Online Poker in Massachusetts – Is It Legal? Get $5,000+ at MA Poker Sites

Save yourself a trip to the casino with the best and brightest Massachusetts online poker platforms. We’ll review 5 of the best sites for Massachusetts-based players, taking time to unpack red-hot jackpot tournaments, top payouts, epic online welcome offers and a bunch of leading poker bonuses to help boost your bankroll! We’ll also go through the legalities of playing online poker in the Bay State, rank a few real-world poker destinations as well as throw in some sure-fire tips for playing online poker for real money. 

Massachusetts Online Poker Gambling at a Glance

Massachusetts offers more online gambling options than many other states in the form of sports betting, unfortunately, domestic online poker remains illegal. Check out our overview of the poker landscape in MA below:

• Legal Poker: Inland (in-person only), Online (offshore sites only)
• Minimum Age to Play Poker in Massachusetts: 21 (inland), 18 (through offshore sites)
• Offline Poker Rooms: 30+ tables at 2 locations
• Online Poker Sites: Offshore only
• Estimated Poker Revenue:$104,514,046.97 from retail casino wagering including poker in March 2023
• Permitted Online Domestic Poker Operators: Not applicable
• Licensing Fee for Online Poker Sites: Not applicable
• Tax Rate for Online Poker: Not applicable
• Tax Funded: Not applicable

The Best Online Poker Massachusetts Sites

Out of all the online poker options for Massachusetts players, there are five that truly set the standard for world-class, red-hot, 24/7 poker action. These online poker platforms are known for their wide range of different tables, buy-ins, promotions, and leading welcome offers. 

1. BetOnline – Overall Best Platform for Massachusetts Online Poker
2. Bovada – Best Platform for Poker Tournaments and Promotions
3. Everygame – Wide Range of Online Poker Titles and Buy-ins
4. Ignition– Best Welcome Offer: 150% Deposit Match up to $1,500
5. Sportsbetting.ag – Fast Poker Payouts and Lower Rakes

Massachusetts Online Poker Sites Reviewed

It’s time to deal up and deliver the best poker online Massachusetts destinations taking 2023 by storm. Each platform is known for its signature promotions, regular tournaments, and quick turnaround on payouts. But which is the best? 

1. BetOnline – Overall Best Platform for Massachusetts Online Poker

BetOnline is one of the most well-recognized gaming platforms in the United States and a top Massachusetts online poker destination through and through. Their stylish poker room has around 30 different tables, a wide range of buy-ins with varying stakes as well as an array of top poker titles including Caribbean Stud, Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, 3-Card, 5-Card and many more. Their proprietary software falls under the Chico Poker Network, a world leader in online poker play. 

As far as promotions are concerned, BetOnline leads the pack for Massachusetts online poker play. New players can expect a strong poker match deposit when using a promo code on the cashier page and making a $50 minimum first-time deposit. 

BetOnline hosts regular no limit, pot limit, and fixed limit tournaments with buy-ins ranging between $5 and $100 across multiple stakes and rakes. Guaranteed prize pools can climb to $50,000 on any given night with top events including the $1 Million Windfall Sit and Go, Weekly Turbos, Rebuy Frenzies and more. 

Payouts on takings are usually fast and the platform readily accepts deposits in Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. Finally, the BetOnline mobile app lets you wager and win real money 24/7 and is available for download for Android and iOS.

2. Bovada – Best Platform for Poker Tournaments and Promotions

Bovada is widely regarded by US players to be one of the best and most comprehensive Massachusetts online poker platforms around. Established in 2004, Bovada’s proprietary poker software has moved from strength to strength over the years, offering players fast-loading, graphically enhanced and ultimately intuitive gameplay from start to finish. 

The Bovada poker room has around 20 online poker tables, covering a range of different titles, most notably 5-Card, Caribbean Stud, Texas Holdem, and Omaha Hi/Lo. Buy-ins range from $5 to $200, depending on the table and the payouts on takings are some of the fastest around. 

Bovada’s Welcome Offer for new players is not as strong as some of the other poker online Massachusetts platforms, but they make up for this with lower rakes, longer redemption times and regular promotions that can be used in conjunction with the Welcome offer for higher returns. 

