Online Poker in Illinois – Is It Legal? Get $5,000+ at the Best IL Poker Sites 2023

If you are looking for both land-based and online poker in Illinois, we have all you need on this helpful page. We’ll present you with all you need to know about poker games in the state and where to find them. Read our mini-reviews of the best poker sites and explore our overviews of top retail card rooms, so that you know the best places to play.

We’ll also provide you with all the legal facts about poker in Illinois, offer you tips on playing like a pro, and even compare the experiences of playing online vs playing at live venues. By the time you are done with our guide, you’ll be ready to claim a bonus and play at one of our top-ranked card rooms.

Illinois Online Poker Gambling at a Glance

Although Illinois has legalized online sports betting domestic online poker still remains illegal within the state and the only options players have are with offshore poker sites. Below we have outlined some key information about poker in Illinois.

• Legal Poker: Inland (in-person only), Online (offshore sites only)
• Minimum Age to Play Poker in Illinois: 21 (inland), 18 (through offshore sites)
• Offline Poker Rooms: Yes, 74 tables across 11 locations
• Online Poker Sites: Offshore only
• Estimated Poker Revenue: $140 million casino including poker rooms in 2022
• Permitted Online Domestic Poker Operators: N0t applicable
• Licensing Fee: Not applicable
• Tax Rate: Not applicable
• Tax Funded: Not applicable

The Best Sites for Online Poker Illinois Has to Offer

If you are wanting to play online poker in Illinois, you’ll have to play at an offshore gaming site. Our team of experts has rounded up the best online poker sites for Illinois based on their game selection, bonuses, tournament offers, and payment options. The top 5 Illinois poker rooms include:

1. BetOnline – Best no-limit games at sites offering online poker in Illinois.
2. Bovada – Most intuitive Illinois online poker software.
3. Everygame – 200% match on online poker Illinois welcome offer.
4. Ignition – Widest selection of Illinois online poker options.
5. SportsBetting.ag – The most freeroll tourneys for online poker Illinois.

Best Illinois Online Poker Sites Reviewed

If you are dying to find out what each of our recommended Illinois online poker sites offers in terms of entertainment, you’re in luck. We have provided mini-reviews for the top five sites on our list for your convenience. This way, you can gain an overview of each offering and decide which operator suits your expectations best.

1. BetOnline – Best No-Limit Games at Sites Offering Online Poker in Illinois

BetOnline is an experienced poker site that provides a comprehensive poker offering by way of its Chico Poker software. This intuitive software ensures that tournaments and cash games are managed seamlessly.

Live since 2011, BetOnline has used its decade in the business to refine its game options, offering only the best Texas Hold’em and Omaha cash games. There are always ample tournament options for competitive card sharks. These include everything from Sit & Go’s to freerolls, knockouts, and guaranteed prize pool competitions.

First-time visitors should be sure to claim the welcome bonus by using the code NEWBOL. The poker site will then match your deposit up to a total of $1000, thereby doubling your credits. Just make a qualifying deposit using crypto, a bank card, bank transfer, or money order. You can release the bonus in increments of $5 each time you earn $50 in rakeback and if that is not enough, check out the BetOnline promo codes

2. Bovada – Most Intuitive Illinois Online Poker Software

Bovada is probably the most recognizable name on this list. Live since 2011, the brand has built one of the best reputations for online poker in Illinois. Its super intuitive software provides features that enhance your gameplay. This includes providing you with hand histories and note-making tools.

Newbies can get off to a flying start with a match bonus of 100% up to $500, but you can find a lot more among the Bovada promo codes. While it is the smallest offer of the 5 on this page, it is perfectly formulated for beginners. You can place your qualifying deposit in US dollars or cryptocurrency.

You can enjoy cash games with varying limits or buy in on one of the many tournaments on offer throughout the month. Some of the more popular leaderboards include the knockout tournaments, guaranteed $2 million and $150,000 prize pools, and the Jackpot Sit & Go’s.

Bovada also offers an anonymous mode to its player base. So, if you’re tired of facing the same competitors on the main tables, you can move to the anonymous tables and mask your identity.

