This Ya Poker review takes a comprehensive look at all of the site’s features, from any available Ya Poker no deposit bonus to rakeback. Each section describes our personal experience and is based on our expert knowledge of what you should look for when choosing a home for online poker.
- Owned: America’s Card Room (ACR)
- Established: 2013
- Poker Network: Winning Poker Network (WPN)
- Rakeback: 4.5%
- Payment: Luxon Pay, Bitcoin and Crypto Transfer, Person-to-Person (P2P), eWallets, Credit and Debit Cards, and Check
- Platforms: Android
- Accepted: Latin America, United Kingdom, and more.
- License Verified: ✅
- Website: www.yapoker.com
- Show Full Guide
After being an established presence in the industry for over a decade, Ya Poker joined the Winning Poker Network in 2013. Ya Poker is not available to players in the US, instead mainly focuses on players in Latin America and some in Europe as well.
Spanish and Portuguese-speaking support staff is available for inquiries about deposits and more. You can also access a PC and mobile version of Ya Poker. More details about these options are covered later in this Ya Poker review.
Competitive Ya Poker Rake
The Ya Poker rake is competitive with other sites. The cap on rake for the cash games at the fixed limits is set at 4.5% for the smaller stakes up to the $.50/$1 blind level.
At the higher stakes, the rake cap is lower at 2%, and 1% at the very highest stakes offered on the site.
No-Limit Hold’em cash game rake is calculated by the number of players in the hand and the size of the pot. The rake cap is 5% and capped at a maximum of $3.
Ya Poker Download Sign Up Bonus
One of the things that many good poker websites do to attract new users is offer a sign up bonus and the same concept is present here.
Ya Poker gets players going right out of the gate with a 100% first deposit bonus up to $2,000. All you have to do is make your first deposit of $25 or more and your bankroll will be boosted.
The bonus is then paid out in increments of $1 for every 27.5 award points earned.
Keep in mind that this deposit bonus can only be claimed once per new player who has never used Ya Poker before.
There is no Ya Poker bonus code required for this offer, it is activated automatically once you deposit and start to play.
| Bonus Name: | 100% Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| Bonus Amount: | $2,000 |
| Min. Deposit: | $25 |
| Max Withdrawal: | N/A |
| Ya Poker Promo Code: | N/A |
We have reviewed other offshore poker websites which you can also take a look at after reading this Ya Poker review.
- Step satellites for popular tournaments
- Check players at tables with rail tickets
- WPN - US friendly poker network
Ya Poker Rakeback
Ya Poker players are eligible for rakeback.
Players that sign up can get up to 27% rakeback through MTTs, SNGs or cash games.
How to Claim Ya Poker Rakeback
The Ya Poker rakeback is made on demand. It can be collected fairly simply by clicking a few buttons. Here is a step by step guide:
- Launch the Ya Poker site.
- Tap the “Ya Poker Login” button and enter your user ID and password.
- Click on the “Rewards” tab near the top of the screen and select “Rakeback”.
- Tap the “Click Here to Redeem” button.
- Your rakeback payment will then be deposited directly into your account.
Play the games and tournaments that have the highest % of rakeback in order to build up the most for a rakeback payment. Play the most hands that you can within your bankroll to maximize the rakeback.
More Ya Poker Bonus Offers
As a poker player, you should always be on the lookout for ongoing promotions to enhance your play, including no deposit bonus poker offers. These special offers are available to claim at Ya Poker.
Elite Benefits Program
You are automatically enrolled into Ya Poker’s Elite Benefits Program once you play your first real money hand.
There are six levels to this rewards program, starting with Bronze status. As you play, you climb up the levels and receive better perks than the last.
Some of the benefits available include cash rewards, freerolls, points earned in weighted contributed rake, and more.
Ya Poker Reload Bonus
You have the chance to increase your bankroll every Wednesday with the 50% up to $100 reload bonus.
This hump day promotion is valid on all deposit methods of at least $25. You also need to add the Ya Poker bonus code HUMPDAY to qualify for the promo.
For every 120 Award Points you rack up by playing poker at the tables, you can redeem $5 of your bonus into your real money cash balance.
Ya Poker Leaderboard
Ya Poker has a variety of leaderboard competitions that run throughout the year.
- OSS XL Leaderboard competition with an overall $15,000 reward.
- Winter Online Super Series which has $1,500,000 GTD with $2,650 buy in.
- High Five Leaderboard Competition holding $53,000 total value.
- OSS Leaderboard Competition with $30,000 in cash and tournament tickets.
- Online Super Series XL which offers $40,000 in GTD prizepools.
Ya Poker No Deposit Bonus
Currently, there isn’t a Ya Poker no deposit bonus to claim.
We’re not aware of such Ya Poker promotions being offered in the past, either.
Still, we’ll be the first to inform you if things change and if a Ya Poker promo code is also needed for this online poker no deposit bonus.
