Poker is one of the most entertaining and exciting card games, and most people who have had a chance to play it will certainly agree.
That said, the game also includes the risk of losing money and is a form of gambling, which is why many people avoid it in the first place.
This is the exact reason why many free online poker sites have had great success, allowing players to play poker without any risks or negative connotations.
Today, we want to look at the best places on the internet where you can play online poker without any risk of losing money at the tables.
Free online poker may not seem too fun at first but it can be really exciting, especially on social sites where you can talk smack and play any style of poker you want without any danger.
1. PlayWSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is yet another famous tournament brand that has decided to offer players a chance to practice their poker skills for free.
PlayWSOP is a free-to-play poker app that offers No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha games to players in all variations.
Whether you’re a tournament or cash game aficionado, there are reasonable options for you to get involved at PlayWSOP.
The platform is extremely easy to use, as you can register with just a couple of clicks using your Facebook or Google account to sign in to the platform.
Once signed in, you will be introduced to the game of poker, with a virtual tour offered to all brand new players who are still learning the game and need a basic walkthrough.
For the more experienced players, the option to jump right into the action is also available, with plenty of tables just waiting for someone to fill up the seats.
PlayWSOP allows players to add other players to their buddy list, chat at the tables, win play money by participating in a simple slot-style game, and much more.
You can play on your desktop or mobile device, with the platform available as both a browser-based one and a downloadable mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
Overall, PlayWSOP is probably one of the best online poker experiences you don’t have to pay for, and it’s a game that any poker enthusiast will enjoy very much.
2. Replay Poker
Replay Poker is another free online poker platform with a large player pool and plenty of different game options.
Replay Poker may not be sponsored by the likes of WSOP, but it offers an experience at a very similar level.
The poker client is quite modern and sleek, allowing for smooth gameplay and an enjoyable time at the tables.
Both cash games and tournaments are offered with various stakes and levels available.
Among the games offered, you will find Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, and even Royal Poker, a unique version of Texas Hold’em with only high cards in the deck (10s and up).
Unlike some of the competitors, Replay Poker only offers an instant play version for internet browsers, with no downloadable mobile app available currently.
However, the instant play version should be good enough for most players as it looks great and is fast and smooth without any major glitches.
Replay Poker is another great place to learn how to play several different versions of the game of poker and build up your poker skills in a safe and reliable environment.
3. 247Poker
If you don’t feel like playing against real poker players and would rather test your poker skills and wits against computer-based AI opponents, 247Poker is the place for you.
Unlike PlayWSOP, 247Poker is not a social game in any sense, as you are always pitted against AI players.
Logging into the platform for the first time, you will be asked to choose your difficulty between easy, normal, hard, and expert.
Regardless of the difficulty you pick, you will be taken to a six-max poker table, where five AI-controlled players will be waiting to take you on.
The games will become more difficult and aggressive as you up the level of the AI, but for the most part, savvy poker players will be able to beat it.
Yet, if you are very new to the game, 247Poker is a great place to get started without anyone rushing you or making extremely weird plays, which can happen at other free-to-play poker platforms.
At 247Poker, you can practice some basic poker skills and actually develop reasonable hand-reading abilities while risking nothing, which is why I highly recommend it as a training tool for novice players.
4. PokerStars Play
The vast majority of all poker players worldwide have played at PokerStars at some point in their lives, and they know that PokerStars is a real money poker platform.
But the operator also offers a completely free version of the site, PokerStars Play, where you can experience much of the same atmosphere and gameplay options, with the major difference being that no real money changes hands here.
Unlike most free-to-play poker sites and apps, PokerStars Play offers a multitude of more unique online poker games, including the likes of 5 Card Draw, 7 Card Stud, and 8 Game.
When it comes to the quality of the software itself, no one can really compete with PokerStars, which is another major upside for this platform.
5. Global Poker
Global Poker has become one of the largest free-to-play online poker apps out there, mostly due to the fact it also offers a separate “sweepstakes” mode in which players can actually win some real money.
Unfortunately for players from the rest of the world, Global Poker is only available in the United States, which means players from other countries can’t even register for an account.
That said, those who can play are welcomed to Global Poker with a small bankroll of free play money, which can be easily replenished with additional chip purchases.
Players can purchase Gold Coins at their leisure and enjoy plenty of exciting free poker games without any real risks or profits, just entertainment.
Global Poker players are also awarded Sweeps Coins when they purchase Gold Coins, and these can be used at separate tables. Any Sweeps Coins you end up winning can be converted into real money.
Global Poker is one of the few free online poker sites where players can be awarded real money for their play as well while not risking real money at the tables at all.
6. ClubGG Poker
Powered by another of the world’s leading poker platforms, ClubGG is a free-play copy of GGPoker, the only real contender other than PokerStars for the title of the biggest online poker platform.
Playing at ClubGG comes with a whole host of perks. For one, you will be playing on one of the best online poker platforms out there, almost identical to the real money GGPoker.
In addition to that, you’ll have access to all types of games and formats offered by GGPoker, without any of the risks.
All games at ClubGG are play money games, making the platform available in all jurisdictions, not just those in which GGPoker offers real money options.
To top it all off, for a monthly fee of $49.99, you can also get the Platinum Subscription. This allows you to enter freeroll tournaments where you can win seats in the WSOP Main Event and other valuable prizes.
At ClubGG, you get to pick the kinds of games you play, and if you’re willing to pay the monthly subscription, you actually get to compete for extremely valuable prizes without much risk.
Social Poker Platforms
We’ve covered some of the most popular free-play online poker platforms provided by major online poker operators, but what about social poker games?
If you have been on Facebook and other social networks over the past decade, you have probably seen the ads for various games, and these are definitely worth a mention here as well.
1. Zynga Poker
Zynga Poker has been around longer than most other free-play online poker options, and is mainly played by Facebook users.
Zynga Poker is all about the game’s social element, as the platform offers countless ways to interact with other players both at the tables and off them.
Unlike the normal free-play poker platforms, Zynga Poker is a great place to connect with new friends and meet people with similar interests.
The platform may not be as great as PokerStars or GGPoker, but it does the trick and the games run fairly smoothly, with both cash games and SNGs running at various levels and stakes.
2. Viber World Poker Club
Published by Viber Media, the developers of one of the biggest social apps out there, Viber World Poker Club is another amazing social poker game you can enjoy with your friends.
The platform includes all sorts of features and options, including weekly tournaments, player rewards, free chips, and fun and addictive mechanics.
The best part about Viber World Poker Club is that it’s completely free. You won’t have to pay any subscriptions or buy anything to participate in the games.
Viber World Poker Club also comes with a massive base of active players you can play with, making it one of the best places to play poker socially these days.
3. PokerUp: Social Poker
Another great social poker app dedicated to social games is PokerUp.
It has quite a unique model and lets you challenge anyone from your contacts list, making it a truly fun experience.
Rather than playing with strangers, you can invite up to three players and battle it out among friends.
Of course, you can still play with users from all over the world if you choose to and even climb the leaderboard to boost your rankings.
Like every good poker app, PokerUp lets you customize the look of your tables, use various emojis, and simply have fun while playing.
All in all, it is a very convenient way to play some poker when you are on the go, so give it a try.
