One of the latest emerging trends amongst online poker players is playing online poker at Bitcoin online poker sites.
Perhaps the main reason why these types of online poker rooms are becoming increasingly popular is the fact that cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, are making it easier for online poker players to deposit and withdraw their funds.
Looking for a Bitcoin online poker room? If so, you have come to the right place. We spent hours looking for the best real money online poker rooms that accept Bitcoin as a payment method and provided a list of the top choices in the online poker community.
Bitcoin Online Poker Sites. You can make secure and fast Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals on many online poker sites. Here’s an in-depth guide to doing that and more (even if you are completely new to Bitcoin poker), including whether playing online poker is legal, using Bitcoin wallets, and the best Bitcoin poker sites. The late launch of BetOnline Poker means it is one of the poker sites that accept bitcoin because its gaming platform was designed at a later date with more technically sophisticated software. Unlike other latecomers among the bitcoin poker sites reviews you might read, BetOnline is tied to an old brand known for reliability and quick payouts. Poker sites with Bitcoin payment options means that BTC is not the only payment method. Examples of such online poker rooms are BetOnline, Black Chip Poker, and Americas Cardroom. At these rooms, BTC is just a payment option like credit/debit cards or eWallets, such as Neteller and PayPal. You will first need to get a wallet and some coins.
We also included a guide to Bitcoin, how you can deposit using Bitcoin, and listed the advantages of this unique payment method.
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Contents
- How to Use Bitcoin as a Payment Method
- Frequently Asked Bitcoin Questions
With the growing popularity of Bitcoin in the online gaming industry, several leading online poker sites have opted in to provide Bitcoin as a payment method. If you are keen on the idea of using Bitcoin as your preferred payment method and want to find the top online poker sites that accept Bitcoin, you’re in luck as we at Top10pokerwebsites have narrowed down the list to a handful of fully reviewed online poker sites that support Bitcoin as a payment method.
What is Bitcoin?
Although Bitcoin was established in 2009, it was only in 2011 when this new modern currency managed to hit the mainstream market as the first decentralised currency of the world. Bitcoin, as a cryptocurrency, differs from traditional currencies such as the Euro, Pound Sterling, and US dollar as it doesn’t use a third party.
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Unlike traditional currencies, it has no central bank and essentially functions through a peer-to-peer marketplace. Although Bitcoin initially suffered through a turbulent period due to the contemporary nature of this new currency, over the years its reputation along with its popularity has grown strength to strength. By 2014, thousands of online corporations started offering Bitcoin as an alternative payment method. It wasn’t long until the online gaming industry saw the potential in Bitcoin, and now you’ll be able to find several online poker sites that will allow you to deposit and withdrawal through Bitcoin.
Where Does Bitcoin Come From?
You are able to get Bitcoins in a number of ways. They are often bought from certain sites, received as a form of payment or they can be mined.
Mining Bitcoins involves the use of an application that is installed on computers, which then mines Bitcoins. Miners are connected over a network, which will then adjust the amount of Bitcoins that are being created so that they are predictable and also don’t end up flooding the market.
Once the Bitcoins have been mined an electronic signature is added and the currency is in the network and can be exchanged and distributed.
How to Use Bitcoin as a Payment Method
Create a Bitcoin Wallet
To use Bitcoin as a deposit method at any online poker room that accepts Bitcoin, you will first need to obtain a Bitcoin wallet before a deposit can be made. This can be achieved by visiting the Bitcoin website. Fundamentally, you will have two types of Bitcoin wallets to choose from, including a desktop wallet and a web-based wallet service.
For your convenience, our experts at Top10pokerwebsites recommend that you choose a web-based wallet service instead of a desktop wallet, as a desktop wallet will require you to download additional software onto your computer. However, if you don’t mind the additional download and installation process of additional software, you are more than welcome to choose the desktop wallet. While registering for a Bitcoin wallet, you’ll be required to provide your email address and a Bitcoin password. Unlike an e-wallet where you’ll be required to provide your home address, Bitcoin does not ask for your place of residence at all.
Load Your New Wallet with Bitcoins
Once you selected the type of Bitcoin wallet you want, and managed to successfully register a Bitcoin wallet, you can go ahead and purchase Bitcoins to add to your Bitcoin wallet. You can buy Bitcoins in several different ways, and the most popular ways include purchasing bitcoins directly through your Bitcoin wallet, or use Bitcoin exchange services such as Bitstamp or BTC China that will allow you to trade several currencies for Bitcoins. In addition, you can exchange your Bitcoins for another currency if you feel like it. Furthermore, you can purchase Bitcoins from other Bitcoin users for a price that’s pre-agreed upon, or mine your own Bitcoins by using special software to solve mathematical problems.