3. Everygame – 200% Match on Online Poker Illinois Welcome Offer

You’re probably thinking to yourself that this list is incomplete without Intertops. Well, we’re glad to inform you that we haven’t forgotten about them. Intertops rebranded to Everygame in December 2021. You now get a fresh new site design with the same old reliable gameplay and service quality.

Get started on the platform by claiming their leading deposit bonus welcome offer. Unlike all the other bonuses on the list, Everygame promo codes boasts a 200% match on the first deposit. You can, therefore, triple your initial deposit amount. Just be sure to activate the promo with the code INSIDERS.

When it comes to topping up with funds, you’ll be in for a treat at Everygame. They offer a decent selection of cryptocurrencies and the largest assortment of mainstream currency methods. You can use Skrill or Neteller to provide lightning-fast deposits and withdrawals.

Play a selection of cash games with limits of between $5 and $150 or turn to the tournaments for a wide array of competitive leaderboards. In fact, Everygame boasts the second greatest number of tourneys on this page. They include Sit & Go’s, Freerolls, bounty tournaments, and more available both on their poker app an desktop

4. Ignition – Widest selection of Illinois Online Poker Options

Founded in 2016, Ignition is one of the fresher sites on our list. But you can be assured that it comes packed with pedigree. It boasts the same intuitive features as its sister site, ensuring that players can enjoy enhanced gameplay. It also offers anonymous games for those looking to escape regular opposition.

If you thought Bovada was geared for poker in Illinois, then we can’t wait for you to try Ignition. Not only does it offer far more tournaments and leaderboards than its sibling, but its bonus is more inviting, too. And it holds all your favorite poker games, from PLO to NLT and casino variants as Pai-Gow and Caribbean Stud.

If you deposit with US dollars you can enjoy a 100% up to $2,000. However, if you load up with Bitcoin, you can extend that to 150% up to $3,000. The credits are split 50/50 between casino games and poker. And this is just one of the many of offers and Ignition promo codes that are up for offer.

As for leaderboards, some of the regulars include The Monthly Milly, Knockout Tournaments, Weekly Bitcoin Free Roll, Jackpot Sit & Go’s, Progressive Knockouts, $2 Million Guaranteed, $150K Guaranteed, and way more.

5. Sportsbetting.ag – The Most Freeroll Tourneys for Online Poker Illinois

If you are looking for the best freerolls in the state, you may as well sign-up at Sportsbetting.ag right now. But that’s not where the entertainment ends. While they may have fewer tournaments on offer than the other competitors on this page, their cash games are some of the best out there.

Around since 2002, Sportsbetting.ag has had plenty of time to refine its offering. As such, you can lay claim to frequent bonuses and complete your banking using a long list of both crypto and mainstream banking methods. In fact, they offer the second-highest number of e-wallets from our list of online poker rooms.

If you sign up today and use the Sportsbetting.ag promo code INSIDERS, you can lay claim to a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 for placing a deposit of no less than $50. You can effectively double your bankroll and spend more time playing the games you love. As with BetOnline, you can roll over the bonus in increments of $5 for each $50 rakeback that you earn.

More on gambling in Illinois…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Illinois in our expert guides below:

• Illinois Sports Betting
• Illinois Real Money Online Casinos
• Illinois Online Gambling
• Illinois Sports Betting Apps

Online Poker Illinois – The Top Sites Compared

It’s easiest to compare the sites and the entertainment they offer when they are listed side by side. Explore the table below for quick access to the games on offer, bonuses provided, tournaments up for grabs, cash game limits, and more.

Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois?

All forms of online gambling, aside from sports betting in Illinois are unregulated . As such, there is no domestic platform for legal online poker in Illinois. While there are several states in the US that allow for online gambling of this kind, Illinois online poker laws are yet to change.

Can you play online poker in Illinois? The short answer is yes! While there are no domestic servers within the state, offshore casinos and poker rooms offer Illinois poker players an opportunity to enjoy some of the best online tournaments and cash games around.

There are no specific laws banning remote gaming offered from outside the country. As such, the offshore operators take advantage of this ‘grey area’ in the law to offer online poker in Illinois without much opposition.

Players can also enjoy the gameplay at legal online poker Illinois social casinos online. The wagers are made using free credits and there is no opportunity to win real money rewards. As such, the definition of this form of gaming does not fall under gambling, and is, therefore, totally legitimate in the state.