Regular high stakes tournaments include Weekly $10,000 Turbo’s, $1 Million Windfalls, Rebuy Frenzies, Reloads and Sunday leaderboard challenges. Regular players can collect Poker Points for rakes collected, which can then be converted into tournament tickets, guaranteed seats in qualifiers and tailored promotions. Bovada also has a well-developed mobile integration and the option to play multiple real-money tables with their signature online poker app.

3. Everygame – Wide Range of Online Poker Titles and Buy-ins

Everygame (previously Intertops) is another leading platform for  Massachusetts online poker players and is regarded to have one of the strongest onsite interfaces around. The platform is intuitively simple, easy to navigate and packed with an array of leading poker titles including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Caribbean Stud and Pai Gow to name a select few. Buy-ins range from around $6 low-limit, up to $500 on high-stakes tables. Everygame is also known to have some of the highest and fastest payouts online casinos around, including a decent 36% Rakeback. 

New players signing up to the site are eligible to redeem a deposit match, as their primary Welcome Offer. This bonus comes in exchange for a $25 minimum deposit and can be used on any table. 

Everygame rewards onsite play with Poker points that can in turn be redeemed for seats at jackpot tournaments, or swapped out for a host of different bonuses. Regular poker tournaments are always on the cards where, for a $5-$15 minimum buy-in, players can go up against each other for a chance to win upwards of $150,000 in guaranteed table takings. 

Other Massachusetts online poker promotions and events at Everygame include the Sunday Sundowner Series, with a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool, as well as the popular Soft Poker Series where players compete in 30 different knockout rounds for a seat at the final table and a chance to take home a $70,000 payday. 

Lastly, Everygame also has a referral bonus that can be redeemed for introducing new players to the site, as well as a cutting-edge poker app where players can wager real money across multiple tables.

4. Ignition – Best Welcome Offer: 100% Deposit Match up to $1000

Ignition Casino has been a dominant force in Massachusetts online poker play since as far back as 2004. Their variety of titles, coupled with their range of buy-ins and stakes makes them a go-to destination for poker MA players of all skill levels and preferences. 

The Ignition poker suite is one of the largest around with a variety of cash tables spanning Texas Holdem, Omaha, 5-Card, 3-Card, Pai Gow, Caribbean Stud and more. Tables can be played across no limit, pot limit and fixed limit respectively with special poker points issued to players for frequent play. These poker points come with a 0.5% tournament Rakeback and can be swapped out for other casino bonuses including free tournament entries.  

Ignition also has no shortage of thrilling online poker tournaments and weekly promotions including $10,000 Turbo Tournaments, Progressive Bounties, and weekly leaderboard showdowns with low buy-ins and high guaranteed prize pools. New players can also redeem a poker welcome bonus in exchange for a $20 minimum deposit.  Existing players can also unlock a regular 200% up to $100 referral bonus for every new player introduced to the site. 

Ignition also has a leading online poker app, available for both Android and iOS. This real-money app accepts mobile wagers with the option to play multiple tables at a time.

5. Sportsbetting.ag – Fast Poker Payouts and Lower Rakes

Like BetOnline, Sportbetting.ag forms part of the Chico Poker Network and is a world-class Massachusetts online poker platform. Their stylish poker room is packed to capacity with a host of leading titles, buy-ins, and stakes including no-limit and pot-limit Texas Holdem, Omaha Hi/Lo, 3-Card, and more, with buy-ins ranging from $10 to $100 for most tables. 

New players who are just signing up to the Sportsbetting.ag platform stand to unlock the poker welcome offer, in exchange for a $50 minimum first-time deposit, when using the promo code in the cashier. Other promotions include the Bad Beat Jackpot and the Bad Beat Jackpot Boost. 

Sportsbetting.ag offers the same top tournaments as BetOnline where new and existing players can wager a stake on any number of Progressive Bounties, Rebuy Frenzies, and Weekly Turbos’ with $10,000 prize-pools up for grabs. Two standout tournaments include the Sunday Main Event with a $50,000 pot, as well as the signature $1 Million Windfall. 

