At PokerScout, we’ve got the best selection of sites for online poker in Ohio to choose from. Below, our experts will explain the legalities of Ohio online poker and key site features to look out for.
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Reviews of Ohio Online Poker Sites 2024
Here’s our list of the top legal online poker Ohio sites, along with details on the best games and reasons they’re our top picks.
1. CoinPoker – Best Online Poker Site in Ohio for Crypto
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | Curaçao eGaming | Within 24 hours |
- Poker Games Variety 9/10 – CoinPoker doesn’t just stick to basic Texas Hold’em, but throws in some Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha, and funkier stuff like Cosmic Spins. They also periodically add games that are popular on the Ohio online poker scene like Open Face Chinese Poker.
- Poker Tournaments 9/10 – You can find poker tourneys at all sorts of buy-ins, from microstakes upwards. Events run at all hours and some of them have tasty guarantees, like their daily Big Bangs and Big Stacks signature events with guarantees of up to ₮5,000.
- Traffic and Player Base 9/10 – The flow of players at CoinPoker is strong. It’s also arguably one of the best Ohio poker rooms for low and medium stakes. High stakes tables are a little harder to fill but you’ll still find some available.
- Software Quality 9/10 – As one of the best places to play legal online poker in Ohio, CoinPoker naturally has a top poker client. The tables are dark and have a sleek, modern appearance.
- Betting Limits and Payments 9/10 – Because CoinPoker happily accepts payment through Bitcoin, you can make deposits and withdrawals almost instantly as long as the network isn’t ridiculously busy.
- Mobile Friendliness 9.5/10 – You’ll have no problems hopping on the CoinPoker mobile app, which you can download on either Android or Windows devices.
CoinPoker is emerging as one of the best Ohio online poker sites with its strong player base, modern software, and easy payment methods.
That includes the native currency CHP, which will grant you extra perks if you use it, such as boosted rakeback.
It’s like the evolution of loyalty points, and it’s all being guided by legendary poker player Tony G, who many fans know from his appearances on TV from the time of the poker boom onwards.
Read our complete CoinPoker review for more information about the Ohio online poker site.
Pros
- Get extra rakeback by using the native CHP token
- Rare games like Open Face Chinese Poker
- Excellent daily schedule including Big Bang tourneys
- Read game guides in the ‘Help’ section
Cons
- Not tons of high stakes tables
- Crypto-exclusive platform (no fiat currency)
- Anonymous poker with easy registration
- Get 33% rakeback every Monday
- Free from deposit & withdrawal fees on cryptocurrencies
2. Ignition Poker – Best Online Poker Site in Ohio for Playing Anonymously
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| PaiWangLuo Poker | Curaçao eGaming | Within 48 hours |
- Poker Games Variety 9/10 – One reason Ignition is one of the best poker sites in Ohio is because they know what players want, and that’s clear in their great selection of tourneys. For instance, there is Zone Poker which has an instant-fold aspect.
- Poker Tournaments 9/10 – The number of players at Ignition means it’s pretty easy for the site to put on tournaments with big guarantees regularly, as well as hosting special series, like their $4.5 million GTD Progressive Knockout Series.
- Traffic and Player Base 9.5/10 – Ignition really excels when it comes to the number of online players, outshining many of the best online poker Ohio sites. At times it tops 10,000 players, which is a fantastic turnout.
- Software Quality 9/10 – One thing that really stands out at Ignition is that you can play without downloading any software. This is unusual, even for the best poker rooms in Ohio, and will suit players who don’t want to waste any data or are playing on a one-time device.
- Betting Limits and Payments 8.5/10 – Being able to use Bitcoin Cash and the speed of withdrawals make Ignition stand out regarding payment. You can make withdrawals from a very low minimum if you choose the right method.
- Mobile Friendliness 9.5/10 – Mobile poker is top-class at Ignition. Because they’re a Ohio online poker room that lets you play without a download. It’s clear they’ve put lots of thought and energy into making the game accessible to amateurs – and a big part of that is mobile gameplay.
One thing that makes Ignition one of the best Ohio online poker sites is the caliber of players.
