Best Online Poker Sites in Australia for 2023: Where to Play Online Poker for Real Money (Tournaments & Cash Games)

If you’re an avid poker player like us, then you’re already aware that there aren’t too many online poker sites in Australia to choose from.

The industry was dealt a bad hand a few years ago with the Interactive Gambling Act, which saw some of the biggest poker brands leave Australia’s market.

However, there are still a handful of sites where you can play poker for real money without issues.

After exploring all of the available options, we’ve ranked and reviewed the best online poker sites in Australia based on their player traffic, tournaments, poker software, and how well they performed in various other areas.

Let’s dive in and check them all out.

1. Ignition: Best Online Poker Site in Australia – Our Top Pick

Poker Site Highlights:

Great player traffic
Zone poker for fast gameplay
$1,500 poker bonus & weekly freerolls
Fully customizable poker software
Anonymous tables
100+ daily tournaments

Potential Dealbreakers:

You can’t track other players’ stats
Level 2 required in the loyalty program to join freerolls

>> Play Here

Ever since PokerStars and other top brands became unavailable to use in Australia, Ignition quickly replaced them as the absolute best poker site, offering all of the features you need for an enjoyable poker experience.

Poker Tournaments, Games & Software:

First off, Ignition offers cash games in three flavors, including:

Hold’Em – No Limit & Fixed Limit
Omaha – Pot Limit
Omaha Hi/Lo – Pot Limit

You can play all three on a regular cash table or take advantage of Ignition’s Zone Poker feature, which finds a new seat for you every time you fold – effectively doubling the number of hands you can play.

Blinds range from $0.02 / $0.05 to $10.00 / $20.00, so there’s a suitable poker table whether you’re a high-roller or a complete beginner.

As far as poker tournaments are concerned, there are over 100 a day, with a $200k GTD Sunday event, as well as Ignition’s signature Monthly Milly with a $1 million GTD that takes place once a month.

Tournament types include knockouts, satellites, specials, crypto-only, sit & go’s, and more. Considering the massive amount of traffic it takes to host so many tournaments – and with big guarantees – it’s clear that there’s some poker action to sink into whenever you log in.

To start playing, you can download Ignition’s poker software on your desktop computer or play directly via your browser. It doesn’t really make a big difference. The poker tables are fully customizable, allowing you to create a look and style that suits your needs.

Bonuses:

Ignition offers a welcome bonus that covers both online pokies and poker. On your first deposit, you can claim a 200% bonus up to $2,000 – half of which will remain locked in your account for poker.

To start gradually unlocking it ($1 for 30 Ignition Miles earned), you will need to join poker tournaments or play ring games.

Other poker-specific bonuses at Ignition include:

Royal Flush: Get 50x your big blind when you land a royal flush up to a maximum of $200.
Bad Beat Bonus: If you lose with Aces Full of Kings or better, you will win 100x the big blind up to a maximum of $1,000.
$2,500 Poker Freeroll: Join Ignition’s freeroll tournament with a $2,500 GTD every Thursday. Only for players at Chrome level or above.

Payment Methods:

To start playing poker at Ignition, you can use the following payment methods to deposit:

- Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover)
- Cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC, USDT)
Vouchers

To find out the exact payment methods available for you, log in and open the deposit section because they vary by location.

The minimum deposit is $20 for credit cards, $10 for crypto (with the exception of $5 for USDT and $50 for ETH), and $10 for vouchers.

Withdrawal limits also vary from one option to another, but you can get the biggest limit of $180,500 weekly if you use Bitcoin. Plus, all crypto payouts are processed within 1 day after you are a verified user.

Our Verdict & Overall Score: 9.5/10

We’ve been playing online poker in Australia for years, so the fact that we are recommending Ignition as the best option does have a certain weight to it.

You won’t find a poker site offering better traffic and more tournaments in Australia – let alone so many features and benefits for new poker players.

>> Play poker at Ignition <<

2. HellSpin: Best Live Dealer Poker Games in Australia

Poker Site Highlights:

4 live dealer poker games
26 single-player poker games
A$1200 welcome package
Over 3000 games in total
Offers many payment methods

Potential Dealbreakers:

Doesn’t offer tournaments

>> Play Here

The next best thing to playing poker tournaments is taking a chance against a live dealer – and HellSpin hosts a bunch of live dealer poker games for you to try.

