Why we recommend Stake.us: Play online poker, convert your winning into real cash prizes in most US states, and test your skills in tournaments, ring games, and sit and gos!
Stake.us Sweepstakes Poker gives all poker fans an opportunity to play Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha games in a ring game and tournament format and join the action across a wide range of stakes. This is a safe and reputable brand that offers a quality poker experience for recreational and serious players alike.
Register for a free Stake.us Poker account, verify your identity, and receive 25 in Stake Cash completely free, no strings attached.
Stake.us Poker is a sweepstakes poker site offering ring games, tournaments, Sit & Gos, and newer formats including Next! fast-fold poker, All In or Fold, and JAQKpot!.
Unlike a traditional real-money online poker room, Stake.us uses two virtual currencies: Gold Coins (GC) for social play and Stake Cash (SC) for sweepstakes play. Stake Cash cannot be purchased directly, but eligible SC winnings can be redeemed for prizes after applicable requirements are met.
Stake.us Poker is available in many US states, but its availability has narrowed significantly as sweepstakes gaming laws and policies have changed. As of September 2026, Stake.us excludes players from 22 states.
This Stake.us Poker review explains how the sweepstakes model works, where the site is available, current bonuses and promotions, poker games, rake, Stake Cash redemptions, software, and everything else players should know before signing up.
| Detail | Stake.us Poker |
|---|---|
| Poker Type | Sweepstakes / social poker |
| Currencies | Gold Coins & Stake Cash |
| Real-Money Deposits | No |
| Redeemable Currency | Stake Cash |
| Minimum Age | 21+ |
| Main Games | Texas Hold’em, Omaha & Pineapple |
| Formats | Ring games, tournaments, Sit & Gos, Next!, AoF & JAQKpot! |
| Stake Cash Rake | 7% on standard Hold’em & Omaha ring games |
| Fast-Fold Poker | Next! |
| Bad Beat Jackpot | Up to SC1 million |
| Software | Browser-based |
| Mobile | Supported through mobile devices |
| Free Entry Method | Postal Stake Cash requests |
| Identity Verification | Required |
| Restricted States | 22 |
Stake.us Poker is a social and sweepstakes poker platform rather than a conventional real-money online poker room.
Players do not make poker deposits in exchange for a cash balance. Instead, Stake.us uses a dual-currency system consisting of Gold Coins and Stake Cash.
The two currencies serve very different purposes.
Gold Coins (GC) are Stake.us’ standard social-play currency.
Gold Coins have no monetary value and cannot be redeemed for prizes or converted into Stake Cash.
Players can use GC to participate in eligible poker games without playing for redeemable prizes.
Gold Coin packages are also available for purchase. Eligible packages can include complimentary Stake Cash.
Stake Cash (SC) is the sweepstakes currency used for Promotional Play.
Stake Cash cannot be purchased directly.
Players can obtain SC through eligible promotional offers, Gold Coin packages that include complimentary Stake Cash, free methods of entry, and other Stake.us promotions.
Eligible Stake Cash winnings can be redeemed for prizes once the applicable playthrough, verification, and redemption requirements have been satisfied.
Stake.us does not describe its games as real-money gambling.
Its terms state that the platform does not offer real-money gambling and that no actual money is required to play.
Instead, eligible players participate in sweepstakes poker using Stake Cash, with qualifying SC winnings redeemable for prizes.
This distinction is central to how Stake.us operates in the United States.
Stake.us is available only in US jurisdictions that the operator permits.
Its list of excluded states has expanded considerably in recent years as laws, regulations, enforcement policies, and operator decisions surrounding sweepstakes gaming have changed.
As of September 2026, Stake.us lists 22 excluded states:
Players residing in these states cannot use Stake.us.
Because the restricted-state list has changed repeatedly, players should confirm current availability before registering.
Stake.us offers several promotions that can provide players with additional Stake Cash or poker prizes.
Some promotions apply across the broader Stake.us platform, while others are specifically designed for poker.
Promotional terms can change, so players should check the current offer before participating.