Video Poker Machines Illinois

Illinois video poker is a machine-based game that offers both land-based and Illinois online poker players the chance to make real money rewards for landing any qualifying poker ranking/hand. Where most poker games involve competition between fellow players at a table, video poker is played directly against the house on a slot-styled machine.

But it is not the highest hand that wins. If you manage to land any hand from a pair of jacks to a royal flush, you will be rewarded accordingly. All prizes are determined by a set pay-table. Illinois poker machines can be found at most of the offshore online casinos that we recommend on this page, as well as at licensed land-based casinos in the Illinois area.

Casual Poker in Illinois

Most US states make some provision in their laws for social poker gaming with friends. However, there is no such provision for social poker in Illinois. As such, it is not technically legal in the state. Instead, only licensed poker rooms and casinos may offer cash games and Illinois poker tournaments.

Offshore Poker Sites in Illinois

Illinois is a fairly friendly state for gambling enthusiasts and they have a fair amount of domestic betting options. However, online poker sites are not allowed to operate within the state meaning there are no domestic options for poker players other than offshore sites.

While Illinois’ state law does state that any form of gambling outside the specified exceptions (which online poker is not one of) is illegal. However, Illinois has never prosecuted anyone for using an offshore gambling site and has never attempted legal against the sites themselves for accepting players from Illinois.

History of Gambling in Illinois

Illinois has a long and storied history of gambling. In the 1840s Illinois started to see many riverboat casinos pop up, which were used to avoid the gambling restrictions on land. 150 years later in 1990, Illinois passed the Riverboat Gambling Act that officially legalized riverboat casinos.

Before this, the first form of gambling to be made legal in Illinois was pari-mutuel betting which became legal in the late 1920’s 8 years after the infamous Black Sox Scandal which saw 8 Chicago Sox players accused of throwing the World Series in exchange for money from a gambling syndicate led by Arnold Rothstein.

In 1974, Illinois became the first state to introduce a state lottery which has remained hugely popular in the state creating over $3 billion in total revenue in 2022. Going back to riverboats in1999 the state passed legislation which meant that riverboat casinos could be docked and offer gambling thus essentially legalizing casinos within the state albeit with the caveat that says the casino must be on water. In 2019 Illinois became, even more, gambling-friendly when they legalized sports gambling both in person and online.

Online Poker Guides State by State

5 Reasons to Play Online Poker in Illinois

Playing at land-based poker rooms is a rewarding experience for people that like person-to-person interaction at the table. However, playing online provides added benefits for Illinois online poker enthusiasts. Let’s explore the perks of playing Illinois poker online.

1. Illinois Poker Games – Whenever You Want Them

You can play online poker in Illinois from both your desktop and mobile device 24/7. That means that you get to determine when you want to play. You don’t have to worry about trading hours or location. Simply pull your phone out of your pocket and load up your favorite game.

2. Vast Selection of Illinois Poker Tournaments

Online gambling sites generally offer you access to a far greater frequency of tournaments and leaderboards than land-based poker rooms do. It’s also far easier to avail yourself for the competitions when you can load up from anywhere in the world.

3. Boost Your Bankroll with Bonuses at Illinois Online Poker Sites

Sites for online poker Illinois offer players frequent bonuses and promotions throughout the month. The welcome bonuses and reload bonuses work to boost a player’s deposit so that they have more funds to play with. This is unheard of at land-based poker rooms and casinos.

4. Anonymous Gameplay Perks at Illinois Poker Rooms

Competitors who play against each other regularly eventually learn about each other’s tells and habits. This can make playing against regulars at land-based establishments a frustrating experience.

Thankfully, top poker sites for online poker Illinois offer anonymous gaming options. If you load up anonymous rooms at Bovada or Ignition you play under a one-time username so that no one can tell that it’s you at the table.

5. Multiple Payment Options for Poker in Illinois

Online players have access to several banking methods when they want to deposit and withdraw funds. Many of these include cryptocurrency options. You cannot enjoy crypto gambling at land-based casinos and card rooms.

