments where you can jump in anytime and pay as much as you like.

Finally, there is the MEGA Tuesday tournament that has a guaranteed winning of $12,000 every time you play. If the final pot is less than that, the operator will pay out the rest.

Promotions are less than what the people betting get, but are not bad in general. There is a deposit matching bonus of up to $1000 as well as a $50 referral bonus. There are also loyalty rewards for regulars, and you can stack up to $4,500 in reward points that you can spend either in the game or on prizes.

Borgata Poker

In many ways Borgata Poker New Jersey tries to transfer the essence of its spa and resort to the online scene with a fairly simple but very well-made poker website. In many ways, it resembles PartyPoker where large player pools and quick matching make the experience more fun.

As far as the bonuses and promotions go, Borgata will not give its poker players the same benefits as they would bettors, but the promotions are nothing to laugh about. Aside from the $50 referral bonus, there are also the tournament prizes.

For the regular Sunday tournament, the prize is guaranteed to be at least $30,000 and it can be even more depending on the pot. If you manage to go to the end, this will sound very enticing. On top of that, there are seasonal tournaments that may see several bouts worth over $5,000 in a single day.

Finally, when it comes to banking, Borgata accepts virtually anything. From all of the major cards to online banking and ACH, to PayPal and even Apple Pay. That means that if you are playing on your iPhone you can deposit in seconds by just nodding to your phone.

WSOP Poker

WSOP is probably the most popular contender for the best gambling platforms when it comes to poker in NJ and certainly one of the top online casinos NJ has to offer. But, unlike PokerStars, it doesn't have foreign players on the same table as those playing from the local app.

The website uses a very familiar template and while some would call the design dated it does allow you to see perfectly what is going on and what would your next hand be. Combined with a fairly simple website that is easy to navigate and isn’t resource intensive for your device we can call WSOP accessible if anything.

Unlike many other options, WSOP poker NJ has direct deposit bonuses for poker players as well, matching up to $1000 to double your deposit. On top of that, there are up to seven daily freerolls that new players can use to get an edge.

As for banking, the selection is slightly narrower than with other platforms but all of the biggest names are there. You can use VISA, MasterCard, or Discover, as well as an ACH echeck on PayPal. These options combined to cover virtually all players, with Cash at Casino Cage, PayNearMe, and Play+ covering the rest.

Online Poker Games Selection in New Jersey

Online poker in New Jersey has been popular even before online casino gaming was. Many still remember fondly playing through various social media sites such as Facebook. Now, there are several options for NJ players where operators offer anything from free games to tournament tickets.

Texas Hold ‘Em

Texas Hold 'em is one of the most popular variations of poker out there. The game is simple but offers a lot more chances to both win and lose, depending on the luck of the draw. You get two cards with three additional cards being on the table. That’s where the betting starts and with online gambling, there is no way of someone peeking through your hand.

Every turn, one more card is drawn by the operators, possibly completely changing the outcome of the hand. And, when playing online, this means that you can extend your hand with a bonus, following others, and wait to get a better outcome in the end.

Stud Poker

Stud poker is what most of the world would call ‘’regular poker’’ and it is the most regulated type of game with clear rules. Such global poker is dealt with five cards to each player, where you can then exchange up to four cards with the dealer.

Once the hand is dealt, the players take turns raising the bid. If there are no more people raising, the turn ends. And, even though the state of the draw is set from that point, it is the question of guessing what your opponent has that will make many fold.

Omaha

Omaha poker rules are slightly special because it looks identical to Hold’em poker but you need to keep both of the cards you have in the final result. So, if the cards you have in your hand don’t match, you will have a lower result.

This type of poker is not as popular in tournaments or on platforms as the other two because your chances of having something are lower and many become stressed quickly. But, because of this, there is usually a bigger deposit bonus for those who want to play.

If it’s a good deal and you are able to get most from your deposit and that way you can test if maybe playing by Omaha rules is bringing you more luck than you would otherwise have.

NJ Online Poker Apps

Mobile phones have really gone a long way in the last few decades. Most people today couldn’t imagine themselves doing business or even their daily chores without one. Thankfully, for those who like to play poker in New Jersey, there are the six good operators we have mentioned, each having solid mobile apps.