Leading poker software can be downloaded for Mac and PC and the Sportsbetting.ag online poker app for Android and iOS lets you wager real money at your leisure straight from Massachusetts, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

More on gambling in Massachusetts…

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

• Massachusetts sports betting
• Massachusetts real money online casinos
• Massachusetts online gambling
• Massachusetts Sports betting apps
• Massachusetts horse racing

Online Poker MA – The Top Sites Compared

Let’s dig a little deeper into the best Massachusetts online poker platforms. The below table compares each platform’s range of poker titles, leading welcome bonuses, capacity for freerolls, as well as ongoing tournaments with high guaranteed prize pools.

Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts was a forerunner in legalizing in-person gambling in 2011 with the passing of the Extended Gaming Act. Since then the casino industry has gone on to significantly expand its offering with brick and mortar casinos popping up all over the State, offering a host of exciting tables and slots. 

Unfortunately the same can’t be said (yet) for online gambling and online poker in particular.  

If, throughout this review, you’ve been asking yourself “Is online poker legal in Massachusetts’ the short answer is no. There are currently no legal options for online gambling of any sort, including online poker, and as of 2022, there are no plans in place that are looking into legalizing online casinos in Massachusetts. 

The majority of proposals currently have gone to legalizing in-person Sportsbetting.ag, and there is talk that this bill will come to pass in 2022. This may bode well for Massachusetts-based players because, as more gambling practices become legalized and regulated, attention may soon turn to online gambling and legalizing online poker. 

With the above said, it’s still entirely possible to play online poker while residing in Massachusetts. Offshore casinos readily accept players from Massachusetts. Their licenses are fully above board, but being located out of state, they are not held to the same regulations that you’ll find in Massachusetts or elsewhere. 

And this just in! ALL of the above Massachusetts platforms are located Offshore, meaning you can sign up and start playing today! So, is online gambling in Massachusetts legal? Not yet. But Offshore casinos are a great way to still play online poker MA. 

Video Poker 

A different game altogether from online poker, video poker, also known as “Poker Slots” can be played online or in-person at real-world casinos. Just like run of the mill online slots, the game is played on a computerized console with the goal being to build card sets (hand rankings) that will unlock different payouts and bonuses. 

Online Video Poker falls into the same legislation category as online gambling and for that reason, remains illegal in the state of Massachusetts. Until the time that online gambling and online poker in Massachusetts is legalized, Video Poker will not be legalized either. 

Casual Poker 

Casual Poker also called “Social Poker ” is any poker game played from a private residence among friends or acquaintances. While Massachusetts State gambling law strictly prohibits unlicensed commercial gambling operations, i.e any games intending to profit from overall takings and/or implementing rakes, they are far more lenient to friendly poker games. 

Players can wager and win on home poker games, as long these games are out of the public eye, behind closed doors and don’t look to profit from unsolicited buy-ins and/or rakes. And, as with all states, the legal online poker Massachusetts age is 18, where any person taking part in a game of casual poker will need to be over the age of 18 to legally participate. 

Massachusetts gambling is extra strict on unregulated poker games where anyone found to be operating an illegal poker game can be heavily fined or even spend time in prison. 

Offshore Poker Sites in Massachusetts

There are plenty of domestic gambling options for residents of the Bay State particularly in person with casinos, sports betting, and poker all legal. However, online options are more limited with only sports betting permitted which is why many residents opt to gamble with offshore sites. 

There is no specific legislation in MA regarding offshore sites and they operate in a legal grey area. There are no instances of the state charging anyone for using an offshore site and the state has also never tried to bring about any legal action against the sites themselves which is why offshore pokers sites are happy to accept players from MA.

History of Gambling in Massachusetts

As one of the oldest US states it’s no surprise that Massachusetts has a long and storied history of gambling. Gambling was first banned by the Puritans in 1638. In the early 1700s lotteries were popular in the state but were banned in 1719. The ban was removed in 1745 to fund King Georges’s war but then was reinstated about 15 years later. When the revolutionary war started lotteries were again legalized to raise funds. It was banned again in 1833 and this time the ban lasted a lot longer but became legal once again in 1971.

Pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog racing became legal in 1934. While horse racing remains legal and active in the state to this day dog racing was banned in 2009. Two years after that in 2011 Massachusetts saw a huge change in the gambling landscape when the Expanded Gaming Act was passed in 2011which allowed for casinos to operate in the state.

Another huge change for gambling came in 2023 when sports betting in-person and online went live and in March 2023 which was the first month both retail and online sports betting were live Massachusetts revenue from sports gambling alone was  $568,091,232.87.

