What are the best iPhone / iPad apps for poker?

Poker has come a long way since the early days of Windows-only downloads. You can now enjoy browser-based games and even find dedicated apps for poker on iPhones and iPads. These are reserved for the biggest international brands – which have the development teams and number of players using Apple devices to make this worthwhile.

In 2020, iPad online poker is the perfect way to make the most out of betting on a tablet. The latest Apple tablets pack a real punch and, with faster Wi-Fi connections, stronger processors and better graphics, iPad poker online has never been easier. They’re also among the best games to play with friends, whether at home or on a trip. While there are some age-old ones like poker or solitaire, there are many new kinds too. Check out the full range of them all with these best card games for iPhone and iPad. Solitaire; Spades + Heads Up! – Trivia on the go; Zynga Poker – Texas.

Best Online Poker Sites for iPhone / iPad

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This page covers all you need to know to play poker for real money on devices running oSX. Here is what you will find:

  • Compatibility: Practical steps to getting a poker game running on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Pros and Cons: What are the benefits of mobile poker, and what drawbacks should you be aware of before you start?
  • Apps or Instant-Play: Where you have a choice, which option should you go for?
  • Limited US Poker Room Options: Players using iPhones or iPads have limited choices of offshore poker rooms with mobile-compatible games, you’ll find the main options here.
  • International iPhone Poker Sites: Which of the giant international brands caters to Apple users the best?
  • Apple Pay Poker Rooms: Which online poker rooms let you load your account with Apple Pay? This section also covers the alternatives.

Compatibility: Flash and iPhones / iPads Don’t Mix!

Many of the earliest browser-based online poker games used Adobe Flash as the base software. While this has come a long way since the earliest, laggy versions – it is still not compatible with Apple devices. This was a deliberate choice by the late Steve Jobs.

Fortunately, the best iPhone online poker sites have evolved. Many now use a mix of Java code and HTML5 to power their instant-play functionality. If you prefer an old Flash site, then you also have the option of installing the Chrome browser on your iPhone – along with a plugin to enable Flash.

Some of the earlier iPhone models are no longer capable of handling the poker room apps or instant play. If you have anything earlier than a 5S, then you will almost certainly need a hardware upgrade before you play poker for real money.

Pros and Cons of iPhone / iPad Poker

Today’s real money poker environment is very much optimised for desktops (preferably with multiple monitors). Multi-tabling, software tools and note taking all need space. When it comes to mobile poker – there are many options – the big question is whether poker is suited to this format.

Here are the pros and cons of iPhone / iPad poker:

Pros:

  • Play on the move: Whenever you have a moment, simply pop out your phone and have a quick session.
  • Watch the TV: This might seem like a strange positive, though with an iPad you can enjoy poker games alongside your family in the evenings – with no need to shut yourself off, alone in a study.
  • Enjoy the fastest games: Games like Zone Poker / Zoom are entertaining variants, which are perfect for mobile devices.

Cons:

  • One Game at a Time: A few sites allow extra tables, though these are not easy to manage on a smaller screen. Mostly, you’ll need to play just 1 game at a time.
  • Disconnection Risk: If you are out and about, there is a risk you’ll lose connection, and your pocket aces will be automatically folded!
  • Limited Choice: Many poker rooms only offer a sub-set of their game selection on apps or instant-play clients.

Should You Download a Casino’s iPhone / iPad App?

Where poker sites have downloadable apps, I’d recommend you take it. This is a much better overall experience, and in the case of PokerStars, will allow you to multi-table. The big advantage is that you download the graphics and animations onto your phone – so you don’t need to initialize these from the network each time you play.

Apps usually come direct from the poker site’s website – rather than via the app store. If you go to the site with your iPhone or iPad, you’ll be directed to download (where available).

Unfortunately, apps are the exception and not the rule. Many more poker sites (including the big offshore US brands) use instant play and do not have apps at all. Most smaller rooms can’t justify the expense, and others believe that the browser-based gaming is sufficient. While this may be true in some cases, I feel there is a lot of work to be done before many smaller sites are truly compatible with mobile Apple devices.

US Poker Sites Which Work on iPhones / iPads

There are not too many choices, and no download apps for iPhones or iPads. You will find games to enjoy in your browser. I see these are extensions of the main sites to enjoy while you are on the move – and not replacements for the old download clients.

BetOnline.ag / Sportsbetting Poker: These sites have an instant play client which works for Apple devices. You can get started by scanning a QR code on the main ‘mobile poker’ page. This will give you a choice of the (cash game heavy) game selection at these sites. While up to 4 tables can be played at once, this software may not be stable enough (yet) to cope with multi-tabling.

Bovada: Bovada also offer an instant play client which will work on iPhones (4 and up) and compatible iPads. This will allow you to reach the ‘Zone Poker’ games, which is the biggest US fast-fold poker format – or the regular cash game tables. Tournaments are not available via Instant Play at Bovada.