Poker Games & Software:

As an Australian player at HellSpin, you have access to 4 different poker games with a live dealer, including:

Bet on Poker
Casino Hold ‘Em
Poker 6+
Texas Hold ‘Em

The closest you can get to the real thing is by playing Live Texas Hold ‘Em. The hand combinations are the same, with the difference being that your cards are dealt face up and you can’t bluff the dealer. We’ve had tons of fun playing Poker 6+, too.

Other poker games at HellSpin include single-player variants like Caribbean, Stud, and Trey Poker, as well as Poker Teen Patti, American Gold, Poker Ways, and a bunch of video poker titles.

Keep in mind that HellSpin actually has one of the biggest game selections in Australia, so you can explore over 3,000 online pokies, table games, and live dealer options whenever poker doesn’t feel fun anymore.

Bonuses:

HellSpin’s welcome bonuses for Australian players are actually very simple. There are three available, including:

100% up to AU$300 + 100 free spins on your first deposit
50% up to AU$900 + 50 free spins on your second deposit (code: HOT)
50% up to AU$600 + 100 free spins on all following deposits (code: BURN)

The minimum deposit to qualify for each of these is AU$25, with a maximum bonus win potential of AU$15,000. The wagering requirements are 40x, and unfortunately, you can only use these bonuses to play online pokies.

Payment Methods:

One big advantage of HellSpin is that it accepts a heck of a lot of deposit and withdrawal options.

You can use credit cards, Apple Pay, eZee Wallet, Jeton, AstroPay, Sticpay, Luxon, Neosurf, Paysafecard, CashtoCode, as well as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum, and 15 others.

Strangely enough, the minimum deposit for Neosurf is only AU$2, and it goes higher from there with a minimum of AU$15 for cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.

Our Verdict & Overall Score: 9/10

HellSpin would have easily grabbed the top spot on our list if only it offered poker tourneys in addition to its live dealers. But even so, this is a great Australian online gambling platform for beginner poker players – and there are plenty of games you can try.

>> Play live dealer poker at HellSpin <<

3. Joe Fortune: Top Poker Site for Beginners

Poker Site Highlights:

8 video poker games
Caribbean Stud Poker with a jackpot
Over 300 casino games in total
Big welcome package up to $5,000
Only accepts Australian players

Potential Dealbreakers:

Doesn’t offer cash games
Doesn’t accept e-wallets

>> Play Here

If you’re a complete beginner in poker, then Joe Fortune is likely the best place to start. Here, you can explore 8 video poker games with simple rules and easy payouts. Once you’re comfortable playing these, only then should you try playing tournaments with the big boys.

Poker Games & Software:

Video poker is the best way to get started if you’re a complete newbie, as it allows you to learn the ropes of the game without having to face professionals right away that are likely to eat you alive at the tables.

At Joe Fortune, you can play Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, and Deuces Bonus, available in 1-hand, 3-hand, and 10-hand variants. You can also enjoy some action with Caribbean Hold ‘Em and Caribbean Stud Poker, both of which had an AU$82k jackpot at the time of writing.

Other games you can explore at this Australian poker site are jackpot pokies, table games, specialties, and live dealers.

Bonuses:

This online casino gets you started on the right foot with a 100% bonus up to $2,000 and 30 free spins on your first deposit. Once through with it, you can claim a 65% bonus up to $1,000 on your second deposit, and then a 100% match bonus up to $2,000 on your third deposit.

If you use Bitcoin to play, the total bonus up to $5,000 will remain the same, but the match percentage will increase to 150%, 75%, and 120%, respectively.

Bonus points for Joe Fortune allowing you to play video poker using the bonus – just keep in mind that it expires in 7 days and that poker wagers contribute 10% to the rollover.

Payment Methods:

To start playing poker at Joe Fortune, you can use the following methods to deposit:

Credit Cards (Visa and MasterCard)
Cryptocurrencies (BTC, BCH, ETH, USDT, and LTC)
Vouchers (Neosurf and Flexepin)

The minimum deposit is $20 for cards, $15 for Neosurf, $30 for Flexepin, and $10 for crypto. If you’re using USDT, you can deposit as little as $5. The maximum withdrawal per transaction is $10,000.