It’s a sportsbook and casino which lets you play poker without downloading software, making the site the perfect cocktail to get casual players dropping in and out.
Read our full Ignition review for more information about the platform.
Pros
- Known for having soft players
- Play with no download required
- 10,000+ players at times
- Offers sportsbook and casino
Cons
- Not many ultra-high stakes
- Only available in selected countries
- Reward store with bonuses and tickets
- Quick and easy seating at cash game tables
- Easy to use poker hand history
3. ACR Poker – Best Online Poker Site in Ohio for Winning Live Seats
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Winning Poker Network (WPN) | Costa Rica | Within 48 hours |
- Poker Games Variety 8.5/10 – This is one of the most popular and best online poker Ohio sites, which means it has a ton of games running at all times. They have some exclusive stuff too, like the chance to win a seat to The Cage Live.
- Poker Tournaments 9/10 – The tournament schedule at ACR Poker is packed with a variety of stakes and big guarantees. One aspect which both amateurs and experts love are the WSOP satellites, where you can win a Main Event seat worth $10,000.
- Traffic and Player Base 10/10 – It doesn’t get better than ARC’s traffic, as they’ve been around for over 20 years and are one of the best-known poker sites in Ohio.
- Software Quality 9.5/10 – Our experts saw similarities in the layout and design of the poker software at ACR Poker.
- Betting Limits and Payments 8.5/10 – Tables have a good spread from microstakes to high stakes and plenty in between. You can easily deposit with crypto or traditional payment methods at this online poker Ohio site.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – Take your pick from the full selection of ACR cash games and tourneys when playing on mobile. Both Android and iOS devices are supported.
With famous poker players like Tom Dwan and Chris Moneymaker, and a huge amount of advertising and promotional work, ACR Poker is one of the most popular and best online poker sites in the US.
From playing for seats to the WSOP and televised events to cashing out in crypto, ACR is a big hit with recs and regs alike.
Pros
- Guarantees of up to $12.5 million
- Unique satellites to The Cage Live
- Approved by poker pros like Moneymaker
- Win seats to WSOP worth $10,000
Cons
- Some strong players among the fish
- iOS play is not as smooth as Android
- WPN network with solid player base
- Blitz poker for speed and convenience
- Seven card stud poker available
4. Black Chip Poker – Best Online Poker Site in Ohio for Winning Live Seats
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Winning Poker Network (WPN) | Curaçao eGaming | Within 48 hours |
- Poker Games Variety 8.5/10 – There’s definitely a strong mix of games at Black Chip Poker. Like ACR, you’ll find a bunch of WSOP satellites, but you can also play all sorts of cash games, MTTs, and Sit & Gos.
- Poker Tournaments 8.5/10 – If you’re keen on playing in the biggest tournament in poker, you can enter Black Chip Poker satellites for a shot at entry to the WSOP in Las Vegas. If you’d rather stick to online stuff, make sure you check out their fun mystery bounty tourneys.
- Traffic and Player Base 8.5/10 – The number of players at Black Chip Poker might not match the very best Ohio online poker sites. But this needs to be considered alongside the quality of opponents, as there are a lot of soft recreational players.
- Software Quality 9.5/10 – Much like ACR, Black Chip Poker has top software in terms of looks and functionality. It doesn’t take itself too seriously either, adding animated elements which help retain casual players.
- Betting Limits and Payments 8.5/10 – The process of depositing and withdrawing is extremely easy and fast, which is a huge plus – though we’d prefer to see the limits relaxed a bit.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – Download the free Black Chip Poker app to play on the move. Like all the top online poker Ohio sites, the team makes regular updates, so it constantly improves.
Black Chip Poker overlaps with ACR Poker but also has appeal in its own right. It’s known for attracting soft players yet also taps into those enticing WSOP packages.
The software looks excellent, and they’ve packed in plenty of features to help keep the tables exciting.
Read our detailed Black Chip Poker review to learn more about the Ohio online poker site.
