Finding the best poker apps in Australia isn’t easy. The Aussie poker app market is filled with fantastic products, but only some of them let you play poker for real money.
I’ll give you a rundown of the top real-money poker apps for Australians, as well as the other apps you can use to become a better player.
In This Guide
- 1 Gambling Sites
- 2 Best Poker Apps Reviews: Our Top 5
- 3 Poker App Bonuses
- 4 Poker Apps vs Desktop Poker
- 5 Game Types on Online Poker Apps
- 6 Are Poker Apps Legal in Australia?
- 7 Other Types of Poker Apps
- 8 Best Poker Apps – Our Verdict
- 9 FAQs
Gambling Sites
Best Poker Apps Reviews: Our Top 5
What are the best poker apps in Australia right now? Based on my time at the tables, these AU poker apps stand head and shoulders above the competition. They’re all backed by some of the best online poker sites, meaning you get the full desktop experience optimized for mobile play.
1. CoinPoker – Best Poker App for Safety and Integrity
- Poker network: Independent
- License: Union of the Comoros
- Payments accepted: BTC, ETH, USDT, BNB, POL, CHP
I joined CoinPoker in 2024 because I’d heard good things about its software. Being a blockchain-based poker app makes CoinPoker both anonymous and transparent at the same time.
Blockchains are decentralised networks through which cryptocurrency transactions are processed without you needing to enter personal details. This means you can remain anonymous when you make deposits and withdrawals at CoinPoker.
Decentralised blockchains are also public ledgers, which means all transactions are visible and verifiable. CoinPoker’s RNG is based on a blockchain. Therefore, you can verify the result of every hand. This level of transparency is rare in online poker and it’s the reason why CoinPoker is reshaping industry standards.
As a poker platform, CoinPoker has a number of impressive qualities, including generous freeroll prizepools and 33% rakeback. However, for me, safety and integrity are paramount when you’re using real money poker apps. CoinPoker hits these marks better than most, which is why it’s top of my list.
Feature Ratings
- Poker games variety: 9/10
- Poker tournaments: 8/10
- Traffic and player base: 8/10
- App software quality: 10/10
- Mobile bonuses: 10/10
- Appearance on mobile: 9/10
- Multi-tabling: 8/10
2. BetOnline Poker – Best Australian Poker App for Features
- Poker network: Chico
- License: Panama Gaming Commission
- Payments accepted: Fiat and crypto, including bank transfer, Visa, and BTC
I could say that BetOnline is my top poker app for banking options because it was one of the first to offer fiat and crypto payments. I could also say that annual events, such as the Online Poker Series, have $3 million guarantees or that the sportsbook provides a steady stream of fishy players.
As impressive as those things are, my reason for putting BetOnline in second place on my list is that the software can be slow to load. Overall, I don’t mind this much, because it can put off top players and make for an easier field. You can play up to eight tables simultaneously, which is great if you’re a serious grinder.
The experienced cash game players among you will also love the fact that you can take all-in insurance and place straddle bets. You can also fish for new opportunities in 6+ Hold’em and Pineapple games.
Finally, for casual players, BetOnline’s real money poker app for iPhone and Android features throwables. Basically, if you’re in a playful mood, you can throw virtual objects at opponents. It’s not an essential feature, but it’s fun.
Feature Ratings
- Poker games variety: 8/10
- Poker tournaments: 8/10
- Traffic and player base: 9/10
- App software quality: 9/10
- Mobile bonuses: 8/10
- Appearance on mobile: 9/10
- Multi-tabling: 9/10
3. Bovada – Best Design for Mobile Poker
- Poker network: PaiWangLuo
- License: Union of the Comoros
- Payments accepted: BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC, BCH, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Voucher
Why is Bovada on my list of recommendations if it doesn’t have a poker app on Android or iPhone? Because of three things: experience, reputation, and customer service.
Even though I can’t technically call it one of the top Australia poker apps, Bovada still gets my vote because its table layout is perfect for small screens. Refined yet packed with enough information to help you get reads on players, the design is, in my view, the gold standard for mobile devices.
Some people might say the table design lacks some pizzazz. However, if you’re playing on an iOS or Android device, unnecessary table elements are the last thing you need.
Aesthetics aside, Bovada deserves a place among the best mobile poker sites in Australia because of its reputation. Born out of Bodog, a poker company that launched in 1994, Bovada has evolved in line with player feedback.
Today, attentive customer service agents are flanked by a solid rewards program and payment methods to suit all players, including Aussies who want the anonymity of crypto.
Feature Ratings
- Poker games variety: 8/10
- Poker tournaments: 8/10
- Traffic and player base: 9/10
- App software quality: 9/10
- Mobile bonuses: 7/10
- Appearance on mobile: 10/10
- Multi-tabling: 10/10
4. Ignition – Best Poker App for Cash Games
- Poker network: PaiWangLuo Poker
- License: Union of the Comoros
- Payments accepted: Fiat and crypto, including MatchPay, Visa, and BTC
Ignition is my go-to mobile poker site for cash games because I can fly under the radar on multiple tables at once. Even though there isn’t a real money poker app for iPhone or Android, it deserves the number #4 spot because the mobile site features anonymous cash game tables.