Online Poker Massachusetts

With so many Massachusetts poker online sites and live locations to choose from, you might find yourself a little torn on where to start first. While live poker rooms are great for a night out with friends, they don’t carry nearly as many leading incentives as online poker platforms. These digital networks are experts at incentivizing players and for that reason always pull out the stops with new offers, promotions and tournaments. Below are some of the benefits of playing online poker Massachusetts. 

Variety of Games

The variety and range of poker play is a great place to start. Online poker platforms are able to onboard, store, curate and roll out a near-endless array of new and exciting poker titles, while brick-and-mortar casinos are limited to how much space they have on the floor. That said, online poker players will always have a wide variety of new and existing games at their fingertips. 

Leading incentives and promotions 

Massachusetts online poker casinos are synonymous with top promotions and welcome offers. On any given day, you’ll find a wide range of poker promotions to help you get the upper hand at the table and make your wagers go further. Look out for Welcome offers like BetOnlines 100% deposit match up to $1000, as well as lower rakes, recurring cashback, reloads, free chips, and more. 

Regular Tournaments and Online Events

It takes a lot of work to organize live poker tournaments on a regular basis, but with live casinos, it’s little more than a flick of a switch. Online poker platforms have a wide range of recurring tournaments that they’re constantly updating and refining. Players can log in at any time and choose between daily, weekly, monthly, and sometimes hourly tournaments, like BetOnlines Big Bad Beat, Bovada’s 10K Turbo, or Sportsbetting.ag’ Sit & Go Windfall.

24/7 Online Poker

Even the best poker rooms have a closing time, but when it comes to online poker, tables run 24/7, Monday to Sunday without fail. Added to that, platforms like BetOnline, Everygame and Ignition all have dedicated real-money poker apps where top wagers can be placed and payouts can be won for both Android and iOS.  

Learning portals 

Our list of leading Massachusetts online poker platforms also offer tutorials, hand ranking charts and how-to guides that you won’t find in a real-world casino. These information portals are targeted to new players, giving them a chance to place low-stakes wagers and learn as they go. 

Anonymous Tables and Free Play 

Online players looking to perfect their strategy without giving away their secrets can choose to play at Anonymous Tables. These anonymous poker tables, available at Bovada, Ignition and other sites, never display your user name, giving you the chance to play without having to reveal your identity. Added to that, the above online poker platforms also offer a “Free” or “demo mode” feature, where you can play for as long as you like without ever having to wager a cent.

Massachusetts Poker – Live and in Person

A number of Massachusetts poker rooms restricted their services at the start of the pandemic. Luckily, these precautions are starting to lift and Massachusetts live poker is officially back on the cards. So, whether you live in Massachusetts or you’re just passing through, the below three live poker rooms are sure to have what you’re looking for.  

MGM Springfield

Address: One MGM Wy, Springfield, MA 01103, USA

MGM Springfield’s 13-table poker room is one of the most stylish poker destinations in the whole of MA. Their comprehensive poker offering includes 3-Card, 5-Card, Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha, among others. Buy-ins range from $10 up to $900 apiece while the house regularly holds tournaments with upwards of $50,000 in guaranteed prize pools. 

Encore Boston Harbor

Address: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, USA

Encore Boston Harbor has a world-class poker MA suite with 20+ poker tables, including 6 high-limit offerings and around 4 VIP tables. Buy-ins range from $5 up to $1000 and the action includes Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and 5-Card, among others. The house also has a “Poker Points” loyalty incentive for regular players. Please note: The Encore Boston Harbor Poker Room was temporarily closed at the start of the pandemic, but is scheduled to be reopened in February 2022.

Boston Billiard Room and Casino 

Address: 55 Northeastern Blvd, Nashua, NH 03062, USA

The Boston Billiard Room and Casino has a relaxed 10-table poker room for players of all levels. Buy-ins range from $20 up to $1000 with Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha being the main attractions. Tournaments of varying sizes are held regularly, with upwards of $50,000 in guaranteed prize pools. The house also has a “Player Club Card” loyalty incentive for frequent players where $2500 can be won weekly in raffles and draws.