Register with a Bitcoin Online Poker Room
Once you obtained a Bitcoin wallet and loaded a couple of Bitcoins into your wallet, you’ll be ready to register with one of our recommended online poker rooms that accept Bitcoin as a deposit method. Once you completed the registration process, make your way to the Cashier section and select Bitcoin as your deposit method.
Depositing Funds at a Bitcoin Online Poker Room
Once you completed the steps mentioned above, you’ll be able to deposit funds in your online poker account. With Bitcoin, you won’t be required to provide any card details or personal information to deposit funds at an online poker site. Instead, your funds will be transferred from your Bitcoin wallet to your online poker room through Bitcoin addresses. A Bitcoin address is characterised as a series of numbers and letters that normally range between 27 and 38 characters. Therefore, if you are using Bitcoin as a deposit method, you will only need to provide your Bitcoin address and the online poker room address to make a successful deposit.
Advantages of Bitcoin
Bitcoin provides a fantastic range of advantages for both online poker operators and online poker players, making it an attractive alternative for funding your online poker account. Players that are accustomed to high transaction fees and credit card rejections, like poker players residing in the US in particular, will find Bitcoin extremely helpful. With Bitcoin, there are no credit card intermediaries or banks that take their cut when making an online transaction. In addition, Bitcoin deposits can’t be blocked by anyone, and they are normally free of any additional charges apart from the Bitcoin transaction fee that is usually the equivalent of a couple of cents. One of the greatest benefits for online poker operators, apart from the advantages as mentioned above, is that transactions with Bitcoin are mostly like playing with cash. There’s no likelihood of a ‘chargeback’ taking place as you get on a credit card transaction where a player disputes the charges that were made on their credit card to obtain a refund.
Another great benefit is Bitcoin’s anonymity. Although it is commonly believed that Bitcoin renders a player, as well as their transactions, completely anonymous, it’s better to say that Bitcoin is semi-anonymous. While individual transactions with Bitcoin might be anonymous, that can only be identified by a certain cryptographical generated address for the receiver and sender, the Blockchain maintaining the ledger of all transactions made with Bitcoin can be used to track down the origins of any funds when using Bitcoin. Therefore, someone converting Bitcoins back to cash at any online exchange, for instance, can have their transactions traced back to the point of origin.
The speed of Bitcoin transactions is also one of its biggest assets. Transactions made through Bitcoin are almost instantly received. However, online players that are new to Bitcoin quickly become aware of the confirmations concept that slows down a transaction which greatly depends on a poker room’s policy. To protect against the same Bitcoins being spent again, the receiver can wait for the network to confirm the transaction a couple of times before the funds are credited to your online poker account. This can have a delaying effect on the acceptance of your deposit ranging from 10 minutes up to 1 hour. If you not too sure if the online poker room has a delay, you can simply ask them how many times a confirmation is required before your funds are accepted. Each confirmation roughly takes up to 10 minutes in real-time.
Disadvantages of Bitcoin
Some online poker rooms that offer Bitcoin as a payment method usually don’t hold a gambling license from a specific jurisdiction. It’s widely known that gambling licenses are associated with plenty of application fees, so online poker rooms save large sums of money that would normally be spent on obtaining a gambling license. Therefore, before registering with an online poker room, ensure they have a gambling license from a well-known jurisdiction.
Although the popularity of Bitcoin is increasing, the online poker rooms that accept Bitcoin as a payment method is still somewhat limited. Another disadvantage is that Bitcoin is considered a volatile currency which means the exchange rate can fluctuate very quickly.
Bitcoin as a medium of exchange vs in-game currency
One crucial factor to consider when using Bitcoins at any online poker room is to find out whether the online poker site allows you to use Bitcoin as an in-game currency, or if it will convert your Bitcoins into another currency before you can join a cash table or tournament. If the latter is the case, you shall be subject to Bitcoin’s fluctuating exchange rate from Euro to U.S dollar. It is not uncommon for the exchange rate to vary over 5% on any given day, which is an extraordinary event for any of the world’s fiat currencies. For this reason, it would be wise to avoid any Bitcoin currency exchanges at an online poker room, and rather look for one that will allow you to use Bitcoin as an in-game currency.
Frequently Asked Bitcoin Questions
There are more and more online poker sites popping up that accept Bitcoin as well as special tournaments and bonuses. They are slowly becoming popular, but are not yet as widely accepted. Keep in mind that when you withdraw your Bitcoins they might be worth less or more than what you deposited them for.
Bitcoin is independent of banks and there is no middleman involved, which means that a Bitcoin deposit will reflect instantly.