Illinois Poker Rooms – Live and In-Person

There are numerous poker rooms and casinos offering land-based poker in Illinois. For the greatest selection of venues, you will want to travel to Chicago, where there are plenty of options in and around the city. Below are some of the best poker options in the state:

Grand Victoria Casino

Address: 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120, United States

The Grand Victoria poker room is found just off the main casino floor. It operates Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 am offering both cash games and tournaments. It’s probably best to reserve a seat, as there are only 5 tables in play.

You can enjoy Texas Holdem for blinds of between $1 to $1,000, Pot Limit Omaha, and Limit Omaha Hi/Lo. The Bad Beat Bonus is a popular attraction, offered on 1-3 and 2-5 Texas Holdem no-limit games.

Hollywood Casino Aurora

Address: 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506, United States

You can play cash poker at Hollywood Casino in Aurora from Wednesday to Sunday. The closing time is at 3 am. Unfortunately, the casino is not currently hosting tournaments.

However, you can play Limit Hold’em, No-limit Hold’em, and partake in Bad Beat jackpot prize pools. Be sure to use your MyChoice® card to earn comp points as you play.

Bally’s Quad Cities (Old Jumer’s Casino)

Address: 777 Bally Blvd, Rock Island, IL 61201, United States

Take a seat at one of Bally’s 5 poker tables and enjoy a host of poker games, including Texas Hold’em, Mississippi Stud, Three-Card Poker, and Let it Ride. The card room is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 4 pm until 12 am.

The betting range varies with blinds from $5 to $25 on Hold’em, Mississippi Stud, and Three Card Poker. Let it Ride offers a bet range of $5 to $15. Unfortunately, there are no tournament games available at the venue.

Poker Tournaments Illinois

When it comes to land-based poker, Illinois is a thriving state that sees several national and international competitions played out at various venues in the region. The World Poker Tour Boot Camp often convenes in the area along with various WSOP circuit events.

You can also enjoy exciting charitable poker tournament play hosted in and around the state. The hosts travel from venue to venue or use third-party facilities to host their game evenings and tournaments. Some of the more prominent charitable hosts include:

Rockford Charitable Games Association

Address: 1070 S. Elmhurst Rd, Mt Prospect, IL, 60056, USA

With 15 tables at their disposal, Rockford Charitable Games hosts poker tournaments and cash games for various charitable organizations across the state. These include Sit & Go’s, Multi-table tournaments, and daily cash games with blinds that vary from $1 to $1,000.

The address of each game may vary. While some take place at Crystal Palace banquets Facilities, others will take place at different locations from time to time, so you will have to keep up-to-date with affairs on their website.

Central Illinois Charitable Games

Address: 614 IAA Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701, USA

CCG Live Poker offers charitable gaming to Illinois residents. With up to 13 tables available, players 18 years and older can play weekly tournaments and cash games. Enjoy no-limit Holdem for buy-ins of $50 to $300 and Pot-Limit Omaha Hi for buy-ins of $50 to $500.

Like Rockford Charitable Games Association, Central Illinois Charitable Games uses different venues to host their various tournament evenings.

When Will Poker Rooms Reopen in Illinois?

Online poker Illinois 2020 took a turn for the worst when forced lockdowns were put in place due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. So, when are Illinois poker rooms re-opening? Well, the Illinois online poker industry has recovered somewhat, with businesses told they could open up whenever they choose to, as of May 2021.

While many of the casino facilities are back in full swing, some have kept their poker rooms closed temporarily. Be sure to call your favorite Illinois casino before visiting to ensure their poker rooms are in operation.

Benefits of Playing Poker Online vs Land-based Casino

There’s something special about sitting down at a poker table with the chips in front of you that is hard to explain. While online poker can never fully replicate that atmosphere there are a multitude of positives to online poker compared to land-based casinos. The most obvious one is simply convenience. Online poker lets you play from anywhere at any time which is especially helpful during the blazing summer months and the bitterly cold winters.

Furthermore, online poker limits are much more varied meaning whether you want whether you have a couple of dollars or thousands there is an appropriate table for you online. Also, online poker offer sites in Illinois offer a myriad of bonuses to attract new players and reward their loyal ones. At land-based casinos, you may receive a few loyalty perks but nothing comparable to what you are given at the best online poker casinos in Illinois.

Payment Methods for Playing Online Poker in Illinois

In this section, we will cover essential information about the common payment methods available at the best offshore poker sites in Illinois.