International Poker Sites Which Are iPhone / iPad Compatible

When you check out the biggest sites, you’ll find apps as well as instant play clients that work with Apple devices. Only the top brands have apps. You will find these for PokerStars, 888 Poker and Bet365. All require download and installation – and will let you reach a lot of different game formats – multi-tabling up to 4 tables in the case of PokerStars or Bet365.

As with the US sites, Instant-play clients have their limitations for iPhone and iPad users. You’ll find these work (using HTML5 instead of Flash). At the same time the play can involve lags, and multi-tabling is difficult.

Apps Compatible with iPhones and iPads in 2020

Can I Play Real Money Poker on my iPhone Using Apple Pay?

At the moment, only one poker brand – 888 Poker – accept Apple Pay for deposits. This makes the process of installing the app and depositing to play for real money completely within the Apple infrastructure. At the time of writing this option is only available in selected countries. I hope to see more sites (especially those which have already developed iPhone apps) to join this list in the near future.

What Other Deposit Methods Can I use at iPhone or iPad Poker Sites?

While we wait for Apple Pay to take off as a mainstream poker deposit option, there are plenty of established options. The biggest factor in what is available to you is your location. US players are restricted by laws covering banking transactions with offshore poker rooms – and Canadians are affected by these laws too. Outside of the US, things are very easy – it is more a case of which deposit and withdrawal methods suit you the best here.

Popular US Deposit Methods for iPhone Poker Rooms:

  • Credit Card: Even with the banking restrictions, cards which can make international payments are the single most common deposit method. Visa and MasterCard are the most frequently accepted brands, with Amex sometimes taken.
  • Prepaid Visa: If your card gets declined, a prepaid Visa will often work (you need to contact your iPad / iPhone poker room to ask which brands to buy).
  • Bitcoin: Fast becoming the go-to deposit method for US players, this is easy to set up and completely secure. The sites work in dollars, so you’ll only need to hold the Bitcoin for as long as it takes to deposit or withdraw.
  • Person to Person Transfers: This option uses established international wiring companies, for example MoneyGram. You send cash to a representative of the iPhone poker room.
  • Bank Wires: These are sometimes possible, though generally reserved for high roller players.

More Options for International Players

  • PayPal: The biggest iPhone poker sites like Bet365 and 888 will accept PayPal deposits.
  • Alternative eWallets: There are many brands providing similar services to PayPal which will let you deposit via your mobile device. These include Trustly, Skrill and Neteller.
  • Local Bank Transfers: A popular choice, where banking is restricted (for example in Canada) you can use gateway services like iDebit.
  • Vouchers and Virtual Cards: Prepaid services in these categories include PaySafeCard, EcoPayz and Click2Pay.

Wrapping Up: Your iPhone / iPad Poker Options

As you will see above, International players currently have a lot bigger choice of poker sites to enjoy on iPhones and iPads. The biggest brands are the place to head for downloadable apps with full functionality.

At the moment the offshore US sites have instant-play options, which will work on your Apple devices. These are limited in game selection, and in the ability to effectively multi-table. The best of these is the Bovada instant-play option – which features their speedy ‘Zone Poker’ game.

Watch this space – I hope to be bringing US readers news on new iPhone / iPad poker developments in the not too distant future.

Playing iPad poker definitely offers a better experience than playing iPhone poker as iPads are bigger, faster, and stronger than iPhones.

There is no doubt that the iOS is one of the most widespread operative systems, both on smartphones and tablets. While both devices use basically the same software, the iPhone is still characterized by a smaller screen than its tablet counterpart – the iPad. And with the advancement of the online poker industry and its tendencies to spread to other platforms, iPad poker sites appeared on the market soon enough.

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These iPad poker sites are available to players in two different ways – as an instant play option that is accessible through Safari or any other suitable iOS browser, or as an inherent iPad app. The former option requires players to type in the operator’s website in the browser in order to access the site, while the latter loads an app that is stored in the device’s internal memory. Either way, players are required to have an extensive and stable Internet connection, preferably through a secure, private Wi-Fi network.
Now that you know what you need in order to enjoy a full online real money poker experience using your iPad, read on to learn about the benefits it is bound to provide.

A mobile poker application that works on iPhones will definitely work on iPad devices although apps made especially for iPad devices are the best for iPads. The best iPad poker apps include a wide range of exciting poker variants such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker in the cash game as well as ring game formats, generous bonuses or free trials, and a huge base of poker players. However, there are still a number of problems associated with iPad mobile poker although the industry is doing everything in its power to find solutions to all these problems.