Ya Poker Lobby
After getting all of the information to decide to join Ya Poker and making your Ya Poker account, it will be time for you to enter the Ya Poker lobby and get familiar with the layout.
The Ya Poker lobby has an easy to follow set-up with a black colored top that uses colors to differentiate the areas of the site.
Green tabs display the options ‘poker’ and ‘casino’ followed by sub tabs of the different game types. Each tab you select will highlight to make it clear where you are on the site at any moment.
This Ya Poker review will recount our immediate takeaways from navigating the Ya Poker lobby. There are several types of poker games available, and we’ll take a look at each one of them.
Ya Poker Tournaments
Ya Poker tournaments have an exciting amount of variety on the daily.
We went into the tournament lobby and witnessed it all. There is a vast span of stakes and choices in all parts of the day.
The stakes range from as low as $33 to as high as $1,050 in the once a week Sunday tournament. The Ya Poker tournaments are further broken down in the below table:
| Tournaments: | Guaranteed, Satellite, Venom, Freeroll, Steps, Private |
|---|---|
| Games: | No-Limit Hold’em |
| Buy-ins: | Freeroll, $16.5, $21, $33, $44, $55, $66, $88, $104.5, $109, $215, $320, $630, $1,050 |
Ya Poker Annual Tournament Festivals
Ya Poker offers a lot of annual tournament festivals throughout the year, not limited to:
- The Venom: This ever-popular online poker festival on ACR Poker can be qualified for through Ya Poker. It is held in the 2nd half of April. This event features massive prizepools, including the $12.5 Million GTD. Ya Poker hosts a venom fever series that gives players a chance to qualify for the Venom.
- Online Super Series (OSS): There are different versions throughout the year, winter version, for example. These festivals are compelling as they offer a wider range of buy-ins and Mystery Bounty tournaments.
- Step satellites for popular tournaments
- Check players at tables with rail tickets
- WPN - US friendly poker network
Ya Poker Deposits & Withdrawals
Ya Poker provides a few options for making quick and easy deposits and withdrawals. Here, we take a look at some of the available methods:
Luxon Pay
This method requires you to create a free Luxon Pay account on your PC or mobile device to send funds. You can fund your Luxon Pay account with a credit card or cryptocurrency.
An advantage with Luxon Pay is that deposits and withdrawals are instantaneous.
This method is available for 120 countries, but notably, not the United States.
Cryptocurrency
Another Ya Poker withdrawal option is cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Tether. There are more than 60 different crypto options to choose from.
As one of the best crypto poker sites, Ya Poker allows fast and unlimited payments. There is also a high maximum deposit limit of $25,000.
Person-to-Person (P2P)
This is a simple transfer method if you have friends that are also registered on Ya Poker. The minimum deposit amount required is $50.
To cash out funds with this option, you must generate 10% rake of the amount before you can request a cashout.
One of the slower methods as processing deposits can take up to eight hours and payouts can take as long as 3-5 business days.
eWallet
This cross-border payment solution offers a free account sign-up and instant deposits from as little as $10, up to $25,000.
Cashouts reviews can take up to 72 hours, but once they are processed, you’ll receive your winnings instantly.
Credit/Debit Cards
One of the more popular methods. Available in a wide array of countries and regions. Fees may apply for certain card types.
Checks
This withdrawal option is only available in the US and Canada. There is an allowance of one free check by mail per month.
Checks by mail take up to 8 weeks to arrive whereas, when using FedEx it’ll arrive between 7-15 business days. Any additional checks are subject to a $55 fee.
Ya Poker Withdrawal Options
Here is a closer look at the available Ya Poker withdrawal methods to choose from:
| Method | Min. Withdrawal | Withdrawal Fee | Withdrawal Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxon Pay | €20 (or equivalent) | N/A | Instant |
| Bitcoin and Crypto | $50 | Varies (Miner’s fee) | Less than 1 hour |
| Player to Player | $50 | N/A | 3-5 Days |
| Ewallets | $50 | N/A | Up to 72 Hours |
| Credit/Debit Cards | Varies | N/A | Instant |
| Checks | $100 | N/A (Free per 30-day period) | Up to 8 Weeks |
| Money Transfer for Pick Up | $100 | $60 fee on withdrawals of $100 to $299 $70 fee on withdrawals of $300+ | N/A |
Interface & User Experience
Ya Poker has a fairly straightforward user interface. The traditional table is a basic look with a black background and a green table. There are optional different skins as well to spice up the look of the table, such as a cityscape background.
The gameplay has the stats down in the left hand corner of the screen which keeps track of the action around the table during a hand. It allows you to choose your action before action gets to you, which is just like most other online sites.
There is also a player chat box where you can chat with other players. What you say in that chat box is up to you, whether you choose to talk trash or have actual conversations.
Ya Poker is compatible with multiple types of software. Microsoft Windows from Windows 7 and onwards is supported. It is also available on Mac.