Our Verdict & Overall Score: 8.7/10

Joe Fortune is the perfect online poker site in Australia for newbies, and that’s because it offers beginner-friendly video poker games that you can try for free before playing for real money.

There’s a lot to like here, and we especially enjoy the fact that it only accepts Australian customers.

>> $5,000 welcome bonus (Joe Fortune) <<

4. PlayAmo: Best Variety of Real Money Poker Games in Australia

Poker Site Highlights:

25 different online poker games
Reputable software providers
Over 3000 games in total
24/7 customer support
AU$1,500 welcome package

Potential Dealbreakers:

Website can be a bit slow
Doesn’t offer tournaments

>> Play Here

Ever since 1829 – the date when the first poker game was invented – there have been countless variations of the game with different rulesets and risk levels. And you can find most of them at PlayAmo, an Australian poker site offering 25 different variants of the game.

Poker Games & Software:

If you want to explore way beyond the classic game of poker, then you’ll be thrilled with PlayAmo’s selection of over 20 online poker games.

You will find everything from video poker games and Oasis Poker to some pretty exciting variants like Triple-Edge Poker. We particularly enjoyed playing this game, as the rules are super-interesting and the payouts can get pretty big when you get lucky.

There’s no dedicated section for poker, though, so you’ll have to use the search button to find a game you like to try.

Bonuses:

PlayAmo’s welcome package covers your first two deposits.

On your first deposit, you can get a 100% bonus of up to AU$500 and 100 free spins to use on the Elvis Frog in Vegas pokie machine. To claim it, use the promo code FIRSTDEP.

Use the bonus code SECONDDEP with your second deposit to claim a 50% bonus worth up to AU$1,000 and 50 free spins for the Lady Wolf Moon pokie game.

You can use these bonus funds to play any poker game you want at PlayAmo, just keep in mind that the contribution rate is 5%.

Payment Methods:

PlayAmo doesn’t have as many deposit and withdrawal options as HellSpin, but the ground is still covered pretty well.

You can use MasterCard, Visa, ApplePay, MiFinity, CashtoCode, Neosurf, and cryptocurrencies to deposit. The minimum deposit is $10 for cards and vouchers and increases to $15 for MiFinity.

Our Verdict & Overall Score: 8.5/10

This AUS online poker site will be most suitable for the explorers among you. There are tons of different poker games to try here, and you can test as many as you want with a bonus to back you up.

If you want the real deal, though, it’s best that you start playing at Ignition.

>> Take advantage of a $1,500 welcome package at PlayAmo <<

5. Nitro Betting: Best Crypto Poker Cash Games in Australia

Poker Site Highlights:

Poker tournaments and cash tables
Up to 35% rakeback
You can play at multiple poker tables simultaneously
Also offers sports betting and casino games

Potential Dealbreakers:

Crypto-only
Low off-peak traffic

>> Play Here

Coming in at #5 is Nitro Betting, our top-recommended online poker site in Australia for crypto players.

Poker Games & Software:

We won’t sugarcoat it – the player traffic at Nitro Betting is quite low. That being said, you will find a handful of cash games during peak hours, and you can even join multiple poker tables at once to feel like a professional.

Tournaments are also available, but their GTDs cannot compare with Ignition. If you’re okay with lower prize pools such as 12 mBTC, then you’ll be fine playing here. If not, you know which poker site to visit.

Other than poker, Nitro Betting also offers casino games, sports betting, and horse racing betting.

Bonuses:

This poker site’s highlight is the generous rakeback it offers. If you rack up 3 to 9.99 mBTC in rake, you will get 10% rakeback. This figure increases as you keep earning rake, with the maximum being 35% rakeback that you can get when you earn 1000 mBTC or more in rake.

If you’re up for some casino action, you can claim a 200% match bonus on your initial deposit of up to 40 mBTC. The caveat with this offer is that it will remain locked into your account, and you will need to play games to unlock it in increments.

Payment Methods:

Nitro Betting is Bitcoin-exclusive, making BTC the only payment method you can use here.