You are able to make withdrawals with Bitcoin and this process instant. You will also not need to verify your identification for the withdrawal.
There is a danger of Bitcoin being hacked because it is a peer to peer network that is open. However, as the currency grows, security will also grow and improve.
Yes, you are able to transfer Bitcoin on your mobile to online poker rooms as well as sell, buy and convert the currency.
Over the last few years, Bitcoin poker sites have been popping up across the Internet. These establishments offer card games such as Seven Card Stud and Texas Hold’em. Additionally, they offer an option for making deposits and withdrawals.
For those who are unfamiliar with Bitcoin, this article is meant to serve as an introduction to what you can expect.
Trusted Bitcoin Poker Sites
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What’s a Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency that’s available to the public and can be traded without the involvement of any government or banking institution. These coins can be purchased at places known as exchanges, and they’re kept in a virtual wallet and accessed with a verification code.
How to set up a Bitcoin account in 4 easy steps
Setting up a bitcoin wallet and making a deposit takes a few easy steps. Below is a step-by-step guide to set up a Bitcoin account for online and mobile poker. Bitcoin account setup is a one-time process. Once it’s done, you’ll have access to the easiest way to pay for Internet poker.
- Choose a Bitcoin Wallet: A bitcoin wallet is a service which holds your bitcoin until you spent them. It’s like a web wallet or online bank. Breadwallet, Mycelium, and Copay are examples of top bitcoin wallets. Mycelium or Copay is our recommendation for Android users, while Breadwallet or Copay is our choice for iPhone or iPad users.
- Buy Bitcoin at an Exchange: Once you have a bitcoin wallet, go to a regulated bitcoin exchange to buy bitcoins quickly, easily, and safely. Make your purchase with a credit card, debit card, or bank account. BetOnline recommends players go to CoinChapter, which has links to 32 regulated bitcoin exchanges.
- Send Bitcoin to Your Wallet: Once you buy bitcoin, send them to your wallet. Click “Send Bitcoin” in your exchange account. When prompted, type your wallet address into the input field and click “Send”. Some exchanges ask for your wallet address before making a purchase.
- Fund Your Poker Account: Now that you have virtual money in your bitcoin wallet, make a deposit in your online poker account. If you don’t have a casino account, sign up with a 5-minute registration process, which incurs no obligation. Funding your poker account with bitcoin is the safest, fastest, and most private way to make online poker deposits and withdrawals.
How to Buy and Sell Bitcoins
In order for a customer to buy or sell bitcoins, a complex mathematical code must first be resolved. Such efforts are handled by people known as Bitcoin miners. These tech-savvy men and women receive new coins for helping the system function. This process ensures security, and it’s allowed the service to avoid any major hacking incidents.
Like any commodity, the value of an individual bitcoin can fluctuate on a daily basis. Production of the currency is designed to halt when the number of coins reaches 21 million, and a recent count found almost 15,500,000 currently in existence. While most of these are in active circulation, some are dormant because users lost their unique password and can no longer access them.
Poker Sites that Accept Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the future of online poker payments, due to its combination of security, privacy, and speed. The best bitcoin poker sites in the United States gaming market need to have several traits. First, the card site needs to support high limit bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. Second, an online poker room needs to make linking with your bitcoin wallet easy and instantaneous. The sites we suggest each have bitcoin tutorials with recommendations for bitcoin wallets while offering information on dozens of bitcoin exchanges.
Playing poker with bitcoin makes the most sense because bitcoin deposits and withdrawals are free and virtually instantaneous. Within minutes, money appears in your bitcoin wallet, whether you use the Breadwallet, Mycelium, or Copay wallet. Because these transactions use blockchain technology, identity thieves have no opportunity to steal your financial information. Bitcoin poker sites, therefore, protect your anonymity and hard-won poker winnings.
Recommended Bitcoin Poker Site for US Players – Bovada Poker
Card players might not think those other gaming options affect them, but it means the poker tables are full of fish from the other sections of Bovada.
We recommend Bovada Poker as a bitcoin poker site because Bovada checks every box when it comes to a top online poker site. The Bovada/Bodog brand was one of the first US-friendly online poker sites with bitcoin, so it has a store of trust and familiarity that US players want. Among the American poker sites accepting bitcoin, it provides the best combination of customer support, game opportunities, and technical support. Bovada allows real money gamblers to play bitcoin poker at many different bet levels, with a large array of freezeouts, rebuy events, sit’n go’s, and turbo events. Bovada is one of the top online poker rooms to play at.