An iPad is only an enlarged version of the iPhone, players will not be able to play Flash poker games; besides, players can install only those apps available in the Apple App Store. iPad owners, however, have devised a number of ways to get around these problems and play their favorite games of poker on their iPads. Besides, there are a number of free as well as real money poker apps that work incredibly well on iPads. The biggest advantages of the iPad are its greater speed as it has faster processors, a large touch screen with better resolution, and faster Wi-Fi.

iPad mobile poker is at its best with Wi-Fi, 4G, or 3G Internet connections; in order words, the Internet connection needs to really fast for a good iPad mobile poker experience. One of the disadvantages of iPad mobile poker is that it does not work if the user is in a place that lacks proper Internet connectivity. Some iPad mobile poker apps work well only on the latest iPad versions, not the older ones, owing to which players will have to update their iPad OS before they can start playing mobile poker.

iPad mobile poker apps also include plenty of poker tournaments, but hardly any Single Table Tournaments. Although most iPad mobile poker apps offer only free poker gaming, PokerStars and Switch Poker offer real money iPad poker apps, enabling players to play real money poker and win real money prizes. Multi-tabling is also something that iPad users will have to do without at present although advanced iPad mobile poker apps might be developed in future to give players the ultimate tournament poker experience.

Game Selection

Due to the bigger touchscreen which is one of the recognizable features of the iPad, the game selection is allowed to get much closer, or exactly the same as that of desktop poker clients. Normally, mobile devices such as Android smartphones and iPhones limit the selection to popular games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha. What is more, some operators tend to offer a specific app for Hold’em action and altogether neglect other poker game variants.

iPad poker sites, however, have been known to broaden the standard game selection available on portable devices in order to include games such as 7-Card Stud poker and its variants. Aside from the selection of games, iPad poker sites are further sought after for their events. Cash games, Sit’n Gos and Multi-table Tournaments are practically a regular offering, the latter of which is occasionally provided on smartphone-dedicated poker operators.

Fast fold poker is another standard game play option on iPad poker sites – the size of the screen allows players to make even less mistakes during fast-paced action. And with the availability of practice, free-money variants of the iPad poker sites, players are all the less likely to make such errors.

Banking Methods

Making a deposit at an iPad poker site is safe, easy and quite convenient, especially considering the mobile nature of the device and the site’s numerous functionalities. All you have to do once you register and log in on your chosen iPad poker client is to access the Cashier section in the main menu bar. You will have to choose a deposit payment processing method and input the suitable information and amount before you get the funds transferred to your player account.

Ipad

The same procedure applies for withdrawals, with the distinction of selecting to request a cashout instead of a deposit. Once you choose the amount of money you wish to withdraw and the financial service you wish to process your request, there is a certain wait-time that may depend on the operator and the chosen banking method. iPad poker sites normally offer a myriad of banking options, so you can choose based on your preferences with currency, potential commission fees and waiting time. Among the most popular methods, players use debit and credit cards for deposits and withdrawals, bank transfers, and a number of online financial services and e-wallet payment processors.

Bonuses & Promotions

iPad poker site operators could focus on this device solely, or choose to expand their poker client presence on various other platforms. Nonetheless, when it comes to bonus offers and player promotions, iPad poker sites do not have pose any issues to boosting the entire selection of benefits the operator has to offer.

Welcome bonuses are practically a-must in the industry, but most iPad poker sites are willing to add something extra to the bonus selection. Thus, these operators offer loyalty, re-depositing and referral bonuses aside from No Deposit and First Deposit offers.

Best Poker App For Ipad

As for promotions, iPad poker sites offer all kinds of player benefits, free gifts and entries to massive tournaments due to the fact that the screen size can handle the traffic.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to using iPad as a platform for your online poker gaming experiences. Aside from the excellent poker gaming variants and the possibility for multi-tabling and fast-fold action, players are also eligible to receive all player benefits that they would qualify for on other clients, i.e. desktop and Android clients.

To conclude, there is an excellent poker experience at iPad poker sites filled with these and many other attractive features for all kinds of online poker enthusiasts.

FAQs

Each iPad poker site, and each of the banking methods at the given site, can set their own minimum deposit amount. Another common practice is to introduce one equal minimum deposit amount across all methods, so that they would only differ in their withdrawal limits.
All in all, the deposit and withdrawal methods available on iPad mobile apps are usually equivalent to those found on the original desktop poker site.
Poker
Most of the iPad poker sites do require an Internet connection, both for their free-play and real-money poker games. However, some inherent apps may not demand a connection for the free-play version, as long as you are comfortable playing against the computer.
his normally depends on the poker site, but iPad mobile apps nowadays tend to incorporate as many features as possible, including this one.
Yes, most operators offering iPad poker clients include numerous customization options to make the experience more personal for each player. Common options include table and card deck layout, lobby design and sound effects, although some operators can offer additional ones.

Best Video Poker For Ipad

This depends on your chosen iPad poker site. Licensed and regulated iPad poker sites do not allow their entities to accept players from countries with hazy or opposing legal regulations in regards to the online gaming industry.
The best poker sites’ versions suitable for this mobile device offer the provably fair option to all their players who want to check and see the game regularity for themselves.

Best Poker App For Real Money

In most cases, there are no differences between the poker site’s versions for these mobile devices. Apart from iPad’s bigger screen, players can enjoy the same features.
The primary means to protect your information and funds is to report the issue at the poker site’s customer support services. They will most surely deactivate your account until further notice.
Different operators have different policies for this situation, which you can check in their T&Cs. Nevertheless, most operators choose to take action and fold your hand as a result of player inactivity during a set time.