On the bright side, you can get started with any amount you see fit – there is no minimum deposit stated.

Our Verdict & Overall Score: 7/10

It’s nice to have a second option for poker tournaments and cash games in Australia, even though the traffic here is really low during off-peak hours. If you’re determined to play on BTC-only tables, then there’s no going wrong with Nitro Betting.

However, keep in mind that Ignition excels in almost every other aspect other than Nitro Betting’s unbeatable 35% rakeback.

>> Play cash games at Nitro Betting <<

How We Choose Australian Online Poker Sites – Our Ranking Criteria

We don’t just randomly select poker sites and recommend them to you – our selection process is a very thorough one.

Below, you can have a little insight into what we pay attention to when making our rankings.

Poker Tournaments, Ring Games & Software

Most Australians looking for the best online poker sites on the internet are hoping to find tournaments and cash games. Therefore, this was our primary criterion when creating our list.

Next, we checked the player traffic at each site to ensure there was non-stop action and whether the poker software was reliable. We’ve played 100+ poker hands at each casino to bring you detailed results.

Other Casino Games & Poker Variants

Beginners shouldn’t play poker tournaments right away, which is why we’ve recommended online gambling sites that offer beginner-friendly poker games. These include video poker, tri-card, casino hold ‘em, and more.

If you ever get bored playing cards, you can explore tons of other casino games like online pokies, blackjack, baccarat, and more.

Safety & Payment Methods

Besides making sure that each Australian poker site on our list is held accountable by a gambling commission, we also went deeper to check how well they resolve customer issues, and whether you can expect fast payouts or not.

Additionally, we gave bonus points to online poker rooms offering a handful of secure deposit and withdrawal methods like e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, vouchers like Neosurf, and credit cards.

Everything Else

Many other things go into narrowing down the best Australian poker sites. So much that we can’t list every step that we take.

Some other notable features we pay attention to include:

Whether the bonuses you get as a new player have fair terms and conditions
How well each poker site works on mobile devices and tablets
The revenue of each brand (big operating revenues translate to secure platforms)
How easy and beginner-friendly the user interface is

How to Play Online Poker in Australia – Beginner’s Guide & Terms to Know

While we can’t make you a pro poker player overnight – you will find very valuable information in the guide below which will allow you to avoid some beginner mistakes.

Understand the Poker Rules

Poker rules are the stepping stone to playing online poker. You cannot join poker tournaments or ring games in Australia if you don’t know how to play. Below, we will take a look at some of the main Texas Hold ‘em rules.

Each player in a Texas Hold ‘em game is dealt two hole cards, which other players on the table do not know the value of. Then, five more community cards are dealt face-up – three on the flop, one on the turn, and the last one on the river. The primary objective of the game is to make the best five-card combination with your two hole cards and five community cards.

After the cards are dealt, there are four rounds of betting – preflop, flop, turn, and river. The game can conclude even in the pre-flop stage if all players decide to fold.

When your turn comes to play, you will have the option to fold (quit the hand), call, or raise. The hand will end when all players fold and there is only 1 player standing or at the end after the last betting round called the River ends.

Below, you can take a look at the poker hand rankings from best to worst.

Royal Flush: 10, J, Q, K, A – all of the same suit
Straight Flush: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or any other straight in the same suit
Four of a Kind (Quads): A, A, A, A, K, or any other four cards of equal value
Full House (Boat): A, A, A, K, K – three cards of the same value and two other same-value cards
Flush: Five cards of the same suit – they can be any cards
Straight: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 – five cards of consecutive value regardless of their suit
Three of a Kind (Trips): A, A, A, 5, 9 – three cards of the same value
Two Pairs: A, A, K, K, 7 – Two pairs consist of 2x sets of cards of the same value
Pair: A, A, Q, 3, 5 – Two cards of the same value and three extra cards
High Card: A, Q, 5, 2, 7 – Weakest hand in poker; the cards do not make up any combination

Here’s an in-depth guide on how to play poker that you can check out if you need additional information.

Popular Poker Terms

There are many specific terms that you will need to learn as you begin playing online poker in Australia – let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones.