Benefits of Playing Poker Online vs Land-based Casino

The biggest advantage of online poker is sheer convenience. Day or night you can log on and start playing from the comfort of your couch or bed. What’s more, tournaments can go on for quite some time if you are in the middle of one and need to go somewhere you can keep playing on a MA poker app.

In addition to being more convenient, online casinos cater to a more diverse range of players as the minimum and maximum limits offer more flexibility. Ranging from just a few cents up to thousands of dollars whatever type of player you are and what your bankroll is you’ll be able to find a suitable game. What’s more, online poker sites offer a myriad of bonuses to boost your bankroll that are potentially worth thousands of dollars.

Payment Methods for Playing Online Poker in Massachusetts

In this section, we will run through essential information about some of the most common payment methods available at the top offshore poker sites in Massachusetts.

Deposits

Any decent Massachusetts poker site for real money provides patrons with a range of safe and secure ways to fund their wallets. Below you can find out about the most common traditional and digital deposit methods.

Credit & Debit Cards

The vast majority of online poker sites in Massachusetts accept deposits via major bank cards such as Mastercard and Visa with some also accepting AMEX and Discover. This is a convenient way to deposit as they are processed quickly and most people have one. While this is a convenient method,  most offshore poker sites charge a transaction fee for deposits made via cards. The fee is usually a percentage of the amount deposited.

Wire Transfer

This traditional method is very easy to complete with Internet banking and can be done from your phone or computer. Like bank cards, there are almost always fees involved for this method and it’s usually a fairly high set amount rather than a percentage. You will also find the min/max limits don’t offer as much flexibility as other options.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to make payments at MA poker sites for a variety of reasons. The first is that they are usually fee-free. In addition, BTC has faster processing times than fiat options. It allows users to remain anonymous and adds an extra layer of security to payments are your details are never shared. Furthermore, the best Bitcoin online poker sites offer lucrative Bitcoin-specific bonuses.

Cryptocurrency

As well as BTC most sites offer a variety of other crypto options. The most commonly accepted coins at Massachusetts poker gambling sites are Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, BTC, USDT, and Dogecoin. You receive the same advantages that you get when depositing with Bitcoin including no fees, faster processing times, higher bonuses, and more variation in limits.

eWallets

Popular eWallets like Skrill and Neteller, Apple Pay, and Google Pay can be used at many offshore sites and. this option usually comes with no fees. Processing times are faster than traditional options and fast and an extra layer of security is added as your bank details are never shared.

Withdrawals

In most instances, the same methods available for deposits are also available for withdrawals. The main exception to this is credit and debit cards as due to certain restrictions offshore sites can not process withdrawals to credit and debit cards. You will need to utilize one of the other methods available such as the ones listed below if you deposited via card.

Wire Transfer

Like with deposits traditional method is simple to request. You will usually be required to fill out a short form that will take a few minutes to complete. While requesting is quick your going to have to wait 7-14 days in most cases to receive the money. You will also find that you will probably have to pay a fee of around $50-$100.

Check

Another traditional method available is to have a  check sent to you. This method takes the longest and its 7-15 working days before you receive the check, and then of course you have to wait for the check to clear with your bank. There is also a fee charged usually similar to that of a wire transfer.

Bitcoin & Other Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are a great way to extract money as generally there are no fees. The processing times are also incredibly fast with most sites taking less than 48 hours and in many cases, it’s back in your account in under 2 hours. In addition, like with deposits the minimum and maximum limits are much less restrictive.

eWallets

Another digital option with quick payout times is eWallets. In addition, there are usually no fees charged by the site for withdrawals and while the maximum limits are’;t usually as high as crypto the minimum amount is lower than fiat options.

Making Online Poker Massachusetts Deposits

Let’s take a moment to unpack some of the best deposit and withdrawal options available on Massachusetts online poker sites. Each of the online poker platforms we’ve reviewed so far carry fast turnarounds on payouts and a range of banking methods including Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. Keep reading to find your preferred payment method.

Playing Online Poker in Massachusetts

For easier reference, we’ll quickly recap the incentives covered per Massachusetts online poker destination. If you’re looking to make the most of industry-leading bonuses and some of the most varied poker titles around, BetOnline is where you need to be. Their lenient wagering requirements and fulfilment time on bonuses give players a strong edge on almost any table. 

