Finding the best online poker sites in Singapore isn’t easy, especially since there are no locally run sites due to the current gambling laws in SG. The good news is that there are plenty of poker sites available, and we’ve picked the best based on factors like game variety, traffic during peak hours in Singapore, mobile access, bonuses, and more.
Most of them are stacked with generous bonuses up to $2,000 (~S$2,600), offer a variety of popular games, from Texas Hold’em to 7 Card Stud, host some of the biggest MTTs in online poker, and let you transact with local payment methods like GrabPay, so you can easily play online poker in Singapore.
In This Guide
- How We Rank the Best Singapore Online Poker Sites
- Is Online Poker Legal in Singapore?
- Online Poker in Singapore Compared
- Games to Play at Singapore Poker Sites
- Bonuses at Poker Sites in Singapore
- How to Play Real Money Poker in Singapore
- Payment Methods at Poker Rooms in Singapore
- Top Tips for Playing Online Poker in Singapore
- FAQs
How We Rank the Best Singapore Online Poker Sites
When searching for the best online poker sites in Singapore, there are dozens of factors to consider. The good news is that we’ve done the hard work for you.
Here’s a run-through of the most important factors we take into consideration when picking the top online poker sites in Singapore.
Player Safety
Ensuring that poker sites are safe and secure is the number one priority. After all, if we’re going to send our hard-earned money to someone, we need to know they’re not going to cheat us.
That involves making sure the site is regulated and that the software is independently tested by a reputable third-party lab like GLI. In addition, we look into its security technology, such as the encryption they use and whether two-factor authentication is available.
Finally, we want to see a selection of trustworthy payment processors, and we run deposit and withdrawal tests firsthand to ensure everything is smooth.
Number of Players
Next on the list of key criteria is the pool of opponents. You can’t play online poker in Singapore if there’s nobody to compete against, so the volume of traffic is a top priority.
We check the cash tables of all poker formats throughout the day to see how busy they are. In addition, we keep our eyes on the average number of tournament players. The best poker sites in Singapore have consistent traffic, with tables still running during off-peak hours.
Although this isn’t a dealbreaker, we do tend to favor poker sites where the standard is below average, since this gives us the best chance of winning.
Bonuses
Another hugely important factor when you’re playing online poker for real money is the bonuses.
You’ll find enticing welcome bonuses to pull you in, while a generous rakeback rate will give you an excellent excuse to stick around. In addition, there’ll be a plentiful supply of reload bonuses, leaderboard races, and other promotions throughout the year.
Easy Payments
The best online poker sites in Singapore can’t operate without real-money payments. That’s why they make every effort to supply a wide variety of secure and reliable payment options.
We lean towards playing poker online with cryptocurrency, as it’s the fastest way to receive withdrawals. The anonymity offered by tokens like BTC, ETH, and USDT is also helpful.
Not everyone understands cryptocurrency, of course. So it’s just as important to have access to traditional payment methods, like debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.
Mobile Access
All of the top poker sites nowadays understand the desire for access to mobile games. As such, the options for playing Singapore poker online have never been more convenient.
Most brands offer some kind of app, whether it’s a native download for Android and iOS, or a PWA (Progressive Web App) that you can use through any mobile browser.
Is Online Poker Legal in Singapore?
Yes, in theory, it’s legal.
According to the two most recent pieces of gambling legislation, it’s legal to gamble at licensed premises. But it’s still really hard to get a gambling license, due to Singapore’s strict laws. That said, there are two main casinos in Singapore – Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
The country’s gambling laws were updated in August 2022, with the passage of the Gambling Control Act and the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act. These overrode the contents of 2014’s Remote Gambling Act, and states that you can only play at licensed poker sites. Since the country hasn’t granted any licenses to Singaporean online poker rooms, there’s no way to play legally in the Lion City.
But many offshore poker sites accept Singaporeans. These poker sites aren’t based in Singapore, so they don’t have to comply with the same laws.
Are Winnings Taxed?
No, you don’t need to pay tax on profits from poker sites in Singapore.
The country’s gambling rules may be strict, but the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore takes a softer position to poker online. Any profits made from gambling are considered windfalls, so there’s no need to pay any tax.
According to the official IRAS website, “Winnings received are not taxable as they are windfalls and not considered as an income. You do not need to declare the winnings in your Income Tax Return.”