Players who register for Stake.us Poker through Pokerfuse can currently receive 25 free Stake Cash.
After registering and completing the required verification process, eligible players receive the free SC without having to make a purchase.
Players can also receive additional Stake Cash through Stake.us’ daily login rewards.
To claim the Pokerfuse signup offer:
Offer availability and terms can change.
Stake.us currently provides 3.5% rakeback, including qualifying poker play.
Rakeback is credited as players generate qualifying activity rather than being restricted to a single monthly payout.
The program provides some return on poker rake in addition to other Stake.us rewards and promotions.
Stake.us also operates a recurring Weekly Promotion.
Players earn entries based on qualifying play, with prizes including Gold Coins and free Stake Cash.
The promotion currently runs throughout 2026, but entry requirements and prize structures can change.
Players should review the current Weekly Promotion terms before participating.
Next! Drops is a promotion connected to Stake.us’ fast-fold poker tables.
During randomly selected hands at qualifying Next! tables, additional Stake Cash can be dropped into the pot.
The player who wins the hand receives the additional SC.
The current Next! Drops promotion runs through December 31, 2026.
Stake.us Poker currently offers a 1,000,000 Bad Beat Jackpot across qualifying ring games.
Players can receive a portion of the jackpot when a qualifying strong hand loses to an even stronger hand.
The jackpot covers qualifying Hold’em and Omaha games, with trigger hands varying by poker variant.
To qualify, at least four players must be dealt into the hand, the hand must reach showdown, and other promotion requirements apply.
A portion of qualifying ring-game rake contributes to the jackpot pool.
The promotion is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026.
Stake.us also offers a 500,000 All In or Fold Jackpot.
The promotion is tied to qualifying AoF games and runs separately from the standard Bad Beat Jackpot.
It is currently scheduled through December 31, 2026.
Stake.us Poker has expanded significantly beyond the basic Hold’em and Omaha offering available when the poker room first launched.
Current formats include:
Players can use either Gold Coins or Stake Cash in eligible games, with only qualifying Stake Cash play providing access to redeemable prizes.
Stake.us offers standard ring games across several stake levels.
For Stake Cash Hold’em and Omaha, blinds currently range from SC0.01/0.02 to SC2.50/5.
Players can leave a standard ring game when they choose, subject to Stake.us’ table rules.
Table features available across supported games can include:
Exact features can depend on the game and table.
Stake.us publishes its poker rake directly in its Card Room Rules.
Standard Stake Cash Hold’em and Omaha ring games currently use a 7% rake, with caps determined by the stakes, number of players, and game.
For Hold’em:
| Blinds | Rake | 2-Player Cap | 3+ Player Cap | 5+ Player Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC0.01/0.02 | 7% | SC0.16 | SC0.26 | SC0.32 |
| SC0.02/0.04 | 7% | SC0.32 | SC0.52 | SC0.60 |
| SC0.05/0.10 | 7% | SC0.75 | SC1.20 | SC1.50 |
| SC0.10/0.20 | 7% | SC1.25 | SC2 | SC2.50 |
| SC0.25/0.50 | 7% | SC2.50 | SC4 | SC5 |
| SC0.50/1 | 7% | SC4 | SC6.40 | SC8 |
| SC1/2 | 7% | SC5 | SC7 | SC9 |
| SC2.50/5 | 7% | SC5 | SC8 | SC10 |
Omaha uses the same 7% rake percentage, although some caps differ.
Next! is Stake.us Poker’s fast-fold format.
Rather than remaining at one table after folding, players enter a pool at their selected stake. Once a hand is finished or a player fast-folds, they are moved to a new hand against a different group of players.
Next! is currently available at selected No-Limit Hold’em stakes.
Stake Cash Next! games currently use a 7% rake with the following stakes and six-player caps:
| Blinds | Rake | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| SC0.01/0.02 | 7% | SC0.14 |
| SC0.02/0.04 | 7% | SC0.28 |
| SC0.05/0.10 | 7% | SC0.70 |
| SC0.10/0.20 | 7% | SC1.40 |
| SC0.25/0.50 | 7% | SC3.50 |
Next! is also available in selected tournaments.