Pros
- Beautiful-looking tables
- Play against soft players
- Qualify for the WSOP
- Deposit and withdraw with crypto
Cons
- Not as many players as rivals
- Some HUD limitations
- Play with other US poker players from all non-regulated states
- Winning poker network
- Seven card stud and 5 table PLO available
5. BetOnline Poker – Best Online Poker Site in Ohio for Variety
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Chico Poker | Panama Gaming Commission | Within 48 hours |
- Poker Games Variety 8.5/10 – In addition to classic Texas Hold’em, BetOnline has one type of poker in particular which is both popular and hard to find: Short Deck Poker or 6+ Hold’em.
- Poker Tournaments 8.5/10 – BetOnline doesn’t have the gigantic, multi-million-dollar prizepools like some other poker rooms in Ohio. However, it does have a wide selection of tourneys with solid guarantees and some big games, like the Sunday Majors.
- Traffic and Player Base 9/10 – Despite this online poker Ohio site launching back in 1991, it has retained its popularity and they’ve got a whole heap of satisfied customers. It also has tons of soft poker players who aren’t the toughest to play against.
- Software Quality 8.5/10 – From the moment you check out the pragmatic lobby, you can tell that BetOnline has designed its software with the player in mind. Tables are similarly straightforward with well-placed buttons and the option to change colors and designs (including different colors for different suits).
- Betting Limits and Payments 8.5/10 – Because BetOnline allows you to bet on a ton of casino slots and sports markets, they already have an infrastructure in place that makes it easy to deposit with relatively low minimums. Similarly, there are plenty of low stakes games running at all times which attracts soft players to this OH online poker site.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – They may have been around for over 30 years, but BetOnline aren’t old-fashioned, as you can easily play on their mobile poker app. Buttons and menus are resized for a smaller screen while remaining intuitive.
Even though BetOnline has many players who only show up for the casino and sportsbook, the poker product here is awesome.
It’s got throwables, mobile play, soft opponents and more, combining to make it one of the best online poker Ohio sites.
Pros
- Play uncommon games like Short Deck Poker
- High number of soft players
- Fast withdrawals on winnings
- Cool in-game table features
Cons
- Rake is steep
- Could use more payment methods
- Fast seating with Boost for zero waiting time
- Huge tournaments like Sunday Million and PKO's
- Solid traffic on Chico Poker Network
How to Pick Online Poker Sites in Ohio
So, how can you spot the best online legal US poker in Ohio? Here are five things to look for:
Look for tourneys with large guarantees, which attract more players and give you a chance to win more money.
It’s important to only play at the best online poker Ohio sites like CoinPoker and Ignition, so you know your money is safe.
The more players there are, the more games and action at your fingertips. Smaller sites sometimes struggle to fill seats, which can be frustrating.
No matter what your level of experience, it’s smart to play at Ohio online poker rooms with inexperienced players to give yourself a bigger chance of winning.
Whether it’s CoinPoker’s boosted cashback when using CHP, or the chance to win seats to a televised poker event, look out for special perks.
Ohio Poker Sweepstakes
Ohio openly embraces its brick-and-mortar casinos, so it’s a state which is comfortable with gambling. But some people still have reservations about playing poker in Ohio.
One way around this is through Ohio online poker sweepstakes. Some might look at them as a loophole to playing real-money poker, or the next best thing.
An example of an Ohio online poker sweepstake would be players paying a monthly subscription fee, then entering tournaments for real money prizes.
There may also be an option to buy digital coins, which you then swap for another type of digital coin, which in turn gets you entry to poker tournaments in Ohio.
And yes, we agree – that does just sound like real-money poker with extra steps.
Popular Ohio Online Poker Games
The best online poker Ohio sites don’t just offer Hold’em, although that’s clearly the most popular game. Instead, some poker sites in Ohio like to mix things up with other types of poker.
Here are some of the most popular and exciting types of poker you can find when playing online poker in Ohio:
Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is by far the most popular variant of poker, and also the easiest to learn. It can come in many forms, and most of the cash games, Sit & Gos and MTTs at all the best online poker sites in Ohio will be Hold’em.
Omaha
In Omaha, you’ll be dealt four hole cards, of which you can use two. This means the board – and potential nuts – changes significantly on pretty much every street, and makes for a very fun game.
Stud
You won’t see Stud as often as Hold’em and Omaha at the top online poker Ohio sites, but you can still find the odd MTT with a fair guarantee. Look out for big online series if you want to play Stud for higher stakes, as these often include more niche poker game types.
