Real Money Poker

Real money poker online was the greatest thing to ever happen to the poker industry. In the days before the online poker boom, people knew about poker, but you didn’t hear a whole lot about it. Today, poker is a commonly discussed topic on the news, on TV and around the water cooler.

Getting started with real money poker is as simple as choosing a poker site and signing up. The most important part in getting started is choosing a reputable real money poker site. You want to be sure that your poker site processes deposits quickly, cashes out your money when you need it and takes active steps to make sure the games are safe.

Real Money Poker Sites

There are about five hundred real money poker sites out there fighting for a piece of the online poker pie. However, only a handful of those sites have actually made it to the point where they are recognized name brands. All the others are small-timers that we really don’t know much about.

Here’s a quick list of the top real money poker sites:

These are the same poker sites that we trust our money with. These are all large companies that won’t be closing shop any time soon. We don’t like to play at little, unknown poker sites and we don’t expect our readers to either. So if you want to play real money online poker, check out any of the sites listed here.

Real Money Poker Deposits

Getting your money online is a pretty simple process once you have the basics down. The process can be a little confusing new players, though, because there are so many different real money poker deposit options out there. In this section, we’ll cover a few of the more common methods that people use to make real money deposits.

Visa Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Visa credit cards and debit cards can be used by all players to make fast deposits at real money poker sites. The only downside to using a Visa to fund your real money poker account is that some card issuers have technology in place that automatically blocks deposits to online poker sites.

The reason this happens to some players is because there are so many different laws around the world that deal with online poker. As a result, some card issuers have just stopped dealing with the problem altogether by simply blocking all transactions with online poker sites, online casinos and online sportsbooks.

Real money poker sites that accept Visa:

• All online poker sites

MasterCard Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Pretty much the same story here. MasterCard credit cards and debit cards are also popular for making real money deposits to online poker sites. Players from the United States, UK, Europe and around the world are welcome to use MasterCard for real money poker accounts.

If your MasterCard deposit is blocked, it’s probably due to banking policies. In that case, your best bet is to try a different card, try a different poker site or try a different deposit method. Other deposit methods are just as convenient as credit card and debit card deposits.

Real money poker sites that accept MasterCard:

• All online poker sites

UseMyWallet Poker Deposits

UseMyWallet is a popular deposit method for USA players. This service acts as an e-wallet similar to PayPal. The difference is that UseMyWallet works for online poker sites. You have to get an invitation to join UseMyWallet – but you can get one by signing up at any poker site and sending an e-mail to their support team.

It’s kind of annoying to get an invitation to UseMyWallet, but apparently that’s some sort of legal strategy they use. Once you have a UseMyWallet account, you’ll find it very convenient and easy to use. It’s also nice because you can use this service to transfer your money from one poker site to the next.

Instant eChecks

Instant eChecks are available for both US and non-US players. This is one of our favorite real money poker deposit methods because it works so quickly and easily. All you have to do is type in your banking details and choose an amount to deposit. Your poker account will be funded instantly.

You may experience a low maximum amount the first time you deposit with instant e-checks. This is just a security measure that some online poker sites use to protect themselves. When you’re ready to cash back out, the instant eCheck can be used to send the money from your poker account straight to your bank account. Easy.

Real money poker sites that accept instant eChecks:

• All online poker sites

Western Union and Moneygram – Cash Transfer

Cash transfer services such as Western Union and Moneygram can also be used to make real money poker deposits. To use this service, just visit the cashier of your poker site and select the cash transfer option. The poker site will then send you an e-mail with instructions for depositing.

It’s kind of a pain to actually have to send physical cash, but some players like this. First of all, it means they don’t have to give our their banking details. Secondly, it’s actually a pretty fast deposit method. Some poker sites will also process cashouts via this method.

Money Orders and Cashier’s Checks

Good old fashioned money orders and checks can be used to make deposits at real money poker sites as well. Just log in to your poker site, visit the cashier and choose this option to get started. You’ll be presented with instructions for filling out the money order and how to send it.

The biggest disadvantage to this method is that you have to wait a few days for the poker site to get your check and credit your account. The good thing about this method is that it’s pretty straightforward: go to your bank, get a check, mail it.

Quick Voucher

Quick Voucher is a company that sells online vouchers that you can redeem at various stores and poker sites. What happens is you create an account at Quick Voucher and then buy these “vouchers.” A unique pin number is then e-mailed to you, and you can redeem that pin number at your poker site. Your player account will then be credited with the amount that you had on the voucher.

Moneybookers Deposits

Moneybookers is a massively popular money transfer service and e-wallet. Once you sign up for an account at Moneybookers, you’ll be able to deposit at almost every poker site on the planet. Setting up your account is easy and once you have an account, you’ll find it very convenient for moving your money from one poker site to the next.

