What Are The Best Poker Apps In Canada?
Poker games can be played online without the need to download any software or app. Simply signing in to your account gives you access to various types of games, including poker and its different versions.
While there aren’t many, some reputable apps are available online. These apps offer access to real money gambling on poker games, and free play is also possible. These websites can be accessed even on small devices like mobile smartphones.
To play online poker with real money you need to fund your online casino account with real cash either in CAD or BTC to play poker. OR simply play online poker for free at online casinos or by downloading the poker apps from Google Play Store.
Real Money Poker
Real Money poker involves real cash deposits. You can then use the funds from their online poker account to take part in any game the site offers whether it’s tournaments, cash games or Sit & Go’s. It’s quite similar to getting chips at a venue-based casino. Online poker with real money is convenient as you are able to withdraw your funds at any point and what you win is also real cash.
Moreover, if you are worrying about your safety and security at online poker sites then note that they segregate your funds from their operating expenses to keep the players’ accounts safe at all times. Nearly all online poker sites are audited by gaming regulators. In addition, players have to pass the required age verification test to successfully deposit money into an online poker account.
Which poker games can you play online with your mobile?
There are various poker games that you can play online on your mobile. Video poker games are common to play. These poker games are powered by top gaming providers like Microgaming, IGT, Real Time Gaming, Betsoft, Rival and others.
You can play Poker games instantly or Download free casino games software and both ways are great ways to get started.
Here are a few of the most popular video poker games to play at Canadian-friendly online casinos on your mobile.
Best Poker Apps in Canada
However, we can’t say which one is the best, but the following is a list of websites offering poker games to Canadian players.
1. 888 Poker
888poker is a separate website designed specifically for playing poker games. While 888casino has different websites for casino games, the dedicated poker site makes it easier for players to get their hands on various poker formats. 888poker also offers a no deposit bonus of a $20 free bonus package. It is available only to new players who are 18 years or older and must be claimed within 14 days from the date of registration.
The bonus is granted as Tournament Tickets, broken down as follows:
- 40 tickets of $0.10 buy-in
- 16 tickets of $1 buy-in
Once claimed, the bonus is released in batches:
- First batch worth $5 (10 tickets of $0.10 buy-in and 4 tickets of $1 buy-in) is granted upon meeting the conditions mentioned in point 3.
- Second batch worth $5 (10 tickets of $0.10 buy-in and 4 tickets of $1 buy-in) is granted 3 days after the bonus is claimed.
- Third batch worth $10 (20 tickets of $0.10 buy-in and 8 tickets of $1 buy-in) is granted 7 days after the bonus is claimed.
You can find a variety of games here, including:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha Hi
- Omaha Hi/Lo
- Snap Poker
- Blast Games
- Poker Cash Games
- Poker Tournament Games
Apart from this, the site offers several other features to enhance your experience, such as the Player’s Club, Play with Friends, Early Bird Rakeback, and more.
2. Party Poker
PartyPoker is a dedicated poker platform operated by ElectraWorks Maple Limited. It offers iGaming services in Ontario and is registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
The site is open only to players who are 19 years or older and physically located within Ontario. PartyPoker is a sister site of PartyCasino, designed specifically for poker games.
To access the website, players must enter a valid mobile number, which is verified during registration—so fake numbers won’t work. The platform offers games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, Limit Hold’em, Pot-limit Hold’em, Pot-limit Omaha, 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, and more.
Free play is not available, and a real money deposit is required to participate in poker games. Tournament poker games are also available.
Bonus Offer:
- Minimum deposit: $10
- Get 100% match up to $700, credited as real cash
- Receive $40 in bonus tickets
- Bonus tickets expire in 7 days from the time they’re issued
3. PokerStars Casino
PokerStars is a member casino of the Flutter Group. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Similar to PartyPoker, PokerStars is licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Here, you can find a wide range of poker games including Texas Hold’em, Omaha High, Omaha Hi/Lo, 5 Card Omaha, 6 Card Omaha, 6+ Hold’em, Courchevel, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi/Lo, Razz, Five Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, and 2-7 Single Draw, among others.