Big Blind – a forced bet that players must make
Ante – a small bet that all players must make before the start of a hand
Bad beat – losing with strong cards such as aces full of kings
Fish – a novice poker player
Shark – an experienced poker player
Flop – the first three community cards in Texas Hold ‘em
Bluff – betting with a weak (losing) hand in order to make other players fold
Broadway – an ace-high straight
Cowboys – two pocket kings
Heads-up – only two players left in the hand
Nuts – the best possible combination available with the community cards
Outs – the remaining cards that can improve your hand

Check this guide for a full breakdown of all poker terms.

Simple Poker Tips & Strategies for Beginners

Feeling warmed up for some action at the best poker sites in Australia already? As seasoned poker players ourselves, we’ve lined up three poker strategies that will help you as a beginner.

Stick to these, and you’ll be a better poker player within a few hours.

Bet Aggressively Pre-Flop

When you get a strong hand, such as AK, AA, AQ, or anything similar, your best chance of winning the hand is to raise the stakes immediately. This way, you will make all the other players with mid-range cards like 8Q fold, thus preventing them from getting lucky on the flop.

You’re likely to end up playing against one or two opponents at this point, making your likelihood of winning the hand bigger than it would have been if you didn’t raise.

Set a Trap With Pocket Pairs

If you happen to get AA or KK as pocket cards, try to play the pre-flop round slowly on a table with 5 players or less. As you play slowly, other players are not likely to know the strength of your hand, at which point they can raise with bad cards, trying to make you fold.

This is the best scenario you can find yourself in – especially if you’ve landed trips on the flop. If the community cards make it unlikely that your opponent has better cards, don’t be afraid to shove (go all in).

Play Fewer Poker Hands

The best poker advice we can give you is to play fewer poker hands. If you’re constantly calling, wanting to see what the flop gives you, you’re very likely to bleed out your stack of chips very fast.

Instead, wait for good pocket cards and choose when to play wisely. And when you do – do not play it slow! Playing great cards slowly is the biggest beginner mistake in poker.

Online Poker Australia: FAQ

Can I Play Poker Online for Real Money in Australia?

Yes, you can play poker for real money in Australia at platforms such as Ignition and NitroBetting. Both of these online poker rooms accept players from Australia and they are secure to use.

Can Australian Players Join PokerStars?

No, PokerStars left the Australian poker markets a few years ago, along with 888 Poker and a few other famous brands. Right now, the best site to play online poker in the Land Down Under is Ignition.

Which Site Offers Poker Tournaments in Australia?

The best online poker room in Australia for tournaments is, without question, Ignition. It offers over 100 daily tournaments, which increase to 200 over the weekend, generating over $2 million in tournament GTDs weekly.

Which Payment Methods Can I Use to Play Online Poker in Australia?

You can use plenty of deposit methods to start playing poker online in Australia, including:

Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc)
Vouchers (Neosurf, Flexepin, etc)
Cryptocurrencies (BTC, LTC, ETH, USDT, etc)
Bank Transfers

Playing Online Poker in Australia – Final Words

Even though the poker landscape in Australia is not as big as it was, there are still plenty of reliable poker sites available to choose from.

One of them is Ignition – a secure platform offering heaps of daily poker tourneys, including satellites, knockouts, and more, in addition to both low-stakes and high-roller cash tables.

With that said, keep in mind that it’s best to avoid playing against others if you’re a beginner. To that end, we recommend Joe Fortune as the best poker site to learn the ropes.

Thanks for reading and have fun playing the best card game there ever was!

DISCLAIMER:

Gambling is risky. Bet at your own risk and never spend money that you can’t afford to lose. The decision to gamble is yours only, and we are not responsible for any consequences that may arise as a result of your decision to gamble.

Gambling in Australia for underage players is illegal. This guide is informative and intended to present you with up-to-date information about the online poker landscape in Australia.

Some poker sites might not be available based on where you’re located. Make sure to check your local laws before signing up with any site. If you think you have a gambling problem, reach out to www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Interesting Related Article: “Responsible Gambling”

Online Poker in Australia: 10 Best Australian Poker Sites for 2023

Best Online Poker Sites in Australia for 2023: Where to Play Online Poker for Real Money (Tournaments & Cash Games)