Regulated US online poker is available in multiple states. Exactly a decade ago, three states — Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey — scrambled to launch the country’s first 100% legal and regulated online poker sites.
Initially, multiple online poker rooms served the Nevada and New Jersey markets, but today, three well-established networks are fighting against each other in four states.
In this comprehensive guide, we compare the cash game offerings of these stalwart operators to determine which among them reign supreme in terms of providing ring games in the US market.
US Online Poker Rooms: Cash Game Offering Summary
- PokerStars US offers the broadest range of cash game formats, including mixed games such as 8-Game, HORSE, Stud, and Draw games
- BetMGM Poker US is the only network in the country to offer a randomized cash drops feature, Hot Tables, at cash games
- BetMGM also exclusively spreads cash games in fast-fold variant, which it calls FastForward
- WSOP US has the distinction of offering full-ring nine-handed tables at multiple stakes
- Both PokerStars US and WSOP US offer fixed-limit Hold’em games
- WSOP and BetMGM run NLHE heads-up tables, while PokerStars only spreads them for niche variants
US Online Poker Cash Games Comparison
| Operator | Distinction |
|---|---|
| PokerStars USA | Mixed Games |
| WSOP USA | Full Ring Tables |
| BetMGM Poker USA | Fast-Fold Variant |
US Online Poker Rooms Cash Game Table Stakes
| Operator | Hold’em | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| PokerStars USA | $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 | $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 |
| WSOP USA | $0.01/$0.02 to $200/$400 | $0.01/$0.02 to $10/$20 |
| BetMGM Poker USA | $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 | $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 |
PokerStars US
PokerStars is undoubtedly the best for offering various cash game tables globally. In the US market, it brings that same experience.
It operates two distinct player pools in the US: One in New Jersey & Michigan, sharing the same player pool, and the other as a standalone network in Pennsylvania.
On PokerStars US, players will find no shortages of tables as there is always plenty of action at the tables. Besides the standard No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), PokerStars US network also spreads niche variants like Badugi, 5-Card Draw, Stud, Razz, 8-Game, HORSE, and more.
The cash game starts with buy-ins of $0.01/$0.02 and goes up to 25/$50 for both NLHE and PLO. Higher stakes, including a buy-in of $50/$100, are available at 8-Game. These cash games are primarily available in the 6-max format though Stud games are available in the 8-handed format. A couple of mid-stakes and high-stakes are also available in the full-ring format.
The operator does not run NLHE or PLO heads-up tables but offers them for mixed game variants in the newly launched MJ-NI shared liquidity network. It also runs the fast-fold variant Zoom occasionally but not regularly.
PokerStars US offers variance-reducing features such as Run It Twice, but its insurance feature, All-In Cashout, is unavailable to US players.
In the US market, it gets the most traffic in terms of cash games and should be your go-to online poker network.
Standout cash game offerings or features of PokerStars US:
- Dozen table stakes available from 2nl to 500nl for NLHE and PLO
- Occasionally runs Zoom cash game tables, the operator’s fast-fold product
- Also offers mixed games such as 8-Game, Badugi, NL 2-7 Single Draw, 5 Card Draw, HORSE, Stud, etc
- Heads-up tables only available for niche variants
- Optional Run It Twice feature available to all players
Learn more about the country’s hottest new multi-state network in our PokerStars US Review or head right over to the operator’s page and sign up now.
- Play one hand & get $150 in bonus play funds
- Top-quality mobile app
- Best online MTT schedule
WSOP US
WSOP US is the oldest online poker network operating in the country and has been live since 2013 — the same year online poker got legalized in Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey.
It is available in four US states: Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The New Jersey & Nevada platform runs on a shared liquidity network along with Delaware rooms powered by 888poker. The Michigan and Pennsylvania platforms are ring-fenced and run on 888’s new modern-looking software.
While the WSOP brand mostly appeals to players for its various tournament options, it also offers extensive cash game options. Cash games’ stakes range from $0.01/$0.02 to $200/$400 at the highest stakes.
The newer platforms — WSOP MI & WSOP PA — also offer high stakes with buy-ins of $50/$100 and $100/$200.
Besides Hold’em and Omaha, WSOP NJ/NV network players also have access to Stud games with stakes starting at just $0.02/$0.04 and topping at $10/$20.
