Android online poker is ideal for smartphone players who want to enjoy mobile Texas Hold'em on the move. Android phones and tablets have taken over the global market in recent years thanks to a variety of devices using the Android OS – good news for mobile poker players wanting to use their device to play Texas Hold'em.
ByThe Best Mobile Poker Sites By Device. Are Android poker rooms better than iPhone ones? Can you play on a Blackberry? We have developed guides to the best Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Windows phone sites that allow you to jump to great real money poker (although you can play for free at all the recommended sites too). Mobile Phone Poker Sites. Playing poker on the go through dedicated mobile phone poker sites is the next big thing in the gaming industry. Smart phones and Tablets have now reached a high enough level of processing power that they can handle fully functional poker clients, and the real money online poker companies are doing all they can to take advantage the functionality of these devices. Almost all online poker software is compatible with the Galaxy line-up although you may have some issues with oldest Galaxy phones. Samsung phones are a good option for playing online poker in general. What About LG, HTC, Motorola, Sony Etc.? Most of the major Android mobile device manufacturers can easily run online poker software.
The Android operating system is wildly popular, and growing at a fast rate. Poker sites are now starting to take notice of the popularity of mobile platforms in general, and as a result, are creating apps and downloads of their software specifically for Android phone and tablet users.
Due to the overwhelming popularity in mobile devices, online poker sites are working around the clock to create safe mobile apps for players to play real money poker from their home, work and anywhere where WiFi is available.
4 Steps to Playing Online Poker With Android Device
Going from nothing to the start of your first poker hand on your Android tablet or phone is simple. Here are the 4 steps you need to take to get started.
1. Read Reviews of Android Poker Sites
The first thing I recommend doing is reading our reviews. Our reviews cover the important things you need to know to compare and choose the right online poker site. Things like…
- Reputation – Does the poker site have a positive history of happy customers, paying players, a secure platform and fair games? The longer the site has been in business, the better, too.
- Americans – Simple stuff here. Does the poker site accept American players?
- Games – Can you play a variety of games, variations and stakes?
- Deposit Options – How many deposit options are there? Are there fees? Are withdrawals handled in a timely manner?
- Promotions – Are there deposit and reload bonuses for new and existing players? Sometimes there are bonuses specifically for mobile players.
We find the best Android poker apps and do all this research for you. All you need to do is read each review to find the site that appeals to you the most.
2. Sign Up to an Android Poker Site
Once you find a site the next step is to sign up. This is an easy process.
What you need to do is use the links on our page, visit the site and click on the create an account link. I recommend doing this before you download the app (if possible) while on your computer. There are (usually) quite a few fields to fill in, which will be easier to do using a keyboard.
3. Download the Android Poker App
Most real money Android poker sites will have an app. You need to visit their mobile only page to figure out where to get it. Sometimes you’ll download it from the page, and (most) other times the app will be located in the Android store. Once you find the app simply download it to your phone or tablet.
If you’re interested in a site that does not have an Android app, you may also be able to play from your browser (if available).
4. Make a Real Money Deposit
Once you have your account created you’ll want to make a deposit. If you did your homework ahead of time you should have a few banking options to choose from. Pick your deposit method and fill out your details.
And that’s all there is to setting up real money poker on your Android tablet or phone.
Tips for Playing Poker From Your Android Phone / Tablet
If you’ve never played poker on your phone or tablet before then here are some tips to get you started on the right foot.
- Practice with play money first. Since the screen is small it is very easy to make mistakes. You don’t want to accidently play or fold the wrong hand, nor do you want to bet the wrong amount.
- People lose or have their cell phones stolen often. So I recommend changing your password frequently.
- Use a password (lock) on your phone. Many phones let you place a password on your phone to prevent unauthorized users from being able to use your phone.
- Turn auto top-off off. In case you need to stop playing, make a mistake or whatever, you don’t want to automatically reload your stack (for cash games).
- If the poker site provides fractional or percentage based bet buttons, I recommend using those over sliders. They’re easier and quicker to use, and it’s less likely you’ll make a mistake.