Online Poker in Singapore Compared
We compare the best Singapore poker sites based on factors like traffic, game variety, and rakeback.
| Poker Site | Welcome Bonus | Rakeback | Avg. Traffic | Poker Games | Stakes |
| CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 15% | 2,000+ | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, PLO5, PLO6, Short Deck | $0.01/$0.02 – $1,000/$2,000 |
| ACR Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% to 65% | 6000+ | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, PLO5, 7 Card Stud | $0.01/$0.02 – $100/$200 |
| BCPoker | 10% up to $200 | 10% to 50% | 150+ | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Short Deck | $0.02/$0.05 – $100/$200 |
| Black Chip Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% to 65% | 6000+ | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, PLO5, 7 Card Stud | $0.01/$0.02 – $100/$200 |
| RedStar | 200% Bonus up to $2,000 | 20% to 35% | 7000+ | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Short Deck | $0.01/$0.02 – $25/50 |
Games to Play at Singapore Poker Sites
Let’s take a look at the different forms of online poker in Singapore. Of course, there are dozens of variants out there, but these are the most common games you’ll find online.
| Poker Game | Where to Play |
| Hold’em | ACR Poker |
| Omaha | CoinPoker |
| Seven Card Stud | Black Chip Poker |
| Short Deck | RedStar |
| 2-7 Triple Draw | Phenom Poker |
Texas Hold’em Poker
Hold’em is the most popular game at all Singapore poker sites, usually played in a no-limit format. Each player is dealt two cards face down before an initial round of betting. Three community cards are dealt before another round of betting, then a turn card, another round of betting, a river card, and a final round of betting.
If someone says they know how to play poker, the chances are it’s Hold’em they’re referring to. After all, it’s the most popular form of the game in the world, not just Asia.
Omaha
Omaha uses the exact same rules as its Texan cousin, in terms of the number of community cards and betting rounds. But all players receive four hole cards instead of two. In addition, you must use precisely two of them when making your five-card hand. It’s also more common to play this as a pot-limit game.
Due to the additional cards in play, Omaha hands are never as strong as new players think they are. The likelihood of someone having a sizable draw is great, so it’s important to be disciplined in your hand selection and betting.
Seven Card Stud
All players start with three cards each, two of which are turned face down. As a stud game, there are no community cards at all. Although it’s possible to play No Limit and Pot Limit Seven Stud, it’s rare to see. Usually, the game uses a fixed limit structure.
Sadly, Seven Stud seems to be dying out, and only a few of the best rooms still offer it. These days, you’re more likely to find it as part of mixed tournaments like HORSE, though some of the best online poker rooms may still spread the game to niche players.
2-7 Triple Draw
This is a rare format you won’t find at many Singapore poker sites. Each player receives five cards, which remain hidden at all times. You’ll have three opportunities to exchange some, all, or none of these for new cards from the top of the deck.
In total, there are four betting rounds in 2-7 Triple Draw, which is usually played using a fixed-limit structure. As a lowball game, the aim is to make what would normally be the weakest hand. Straights and flushes play in 2-7 Triple Draw, and aces are high. That means the best possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2.
OFC Poker
Open-face Chinese poker, or OFC, is a variation of Chinese poker in which all cards are turned face up. All players are dealt a 13-card hand, before taking turns to place their cards one at a time.
Like regular Chinese poker, you must form three hands – two of five cards and one of three – in order. The back hand must be the strongest, followed by the middle and the front hands.
Point scoring is based on the final hand values. Whoever secures the most is paid according to whatever stakes were agreed at the start of the game.
Bonuses at Poker Sites in Singapore
The best online poker sites in Singapore offer generous bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at the various promotions and rewards up for grabs.
Welcome Bonus
It’s standard practice for online poker sites to offer a signup incentive. With so many competing brands vying for our attention, the different poker bonuses help them to stand out. As a result, there’s never been a better time to play online.
Most Singapore online poker welcome bonuses are deposit matches. Here, the site will match whatever you add to your account when you make your first deposit. At ACR Poker, for instance, you’ll earn up to $2,000 (~S$2,600) with the site’s 100% deposit bonus.
The reward won’t be paid as a lump sum. Instead, you’ll release it slowly as you play games and pay rake. ACR Poker releases $1 of the bonus for every 27.5 Award Points earned.
Reload Bonus
Many of the best online poker sites in Singapore also reward you for repeat deposits in the form of a reload bonus.
The percentages involved tend to be lower than those in welcome offers, but the concept is the same. Fund your account with real money and receive a deposit match bonus to thank you for your continued loyalty.
FullHouse Crypto is a great option if you want regular reload bonuses when playing poker online in Singapore. You’ll be rewarded every time you deposit at least $10 (~S$13). It involves an element of luck, as you need to spin a prize wheel to see what you’ll get.
Rakeback
This is a hugely important poker bonus that can make the difference between a long-term winner and a losing player at poker sites.
“Rake” is the money subtracted from a cash game pot or a tournament entry fee whenever you play online poker for real money. Nobody likes paying it, but it’s necessary to keep games running. With that said, top sites help soften the blow by paying a regular rakeback.
ACR and Black Chip Poker offer a flat 27% rakeback to everybody. But if you’re a grinder, joining their Elite Benefits program would be better, with the rakeback going all the way up to 60% at the highest tiers.
Poker Tickets
Some poker sites offering online poker in Singapore provide free tournament entries as a bonus.