Short Deck Poker
Also known as 6+ Hold’em, this is a relatively new variant of online poker which removes cards and adjusts the hand order to spruce up traditional Hold’em. It’s not easy to find, but you can play Short Deck Poker at BetOnline.
Poker Variations at Online Poker Rooms in Ohio
Even though the majority of us focus on Hold’em whenever we hit the green felt, there are lots of other exciting types of poker which shouldn’t be ignored.
Here are the types of poker you can play at the best online poker sites in Ohio:
| Online Poker Sites | Free-to-Play Poker | Texas Hold'em | Omaha | Stud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ignition Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| ACR Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Black Chip Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetOnline | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
How to Play Online Poker in Ohio
If you want to play online poker for real money legally in Ohio, here’s what to do:
- Choose an online Ohio online poker room like CoinPoker and make an account.
- Create a good username. You can’t change it, so make sure you’re pleased with it.
- Make a deposit.
- Browse the lobby and select the right event for you – not just the next one that’s starting.
- Sign up to the event.
- While you’re waiting for it to start, toggle with the table settings like backdrop or card design.
- Once you’re in the game, give it your full focus and play the best you possibly can.
Ohio Poker Bonuses to Claim
Claiming poker bonuses are a great way to stretch your bankroll, or enter some extra tournaments – sometimes for free.
Here are the most popular online poker bonuses:
You can only access a welcome bonus when you first sign up to a site which offers online poker in Ohio. But a welcome bonus, or sign up bonus, can consist of many different things.
The most common poker welcome bonus is a match deposit, where you’ll be rewarded for your first-ever deposit with extra funds contributed by the poker room.
You’ll almost always have to unlock these by playing poker, so don’t just assume you’ll get a big cash bonus right away – even at the best online poker Ohio sites.
If you’re lucky, the site might even have a welcome bonus which doesn’t require a deposit.
Free tournament tickets are different from freerolls and can offer tremendous value, even to experienced poker players.
You might get free tickets as part of a welcome package, for earning a certain amount of loyalty points, or just with a promo code.
Either way, it’s worth watching out for, as they could have any value from a few cents to over $1,000.
Freerolls are free to enter, just like free tickets, except these are not regular tourneys. These are specific events that have been created purely for free entry.
While freerolls can have cool prizes, including real cash, there are often so many players that the pros simply don’t have the time to take part.
Freerolls at Ohio online poker sites like CoinPoker and ACR Poker are often packed with soft players, making them a great option for amateur to moderate players.
Rake is the money a poker room charges you to play, and rakeback is your chance to earn some of that back.
If you play a lot of poker, this can massively affect your bankroll. And if you’re a casual player, it could mean a welcome surprise of a few extra bucks here and there.
At CoinPoker, you can massively increase your rakeback by using their native token, CHP.
If you regularly play poker online in Ohio for real money in Ohio at the same site, make sure you check out their loyalty program. These vary from one poker room to another, but you essentially rack up points every time you play.
These loyalty points can usually be cashed in for prizes, merchandise, event entry, or even straight cash.
What is the Best Payment Method for Online Poker in Ohio?
Ohio poker online sites often let you pay in crypto, and it’s something you should consider.
Using crypto poker sites allow you to make withdrawals within minutes rather than hours or days. It’s not quite instant, due to the fact the network might be busy, but it’s one of the fastest options.
But there’s another big reason for using crypto. It unlocks rewards you might not otherwise have access to. One example is the native CHP token at CoinPoker, which massively boosts your rakeback.
It’s a similar case for bonuses. Often, crypto bonuses have a bigger reward than standard USD ones.
If you don’t want to play poker using crypto, here are some of the most common alternative payment methods:
- Credit/debit card
- Ewallet like Skrill or Neteller
- Mobile payments like Apple Pay
- Checks and bank wire transfers
Ohio Poker Laws
You’ll find loads of Ohio online poker sites, but you may have also heard something about it not being legal to run a poker room out of Ohio.
Here, our experts will clear up the Ohio online poker laws once and for all.