- Benefits: $1.5 Million Guaranteed Sunday Event, Anonymous Tables, Red Room: High Roller Rewards
- Bonus: $5000 Bitcoin Bonus
- Minimum and Maximum Deposit: $10 to $5,000
Recommended Offshore Bitcoin Poker Site – BetOnline Poker
The late launch of BetOnline Poker means it is one of the poker sites that accept bitcoin because its gaming platform was designed at a later date with more technically sophisticated software. Unlike other latecomers among the bitcoin poker sites reviews you might read, BetOnline is tied to an old brand known for reliability and quick payouts.
BetOnline Poker’s $1,000 bitcoin bonus might not be as much as Bovada Poker’s bitcoin bonus, but players can satisfy the wagering requirements while playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or a variety of other poker variants. The $25,000 max bitcoin deposit means it’s a favorite with international high rollers and premium players because BetOnline handles more action than many competitors. Among the offshore bitcoin online poker sites which accepts US players, BetOnline Poker offers the best all-around package of games, bonuses, rewards, bitcoin payouts, and customer service.
- Benefits: Fast Payouts, Sit ‘n Go Leaderboard Challenge, Live Casino
- Bonus: $1000 Bitcoin Bonus (coupon code: BTC2017)
- Minimum and Maximum Deposit: $20 minimum, $25,000 maximum deposit ($10,000 max withdrawal)
Other Trusted Poker Sites that accept Bitcoin are:
Please note that most online poker rooms and casinos have added Bitcoin as an option alongside credit cards and e-wallets. There are, however, some sites that only accept bitcoins as a valid form of currency.
Bitcoin Poker Sites vs. Regular Poker Sites
There are only a couple of differences between funding your account with bitcoins and other forms of currency. First, deposits and withdrawals happen almost immediately. The current value of a coin determines the number of chips you’ll receive.
If you’re playing at a Bitcoin-only poker room, you may also notice that the standard sign-up method is different. Instead of being asked to provide your real name and bank account information, you’ll often be able to create an account with just a username and password.
Otherwise, a poker room that accepts Bitcoin looks the same as any other site. The graphics are identical, the players are diverse, and the winnings are just as real.
How to Make a Bitcoin Deposit at a Poker Site
Making a Bitcoin deposit on a poker site can be done in 3 steps.
- Create a wallet
- Chose Bitcoin as your method of payment on the cashier option
- Chose a Bitcoin deposit option
The following video gives you more detail on how to make a Bitcoin poker site deposits:
Advantages & Disadvantages of Playing Online Bitcoin Poker
If you’re still unsure about using Bitcoin, I’ve put together some pros and cons in this section. Hopefully, these facts can help you make up your mind.
Reasons to Use Bitcoin
- Anonymous Accounts – As mentioned earlier, some Bitcoin gambling sites allow you to sign up without requiring personal details such as your name or bank account information.
- Increased Value of Winnings – Since the worth of an individual bitcoin fluctuates, the value of your poker room account can actually increase over time.
- Transaction Speed – Withdrawals are processed much faster than traditional methods such as credit cards or wire transfers.
- Increased Rakeback – Sites sometimes offer to return a certain amount of entry fees in order to keep players happy. On average, poker sites using bitcoins are more generous when it comes to this practice.
- More Inexperienced Players – Also known as fish, these novice players are more common at sites accepting bitcoins.
Reasons to Avoid Bitcoin
- Lack of Regulation – Some sites that specialize in Bitcoin gambling aren’t regulated by the usual jurisdictions. This lack of oversight could result in sketchy business practices, although no major scandals have occurred as of this writing.
- Lack of Government Backing – Nations are in a habit of protecting their financial institutions, but Bitcoin has no such backing. If some catastrophe were to occur, it’s possible that all your coins could become worthless overnight.
- Fluctuating Value – While this can also be a strength given the upward trend in the value of bitcoins, there’s no guarantee that the currency won’t eventually hit a rough patch and leave investors with far less than they started with.
- The Law Still Applies – Since Bitcoin is a commodity, various anti-gaming laws may still apply based on where you live. If a state or country says it’s illegal to wager something of value on gambling, then don’t assume that using virtual coins makes you immune to prosecution.
Conclusion
Bitcoin is a form of virtual currency that’s becoming increasingly accepted by vendors around the globe. This also extends to the world of online gambling, where a small number of card rooms have added the payment method to their list of deposit and withdrawal options. In fact, a handful of such establishments have become Bitcoin poker sites by catering exclusively to users of the digital money.
Poker Websites That Accept Bitcoin
Players who use Bitcoin to fund their online poker adventures often point to items such as anonymity and increased rakeback when listing advantages. It does, however, require a certain computer I.Q. to use, so the mass of online surfers and social media addicts aren’t likely to make the switch anytime soon.
Best Poker Sites That Accept Bitcoin
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