Deposits

The best  Illinoispoker sites offer accommodate all players with a variation of digital and fiat options. The specifics of fees and limits differ from site to site but the advantages and disadvantages of these methods are usually the same. We will take a look at how the different methods stack up against each other below:

Credit & Debit Cards

One of the most popular methods to deposit at online gambling sites, and most Illinois poker sites (except a few crypto-specific gambling sites) accept major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, and in many cases AMEX. Bank cards are a convenient deposit method as it’s quick to enter the information and deposits are processed very quickly. 

However, there is one big drawback to using cards at offshore poker sites and that is that most sites charge a transaction fee for deposits made via cards. In most cases, it’s a percentage of the deposit somewhere between 4-16% which if depositing large amounts can be significant.

Wire Transfer

Bank transfers are also popular especially nowadays with Internet banking, which makes it incredibly easy. However, you are usually charged for this method, and the fees can be quite substantial often at least $50. The minimum deposit limits are also usually quite high at most sites, you can usually expect to have to deposit at least $100 dollars.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the most widely used cryptocurrency and 22% of Americans currently own or have previously bought BTC in the past. It’s no surprise then that BTC is also a popular way to deposit at offshore poker sites.

Using Bitcoin for deposits has many benefits, it has fast processing times, provides anonymity, adds an extra layer of security,no fees in most cases, and poker sites offer more flexibility in the min/max limits when using it. In addition, the best Bitcoin online poker sites also offer specialized Bitcoin bonuses that are more lucrative than standard bonuses.

Cryptocurrency

CoinMarketCap reports that there are approximately 22,932 cryptocurrencies, and while you won’t find this many options at online poker sites most will have at least 3 or 4 crypto options on top of Bitcoin, some sites even have 20+ and sites are always looking to add more.

The most common cryptocurrencies accepted at offshore online poker websites are Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, BTC, USDT, and Dogecoin. The same benefits you receive with depositing via Bitcoin are obtained using any crypto including no fees faster processing times, lower fees, higher bonuses, and more variation in limits.

eWallets

Popular eWallets like Skrill and Neteller, Apple Pay, and Google Pay can be used to deposit at many offshore sites. However, PayPal one of the most popular online eWallets is not accepted at any offshore site. There are some ways to use it for example at Bovada you can use PayPal with MatchPay to trade credits with other users but you can’t deposit funds directly with the site.

eWallet deposits are usually free of charge like crypto and also have incredibly fast processing times. They also provide an extra layer of security as your bank details are never shared. However, most sites do not offer additional bonuses for using eWallets like the ones you get using cryptocurrency.

Withdrawals

In most cases, the same methods available for depositing funds are also available for withdrawing. However,  with credit and debit cards this is not the case and unfortunately, most offshore sites do not offer bank cards as a withdrawal option. If you deposited via a bank card you will need to pick one of the other methods available such as the ones listed below:

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers are simple to request at most sites and it usually just involves filling out a short form. While they are easy to request there are long waiting times to receive your money. It is likely you will have to wait 7-14 business days before receiving the funds in your account. 

This method usually comes with a large fee and in most cases a high payout limit meaning you will probably need at least $150 in your account just to cover the fees and reach the minimum withdrawal amount.

Check

Receiving is simple to request but it is the method that has the longest overall waiting time. At most sites, you will have to wait 10-15 business days to receive the check after the request has been accepted. Once you receive the check you will then have to deposit with your bank and wait however long your bank takes to clear a check which is usually 2 or more days. As with wire transfers, the minimum limit is high and there is usually a large payout fee.

Bitcoin & Other Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are one of the best ways to cash out for three two main reasons. First, there are usually no fees and if they are they are usually a fraction of the fees found for traditional payment options. Secondly, the processing times are much faster with almost all sites assuring you you will have your money within 48 hours and many sites now can process crypto payouts in just a few minutes. 

Finally, the min/max has a much wider range with most sites allowing you to withdraw as little as a few dollars and max amounts being into hundreds of thousands or even no-limits in some cases.

eWallets

Like with eWallet deposits PayPal cannot be used for withdrawals but many other eWallets are accepted and they are a convenient method as they are usually fee-free and the transaction times are similar to that of cryptocurrency. The minimum withdrawal limits are often lower than fiat options but the maximum is closer to fiat options than to crypto withdrawals.