Switch, Solo and Maestro Deposits

UK debit cards are always popular for making quick deposits to poker sites. Most internet poker sites are happy to accept Switch, Solo and Maestro debit cards. The minimum deposit with UK debit cards is just $10 at most poker sites, and the maximum deposit is $2500 a day. If you need to increased deposit limits, you can request them from your poker site’s support team.

Euro6000 Deposits

Euro6000 is a popular credit card in Spain. We only know of two real money poker sites that accept Euro6000. The minimum deposit is $10 and there are no fees associated with this deposit method.

Personal Checks by Mail

Yup, some poker sites still let you deposit the old fashioned way. Get your checkbook out, write a personal check and send it in the mail. Once the poker site gets your check and it clears, your account will be funded. This is a slow deposit method, but it works well.

Neteller Deposits

Neteller is a widely trusted e-wallet that lets you hold your money online and then deposit it at any online poker site. Back when Neteller was open to US residents, this was one of our favorite all time deposit methods.

Real money poker sites that accept Neteller:

• All online poker sites

ClickandBuy

ClickandBuy is another e-wallet similar to Neteller. With a ClickandBuy account, poker players can use locally preferred payment methods from around the world to make real money deposits.

Click2Pay

Click2Pay is a service that transfers money from your bank to your online poker account. Registration is free and you do not need to fund your Click2Pay account first. Just visit the poker cashier, choose Click2Pay and follow the directions on the screen. The minimum deposit is $10 and the maximum is $2,000 per transaction.

Paysafecard

This is a prepaid card that you can purchase at thousands of locations around the world. Once you have a Paysafecard, you can then use it to deposit at your online poker site. This is an easy deposit method to use and it comes in handy if you don’t want to give out your banking details online.

Real money poker sites that accept Paysafecard:

• All online poker sites

Ukash

These are prepaid vouchers that you can either purchase in person with cash or online. After you pay for your Ukash voucher, you’ll get a ticket with a unique number printed on it. You can then redeem that voucher at any online poker site to fund your player account.

Real money poker sites that accept Ukash:

• All online poker sites

Instadebit

This is an e-wallet that serves customers in 23 countries. Simple, safe and cheap. You can create an Instadebit account first or just make an account when you make your first deposit. Either way, this is a useful real money poker deposit option.

Bank Wire

Bank wires require you to visit your bank in person, so they aren’t as convenient as some of the other real money deposit options listed here. However, bank wires come in very handy for high stakes poker players who have to make large deposits. The fees for large bank wires are minimal compared to the fees you would be charged with other deposit methods.

Real money poker sites that accept bank wires:

• All online poker sites

CartaSi

This is a credit card that is quite popular in Italy. There are no fees to deposit with CartaSi and there is no minimum deposit.

PostePay

This is a prepaid, re-loadable card. The minimum deposit with this method is $10 and there are no fees for depositing with PostePay.

Laser Card

This is a popular brand of credit cards in Ireland. Simple and easy to use.

Giropay

Giropay is a German online banking service. If you bank in Germany, this is one of the easiest methods to deposit at many online poker sites. The poker cashier will direct you to a secure connection where you will tell your bank how much money to send.

EPS

This is a simple electronic payment system that is popular in Austria. When you sign in to your poker account and visit the cashier, you’ll see this option available. Click on EPS and then you’ll be taken to a Moneybookers site to complete your transaction.

POLi

POLi is an online payment system located in Australia. Use this deposit option if you live and bank in Australia and want to deposit with minimal fuss. This deposit method allows you to pay electronically and directly from your bank account.

4B by Moneybookers

Telepago 4B is a credit card that is popular in Spain. Use this deposit method if you have a 4B credit card and want to deposit with that card. When you make your first 4B deposit, you will be directed to a Moneybookers site where you can enter your details and choose a deposit amount.

iDEAL

iDEAL is a payment system that sends money straight from your bank account to your player account. This deposit method is most popular among people who bank with ABN Amro, Fortis, Postbank, Rabobank and SNS Bank.

Przelewy24

This is an instant-banking deposit option for players located in Poland. Przelewy24 is powered by Moneybookers, so you will be sent to a Moneybookers site to complete this transaction. If you do not already have a Moneybookers account, you’ll be prompted to sign up for one.

Sofortüberweisung

This deposit method lets you deposit online instantly from most banks in Germany. Great deposit method for all our German poker players out there. Fast, free and easy to use.

Nordea

Nordea is a simple electronic payment system that is popular in Sweden and Finland. This real money poker deposit method lets you send money online quickly and free of charge.

Entropay

This is a prepaid and re-loadable virtual Visa card. Purchase these cards online and then use your Entropay card to pay anywhere that Visa is accepted. This is a simple and effective deposit method for players around the world.

WebMoney

WebMoney is an online payment system that acts as an e-wallet. You can use it to deposit money in multiple currencies and then deposit at different online poker sites.

MyPayLinQ

MyPayLinQ is an e-wallet that is open to players around the world. This is still a somewhat new deposit method, so not a lot of poker sites use it yet. However, it does work well at the sites that accept it.