The software automatically changes your username before you sit down so no one knows who you are. That’s a huge benefit to strong players who find that fish recognise their username and leave too soon.
What makes this feature even better is the fact you can play up to eight tables at once via the mobile site. I can’t pretend that multi-tabling eight games on an iPhone is easy. However, even if you play two tables, you’ve doubled your chances of exploiting weaker players without ruining your reputation.
Feature Ratings
- Poker games variety: 9/10
- Poker tournaments: 8/10
- Traffic and player base: 10/10
- App software quality: 8/10
- Mobile bonuses: 8/10
- Appearance on mobile: 8/10
- Multi-tabling: 10/10
5. Everygame Poker – The Best AUS Poker App for Newbies
- Poker network: Horizon Poker Network
- License: Curaçao eGaming
- Payments accepted: MasterCard, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, cash transfers, and crypto
Like Bovada, Everygame’s history goes back to the mid-nineties and one of the biggest brands of the time, Intertops. From the ashes of Intertops, Everygame has risen up to offer an optimised mobile site that’s great for newbies.
The daily schedule is packed with freerolls, which is perfect if you’re just starting out. What I like even more, though, is the Golden Chip system. Earning Golden Chips allows you to enter real-money tournaments for free.
The more chips you have, the bigger buy-in you can cover. That’s ideal for players who want a shot at the weekly $10,000 guaranteed Sunday major.
Another reason Everygame is the top Australian online poker app for newbies is the level of opposition you’ll face. Everygame is primarily a casino, so you’ll often be playing against gamblers who aren’t necessarily willing to play fundamentally sound poker.
Finally, even though certain bonuses could be better, it’s hard to ignore 36% rakeback. That’s more rakeback than you’ll get at any other real-money online poker app in Australia.
Feature Ratings
- Poker games variety: 8/10
- Poker tournaments: 7/10
- Traffic and player base: 10/10
- App software quality: 8/10
- Mobile bonuses: 8/10
- Appearance on mobile: 7/10
- Multi-tabling: 8/10
Poker App Bonuses
There are plenty of ways to boost your bankroll without making a bet when you play poker online using a real money app. Some bonuses are bigger than others, and some are available exclusively to poker app users.
Whichever bonus you go for, it’s a way to earn chips without relying entirely on skill or luck.
Download a real cash poker app in Oz and you’ll get access to these offers:
New Player Bonus
New player bonuses, otherwise known as welcome offers, get you off to a flying start by multiplying the value of your first deposit.
Let’s say you claim a 200% deposit bonus and credit your account with $500. You’ll get $1,000 in bonus cash, i.e. 200% of the deposit amount (2 x 500 = 1,000).
The important thing to remember is that these bonuses are for new players. Therefore, you can’t claim a welcome bonus via an AU poker app if you’ve already registered via your computer.
Reload Bonus
First deposit bonuses are for new players. Existing players also get deposit bonuses. They work in exactly the same way, but they’re known as reload bonuses.
The best poker apps in Australia offer reload bonuses on specific days of the week. Although they’re generous, reload bonus multipliers aren’t as big as first deposit bonus multipliers.
No Deposit Bonus
Bonuses that don’t require a deposit are, as you’d expect, highly sought after. New customers can often get a no deposit bonus when they complete the account registration process. This is known as a sign-up bonus.
Other ways to get no deposit bonuses are through giveaways, rakeback, and loyalty rewards.
Tournament Tickets
I love getting free tournament tickets because they have more payout potential than the average poker app bonus.
The returns aren’t guaranteed because you have to finish in the money. However, by playing well, you could turn free tournament tickets into five-figure payouts.
VIP Rewards and Rakeback
The top Aussie app poker operators either offer VIP rewards or rakeback. The very best poker apps in Oz give you a choice between the two.
Personally, I prefer rakeback, but I’m not opposed to VIP rewards. Rakeback allows you to recoup a percentage of the money you pay in rake.
For example, if you pay $500 in rake over the course of a week and the operator gives you a 30% rakeback, you’ll receive a $150 cash rebate. The earn-as-you-play nature of rakeback makes it one of the best poker bonuses for active players to earn extra cash.
VIP rewards work on a bet-for-points basis. For example, you could earn 10 points for every $5 you pay in rake. These points accumulate over time and determine your VIP status, which gives you access to an increasing number of rewards.
AU Poker App Bonus Basics
Every Aussie online poker app bonus is governed by terms and conditions. Ignore these at your peril, because bonuses can be revoked as easily as they’re credited to your account.
