Online Poker Real Money Android App

What are the best Android poker sites with a real-money apps?

Android is one of the most flexible operating systems around. Many mobile device makers have customized Android to suit their hardware and customer ecosystem. You’ll find dedicated apps and instant-play options which work on a wide range of Android powered mobile devices.

Appeak Poker is still our pick for best free poker app with an incredibly simple interface that makes online poker a snap. The app offers Play Now, which will get you into a quick game right away in addition to Sit & Go’s, Bingo Bango, Double Ups and MTTs. The editors at PokerListings have played pretty much all of them and created a comprehensive guide to the best Android poker apps. Below is a look at the top Android poker real money apps available from the biggest poker operators. Also check out our list of the best iPhone poker sites.

This page covers all you need to know on getting started with Android poker. This includes coverage of both phones and tablets. You will also find out about the different games, and the options for getting your money into and out of an Android device below.

Online Poker Real Money Android Apps

Here is how the Android poker topic is broken down:

  • Devices: Here you will find how different sized screens make a difference to the interface and best games to play.
  • US Android Poker Rooms: What are the options for US players looking for real money poker on their smartphones and Android tablets.
  • International Options: Some of the big brands have developed Android apps, but are these the best places to play?
  • Best Games on Android Devices: Here I break down the five main types of poker game and discuss which ones work best.
  • Android Poker FAQ: All the important information you need on safety, deposits and withdrawal options.

List of the Best Real Money Apps for Android

Top Apps for Poker on Android

  • 6M Guaranteed Jackpot
    Rating: 4.9
    Guarenteed Weekly Bonus
    Rating: 4.5
    Weekly Jackpots
    Rating: 4.3

How Big is Your Android Device?

Android phones and tablets have very different screen sizes – which affect the kind of poker games you can enjoy on them. Leaving aside the ‘hybrid’ devices, smartphone users will be less likely to play multiple games at once – and more likely to want to play quick sessions while on the go.

Tablets are ideal for playing while watching TV. These make longer format games such as tournaments more suitable. With some international brands, you can effectively multi-table on your tablet, playing 4 games at once. While this is possible on a smartphone, that small screen size does make this tricky.

Money

Many sites offer their fast-fold poker variants through instant-play. This is perfect for those short, sharp sessions while you are on the move. If you are serious about ‘grinding’, then Android devices are probably not your best bet. I’d invest in a desktop or laptop with a second screen instead to make mass multi-tabling possible.

What are the Options for US Android Users?

There are only 3 networks which are big enough to offer regular games. You will find multiple sites within each network. No US poker site offers a dedicated Android app. Instead you will play on browser-based instant-play clients. These work with Flash and HTML5, making compatibility easy with all types of Android phones and tablets.

Here are the options in order of size & popularity:

  • Bovada / Ignition App: These sites share the PaiWangLuo poker network with the Canadian Bodog brand. Instant-play poker works on Android devices. This gives you access to ‘Zone Poker’ (a fast-fold variant) or No Limit Hold’em cash games.
  • BetOnline App: This Android option is on the Chico Poker network, which is shared with Sportsbetting Poker. The instant-play client supports multiple games and (limited) multi-tabling. Initial reports that this software was buggy have now died down.
  • Winning Poker Network App: This network includes America’s Cardroom Poker and others. Again, you can play on Android phones and tablets using an instant play client. With incentives for high-volume play, this network has many more ‘grinders’ than either Bovada or BetOnline.

What are the Android Poker Options for International Players?

Some of the biggest global brands have developed the top Android apps for playing poker. These give you the best of both worlds. You get access to the full list of game types, and mobile / touch screen play too. The best of these apps also allow for up to 4 tables at once. Multi-tabling is far easier on tablets (or phones with huge screens), as you can jump between the active tabs faster.

Here are the international Android apps, in order of size & popularity:

  • PokerStars App: This is the biggest site – and has an Android app you can download (as well as an instant-play client). You’ll be able to play up to 4 tables, which is a lot more comfortable on a tablet.
  • 888 App: Smart blue design and access to both poker and casino games via the various Android apps at 888.
  • Party App: Another app, which uses the updated look of the Party software and showcases some of their unique games including the entertaining SNG Hero format.
  • Bet365 App: This Android app is unusual, as it is the only one you can access the easy poker games on the iPoker Network from. You can play all the different formats, and up to 4 tables at once on this app.
Poker

Which Are the Best Poker Formats for Android Devices?