Multiple payment methods are supported, such as Skrill, Apple Pay, Direct Bank Transfer, Instant eChecks, Interac, and more. In addition to poker, you can also enjoy various casino games and sports betting options on the same platform.
The software doesn’t require you to download anything to start playing, but there is an app available alongside the web version for added convenience. The minimum deposit is $10. You can also stay connected with the community through social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch.tv.
4. BetMGM Poker Ontario
BetMGM Poker operates legally in Ontario under a license from iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. It is part of the well-known BetMGM brand, which is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain. The poker platform is dedicated to providing a regulated and secure online poker environment for residents of Ontario aged 19 and above.
BetMGM Poker Ontario offers a solid selection of poker variants and tournament formats. You can find popular games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha High, Omaha Hi/Lo, and 7 Card Stud. More niche options like 2-7 Triple Draw and Razz are also available. The platform supports various formats, including:
- Cash games
- Sit & Go tournaments
- Multi-table tournaments
Buy-ins typically start at just $1.10 and can go up to a few hundred dollars depending on the game and competition level.
BetMGM Poker Ontario offers a welcome bonus for new players. The package includes:
- A 100 percent deposit match up to $1,000
- Up to $75 in tournament tickets, depending on the size of the first deposit
These tickets are generally spread out across several days after registration and can be used in a range of low to medium-stakes tournaments.
Poker Games from Microgaming
Microgaming is one of the casino and gaming software developers that provide a great variety of video poker games to Canadians even for the most demanding players. A great variety of poker games are present in the developer’s offerings, including a range of multi-hand offerings.
Literally, every poker variation is offered by Microgaming casinos, including the most popular variants. Following are the popular Microgaming poker games to play:
- Deuces Wild
- Holdem Poker
- Aces and Faces
- Jacks or Better
- Tens or Better
- Power Poker
- Bonus Deuces Wild Power Poker.
- Jackpot Deuces Poker
- Supajax
You will find an impressive variety of Microgaming video poker games including multi-hand games, such as 10-hand Aces and Faces or 100-hand Jacks or Better, which allow players to play up to 100 hands simultaneously. Interesting varieties of standard games are offered, where certain cards are wild. Games like Double Double bonus poker have extra winning possibilities.
What are the best progressive poker games from Microgaming?
Microgaming’s large portfolio of video poker would not be complete without a progressive jackpot game. There are two best progressive poker games to play:
- Jackpot Deuces Poker: This is a single-hand video poker game, with a maximum of 5 coin bets. To be eligible to win the game’s enormous jackpot, you must bet the max. Your objective is to assemble the best possible 5-card poker hand. To win the top jackpot, you will need a “Diamond Royal Flush,” composed of the 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of diamonds.
- SupaJax: This poker is based on the familiar favourite Jacks or Better. Once again, you must bet the maximum 5 coins to have a chance at the giant progressive jackpot. Four jacks plus the exclusive SupaJax card are the winning combinations you are looking for to win.
What video poker games have the best odds?
The following video poker games have the best odds:
1. Jacks or Better
This game is pretty straightforward and eerily similar to 5 Card Draw. You’ll get five cards, and you choose the ones that you keep, then rank the hand using poker rankings. The payout that you’ll receive depends on the rank, with pairs being the lowest-paying hand and the royal flush with a payout of 800 to 1.
Though this video poker game doesn’t have the best odds, it’s most likely the game that you’ll find in every casino. Before you start playing Jacks or Better, it would be best to look for one that offers a 9/6 paytable. The payback percentage for this game shoots up to 99.54%, which is better than the odds of experts who play blackjack.
2. Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is almost the same as Jacks or Better, but with a very distinct variation — the 2s in the deck are wild cards and can be used as any card that you might need to complete a hand.
This variation changed the dynamics of the game, so the lowest-paying hand in Deuces Wild is 3 of a kind. The royal flush remains the highest-playing hand, with 800 to 1 in a five-coin game.