One of the key things that you need to pay attention to on any online poker site is the security. Ya Poker has a multitude of security features to ensure play privacy and safety from any third party.
For example, the site does not allow two accounts from the same IP Address to play at the same time to avoid any potential collusion.
Ya Poker Mobile App
Like many other poker sites with mobile poker apps, there is a Ya Poker mobile app available to you for some quick poker play. One of the notable features of the Ya Poker app is its convenience.
The Ya Poker download application for mobile devices can be found on the Ya Poker site. You can install the Ya Poker Android app if you want to take a break from using a PC.
With the Ya Poker app, you can play single table Hold’em cash games, Omaha cash games, tournaments, etc. In addition, you can play up to 4 tables at the same time on the app.
Why Ya Poker is a Reliable and Safe App
Here are the three top features of the Ya Poker mobile app which makes it a secure download:
- A team of security professionals monitors every table.
- Unusual patterns of play are detected immediately for the security personnel to review.
- The Ya Poker Android app is confirmed from the official site and paired directly with it.
The Ya Poker download application is only available for Android. Sadly there is no version for iOS or Mac yet. Here is a step-by step-process of how to install the app:
- Click “Download” on the standard APK file inquiry.
- Tap “Open” then “Install”.
- Enter your Ya Poker login credentials to access the YA Poker account.
- Go to your “Inbox” and find the email to verify your Ya Poker Android mobile app.
Ya Poker Customer Service & Safety
Ya Poker is dedicated to making sure you have a safe poker playing environment every time you log on.
Safe poker gambling is key to all good poker websites and Ya Poker is no exception. Every player must be above the age of 18 as no underage gambling is allowed.
Ya Poker is granted licensing under the laws of Curaçao with the jurisdiction being from Costa Rica.
One of the keys of security and integrity is Ya Poker’s Random Number Generator (RNG), which is monitored by the independent organization, iTech Labs. They confirm that Ya Poker RNG meets or exceeds best practices in generating unpredictable and statistically random values for dealing cards.
There is a variety of Ya Poker customer service options available to users:
- Virtual assistant / form (enquire about various different topics including a future Ya Poker no deposit bonus)
- FAQ (available from the Ya Poker download app)
- Phone (1-866-905-7088)
- Email ([email protected] for general inquiries, [email protected] for inquiries about Ya Poker affiliates, [email protected] for marketing queries)
Where Ya Poker is Legal
Ya Poker is one of the main poker sites for many Latin American countries. The vast majority of the user base hails from those countries, most notably from Costa Rica and Brazil.
But outside of Latin America, it is also legal in several European countries including;
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Denmark
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Malta
- Romania
- United Kingdom
Ya Poker download is not available in several countries including Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey, Israel, and Sweden.
Nonetheless, you can safely access Ya Poker from different GEOs with a VPN.
Ya Poker vs Competitors
It is without a doubt that Ya Poker is one of the biggest poker sites right now. But let’s see how it compares to other good poker websites in the industry.
Ya Poker vs Black Chip Poker
Ya Poker and Black Chip Poker share an identical user interface and functionality, so if you’ve used either operator and decide to try the other, you can easily find your way around.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that both poker sites use the WPN for their offerings too, and you’ll find equally rewarding tournaments and promotions.
Read our Black Chip Poker review to take a closer look at the operator.
Ya Poker vs ACR Poker
On first glance, ACR Poker has a more striking look when the website loads with its promotions on full display and graphics depicting the poker brand’s history.
However, underneath it all, you’ll find most of its features are also similar to Ya Poker. For example, it employs WPN for its poker offerings and boasts the same first deposit match bonus up to $2,000.
Playing at Ya Poker: Tips and Tricks
Based on our overlook of the tournaments and cash game offering in this Ya Poker review, we have devised a selection of tips and strategies if you wish to start playing regularly.
Ya Poker Review – Final Thoughts
In this Ya Poker review, we conclude that the poker site is a great option for Latin American players who wish to play against beginner-level players.
It offers the classic options for tournament and cash game poker. The multitude of rotating tournament series gives an exciting feel and a sense that they are part of big events and provides an incentive to play more.
The Ya Poker sign up bonus after completing the Ya Poker download is a great hook for new players and will entice you to jump right into the action. The regionality of Ya Poker creates a fun environment for the players in those regions.
Here is a brief summary of the pros and cons that we’ve touched on in this Ya Poker review:
What We Like
- Strong regional feel for Latin American players.
- Great for beginners as most players will be at the same level.
- Many tournament festivals and series with different stakes.
- Rewarding loyalty program and regular promotions.
What We Don’t Like
- Ya Poker mobile app is not available for iPhone users.
- User interface is basic compared to other poker websites.
- No Ya Poker no deposit bonus.
- Step satellites for popular tournaments
- Check players at tables with rail tickets
- WPN - US friendly poker network