The terms you need to know before claiming Aussie poker app bonuses are:
- Bonuses are available once and once only. The only exceptions to this rule are rakeback and VIP rewards, which are classed as ongoing offers.
- There will be a minimum deposit limit for deposit-based bonuses.
- Bonus credit needs to be released by hitting a playthrough target. You hit a playthrough target by playing real money games (i.e. by paying rake).
- Bonuses can have expiry dates. Similarly, bonus credits can expire, which means you need to hit playthrough targets in a timely manner.
Poker Apps vs Desktop Poker
I’m not saying you should ditch your desktop device in favour of mobile poker apps, but there are definitely benefits to gaming on the go. Some of the reasons I switch between desktop and mobile poker sites are:
| Features | Desktop Poker Sites | Mobile Poker Apps |
| Multi-tabling | Larger screen size makes it easy to play multiple tables at once | Harder to multi-table, but it’s possible, especially on tablets |
| Bonuses | You get access to a full selection of bonuses | It’s possible to get mobile-only bonuses |
| Payments | Safe payments, including fiat and crypto | Great for syncing up with mobile payment apps, such as eWallets |
| Access | Less accessible, even with a laptop | Play whenever you like |
| Education | Can run poker training apps while playing | Install training apps and learn while you’re on the go |
Game Types on Online Poker Apps
Poker is played in a variety of ways, but the overarching rules and rankings are largely the same. So, before I explain how the most popular variants differ, here’s a quick overview of the basics:
- Aim = The aim of poker is to win chips (in a pot) by having the best five-card hand at showdown or by making everyone else fold.
- Hands = You make a hand by combining hole cards (cards that only you can see) with community cards (cards everyone can see) or by using cards in your hand.
- Showdowns = Standardised poker hand rankings determine who has the best hand at showdown. There are two types of hand rankings: high-hand and low-hand (aka lowball). The majority of poker variants use the high-hand ranking system, which classes a Royal Flush as the best hand. Lowball games give more weight to hands with low-value cards.
- Forced Bets = All games start with forced bets. Some variants have forced bets known as blinds, while others use the ante system.
- Streets = A round of action plays out over multiple streets. New cards are dealt on each street. Players also have a chance to place bets once a new card is dealt.
- Betting = The amount you can bet is governed by three systems: Limit (bets are limited to the size of the blinds), Pot Limit (bets are limited to the size of the pot), and No Limit (bets can be any amount up to the value of your stack).
For a more detailed explanation of the rules, check out our article on how to play poker. To see how these rules fit into different formats, scroll through the list below:
Are Poker Apps Legal in Australia?
You can use a variety of poker apps for real money gaming in Australia, but the laws aren’t easy to understand.
From a basic perspective, online poker is illegal in Australia due to regulations passed in 2001. However, as I’ll explain, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re breaking the law by using AU poker apps.
History of Poker Apps in Australia
Australia was an unregulated market up until 2001. Online poker was in its infancy back then, which is why the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 was aimed primarily at sportsbooks and casinos.
The quote below is taken directly from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA):
Banned services include:
- Online casinos
- In-play sports betting
- Sports betting services which do not hold an Australian licence
- Betting on the outcome of a lottery
There are some caveats I could point out with regard to the gambling sectors listed, but you’ll notice that online poker in Australia isn’t explicitly mentioned on that list.
Some argue it comes under casino games. However, others (quite rightly) argue that poker is a game of skill and, therefore, distinct from classic casino games such as blackjack and roulette.
What’s also important to note is that legislation primarily targets operators. As the player, you aren’t necessarily doing anything wrong.
Finally, authorities responsible for overseeing the gambling industry in Australia, such as state departments and the ACMA, don’t have jurisdiction overseas. This means offshore operators aren’t required to report to Australian authorities.
Real Money AU Poker Apps
The fact that there are points of contention means that online poker apps remain available in Australia. As long as you’re using licensed platforms based overseas, you should be free to enjoy the same game as millions of people around the world.
Other Types of Poker Apps
The term “real money poker apps” doesn’t only refer to places you can ante up in cash games and tournaments.
It’s the main thing I’ve been talking about, but the best poker apps in Australia also include learning tools. I’m a student of the game, and I find these online poker apps incredibly useful when I want to hone my skills:
- PokerCruncher: Download this poker app on iPhone or Android devices and you’ll be able to calculate odds, compare hand equities, and analyse ranges for a bargain price.
- PokerCoaching.com App: This free poker strategy app gives you access to all of the expert content on PokerCoaching.com, including quizzes and push/fold charts.
- DTO MTT: Master the nuances of Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy using this poker app on Android or iPhone.
Best Poker Apps – Our Verdict
As you can see, the best poker apps in Australia have plenty to offer in terms of games, bonuses, and fun features. Use the poker training apps I’ve recommended, and you’ll be on your way to raking in pots.
Stick to licensed offshore poker apps, never stop learning, and don’t risk more than you can afford to lose.