There are slight differences, but overall you can’t really go wrong with any of the poker apps for NJ players. Some will run smoother on iOS due to the standardized screen, but there are no sufficient flaws to remove any of the six operators from the roster completely.

888poker App

The app for 888poker is really appealing to look at and is very easy to use. On Android, you will be able to get it directly from the Google Marketplace, and with iOS, you will have the Apple App Store where the app will appear only for people accessing from NJ.

It is definitely one of the best NJ casino apps and the best NJ poker sites you’ll find. The same website also has sports betting in New Jersey.

The Android app is slightly better rated but will take more space on the phone with 92MB over the iPhone’s and iPad’s 60MB. Still, the difference is negligible and the design itself draws you in for it's a good mixture between dark mode and good lighting.

PartyPoker App

PartyPoker has somewhat dropped the ball when it comes to their Android app because compared to the smooth and exciting experience of both their iOS and Windows apps it is clunky and non-responsive. You would still be able to play, but there is something lacking.

On iPhone, the experience is amazing, albeit it will take a whopping 1.8 gigabytes of your phone’s memory. Basically, you will have the entire game on your phone, with only the moves from other players and the dealer being downloaded through the Internet.

On Windows, the experience is not as immersive, but you will still have a great time enjoying all of the options the platform as a whole has to offer.

PokerStars App

PokerStars decided to make a very simple platform where everything will be visible, with large buttons at the bottom of the page, but there won’t be any bells and whistles, especially when it comes to the design.

Still, the apps are good, with the iOS app getting a 4.6 rating on the Apple App Store. The download size of the iOS app is 245.8MB, and it is compatible with iOS 11.0 or later, which is basically any modern iPhone.

The Android app looks identical but has a slightly lower resolution and some of the design choices look off. Still, it is easy to install directly from the Play Store and will work from any Android device running 5.0 or higher.

BetMGM Poker App

BetMGM poker app for both Android and iOS suffer from the same problem their betting apps do, which is underproduction. The apps work and there aren’t any reports of crashes. But, they are very basic and underwhelming from what you might expect from an operator such as MGM.

There are some reports about location issues, which is a problem. But, if you are playing at home and connected via WiFi that shouldn’t be a problem.

Overall, they work and you can always contact BetMGM’s customer service if there are any issues. But, playing from the browser is objectively a better experience if you can choose between the two.

Borgata Poker App

The Borgata poker app suffers from the same issue as its peers at MGM, where the app is overall good but underwhelming compared to the brand name. But, unlike MGM, they don’t have the customer support to cover those issues.

For those who already have a lot of bonuses with the company or enjoy the games, there are already on other platforms, the Android and the iOS app will serve the purpose of playing and are generally safe.

Also, we should be aware that Borgata is a partner of MGM and that they operate their land-based operations under the same company. But, their software, including their NJ poker apps, are not the same.

But, if you have the option it would be better to enjoy Borgata poker through the browser. The experience is mostly the same, with only some features hidden behind the two dots, but there is much less of a chance of the app crashing.

WSOP Poker Apps

WSOP has one of the best apps on the market in general. They are quick, slick, and very informative, harboring intuitive commands that would work for basically anyone. The app will show you and all other players clearly and allow you to play in a fluid motion.

The iOS app is slightly chunky on the ROM, requesting 528.4 MB of space. But, it also works for iOS 10.0 and above, which is available all the way back to iPhone 5.

And, because the experience is so enjoyable it might be worth it to delete some apps to leave space for this one.

Methodology of Choosing Online Poker Sites in NJ

Theoretically speaking, there are hundreds of ways of choosing online poker apps. Because they have so many features and few differences, any of them might be a deal-maker. But, since it is a buyer’s market at the moment, we can demand the best service and focus on the aspects that are important.

The five things you as a player should expect from the best online poker site New Jersey are:

1. A valid license
2. Good bonuses
3. Diverse payment methods^[3]
4. A good selection of games
5. Adequate payout speed

A license is number one with reason. There are some websites that offer amazing bonuses and would accept any type of payout but if they don’t have a license there is a good chance that they are a scam. Always look for a license from the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (NJCCC) and it wouldn’t be a bad thing to see a Malta Gaming Commission license as well if it’s an international operator.

