If you’ve been playing poker or thinking about getting into the game using an app to play on as a beginner is a smart approach. With the apps I’m going to be covering you can do both practice and real money games. The formats will also be mainly Texas Holdem and Omaha with big multi table tournaments as well.
Since I’ve used all 3 of these for a long time, I can promise you they are reputable, work great on any OS, and have fast cash out options for getting paid. Plus, the software is solid on them as well. Let’s kick things off with my top pick.
Poker Apps for Beginners
- Ignition Poker – Visit Site
- Bovada Poker – Visit Site
- BetOnline – Visit Site
1. Ignition Poker
Okay, Ignition Poker is one of the best options to play online poker period. The app runs smoothly and you can do things like change the color of tables, card decks, use auto mucking, and chat with other players. They also have tons of traffic with well over 10,000 plus players logged in during peak playing times. So, it’s never hard to log in and find a game.
What really keeps me playing here though is that the competition is super easy to beat at most stakes. I’ve found low stakes to upper mid stakes easy to dominate consistently. The site also provides millions of dollars in tournaments prizes every month if you want to go for a big score. I could ramble on about Ignition, but I would prefer you just grab a bonus here and get playing.
2. Bovada Poker
Next is Bovada Poker. They have an awesome app and are super reputable being around for well over a decade now. The game selection covers everything youd expect as far as cash games, sit and go tournaments, and big multi table tournaments. And what’s nice about playing here is that they share the same player pool as Ignition, which adds to the overall traffic.
You can play both practice and real money on here, and when it comes to getting paid crypto is the way to go. Cash outs are almost instant at well under 15 minutes, and I can’t give you many reasons not to at least try them out. The app runs smoothly without lag, and you can multi table up to 4 games at a time. However, I would not go more than 2 because it really becomes hard to focus after that. You can learn more about Bovada here.
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline Poker is going to be my last recommendation. The app they have is incredible and has a lot more customizations such as avatars, enhanced chat features, and works perfectly in both portrait and landscape. The only issue with playing here is that the traffic is going to be slightly less than my first two options.
However, you still won’t have a hard time finding a game at any time of the day. Low stake games are always filled up, and the mid stakes are similar. With that said I would still give them a try if you wanted to hit up the virtual felt. You can try them out here.
What Makes a Poker App Good?
I think it’s simple. You want to play on something with a clean interface that runs good on any OS you’re using. If it feels clunky, lags, or doesn’t feel good playing there is no reason to even bother trying it. Since I’ve played on all of these, I can tell you they check all the boxes for what you would be looking for as a player.
You always want to make sure that low stakes are an option to start with. Games that are typically under or around $10 to $20 are a good starting point for playing real money. This allows you to test things out in a safe way to see if you like using the app or not. You could always do the practice games first as well.
Lastly, you want to make sure the players are easy enough to beat. You don’t need to be the next Phil Ivey to do good in poker. You just need to play against people who aren’t as skilled or can’t handle their emotions when variance comes knocking. I’ve found competition to be mediocre at best at low and mid stakes on each one of these apps.
How To Choose the Best App?
Once again, we don’t need to over complicate this. You want something you can use long term that just feels good and natural to play on. For example, logging in and loading up a table shouldn’t take longer than a minute at most. From there you can start putting in a session and getting to work.
Competition is also something most people overlook initially when they start using a poker app. Fortunately, it’s not hard to get an edge on any of the apps I’ve given you to try in this update. It’s only when you move up games over $1000 a table when things become a bit dicey. But since you are most likely a beginner or just getting a feel for the game none of that is going to apply to you right now. So, just get to work and improve your game so you can start winning consistently.
Tips On How to Win
If I was just getting started or getting back into the game, I would keep things as simple as possible. Just use an ABC style approach playing low stakes up until you get to mid stakes. Getting fancy at the low tables is not going to work out well. You don’t need to bluff a lot since most of these players are already bad and will likely call you down with bad hands.
As you move up in stakes you should start adding things into your game like GTO which stands for game theory optimal. This is a style of play that makes you less exploitable to other players and can help you play defense as you wait for big hands or spots to win with little effort.
And you also must be willing to put in the volume to see any results. Staying consistent is also key if you want to get anything out of this. You can’t play for a week straight and then take 3 weeks off. Just set a schedule for when you are going to play and try and stick to it as best as possible.
Final Thoughts
Using poker as a beginner is a great way to get a feel for the game. You can put in more volume which can make you better as a player faster. Then if you want to switch over to real money games you can put your skills to the test.
Having played on each one of these apps for a long time I can tell you each one is very beatable. It’s not until you get to the high-stake games that things become tough. For the most part testing your skills at low and mid-stake games to start is the best way to approach this.
With that said, you should also consider learning some of the basics like game optimal theory to help improve your pre flop and post flop play. After that it just comes down to constantly playing and improving, which can only be done by putting the time and volume in. Overtime the hard work always pays off so stick with it and start ripping some games on Ignition low or mid stakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best poker app for beginners?
The best poker app for beginners is one that offers an easy-to-use interface, low-stakes games, and a large player pool with many recreational players. Apps like Ignition Poker and Bovada Poker are popular among beginners because they provide simple mobile platforms and plenty of low buy-in cash games and tournaments. These apps make it easy for new players to learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed by advanced features.
Can beginners really win real money on poker apps?
Yes, beginners can win real money on poker apps, especially if they start at micro-stakes tables. Many poker apps offer games as low as $10, which are perfect for learning while risking very little money. The key for beginners is to focus on learning the fundamentals of poker, such as starting hands, position, and bankroll management, rather than trying to win big immediately.
Are poker apps safe to use?
Most reputable poker apps use secure encryption and trusted payment methods to protect players. Well-known platforms also offer fast deposits and withdrawals, including cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin. Before signing up, beginners should make sure the poker app has a good reputation and positive reviews from other players.
What stakes should beginners start with?
Beginners should always start with micro-stakes games or small buy-in tournaments. Playing at lower stakes reduces financial risk and allows new players to gain experience while learning the game. Once you become more comfortable with the rules and strategies, you can gradually move up to higher stakes.
Edward Pao is an online poker and casino affiliate marketer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. He has referred over 30,000 players to major poker platforms and specializes in reviewing the best online poker sites and casino bonuses.