The payback percentage for Deuces Wild is higher than Jack or Better at 99.73%, but you won’t see this game often. If you’ve found a casino with Deuces Wild, it’s probably one of the best-paying games around.
3. Bonus Poker
In Jacks or Better, the payout when you complete a 4-of-a-kind is the same, regardless of the card; in Bonus Poker, the payout depends on the rank.
The payback percentage for Bonus Poker is 99.17%, which isn’t the game that you’d want to play over and over. The game is very volatile, and your winnings may fluctuate. However, any video poker game that has a payback percentage higher than 99% will always be one of the highest-paying games in most casinos.
4. Double Bonus Poker
If you’re looking for a video poker game that’ll pay you to play, then Double Bonus Poker is best. The payout for a 4-of-a-kind is twice of what you’ll get from Bonus Poker, which brings the payback percentage for this game to a whopping 100.17%! Casinos counter the generous payout on complete hands by reducing the pair payout from 2 to 1.
| Jacks or Better | 99.54% |
| Tens or Better | 99.14% |
| Joker Poker | 98.60% |
| Deuces Wild (Single play) | 96.77% |
| Deuces Wild (multi-hand) | 99.37% |
| Deuces and Joker Wild | 99.07% |
| Aces and Faces | 99.26% |
| Aces and Eights | 98.72% |
| All Aces | 99.26% |
| Double Bonus | 99.11% |
| Double Double Bonus | 98.98% |
| Double Joker | 98.10% |
Editor’s Verdict
In Canada, online casino websites have specific and separate interfaces for “Poker Games.” These are typical online casino websites with promotions, games, and payment methods.
All the casinos with poker interfaces have separate poker bonuses that are designed and claimed only for poker games. These games generally can’t be tried, but some casinos like 888 Poker offer a free bonus to players that does not need any deposit to get it claimed.
To enter the casino, it requires you to create your account, and it is only possible if you are 19 years or older.
Some poker casinos do have promotions that are claimed in the name of Tournament Tickets and can be used to play only Tournament games. All the bonuses have a certain expiry date, so please be cautious of it.
FAQs
Is it legal to play online poker in Canada?
It is legal to play poker online in Canada at the above-mentioned offshore online casinos. Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. Quebeckers can play online poker on Loto-Québec’s site. Also, BC punters can play at PlayNow, which is owned by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Are poker winnings taxable in Canada?
No poker winnings are not taxable in Canada. By default, Canada charges no tax on gambling winnings, unlike the US. However, it does make an exception for someone it considers a professional gambler.
It’s only if you’re spending long hours playing a skill-based game like poker, using a system to grind out a profit, and relying on it as your primary source of income that you’re at risk of getting declared “a professional.” Once you have that designation, then you are required to declare your winnings each year and pay income tax on them.
Where can I play Live poker in Canada?
The Playground Poker Club in Kahnawake (just outside Montreal) has arguably become the most popular poker room in the country, with different online poker sites choosing this location as the venue for their live events.
PokerStars has held its Canada Cup ($3,300 Main Event, $2 million guaranteed) at Playground, while partypoker is holding its Canadian Poker Championships. This means that online players in Canada can satellite into live events online for a fraction of the buy-in.
The nearby Casino Montreal might be the best choice for newcomers and amateur players, due to the lower overall skill level of the common player. However, because of this, the rake fees are slightly higher than those in dedicated poker rooms.
In Ontario, players can visit the OLG Casino Brantford which offers 14 Texas Hold’em tables. Cash games always run, but they also offer a varied tournament schedule including ladies’ events, bounty events, and deep stack tournaments.
The River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia, is open 24 hours a day, offering around-the-clock cash games. Other recommendations include Casino Nova Scotia, Caesars Windsor, Northlands Park in Alberta, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Medicine Hat Lodge Resort in Alberta, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, and Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino (also in Alberta).
The mentioned sites to play poker are well-regulated and are legit casinos registered under gaming and gambling license.
You can fund their casino account in your own currency that is CAD dollars or Bitcoins with friendly deposit options even with your mobile. Moreover, these offshore online casinos offer 24.7 help support in case you need to play online poker with real money.