Illinois Online Poker Sites Compared

Online banking is an important part of the Illinois online poker experience. Easy deposits and withdrawals make all the difference when it comes to maintaining a hassle-free gaming environment. You can easily compare the banking options, banking limits, and cash-out times of each of our online contenders below.

What to Expect When Playing Online Poker Illinois

We’ve done our best to provide you with the most versatile selection of Illinois online poker sites so that you can match an operator to your gaming preferences. Here’s what you can expect from our top choices.

Banking options and accounts: Creating an account can be a tedious task at some operators. Thankfully, each one of our top 5 poker rooms provides an easy registration process. Topping up with funds is equally as simple. However, some sites do provide more banking options than others.

For instance, BetOnline has the highest number of cryptocurrency options (11) while Everygame bolsters the best selection of mainstream currency banking solutions. They include card options, vouchers, and several e-wallets. Sportsbetting.ag also covers a decent selection of e-wallets.

Bonuses: All 5 sites also offer a special welcome bonus, but Everygame’s is marginally the best. The operator offers a 200% match deposit of up to $1,000, whereas most of the others only offer a 100% match. Bovada provides the lowest bonus at 100% up to $500. It’s half the size of the next best bonus.

Game selection and tournaments: You’ll be able to satisfy your fill with tournaments at every stop. While all the providers keep things fresh, Ignition usually bolsters the largest array of options from month to month. It is seconded by Everygame.

All the sites on offer provide the same selection of Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo cash games. BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag offer no-limit games, while Bovada and Ignition provide anonymous game rooms for those who would like to mask their identities when playing.

Tips for Online Poker Real Money Illinois

Each time you pull up a virtual seat for online poker in Illinois, you’ll want to be sure to make the most of every game session. As such, we’ve presented you with some great tips below to enhance your gameplay while enjoying online poker real money Illinois tournaments and cash games.

1. Select the Payment Method That Works Best

Most online poker sites offer several different kinds of payment solutions for their players to use. Be sure to choose a solution that works best for you, bearing in mind that the limits and costs vary from game to game.

The most versatile payment options usually include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and others.

2. Use the Welcome Offer

Always take advantage of the welcome offer presented to you when playing online poker Illinois. It will boost your first deposit and make sure you have more credits at your disposal when exploring the games on the site.

3. Familiarize Yourself with the Rules

Be sure to find out the table rules and familiarize yourself with the betting limits at a table before taking an available seat. This simple tip could save you thousands for sitting down at the wrong table and placing bets you were not prepared to place.

There will always be tables available for low, moderate, and high roller players.

4. Gameplay Patterns

Poker is a game of skill. Part of the skill in playing the game comes from being able to read the gameplay of your opponents. Try to figure out their playing patterns. Do they bluff a lot, or do they play conservatively?

If you manage to peg them down, you’ll have an edge at the table. Remember that your opponents will try to do the same to you. Therefore, be sure to play as erratically as possible, so that they cannot get a read on you.

Famous Illinois Poker Players

The Prairie State has only one player who currently sits in the top 100 USA moneylist, Connor Drinan from Arlington Heights, Illinois has amassed just over $11.5 million which sees him sit at number 42 in the USA all-time money list. His highest finish in the WSOP main event is 57th but he has won 2 bracelets, the most recent in 2021 when he won $1,500 buy-in Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better.

Mohsin Charania is the next highest earner from Illinois and although he at the time of writing has won just over half of what Drinan has, he has a few more titles to his name. Charania has one WSOP title, 2 World Poker titles, and one European Poker tour title.

Poker Games to Play in Illinois

In the early days of online poker players were usually limited to Omaha and Texas Hold’em cash games and a few tournaments. Nowadays, players are spoilt for choice. Most Illinois poker sites feature multiple variants of poker, and hundreds of tournaments every day. Read on as we cover the different poker variants, poker limits and tournaments on offer at real-money poker sites in Illinois.

Poker Variants

There are a multitude of different poker variants around and most of them can be split into one of four broader categories which we have listed below:

Community Cards Poker: In community card games players’ hands are made up of a combination of the hidden cards they are dealt, often referred to as hole cards, and the shared face-up cards on the table known as the community cards. The number of cards a player is dealt differed between the different community card variations.