WSOP’s software does support the ability to spread fast-fold cash games, but currently, they are not offered to US players. This might change once its existing shared liquidity network expands with the merger of WSOP MI. The current player pool does not seem big enough to sustain them over more extended periods, as fast-fold games require liquidity to run.
The network also spreads heads-up tables as well as full-ring tables. With regard to cash game activities, WSOP gets decent traffic around the clock. The traffic sees a massive boost alongside the live series in the summer period.
Standout cash game offerings or features of WSOP US:
- Table stakes start at 2nl for NLHE and PLO
- Support for high-stakes tables, including buy-ins of $200/$400
- Network also spreads Stud games in New Jersey & Nevada
- Heads-up tables also supported on the network
Sign up for WSOP and get in on the cash game action or check out our WSOP US Review to learn all this operator offers.
- Up to $100 in free play with first deposit*
- Top-quality software
- Compete for WSOP bracelets & rings
BetMGM Poker US
The BetMGM Poker US network comprises BetMGM Poker itself, partypoker, and Borgata Poker. While the Borgata brand is available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the partypoker brand is only active in New Jersey. In Michigan, the BetMGM network is made up of just BetMGM itself.
The network offers a variety of No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha action, with blinds starting at $0.01/$0.02 and going up to $25/$50. These are available in both 6-max and 8-max structures. The site also runs heads-up tables at select takes.
Fast-fold style poker, known as Zoom at PokerStars, is also available on the BetMGM Poker network, running under the moniker FastForward. It is a cash game variant where there is no waiting for a hand to finish, and players are taken to a new table as soon as they fold or the hand finishes. However, finding these games may be a challenge as they only run during peak times on the weekends.
Another standout feature of the BetMGM Poker US network is the so-called randomized cash drops feature called Hot Tables. In this promotion, cash game pots get randomly boosted through cash drops, offering players additional prizes on top of the regular cash pot.
The boost can be as big as 1200 big blinds at low stakes, while at high stakes, it can be up to 300 blinds, meaning a maximum top prize of $1500.
This cash game feature is available exclusively on the BetMGM Poker US network.
Besides PokerStars, BetMGM offers the optional Run It Twice feature, where the board is dealt twice if both players agree.
Standout cash game offerings or features of WSOP US:
- Table stakes start at 2nl and go up to 500 nl
- Offers randomized cash drops feature
- Also exclusively spreads fast-fold cash games with buy-ins starting at just $5
- Heads-up tables available across half a dozen table stakes
- Also runs PLO Hi/Lo cash games
- Does offer Run It Twice as an optional feature
Learn more about BetMGM Poker in our complete guide or head straight to the BetMGM website to sign up and start playing.
- Up to $75 in MTT tickets on top of the bonus
- Frequent MTT series with good guarantees
- Combined player pools in Michigan and New Jersey
Which US Online Poker Room Has the Best Cash Game Offerings?
Here’s a breakdown of what we recommend:
- No doubt, when it comes to game availability and variety of buy-ins, PokerStars is the best option in any US state. It is also the only operator to offer less popular variants, including Seven Card Stud, Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw, 8-Game Mix, and more.
- For those looking for something interesting and who like the idea of randomized cash drops, BetMGM Poker Network should be their go-to option as it is the only network in the country that offers this exciting format. BetMGM also spreads an action-packed fast-fold variant where there’s no waiting between the hands.
- For Those who prefer playing traditional with a full ring comprising nine players, WSOP has that option. While PokerStars also offer 9-handed at select stakes, on WSOP, these tables run pretty frequently and are available at broader stakes.
To conclude, all the rooms are good in their own way. To dive in deeper, check out our comparison table below. It might help you pick the room that is best suited for you.
US Online Poker Games Comparison II
| PokerStars USA | WSOP USA | BetMGM Poker USA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heads-Up | Only at Niche Variants | Yes | Yes |
| 6-Max | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7-Max | At NL 2-7 Only | No | No |
| 8-Max | Yes But only at Stud Games | MI & PA Only | Yes |
| 9-Max | Yes at Select Stakes | Yes | No |
| Fast-Fold | Occasionally | No | Yes |