Following these tips will make sure your first mobile poker experience is a good one.
Mobile poker is technology’s newest gift to online poker players, enabling them to play real money poker from any location under the sun.
The game of poker has been discovered to date back centuries in the past, but when it comes to the present, it seems that it is bound to exist for just as many years to come.
This pastime of the human civilisation has been able to survive the passage of time due to some of its key qualities. For one, it bears an element of entertainment due to the fact that players need to have developed card skills, bluffing capabilities and an inherent desire to use all this for the sake of winning the card game.
As for the other key feature that seems to have determined the game’s popularity throughout the ages – gambling – proof of its ability to capture people’s attention is evident in multiple studies throughout the years. In fact, the risk factor seems to be one of the players’ main drivers towards the next available poker table.
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As technology started to progress, and all kinds of tech achievements were brought to the fore, it became certain that a lot of segments in human life were bound to change and adapt to the circumstances. The game of poker surprisingly turned out to be one of them, and as computers and all kinds of hardware gadgets were brought to the fore, so the game started to evolve and accept being played on platforms other than the poker table felt.
With the massive rise in mobile device’s popularity, smartphones and tablets became the new unexploited market. Developers soon managed to set the transition from desktop to mobile underway and mobile poker sites and corresponding apps were soon attracting the player pools to their realms.
This shape of the game still abides by the same rules and standards, but there are a few novel considerations which need to be accounted for when choosing to take your seat at a mobile poker site’s table. Reading on, you will learn about the different types of mobile poker sites and services, the way they enable you to enjoy your favourite game and the different features which help you identify those mobile poker sites that offer the best experience.
Types of Mobile Poker Sites
Contents
- Types of Mobile Poker Sites
In order to make the most use of this invention and enjoy it fully, there are a few things that eager poker players will need to be aware of before accessing such platforms and playing poker with the rest of the player pool.
Before we move on to the specific types of mobile poker sites and the features mentioned above, you need to understand the concept of a mobile poker site. This is a form of online service which will operate as soon as you are able to connect to the Internet. Now, once you have established a stable and secure online connection, accessing mobile poker sites can be done in one of two ways, which basically denotes the two types of the service.
The ability to play poker on mobile devices is a boon to poker players who are always on the move. Thanks to the availability of mobile poker rooms and mobile poker applications, poker players can play their favourite games of poker for real money, irrespective of their geographic location.
Web Browser Sites
This is the true form of mobile poker sites – a platform that operates online and can solely be accessed through a web browser. While these mobile poker sites may not require any operative system specifications for the mobile device, you will need to have the appropriate mobile browser in place in order to run the site’s software.
These online website services first appeared with the rise of the Internet, but became even more famous as land-based casinos and poker rooms turned more and more obsolete. Nowadays, they are known as online poker room operators and are considered as just another form of a modern business establishment.
Poker Apps
The second form of these mobile poker sites is known as mobile poker apps. These are practically sites which, aside from their instant-play browser version, offer a downloadable version of their software in the form of a mobile device app. Even if they do not offer any game play on the website as it is, the mobile poker app is bound to offer all the functionalities that are found in the previous type.
While mobile poker sites only required a suitable browser, these mobile apps tend to be constructed for different operative systems. Mobile devices run on many various OSs, but the dominant types include Android and Apple’s iOS systems. Other than these, Windows Phone systems and Blackberry are popular types, but owners of such smartphones and tablets tend to access the mobile poker sites rather than looking for the rarely available inherent apps.
Android mobiles on the one hand, and iPhones and iPads on the other, running mobile poker apps are a common occurrence. They don’t require a lot of maintenance and can be downloaded directly from the operator’s website or through the Apple App Store. The only requirement you are supposed to meet is the operative system’s version – most apps tend to run on all the newer versions of the OS and the corresponding device hardware, but the best way to guarantee your enjoyment in all of the app’s benefits is by checking the exact specifications.