If regular, star-studded poker tournaments and qualifiers are more in line with your thinking then Bovada, Sportsbetting.ag and Everygame have got you covered. Their world-famous Bad Beat Jackpot Tournament, Turbo Leaderboard Challenges, $1 Million Windfalls and Sunday Specials carry upwards of $50,000 in guaranteed prizes at any given time. 

When it comes to cutting-edge mobile integration, rewards and low buy-ins, Ignition has the upper hand. Their mobile app for Android and iOS will have you wagering and winning real-money in a few clicks while their 200% up to $100 new player referral bonus will award payouts for every new registration that you bring to the platform. 

Bovadas’ anonymous tables and free play mode will have you learning the ropes at your leisure, while Everygame’s comprehensive learning portal will tell you everything you need to know about poker variations, hand rankings and more. Finally, Everygames 36% Rakeback is an industry trendsetter and a great value-add to make your payouts go further. 

Tips for Real Money Online Poker Massachusetts

We’re almost at the end of our guide to Massachusetts online poker. But before you head off, here’s some online poker real money Massachusetts tips that are sure to give you the upper hand the next time you’re playing online.  

 

Famous Massachusetts Poker Players

There are six players from Massachusetts who currently are in the top 100 USA money list. Nick Petrangelo is the highest up on the list and has total poker earnings just shy of $30 million. He has won two WSOP bracelets including winning the $100,000 No Limit Hold’em high roller tournament in 2018.

Following closely behind him in terms of earnings is Daniel Colman who has won just under $29 million and at only 32 that is likely to rise. Over half of his earnings came from his 2014 win at the WSOP the Big One for One Drop tournament, which at the time was the highest buy-in poker event ever at $1,000,000. For winning this tournament Daniel picked up his first and only WSOP bracelet and a huge $15,306,668 in winnings.

Poker Games to Play in Massachusetts

Most Washington poker sites feature a plethora of different poker games as well as multiple different options in terms of tournaments, cash games, and poker games against the dealer. No matter what type of poker you like to play you’ll be able to find a table that suits your needs almost instantly. Read on as we run through the different poker variants, poker limits, and tournaments on offer at real-money poker sites in Washington.

Poker Variants

There are a multitude of different poker variants, so many in fact that it would take far too long to go over the rules of all of them in this article. However, almost all poker variants can be split into one of four broader categories which we have listed below:

Community Cards Poker: In community card poker games players’ hands are made up of cards they are dealt (hole cards) combined with a number of shared face-up cards on the table. The number of hole cards a player receives depends on the specific game.

 Some of the most popular types of community card poker games found online are:

• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha
• Omaha Hi-Lo

Draw Poker:  In draw poker there are no shared cards and players are dealt complete hands. Players can improve their hands by discarding some of the cards they have and drawing new cards from the deck (hence the name).

 Some of the most popular types of draw card poker games found online are:

• Five-card draw
• Seven-card draw
• Badugi 

Stud Poker:  Stud poker games also don’t have shared cards and players are dealt a complete hand. The cards dealt to players may be either face down, face up or a combination of both depending on what stud variant is being played.

 Some of the most popular types of stud poker found online are:

• 5-card stud
• 7-card stud
• Razz
• Eight or better
• Caribbean Stud

Mixed Poker Games:  Mixed poker games, as the name suggests are a mix of several different poker variants. The component games are played for either be for a set number of hands or a set amount of time before switching to another game. 

 Some of the most mixed types of stud poker found online are:

• Horse (Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, and Eight or better)
• 8 game mix (Hold’em, No Limit Hold’em, Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha Razz, Stud, Eight,2-7 Triple Draw)

Types of Betting

Another variation in the game of poker is the type of betting involved of which there are three main types. The betting format has a direct effect on the strategy players employ. The three betting types are as follows:

• Fixed limit: Maximum raise is pre-set and the pot can only be raised a set number of times usually four.
• Pot Limit: Max raise is equal to the amount in the pot. There is no restriction on the number of raises.
• No Limit: Players can raise as much as they want at any point and there are no limits on the number of raises.

Types of Poker Games

Massachusetts poker sites offer a mix of cash games and tournament games and there are two main types of tournaments. The different types of games have pros and cons and also may require different strategies. Tournaments may have extra rules such as Knockouts and rebuys, but we will cover just the basic information.