Depending on what game is being played a user’s hand will be made up of whatever cards make up their best hands like in Texas Hold’em or there might be a set number of hole cards and community cards that must be used for example in Omaha, a players hand must be made up of 2 of their hole cards and three of the shared cards.

Community card poker games are the most popular poker variants, especially Texas Hold’em which accounts for 70% of all poker games played in casinos around the globe, Omahao, and Omoha Hi-Lo are also popular both online and in-person.

Draw Poker: In draw poker variants there are no shared cards and instead, players are dealt complete hands. The way players can improve their hands is by discarding a certain number of their cards and drawing new cards from the deck (hence the name). Five-card draw and seven-card draw are popular draw poker variants.

Stud Poker:  Like in draw poker stud poker doesn’t have shared cards and players are dealt a set number of cards either face down, face up or a combination of both depending on what stud variant is being played. The most popular types of stud poker are 5-card stud, 7-card stud, Razz, Eight or better, and Caribbean Stud.

Mixed Poker Games:  In mixed poker games several different poker variants are played.  The variants played will either be for a set number of hands or a set amount of time.  The most popular mixed poker game is probably horse which is made up of five component games; Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, and Eight or better.

Types of Betting

When playing poker the type of betting allowed has a significant impact on the strategy people use. The three types of betting for poker online are listed below:

Pot Limit:  In pot limit games the maximum amount that can be bet is the total amount of chips in the pot. In the first couple of betting rounds, very few people fold as the bet limit is quite low so it’s inexpensive to call initially but it can get very expensive in later rounds in the hand once the pot has built up.

Fixed Limit: The pot can only be raised a maximum of four times in fixed limit and the bet or raise has to be equal to the size of the blinds. As the limits are set you will find that more people stay in the hand as it’s relatively inexpensive to call. The fixed limit also makes it much harder to bluff.

No Limit: This betting type is hugely popular as it lets players bet aggressively. In no limit, players can bet or raise however much they desire at any point during betting rounds. In general, people are more cautious calling the blinds and getting involved in a hand unless they have at least half-decent cards as a player could put in a big raise and steal the blinds.

Types of Poker Games

Most Illinois poker sites offer a mix of cash games and tournament games and there are two main types of tournaments. The different types of games require different strategies and have their advantages and disadvantages.

Cash tables: Cash games take place on a single table and can be played with anywhere between 2-10 players. Most sites offer a large number of cash tables with varying blinds meaning you will almost never have to wait for a seat. It’s important to remember that unlike tournament games the chips you use in a cash game have real monetary value in cash games so if bet a $100 chip and lose you just lost $100. Players in cash games tend to be a little more cautious than in tournaments for this very reason.

 

Scheduled tournaments: Scheduled tournaments can involve anywhere for just two players up to thousands. These tournaments have here is a set entrance fee and then you are given a certain amount of chips these chips don’t have real monetary value and players are knocked out when they lose all their chips and the tournament ends when only one player remains.

Scheduled tournaments don’t usually have a set number of players (although there may be a maximum limit) and a tournament begins at a scheduled time (hence the name) with however many players have signed up. The winnings will be determined based on how many players entered the tournament and the buy-in amounts. When they’re is a big tournament you can receive a payout even if you don’t make the final table.

Sit’n’go tournaments: Sit’n’go tournaments can also take place on one or multiple tables. These tournaments have a preset number of players usually anywhere between 2-360 online and the tournament begins once that number of players has entered. There are hundreds if not thousands of sit’n’go tournaments available at poker sites each day and are very popular as once you register the tournaments usually start very quickly particularly if the number of players is low.

They work the same way as scheduled tournaments and you pay a set entrance fee and are given a set number of chips and players are knocked out once all their chips are gone and they end when all but one player is left. The positions paid out will depend on the number of players and certain tournaments have different rules for example a 6-player tournament may pay out 1st and 2nd but some 6-player tournaments may be winner takes all.

How to Play at Online Poker Illinois Rooms

Get off to a quick start when playing online poker Illinois by following our helpful example of the registration process below. Follow our 4-step process to start playing your favorite cash games and tournaments within minutes.