Playing real money Poker on Different Mobile Phones
The online poker industry has only recently realized the amazing potential of mobile poker gaming, owing to which mobile poker is still in its infancy and has a long way to go. The best mobile poker rooms have launched amazing poker applications that can be easily downloaded onto Android, Blackberry, and iOS devices, enabling players to play real money poker on the move.
iPhone : Playing poker on an iPhone can be a delightful experience because the iPhone is packed with innovative features. A large number of online poker rooms have already developed mobile poker applications compatible with iPhones, but the iPhone poker industry is very young and needs to be developed. In future, the poker gaming industry might develop downloadable poker gaming software compatible with the iPhone, enabling players to access all the features of the online poker room on their iPhones.
Currently, a handful of online poker rooms such as PokerStars, Bwin, and Switch Poker offer iPhone poker.
iPad : Playing poker games on an iPad devices is definitely an enhanced experience because of their larger screens and better batteries. Since the iPad battery lasts longer, iPad poker is ideal for poker players who prefer longer cash games and poker tournaments. The above-mentioned online poker rooms are also compatible with the iPad.
Online Poker For Mobile Phone Plans
Android : Although many were skeptical when Google acquired Android Inc in 2005, Android mobile phones became just as popular as iPhones and iPads. Cashing in on the popularity of Android devices, online poker companies became rolling out real money poker apps compatible with Android phones. Today, Android mobile poker is rapidly gaining popularity.
In fact, Android mobile poker is more easily available than iPhone online poker, and Android users in different parts of the world such as UK, Australia, Canada, and US can play real money poker games on their Android phones.
Moreover, Android devices come with touch screens that facilitate smooth game play with awesome graphics, giving players a realistic poker gaming experience.
Blackberry : Today, the market is literally flooded with smartphones at present, Blackberry, which happens to be among the first smartphones launched in 1999, still enjoys a great deal of popularity. Since Blackberry devices are the fifth most popular in the world, a large number of people prefer to play their favorite poker games on their Blackberry devices.
Online Poker For Mobile Phones
Blackberry devices are a hot favorite in the US although people in Australia, UK, and other parts of the world are developing a fondness for these fabulous devices. The poker industry has, therefore, churned out a number of Blackberry mobile poker apps for the benefit of Blackberry users.
Windows Mobile : Although Windows Mobile is not as popular as Blackberry, Android, or iPhone, its latest version called Windows Phone 7 is almost as good as the above mentioned. Playing Windows Mobile Poker is an excellent experience as the device has an excellent touch screen, high resolution, and fast processors, making the mobile poker experience as realistic as possible.
Poker players can find a number of excellent mobile poker rooms and apps compatible with Windows Mobile, and many of them offer great bonuses and lucrative tournaments.
Main Features of Mobile Poker Sites
As mentioned earlier, mobile poker sites are packed with all kinds of features and characteristics which make them as functional as they are. These refer to all different elements that find their place in forming the end product – a mobile poker site.
While some may seem to be less important than others, you need to pay great attention to all of them equally. For example, you need to have at least the standard poker variants and a selection of several different types of player competition events in order to stay with one poker site a longer period of time. However, should the site lack the ability to sustain a stable connection, or simply come packed with too many minute buttons that can cost players dearly, game selection will not suffice on its own.
Evidently so, mobile poker sites have been able to achieve some form of equilibrium. Had operators not been able to do this – the mobile poker industry would probably be non-existing. Now that the situation has a rather positive outlook, and mobile poker is all the more supported by the constant evolution and improvement of mobile devices – smartphones and tablets – all you need to do is identify the separate elements of these software solutions and understand each of their roles in constructing the perfect product.
Poker Licensing & Security
The matter of legalizing and regulating the market presence for this kind of establishments is quite a complex situation, and when it comes to their mobile counterparts, the situation is no different. A large number of governments over the world have specific authoritative bodies that impose strict regulations and requirements for these operators to meet. Should they be able to reach the standards, they are awarded with a license to operate. Nonetheless, such licenses are not irrevocable, and can easily be annulled should the need arise.