The biggest single factor is the size of your screen. If you are sitting in front of the TV with a tablet, then longer-format games work. If you are out and about with an Android smartphone, then a form of poker you can have short, sharp sessions on works best.

Top 5 Formats for Android Poker Players

Here are the 5 biggest poker formats you can access on Android devices, along with my thoughts on how they compare:

  • Real Money Cash Games: This is a great format for short sessions. You can play as many or as few hands as you like, with the chips having a real cash value. You’ll find NL Hold’em, PLO, PLO8 all available on Android apps.
  • Fast-Fold Poker Games: The pooled cash game format is best overall for Android smartphones. With no waiting time (while others complete their hands), this allows a lot of action on one table. Fast-fold poker goes under different names depending on the site. These include Zone Poker (Bovada), Zoom Poker (PokerStars) and SNAP Poker (888).
  • Sit N Go Games: 1-table tournaments last up to an hour (Turbo versions are obviously quicker). These work fine on Android devices, though lack the action of many other formats – at least until you get to the push / fold part at the bubble.
  • Lottery / Jackpot Sit N Goes: Super-fast blinds, 3 or 4 players and randomly determined prize pools make these the ‘fun’ game of the moment. The short format works great on mobiles, and you never know, you could end up winning up to 10000x your buy-in!
  • Multi-Table Tournaments: This is my least-favourite mobile poker format. The length of these games is what makes the difference. Not many players enjoy being glued to their smartphone for 6 hours (with no guarantee of making big money). Android tablets work better for the MTT format.

Android Poker FAQ

This section contains all the questions you might have on depositing, legality and safety at Android poker sites. If you have any questions on specific rooms, you can find more information in the dedicated Poker Reviews section here at GambleOnline.co.

#1 Is playing poker on an Android app legal?

This question is often asked by US residents, where there is a lot of confusion on the role of federal and State laws concerning gambling. The short answer is ‘yes’. It is not illegal for US players to play poker on their Android phone or tablet. The law often bought up (called the UIGEA) only affects poker room operators and banks. That law explains why banking is sometimes difficult with gambling sites!

Poker rooms which offer real money Android games are based outside of the US. They are legal and regulated in their countries. State laws do vary, and some states (Utah / Washington State) don’t allow individuals to gamble online. Nobody has ever been indicted for enjoying real money online poker.

#2 Are Android casino apps safe?

A follow-up question often comes up when US players find that the sites welcoming them are based in the Caribbean or Central America. Many of these sites have been around for more than 10 years, and have very solid reputations.

I like to see at least 5 years’ service, and that the fairness of the deal has been verified by an independent auditor. Brands including Bovada and BetOnline have spent many years building trust, for me these are completely safe places to play.

The bigger global Android poker options are very safe. These sites are regulated in the UK, Malta, Gibraltar and other reputable jurisdictions.

#3 How can I make a deposit through my Android phone or tablet?

These apps share a long list of deposit options with the desktop clients. The list open to you will depend on your location (US / International) and the site you are playing at. For US players, the list includes Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Person-to-Person transfer, Prepaid Visa and sometimes Bank Wires. Internationally, you can add PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, EcoPazy, Local Bank Transfer, iDebit and many more.

#4 Which Android poker site has the easiest games?

You’ll find huge differences in how easy or difficult games are at the different sites. Some sites are dominated by recreational (amateur) players, while others are home to multi-tabling pros. Look for sites with a source of cross-over traffic. Brands attached to sportsbooks are always a good bet. You can also check for sites which incentivise high-volume players. These create tougher games. For more on this, check our detailed guide to the easiest poker games.

#5 What happens if I lose connection?

If you get disconnected while enjoying an Android poker game, you’ll be given some time to reconnect. This will depend on the site and game format. If you don’t make it back, then your hand will be folded. In a cash game, you would forfeit the bets in the pot – and then sit out next hand. In a tournament or sit n go, you will continue to post blinds until you return or run out of chips.

Wrap Up: Android Poker Sites

Real Poker Apps For Android

There are plenty of options out there for Android devices these days. You simply need to find a site open to you (for US players), and then choose the games which work best for your screen size. I recommend cash games or fast-fold poker for smaller devices like smartphones. If you have the patience, then tournaments work with Android tablets much better.

The big international sites have a choice of app or instant-play – while there are currently no real money apps for US sites. As more and more people move exclusively to mobile devices, lets hope those US rooms catch up soon!