Is Online Poker Legal in Ohio?
The answer as to whether online poker is legal in Ohio is a simple ‘yes’. You are allowed to play online poker while residing in Ohio at sites like ACR Poker and CoinPoker. So, why do people get so confused about Ohio online poker laws?
The key thing is that online poker Ohio sites can’t be located in the state itself – but you are allowed to play at an offshore poker sites instead.
This is great news for players looking for poker in Ohio, as it gives you an incredible amount of choice – and much more than if you could only play online poker sites with offices in Ohio.
When Will Online Poker Be Legal in Ohio?
It’s already legal to play online poker in Ohio at sites such as Black Chip Poker.
Regarding poker rooms in Ohio with a physical headquarters in the Buckeye state, they’re currently not legal – and there’s no indication of if or when this will change.
But this shouldn’t be of great importance when you’re looking for the online poker Ohio sites, as any loosening of the law will not affect them; further Ohio online poker legalization isn’t needed.
Can You Play Online Poker in Ohio?
Yes, you can legally play online poker for real money in Ohio.
That includes poker tournaments in Ohio at sites such as CoinPoker, ACR Poker and BetOnline.
Are Poker Winnings Taxable in Ohio?
Yes, if you win at the tables you will be taxed. This is standard, and if you want to avoid paying tax on your online poker winnings you’ll have to consider moving abroad.
Canada and the UK are a couple of countries where you can play online poker without paying tax, alongside Germany, Malta, Australia, and plenty more.
Live Poker Rooms in Ohio
Ohio poker is legal, which means you can play real-life poker live at various casinos and poker rooms.
JACK Cleveland Casino is a popular choice for many players, often running weeks-long series packed with Hold’em MTTs and more at various stakes.
And then there’s the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, which hosts events such as the Moneymaker Poker Tour Cincinnati. If you recognize that name from the top Ohio online poker sites, it’s because of his association with ACR Poker.
Famous Ohio Poker Players
Wondering who the most famous poker players from Ohio are? Here are three big-time poker players from the Buckeye state:
Topping the all-time money list for players from Ohio is David Peters. And he’s not far off the all-time live money list for US players in general, having netted over $46 million in live earnings.
Peters was inspired to start playing poker by – you guessed it – Chris Moneymaker. He won a freeroll for $600 and the rest, as they say, is history.
Having locked up well over $19 million in live earnings, Byron Kaverman is our next entry on our list of famous poker players from Ohio.
He won his first WSOP bracelet at the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Six Handed Championship with a $10,000 buy-in. This included a memorable heads-up battle with fellow pro and YouTube personality Doug Polk.
There are many top poker players from Ohio, but we’re completing our list with Justin Saliba, who’s racked up over $8.4 million in live poker winnings so far.
His best live cash was for an incredible $1,188,000 when he came second in the epic Triton $50,000 event, narrowly missing out to eventual champion Adrian Mateos.
Poker in Other States
There’s a reason so many people play at the best online poker sites in Ohio. You can play at some of the world’s top poker sites 100% legally and collect your winnings without any issues.
But if you’re wondering about the legality of playing other states, we’ve got you covered:
- Online Poker in California – Despite ongoing battles and multiple attempts to change the law, poker has not yet been legalized in California. With that said, you’re still able to play at sites like Ignition without any problems. It has to be an out-of-state poker room to qualify.
- Online Poker in New York – In New York, using poker sweepstakes is one of the easiest ways to play poker for real money (with a few extra steps involved). Of course, you can still play at offshore poker sites like CoinPoker, ACR Poker, and BetOnline.
Online Poker in Ohio – Key Takeaways
Now that you’re up to speed on the best online poker Ohio sites, it’s time to choose which one you want to sign up to.
Here are three key things to keep in mind:
- Crypto gets you bigger rewards – Playing with CHP at CoinPoker to get extra rakeback is just one example of how betting with crypto can boost your bankroll.
- Certain poker sites have weaker players – All top Ohio online poker rooms like CoinPoker, Ignition, and ACR Poker have tons of soft players.
- It’s not just about the money – You want to have fun at the tables, so choose a site you like the look and feel of – including table colors, backgrounds, and throwables.