We don’t mean freeroll tournaments, where you play for nothing, and the site puts up a few prizes. We mean free access to the biggest online poker tournaments that would normally cost money to enter.
At BetOnline, for instance, a maximum of 21 tournament tickets is included in the welcome package. These mini tournaments are step satellites to the 100,000 USD Sunday Showdown.
This ticket-based approach is also popular in online poker in India, especially on offshore platforms that offer large weekly tournaments.
How to Play Real Money Poker in Singapore
If you’re already signed up to a few online poker sites in Singapore, you can skip this section. But if it’s your first time, or if you’ve never tried an offshore crypto poker site before, we’ll walk you through the straightforward process of signing up.
For our example, we’ll show you what it’s like to sign up at CoinPoker – but it’ll be a similar process at every Singapore poker site.
Pick a Site
Your first step is to choose the Singapore poker site that’s right for you. There’s also no harm in joining a few, so you can claim multiple bonuses and access more tournaments.
Download the Software
Some of the best poker sites in Singapore let you play instantly in your browser, but most require you to download software. This usually gives you a more immersive experience, and only takes a minute or two.
Register
Sign up to poker sites such as CoinPoker using some of your basic details, like your name and email. Our recommended poker sites are based offshore, and happily accept players from Singapore.
Invent a Username
This part is often rushed or overlooked whenever joining poker sites. Take your time to pick a username that can help at the tables. Do you want to keep a low profile, or rile your opponents?
Make a Deposit
Once your account is set up, you need to add some cash. At CoinPoker, you can transfer crypto from your personal wallet to your poker account in seconds.
Explore the Lobby
Browse the lobby to find a tournament or cash game that fits what you’re looking for. Use the filters to search by games, like Hold’em or Omaha, or formats. And you can sort by buy-in or start time.
Join a Game
Open the tournament or cash game lobby and click the ‘Register’ button to join. From here, it’s all on you. Follow our poker tips to boost your odds of winning, and remember to enjoy yourself!
Payment Methods at Poker Rooms in Singapore
The best way to deposit and withdraw when playing poker online for real money in Singapore is by using crypto.
Crypto comes with a range of benefits in general, but is particularly useful at Singapore poker sites for several reasons:
- Anonymity. Everybody knows that crypto keeps things anonymous, which is ideal for local players.
- Speed. You can cash out almost instantly, so you don’t need to sweat it and panic about your winnings being blocked.
- Fewer details. You won’t need a bank account or physical address for crypto, which means you’re less exposed.
- Accessibility. Every Singapore poker site we recommend accepts crypto, so you can get started quickly and easily.
Of course, you can also use other payment methods if you prefer. Here’s a breakdown of your available payment options at Singapore poker sites:
| Payment Method | Example | Deposits | Withdrawals | Fees | Pros | Cons |
| Crypto | Bitcoin | Instant | Instant | Minimal gas fees | Anonymous, fast |
Crypto knowledge required
|
| Bank Cards | Citibank | Instant | 3-10 days | Free | Reliable |
Name and address needed
|
| Ewallets | DBS PayLah! | Instant | Up to 24 hours | Free | Digital, fast |
Not always accepted, slow to top up
|
| Cheque | N/A | Up to 10 days | Up to 30 days | Varies | Good for players who dislike digital payments | Rarely accepted, extremely slow |
Top Tips for Playing Online Poker in Singapore
New to playing online poker for real money? Follow these simple pieces of advice and start off the right way.
- Get a Virtual Private Network. Many players prefer to mask their IP address for safety. VPN software is affordable and readily available to solve this problem.
- Learn how to use cryptocurrency. Many offshore poker sites that accept players from Singapore allow you to deposit and withdraw using cryptocurrency. Not only is this a fast way to receive a payout, but the anonymity will also give you extra privacy.
- Play during global peak hours. Because our top picks are international poker sites, their peak hours might not be during the evening in Singapore. ACR Poker, for example, peaks during the evening in the US, while RedStar is popular in Europe. It’s not ideal, but peak hours are when you’ll see the most action. That said, most of our top picks have consistent traffic throughout the day since they accept players from all over the world.
- Manage your time. It’s best to set time limits before you jump into the action. You should know exactly how much time you have to play and for how long you want to play. You can leave cash games whenever you want, and fast-fold poker will allow even shorter sessions. But unless it’s a hyper or turbo tournament, most MTTs will take at least two or three hours.
- Look for big poker bonuses. It’s not easy to build your bankroll as a new player. But a generous welcome bonus gets you off to the best possible start, and a sizable rakeback arrangement provides a regular boost.
- Manage your bankroll. Learning how to manage money is imperative. Don’t move up through the stakes too quickly, and never chase losses. You should set deposit limits and maybe keep a separate account for poker so you aren’t dipping into everyday expenses and savings.