All In or Fold (AoF) is a faster poker format where players have only two options: move all in or fold.
AoF is available at selected No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha tables.
The format uses its own rake and jackpot structure rather than the standard ring-game rake table.
JAQKpot! is Stake.us Poker’s three-player jackpot Sit & Go format.
Each game begins when three players have registered, and the prize pool is randomly determined before the tournament begins.
The maximum prize multiplier can reach 20,000x the buy-in.
At the maximum multiplier:
| Finish | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 10,000x buy-in |
| 2nd | 6,000x buy-in |
| 3rd | 4,000x buy-in |
Stake.us currently promotes JAQKpot! with prizes of up to SC1 million.
Stake.us offers scheduled multi-table tournaments using Stake Cash and Gold Coins.
Available tournament features include:
Tournament buy-ins, guarantees, and schedules change frequently, so players should check the current tournament lobby for exact details.
One of the biggest recurring tournaments currently offered is the Weekly Treasure Hunt.
The tournament runs every Saturday and features:
| Detail | Weekly Treasure Hunt |
|---|---|
| Buy-in | SC20 |
| Guarantee | SC10,000 |
| Format | Mystery Bounty |
| Schedule | Every Saturday |
The Weekly Treasure Hunt launched in September 2026 and is currently scheduled to run through the end of the year.
Stake.us also supports traditional Sit & Go tournaments.
Unlike scheduled MTTs, Sit & Gos begin when the required number of players have registered.
Availability depends on how many players are attempting to join a particular game at the same time.
Stake.us does not use conventional real-money poker deposits and withdrawals.
Instead, players use Gold Coins for social play and Stake Cash for sweepstakes play.
Understanding the difference is important before making a purchase or playing SC poker.
Stake Cash cannot be purchased directly.
Players can obtain SC through methods including:
Stake.us can change the amount of complimentary SC included with Gold Coin packages.
Players should therefore check the current package before purchasing rather than relying on a fixed GC-to-SC conversion.
Players can purchase Gold Coin packages for social play.
Certain packages include Stake Cash as a complimentary promotional benefit.
The Gold Coins are the product being purchased; the Stake Cash is provided as a promotional sweepstakes entry and cannot be purchased directly.
Stake.us supports multiple purchase methods depending on the player’s account and eligibility.
The site is not crypto-only.
Stake.us provides a free alternative method of obtaining Stake Cash through postal requests.
A qualifying request currently awards 5 Stake Cash.
Players must generate a unique postal code through Stake.us and follow the operator’s detailed handwriting, mailing, and account-information requirements.
Only one request card is permitted per outer envelope.
The request must be submitted by the account holder and mailed from the same state as the verified residential address.
Requests from excluded territories are not eligible.
Complimentary Stake Cash generally must be played through before it becomes eligible for prize redemption.
Under the current Stake.us terms, Stake Cash must generally be played three times before redemption, with an exception for Stake Cash already won through Promotional Play.
Players should check the applicable terms because promotional offers can impose additional conditions.
Only Stake Cash can be redeemed for prizes.
Available prize-redemption methods can include:
The exact options displayed depend on the player’s account and eligibility.
Players must complete Stake.us’ identification process before redeeming a prize.
Stake.us can also set minimum redemption thresholds and processing fees, so players should check the current Redeem screen rather than relying on a fixed minimum from an older promotion or cashier configuration.
Stake.us now supports bank-transfer prize redemptions for eligible accounts.
To use the bank-transfer redemption option, the player must have completed at least one successful card purchase on the account.
Players who have not made a qualifying card purchase may still be eligible to redeem Stake Cash through cryptocurrency, subject to the applicable minimum and fees.
Creating a Stake.us Poker account is free.
To get started:
Players must meet Stake.us’ age and location requirements.
Residents of excluded states cannot create or use an account in violation of Stake.us’ terms.
Stake.us requires identity verification.
During registration, players can be asked to provide identification and proof of address.