When it comes to the specific case of mobile poker sites, these could be inherently dedicated to mobile use or simply provide a mobile-compatible script of the desktop software version. In the first case, the mobile poker site acts as an independent entity and is expected to meet requirements on its own in order to receive proper legal authorization. As for the latter case of a mobile version of the same software, operator and ultimately player pool, players should expect to see a license from the same gambling commission on both platforms.
Security issues, on the other hand, have long been considered a major obstacle for the mobile industry in general, so when mobile poker sites came up, security became a priority. Mobile devices, phones primarily, had a reputation of being susceptible to third party interference, which is why operators were forced to employ even more stringent security measures to ensure such things are virtually impossible. Nowadays, reliable mobile poker sites use SSL encryption to that purpose, along with regular tests and software inspections.
Poker Software Reliability & Fairness
Speaking of software inspections and tests, it is important to mention how indispensible they are to ensuring the software on your mobile poker site (or inherent app) is provably fair. Special independent consulting companies are hired for this purpose, with the intention of checking and proving that every outcome of the card decks is completely random and unpredictable, yet reliable enough to give players a chance at winning, should they play their hand right.
As for the software’s reliability aspect, players need to take into account much more than its plain regularity. Namely, a mobile poker site’s reliability is a multi-factor affair – for one, the site needs to be fully compatible with the device it is intended for, and should any inconsistencies arise, there’s risk of losing the entertainment element. On a different note, the mobile poker site’s reliability also factors in the availability of customer support options and their responsiveness, as well as the site’s interactivity with the players.
Online Poker For Mobile Phones
Mobile Poker Sites Design
While the site needs to be interactive enough in order to be reliable, it can only achieve that if it is well designed and created. Mobile poker sites may appear to be the same to the untrained eye of an amateur occasional player, but the best in the game can tell a good concept from a non-existing one.
The site’s design covers everything from the poker lobby, the tables, cards, felt, all the way to the sound effects, as well as the ability to customize all that in a way that players find fitting. One thing that cannot be customized, yet plays a major role in this segment is the site’s menu. Its accessibility, the way it lists the options as well as the actual consistency of the list are all taken into account for the mobile poker site’s design rating.
On the whole, the best mobile poker design is one that is not noticeable, yet manages to be completely serviceable and pleasing to the eye. While some consider this as an aspect that only operates in the background, the fact that it can seriously obstruct the player’s experience brings the matter to the fore by default.
Mobile Poker Game Selection
Poker players come to mobile poker sites for their irrepressible wish to play some poker when they can’t spare the time at home or at a land-based poker room, meaning that their primary use emphasizes the need for a good and varied game selection.
Still, smaller screens and lesser processing power remain features of mobile devices, thus setting the standard game selection at about two to three variants, which is enough to keep players interested for quite some time. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the omnipresent poker games, but recent releases have seen operators trying to add more vibration to their game selection. Some go so far as to provide the same game selection from their desktop client, which is bound to have a positive effect on the overall progress.
Mobile Poker Player Bonuses & Promos
The pillars of the online gambling industry have just as big an influence on the mobile poker sites rating charts as they do on the whole. In order to appeal to a larger player pool, these operators employ a specific marketing strategy in the form of player bonuses and promotional offers. These aim to reward or incentivize the person to accept the deal and get into the platform, or to keep them in once things get monotonous.
While the entire concept is intended to help the players and encourage them, there is one thing about player bonuses and promos that should be factored in when looking at the big picture. Namely, mobile poker sites offer all kinds of player benefits in these programs, often including real, free cash straight out of their pockets – in order for this to pay off on the long run, it is connected to a string of terms and conditions. Also known as wagering requirements, these bonus terms determine the exact situations and circumstances under which players are able to qualify for the benefit, use it, and pay it back in order to be able to take out their profits.
Conclusion
En masse, a mobile poker site operates as a complex organism that needs all its segments to be just as optimised as the whole in order to provide the best service possible. Now that they have entered the online gaming industry by and large, players are more than ever encouraged to learn all about them. As it seems, they are beginning to appear fully independent and separate of desktop clients, hence, need to be accepted as such and properly evaluated during players’ selection process.