Written by: Taylor Updated: 14 Sep 20

Online Poker Guide

Online gambling has been legalized in the state of Pennsylvania and casinos have started launching online as of July 15th, 2019. While four PA casinos can now be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home, players will not see online poker. The Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board monitors all online games before they are approved for the casino site, and seem to be taking their time testing the online poker to ensure no bugs. In New Jersey, online poker was also delayed in launching due to the fact that it makes little profit and PA seems to have run into the same problem. Now, PartyPoker has kicked things off and launched an online casino in the first week of November, bring online poker to the state! Players in Pennsylvania should also expect to see online poker platforms by 888 Poker, and PartyPoker launching soon. 

The following PA casinos all applied and have been approved to offer online poker in the state: 

Anyone looking to play online poker in Pennsylvania is required to be located inside the state, at least 21 years of age, and verify identity and geolocation software. 

Advantages of Playing Online Poker

There are a lot of reasons why players should be excited about the recent law change approving online poker in Pennsylvania. For starters, you can enjoy the game from the comfort of your couch and play on your phone, you can avoid the interactions with others at the casino, loud music, etc. Casino Pittsburgh lists a few more reasons players should get ready for the launch of online poker in the Keystone State.

Convenience

As mentioned before with the launch of online poker in PA, players can skip the journey to the closest casino and avoid the long lines behind games because of the convenience that comes with being able to play on your laptop or mobile phone. Players have the advantage of being able to do other daily chores while playing online because of the ease of being able to hold your game. 

Game Choice

Mobile apps and casino sites have the capacity to hold hundreds of games so, depending on the online casino, players can expect to see a large variety of online poker designed by some of the biggest poker names in the world coming to Pennsylvania casino libraries. Players can use the filter option on the sites and find their favorite poker games in seconds. 

No Time Restraints 

When someone plays online they have the ability to play at their own pace and take notes on the players they are up against. Players don’t have to worry about having to bluff and socialize with the other players. If you are a player who likes to engage and play off people’s emotions then this isn’t your best option but is definitely an advantage for new poker players coming to the scene. 

How to Play Online Poker in PA

The most popular online poker game offered by online casinos in Pennsylvania is Texas Hold’Em. Players receive two down cards, known as their hole cards in their personal hand and begin with an opening deal. In the first round of betting players can either Check, Bet or Fold, and this is known as the pre-flop of the game, which is decided by the hole cards value. When all the betting has finished, the flop occurs which is when three cards are dealt with its face-up on the table. 

As betting rounds continue, more cards are added to the three left on the table until 5 are out. Players attain the best hand by using the cards in their hand as well as the ones on the table. 

Royal Flush: An Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 in the same suit. This hand can not be beaten. 

Straight Flush: Five-card straight in the same suit. For example, 3-4-5-6-7

Four of a Kind: Four of the same card. 

Full House: A set of three cards and one pair. 

Flush: All five cards that share the same suit. 

Straight: Five cards in sequence in different suits. 

The game ends when the best hand is shown, known as the showdown, or every player folds except for one. 

PA Online Poker Sites

As Pennsylvania finalizes the process of launching online poker, casinos have started partnering up with some big names in the poker scene. Players can expect to see online poker platforms designed by the following: 

Mount Airy Casino has partnered up with PokerStars, the top poker operator in the world.

MGM Casino has joined up with Partypoker.com and GVC to continue its expansion in the online gambling scene in the United States and got access to Boyd Gaming.

Harrah’s and Mount Airy have both teamed up with 888Poker/WSOP.com who currently own the interstate poker network through Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. 

Once Pennsylvania starts launching poker online, the state is supposed to join the shared interstate player pools that have been around since 2014 and sites in PA will also be looking at paying a 16% online gambling tax on gross revenue from online poker.

Online Poker in PA - Predictions

Due to the partnerships with leading software companies Harrah’s Philadelphia has managed to get and the fact that the casino owner, Caesars Entertainment, also owns World Series of Poker, Harrah’s online casino is expected to be a front runner. The online platform is expected to be designed by 888Poker and will join the player pool running through Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. 

888Poker operates WSOP.com in Nevada and New Jersey and 888Poker in NJ and is the only poker company online with a license in all three states, and now Pennsylvania. The software is user-friendly and is expected to provide PA players with an easy to use platform and little to no glitches. Players on 888Poker PA will be able to find games fast and straight-forward directions for depositing. 

PokerStars is an online poker company known for its impressive design and innovation with software. They have partnered up with a few online PA casinos and are expected to bring high-quality games and client-friendly features. PokerStars holds the title for best poker sites in the world due to its software, and players should expect nothing less now that they have launched their online casino in the Keystone State. The company will offer some of the best online poker tournaments ranging from $100,000 - $250,000 in prize winnings, and the best promotions found in Pennsylvania. 

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