The Best Crypto Poker Sites

Over the last several years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others have entered the mainstream, with more and more people owning and using crypto on a regular basis. This, among other things, led to a rise of crypto poker sites.

Like the name suggests, these poker rooms rely primarily (and often exclusively) on cryptocurrencies when it comes to banking. Deposits and withdrawals are done via crypto wallets, and games are hosted in cryptocurrencies, too.

In the United States, there is also a different breed of sites founded on this concept: crypto sweepstakes poker sites. These operators accept cryptocurrency payments for their play money (Gold Coin) purchases. These purchases lead to gifts in Sweeps Coins, i.e. a different type of coin that can be exchanged for real money prizes.

If you want to learn more about sweepstakes poker in general, check out our detailed sweepstakes poker guide on the topic, and you can find more information on buying and withdrawing cryptocurrencies on this page.

In this guide, we’ll focus primarily on cryptocurrency poker sites, different types of these sites, pros and cons, and best picks for US players.

What is crypto poker?

The term crypto poker refers to different forms of online poker where cryptocurrencies are used as the main form of payment and/or play. Crypto poker sites accept deposits via different cryptocurrencies and usually process cashouts only to crypto wallets, not any traditional methods like debit cards or bank accounts.

Crypto Poker Sites Basics

The biggest advantage (and for some, the main disadvantage) of cryptocurrency poker rooms is that players can usually only deposit using cryptocurrencies.

This means that you can’t simply transfer money from your card or bank account. Instead, you need a crypto wallet and some funds in the said wallet. Likewise, when it is time to withdraw, you can only get the funds back to your wallet.

A majority of crypto poker operators accept a variety of coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, etc. However, to keep things uniform and less volatile, they will convert your deposit to a crypto that’s used uniformly across the site. Usually, this will be a stable coin, like USDT. The value of 1 USDT is always equal to value of 1 USD, which makes everything much simpler.

In some instances, crypto deposits are also converted to fiat currency on the spot, and back to your preferred crypto at the point of a withdrawal.

When it comes to sweepstakes poker sites that accept cryptocurrency, like Stake.us Poker, things are a bit different. These sites don’t have traditional deposits or withdrawals, so the only difference is that purchases of Gold Coins (play money) are done with crypto. We’ll explain this in more detail in a moment.

Types of Crypto Poker Sites: Real Money vs. Sweeps Poker

There are two major groups of cryptocurrency poker sites: real money operators and sweepstakes poker rooms.

Real money crypto poker sites are identical to those using traditional payment options. The only difference is that they accept payments via crypto, be it exclusively or among other things.

For US poker players, it is important to note that no legal real money poker operators accept cryptocurrencies. Sites like Americas Cardroom, for example, accept players from the United States and allow crypto payments, but these sites’ operation is in clash with current online gaming laws in the country.

In regulated states, licensed poker rooms, like PokerStars US or WSOP.com, do not accept cryptocurrencies. This may change in the future, but, as things stand right now, licensed US poker sites accept payments only via more traditional means (banks, cards, and e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill).

Sweepstakes poker sites are, on the other hand, legal in a majority of US states. Their business model revolves entirely around sweepstakes laws and these platform are able to offer an environment where players can compete for real money prizes without breaking any regulations.

Some of these sweepstakes operators, most notably Stake.us Poker, also use cryptocurrencies instead of traditional payments. This is completely legal since the operator’s underlying model is legal. The range of payment options they accept is their choice.

Sweepstakes Crypto Poker: What’s the Catch?

A lot of people are confused (and rightfully so) when it comes to cryptocurrencies and online poker. For a long time, it was only used by illegal offshore sites to skirt current gaming and banking laws.

However, sweepstakes poker sites accepting cryptocurrencies are in a completely different bucket.

For example, Stake.us, as the largest crypto sweeps operator, allows players to make purchases of Gold Coins using cryptocurrencies. These purchases are rewarded with free gifts of Stake Cash (SC), which can be used to play ring games, tournaments, and, eventually, redeem real money prizes.

So, the only difference between these and more traditional sweeps sites, is that purchases are done using crypto. Once a purchase is successfully completed, Sweeps Coins (or Stake Cash, in Stake.us Poker example) are added to your balance and you can use them.

When it is time to redeem, you’ll simply enter the amount of coins you wish to redeem, and you’ll see what that equals to in the cryptocurrency you used to make a purchase. Once the redemption is finalized, that amount will be sent to your crypto wallet.

Everything that happens between the purchase and the redemption is identical to what happens on any other sweeps poker site. You use your coins to enter ring games and tournaments, and try to increase your balance.

Best Crypto Sweepstakes Poker Sites in the US

For the time being, the number of sweepstakes poker sites accepting cryptocurrency in the United States is limited. The only choice worth considering is Stake.us Poker, This operator offers a good variety of games and some solid promotions to boot, so it represents a good destination for any player in the US looking to put their Bitcoin to good use.