Then you want the bonuses because poker is one of those games where being able to play one more hand is crucial. If you have a good deposit bonus or some free credit you will be able to play for longer, have more fun, and for less money.

Good payment methods and quick withdrawals with a high limit are also important because you want to be able to make a deposit quickly and with your preferred card or service, and take it out just as fast. Digital payment processors like PayPal are preferable.

Finally, there is the game selection where you as poker players want to have the type of game you prefer and have the visuals that appeal to you. In the end, you got there to play online poker the way you want.

Online Poker Basic Tutorial

Poker used to be one of those card games basically everyone knew how to play. That being said, online poker has some differences and it’s not a bad idea to go through the rules and mechanics.

Also, take note that ‘’video poker’’ and online poker are not the same thing. Video poker is played online against the machine and is more akin to slots only by looking for poker matches. Online poker is a virtual representation of the real thing and is played against other people.

Generally, once you apply to the platforms you will be asked to pick between Studs and Hold’em, leading you to the table that you see from the bird eye view. In hold’ em you will be dealt 2 cards and the dealer will place 3 in the field while in studs you will have a unique 5 cards.

Then, you need to make your opening bid, which will usually be deducted automatically. For Studs, you can then select if you want to change some cards, usually up to 4, while in hold’ em you only have options to bid or check.

Finally, you are looking for one of the following combinations in descending order:

• Royal Flush
  Ace(1), King(14), Queen(13), Jack(12), 10, all the same suit.
• 5 cards in sequence, all the same suit.
• Four of a kind
• Full House
  Three of a kind and one pair
• Flush
  Not in sequence but all in the same suit
• Straight
  Five cards in sequence, but different suit
• Three of a kind
• Two pairs
• One Pair
• High card
  Aces over Kings

Take note that if you are playing by Omaha rules, the sum of your cards will need to be higher than the opponents, not just the high cards. So, an Ace and a 10 will lose from a King and a Queen.

Most Popular Online Poker Game Types

The options mentioned in this review and available on most good online gambling websites are not there because someone imagined that they are good. From the vast experience of online poker operators, some options simply came forward as the most interesting to all players.

Cash Games

Online poker sites are entertainment, but they are adult entertainment and it is good that we can play for cash. Almost all large poker platforms now prefer playing for cash rather than chips simply because it is easier for everyone.

Casinos use chips to entice you to spend money and maybe give out a bit more money than they have in the bank. But online that is neither necessary nor wanted by the players.

In good online poker sites today, you will be able to play for cash and even get your match bonus represented in real money and not tokens or chips.

Tournaments

What is better than a poker tournament? Here, not only would you test your luck and skill with numbers, but also your endurance. For those whose nerves start to fail the longer they play it will be difficult to carry on with the same intensity.

This adds a new spice to the game where you will be able to beat other players all with the same pot and go through the tournament to deal with ever more skillful and tenacious opponents, making the final victory ever so sweeter.

Also, most mobile app tournaments and sites offer a prize for the winner and even for people passing the tier, which means that there is more money for the players than if they were to just play each other.

Sit & Go Tournaments

Sit-and-go tournaments are one of the biggest advantages that an online poker site can offer compared to their brick and mortar counterpart. In such events, you can join the tournament that is in progress at any time and leave once you have had your fill.

You will still be able to use your bonus codes for the buy-in, but the amount will usually be fixed for any new table. Still, it is the best option if you want to have fun but can’t guarantee that you will have the time.

Online Poker NJ Payment Methods

The gambling industry is one of the most inclusive places you can ever visit, and this is especially the case when it comes to the payment methods they will allow. Although crypto has now fallen out of favor due to volatility, if you want to play casino games or poker in NJ you will have a host of options.

Primarily, there are credit cards. Virtually any casino will accept VISA and MasterCard and those companies are often the sponsors of the World Series of Poker as well. American Express will also be accepted in most places. Such a transfer usually takes several hours to pass but can last as little as seconds.

Further, there are direct ACH transfers for those who either don’t have cards or don’t want to use them. This is the slowest method but most believe it to be the safest because there is always a trail if something goes wrong.

Finally, there are online payment processors such as PayPal or Neteller that are by far the fastest way to make a deposit or a withdrawal. In most cases, the transfer would be rather instant. This means that the moment you know that there is a tournament you can apply, deposit, and start playing.