Verification is also required before Stake Cash can be redeemed for prizes.
Players should use accurate personal information when creating an account because the residential address is relevant to eligibility, postal Stake Cash requests, and other account functions.
Stake.us Poker uses a browser-based poker client rather than requiring traditional downloadable desktop software.
Players can access the platform through supported web browsers and mobile devices.
The poker lobby provides access to:
Players can filter available games and open multiple supported tables or tournaments.
Stake.us provides a growing selection of table and gameplay features.
Depending on the format, these include:
Stake.us also maintains separate Card Room Rules and game-integrity policies governing poker play.
Stake.us Poker is a sweepstakes and social poker room.
Players use Gold Coins for standard social play and Stake Cash for promotional sweepstakes games offering the opportunity to redeem eligible winnings for prizes.
Stake.us does not classify its platform as real-money gambling.
Its terms state that no purchase is necessary to play and that the platform uses virtual currencies rather than conventional real-money poker balances.
Stake Cash used in Promotional Play can provide the opportunity to win redeemable prizes.
Gold Coins are Stake.us’ social-play currency.
They have no monetary value and cannot be redeemed for prizes or exchanged for Stake Cash.
Stake Cash is Stake.us’ sweepstakes currency.
It cannot be purchased directly and can be obtained through promotional methods including eligible Gold Coin packages, free offers, daily rewards, and postal requests.
No.
Stake Cash cannot be purchased directly.
Certain Gold Coin packages include complimentary Stake Cash as a promotional benefit.
Yes.
Eligible Stake Cash can be redeemed for available prizes after the player satisfies applicable playthrough, verification, and redemption requirements.
As of September 2026, Stake.us excludes players from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.
The list can change, so players should check the current Stake.us terms before registering.
Players must be at least 21 years old to use Stake.us.
Stake.us supports Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Pineapple along with formats including ring games, tournaments, Sit & Gos, Next!, All In or Fold, and JAQKpot!.
Next! is Stake.us’ fast-fold poker format.
After folding or completing a hand, players are moved into a new hand against different opponents from the same player pool.
JAQKpot! is a three-player jackpot Sit & Go.
The prize pool is randomly selected before play begins, with a maximum multiplier of 20,000x the buy-in.
Yes.
Stake.us offers scheduled tournaments including knockout, Mystery Bounty, re-entry, satellite, multi-flight, and Next! formats.
The Weekly Treasure Hunt is a recurring Mystery Bounty tournament held every Saturday.
It currently has an SC20 buy-in and an SC10,000 guarantee.
Yes.
Stake.us offers freerolls and other promotional tournaments, although the exact schedule and prizes can change.
Standard Stake Cash Hold’em and Omaha ring games currently use a 7% rake.
The maximum rake is capped according to the stakes, game, and number of players.
Other formats such as Next! and All In or Fold use their own rake structures.
Yes.
Qualifying Stake.us Poker ring games currently participate in a Bad Beat Jackpot promotion with a total advertised jackpot of up to SC1 million.
The promotion is scheduled through December 31, 2026.
Yes.
Stake.us offers free methods of obtaining Stake Cash, including promotional rewards and postal requests.
A properly completed qualifying postal request currently awards 5 SC.
Under Stake.us’ current general terms, Stake Cash generally must be played through three times before becoming eligible for redemption, except for Stake Cash already won through Promotional Play.
Specific promotions can have additional requirements.
Eligible players can redeem Stake Cash prizes through fiat methods including bank transfer.
Bank-transfer eligibility currently requires at least one successful card purchase on the account.
Yes.
Cryptocurrency remains an available redemption method for eligible players who meet Stake.us’ verification, balance, and minimum-redemption requirements.
Stake.us reserves the right to set minimum redemption thresholds and fees.
Players should check the current Redeem section of their account for the applicable minimum rather than relying on an older fixed amount.
Yes.
Stake.us requires identity and address information during the registration and verification process, and prizes cannot be redeemed without completing the required identification process.
Yes.
Stake.us can be accessed through supported mobile devices, allowing players to use the poker platform without a traditional desktop download.