Stake.us Poker: Top US Crypto Sweepstakes Poker Operator

Stake.us Poker is a relatively new sweepstakes poker site that only accepts cryptocurrencies. This means that players can only buy Gold Coins using their crypto wallets. As a gift for every purchase, they are awarded a certain amount of Stake Cash (usually, the value of SC awarded equals the cash value for which the SC can be exchanged).

Stake.us Poker offers ring games and tournaments, and although the player traffic on the site is still not huge, it’s been growing constantly. More importantly, many players frequenting poker tables come from the casino side, which means the games are, on average, quite soft.

The platform is entirely web-based, so you can access your account and play on the site from your browser. Despite the lack of the standalone software version, Stake.us has some pretty cool features, including auto rebuys, the ability to show stacks in big blinds, straddles, and more.

You can easily exchange your Stake Cash for Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency you used on the site. When doing so, the operator will send the redeemed amount straight to your crypto wallet, and it shouldn’t take long for your prize to reach you.

Types of Games on Crypto Poker Sites

For game options, cryptocurrency poker sites are the same as your regular poker rooms. You’ll find ring games, tournaments, sit and gos, and spins (jackpot sit and gos) readily available.

Crypto Poker Cash Games

All crypto poker sites offer cash games or ring games. Both terms are interchangeable, but you’ll find that sweepstakes operators prefer the latter.

In terms of stakes, there is everything from micros to high stakes, i.e. you’ll find blinds as low as the equivalent of $0.01/$0.02 and as high as $50/$100+.

Texas Hold’em and Omaha are two of the most popular variations by far, and this is what most sites focus their attention on. Some do offer more variety, with games like 2-7, Stud, and mixed games, but don’t expect them readily available across the board.

Crypto Poker Tournaments

Tournaments are the second big category of games offered on all crypto poker sites. Depending on the size and the popularity of the operator, you’ll come across different daily and weekly schedules and guarantees.

The biggest ones also feature regular tournament series with large overall guarantees and dozens of events spread across multiple days or weeks.

Many crypto poker operators keep up with modern trends, which means their tournament offering includes popular and exciting MTT variants, including KOs, PKOs, and, of course, mystery bounties.

For US players, Stake.us Poker offers a decent tournament schedule, albeit it is still developing. Tournaments range from freerolls to 11 SC buy-ins on average, with larger events taking place a few times a week. Guarantees are still somewhat modest as well.

On the flip side, tournament fields remain quite soft and there are occasional overlays, which adds a fair bit of value. With time, the scope of tournaments offered by this sweepstakes poker sites is bound to grow, both in terms of events on offer and guaranteed prize pools.

Spins (Jackpot Spin & Gos) on Crypto Poker Sites

Jackpot sit and gos, often referred to just as Spins, are very popular across the online poker world. Traditional, crypto, and sweeps sites, and everything in between, often offer some variation of these games on their platforms.

The general rule of these games is that they offer a jackpot prize represented as a multiplier of the buy-in, sometimes going as high as 10,000+ times. Different sites have different policies, of course, but the main thing is that you’ll find these types of games on most platforms.

As for Stake.us Poker, the operator is still to come up with its own version of Spins. While none are available at this very moment, we expect them to be added in the near future, as these games are hugely popular and players have come to expect them, and other sweepstakes poker sites do offer them.

Online Crypto Poker Summary

While cryptocurrency online poker often has a bad name attached to it, there is no reason to think a poker operator is bad or good based solely on a fact they deal with cryptocurrencies.

As you learned from this page, there are some good cryptocurrency poker sites out there, and there are some that use this payment alternative to skirt gaming and banking laws. But the reputation of the site can’t be determined based solely on their preferred banking methods.

The bottom line is, there are some great crypto poker sites out there, offering quality promotions and great games. As long as you stick to the good ones, there is nothing to worry about, and you just need to focus on playing your best game at all times.

FAQ

Is crypto online poker legal?

Yes, crypto online poker is completely legal as far as paying with crypto is concerned. There is nothing illegal about using cryptocurrencies to play online poker, but there are some sites that use these payment methods to offer their services in areas where they aren’t legally allowed to do so.

Can I legally play online poker in the US with Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency?

At this time, you can legally only use cryptocurrency to play on sweepstakes poker sites like Stake.us Poker. State-regulated poker operators do not accept Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, and offshore sites that do accept cryptos break gaming and banking laws by accepting US citizens.

What kind of games do cryptocurrency poker sites offer?

Crypto poker sites feature the range of games you’d find on traditional platforms, i.e. tournaments, cash games, and different types of sit and gos, including jackpot sit and go tournaments.

Do crypto poker sites offer bonuses?

Yes, of course. Online crypto poker rooms offer a variety of bonuses and promotions for new and existing players alike. Different sites have different bonuses, of course, but, in general, you will have plenty of options to choose from.

Do I need to provide personal information when signing up with a crypto poker room?

Yes! If you’re signing up with a legal and properly-run crypto poker site, you’ll still need to provide your full information when signing up. This is done to protect everyone involved from potential fraud, cheating, and other unsavory practices.