• Cash tables:  Take place on one table and involve 2-10 players. Chips have a real monetary value.
• Scheduled tournaments: Tournaments start at a set time. Can take place on one or multiple tables and can have any number of players ranging from just two up to thousands. Chips do not have a monetary value and players are knocked out once they lose all their chips.
• Sit’n’go tournaments: Tournaments start as soon as the required number of players have registered. Can take place on one or multiple tables, and the number of players is usually between 2-360 and are usually played at a faster pace than scheduled tournaments. A set number of chips are assigned to each player and the chips do not have a monetary value. Players are knocked out once they lose all their chips.

How to Play Online Poker MA

Are you ready to play your heart out with the best online poker real money Massachusetts platforms? It’s time to register your player account, make a first-time deposit, and bag top welcome offers along the way. Here are the steps needed to get you started.

 

Step 1: Sign Up

Registering your player account is easier than ever. Simply head over to your online poker platform of choice (we’ll use BetOnline in this example). In the top corner of the home screen click the “Join Now” button and fill in a few key details including your date of birth, email address, unique password and the region you’re logging in from. After you submit your details, you’ll get a confirmation email with a verification link.

Step 2: Verify Your Account

After you’ve hit the verification link you may be asked to send through some additional documents to confirm your details. This could include a copy of your driver’s license, a bank statement or a utility bill. Confirmations take around 48 hours and after that, you’ll officially be registered to the online poker platform of your choice. 

Step 3: Deposit Funds

After your player account has been registered, you’ll be taken over to the deposits (or cashier) page. Choose your preferred payment method from the dropdown list available and add your account details to deposit funds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the platform’s minimum requirements.

Step 4: Start Playing

You’re officially locked, loaded and ready to play the best Massachusetts online poker titles. Remember to add your Welcome Offer Promo Code when prompted, and use it in combination with other top onsite promotions to make your wagers go further. Best of luck!

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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 for 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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MA Legislative Resources

To learn more about current online poker and gambling laws in MA or if you would like to contact your local and state representatives and voice your opinions use the links provided below:

• Massachusetts.gov
• Massachusetts Legislature

MA Gambling Resources

While gambling is a harmless form of entertainment for most people, it can lead to addiction in some people and if you suspect that you or someone you know has a problem with gambling we suggest you use one of the resources below to get advice and find out about assistance in your local area.

• NCPG Problem Gambling Resources Massachusetts
• Massachsetts Department of Public Health

Conclusion – Playing Poker in Massachusetts

That does it for our list of leading Massachusetts online poker destinations. BetOnline’s top promotions, range of gaming titles and core poker software take home first-place, while Bovada’s anonymous tables, low buy-ins and core mobile integration come in at a close second. Sportsbetting.ag takes third position thanks to their $1000 Poker Match Deposit Welcome Offer while Ignition’s smooth interface and $10,000 Turbo Tournaments give them fourth position. Finally Everygames fast loading speeds, range of payment methods and loyalty incentives take fifth place overall.

FAQS

Is online poker legal in Massachusetts?

Online poker and online gambling overall are not legal in the State of Massachusetts. Players in-state can organize casual poker games, wager at real-world casinos or opt to play at offshore casinos licensed out of state.

Is it safe to play online poker in Massachusetts?

Yes, online poker is completely safe in Massachusetts if you play at a legitimate site that is licensed and regulated such as BetOnline, Bovada, or the other sites we review in this article.

Are the casinos accepting players regulated and licensed?

The sites we recommend and have reviewed in this article are all properly regulated and licensed by reputable organizations and we would never suggest a site that wasn’t. There are most certainly sites out there that are not and you should avoid these sites. It’s best practice to research a site before you sign up to make sure they are legit.

Can you play online poker in the US for real money?

Online poker can be played for real money in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware and Michigan. Playing online poker for real money is still illegal in all other states throughout America.

Is online poker legal in Boston?

Online poker is prohibited within the State of Massachusetts, therefore online poker is also prohibited in Boston, surrounding regions and anywhere else that falls within the governing State of Massachusetts.

Is it legal to gamble online in MA?

At this time, it is illegal to gamble online in MA. Players can rather opt to wager in person at poker MA land-based casinos or play at any number of leading offshore casinos licensed out of state.