Step 1: Head to Your Illinois Poker Room of Choice

To get started, you can use one of the links we’ve provided and head to your Illinois online poker site of choice. When you land on the home page, click on the “Join Now” tab at the top of the screen to get the sign-up process started.

Step 2: Register Your Details to Create an Illinois Poker Account

Once the registration form appears on the screen, you will need to fill in all the personal information that it requests. Once you have complied, click on “Create Account” for the next step. An email with a verification code will be sent to your inbox. Open the message and click on the link to activate your account.

Step 3: Make Your Payment at the Best Online Poker Sites for Illinois

Once your profile is active, you will need to transfer funds into the account if you want to play online real money Illinois games. Head to the “Cashier’s” tab at the top of the screen. Choose your payment method of choice.

Enter the amount of money you wish to transfer and follow the prompts. Be sure to enter your welcome bonus code into the field provided on the cashier’s page before you complete your payment. This way, you can boost your initial deposit.

Step 4: Play Your Favorite Illinois Online Poker Games

Once the deposit is complete, you’ll be able to load up your game of choice, make your buy-in, and play.

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Other Online Poker Guides you Might Like

Learn more about the different types of online poker games and options available online and where to best enjoy them:

• Best Bitcoin Poker Sites – A complete guide to the best Bitcoin Poker Sites to play online.
• Best Offshore Poker Sites – A rundown of the best offshore Poker sites with massive bonuses.
• Best Online Poker Sites – Full presentation of the best Poker Sites to play with real money.
• Play Online Poker Real Money – Full presentation of the best Poker Sites to play with real money.
• Download the Best Poker Apps – Complete guide and review of the best poker apps.
• Poker Games (List) – Complete overview of the most popular poker games available online.

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IL Legislative Resources

Below we have provided two links for anyone who wishes to learn more about the current laws regarding online poker and other forms of gambling. You can also find out information on how to contact local and state representatives to express your views and concerns on the subject.

• Illinois.gov
• Illinois General Assembly.gov

IL Gambling Resources

Problem gambling can have a serious impact on your life and the lives of those around you so if you believe that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, then we strongly encourage you to seek help. We have included 3 links to sites that can provide advice and local information and treatment services in your area.

• NCPG Problem Gambling Resources Illinois
• Illinois Gaming Board Problem Gambling
• Illinois Department of Human Services

Conclusion – Online Poker Illinois

Poker players have plenty to be happy about in Illinois. Not only can you enjoy live gaming at world-class poker rooms, but you can enjoy online poker for real money from Illinois when gaming at BetOnline and other first-class offshore poker sites. At BetOnline, you’ll find the best bonuses, tournaments, and games around.

Be sure to capitalize on the INSIDERS promo code when you sign up for the first time. You’ll appreciate the high deposit limit, tournament variety, and banking options once you complete the simple BetOnline sign-up process. Within minutes you can enjoy some of the hottest tournaments and cash games in the state.

IL Online Poker FAQs

Are the casinos accepting players regulated and licensed?

Yes, all the sites we have reviewed on this page are all regulated and licensed and we would never suggest a site that wasn’t. However, there are almost certainly sites out there on the internet that are not so always be cautious and check out a site before providing your details.

Is there online gambling in Illinois?

The only form of online gambling that is regulated in the state of Illinois is online sports betting and social/sweepstake casino gaming. Players will have to look offshore for Illinois online poker and casino games.

Is online poker legal in Illinois?

Online poker is not regulated legally in the state of Illinois. As such players will have to visit offshore sites that are legally licensed in other jurisdictions before they can get their game on.

Where can you gamble in Illinois?

Players can only gamble at licensed gaming establishments, such as casinos, poker rooms, and racetracks. You can also purchase lottery tickets legally in Illinois.

Is it safe to play online poker in Illinois?

Yes, online poker is completely safe in Illinois as long as you use a properly licensed and regulated site such as BetOnline and the other sites we have reviewed on this page..

Can you play online poker in Illinois?

Yes, poker online Illinois cash games and tournaments are available at offshore poker rooms like BetOnline, Bovada, Sportsbetting.ag, Ignition, and Everygame. Refer to our page to learn more about each operator with our mini-reviews.