Best Live Poker Casinos in 2025

Joker is the name, and poker is the game Chris de Burgh sang in his magnum opus song, ‘Spanish Train’. The song describes a game of poker between the Lord and the devil, who are playing for the highest possible stakes - not money, but souls - as they travel on a train en route to Seville. I love the tension in the song, created by the suspense of the poker game itself. Can the devil beat the Lord’s hand (a straight, composed of 9, 10, J, and Q of spades, plus an 8 of diamonds)? Well, the devil cheats by slipping an Ace from beneath his cloak, and that first hand doesn’t end too well.

Poker is a game that has inspired many novels, songs, paintings, and movies. Most people associate James Bond with the game, probably thanks to the Casino Royale movie starring Daniel Craig (Bond plays No-Limit Texas Hold'em in that movie, if you’re wondering). A personal favorite of mine is Guy Ritchie’s Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which starts with an illegal poker game that goes south. In art, Dogs Playing Poker is a series of paintings started in 1894 by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, portraying dogs sitting around a table playing poker.

Before the No Limit Texas Hold’em and before any type of online poker, there were other poker games that evolved slowly over hundreds of years. The true origin of poker seems to be lost in time, and there are several different theories out there. You’ll find some that say that modern poker sprouted out of a domino card game played by a 10th-century Chinese emperor. Others are convinced that we owe 16th-century Persians and their “As Nas” card game for the game we play today. In France, "Poque" was a card game played in the 17th century, and the Germans played a similar game, which they called "Pochen". Historians say these were both based on the 16th-century Spanish game "Primero", a card game played with three cards and lots of bluffing.

Eventually, Poque traveled to North America with French colonists who settled in New Orleans and the surrounding area. The game caught on quickly, with English-speaking settlers Anglicizing Poque to Poker. The game mechanics changed as well, becoming more similar to how modern poker is played.

At its core, Poker today hasn’t changed much - you sit down at a poker table (virtual or real), and you’re dealt cards. You make bets on the value of the cards combo in your hand, and the best hand wins the round.

Easy.

Or not.

Because poker is much more than that. There’s a whole psychology behind it, and when players play it for high stakes, the tension can become extreme (have a look at our Poker Psychology Guide for a deeper dive into the subject). There are also a number of variants, with the differences being mainly the way the cards are dealt and the value of some winning hands. But I’ll get into that later.

Poker has come a long way since its inception hundreds of years ago. It's a game played by millions around the globe. Some play it for fun, and some have made a profession out of it. When poker became available online, it evolved once again because real money poker became accessible to millions of people who did not have the ability or the means to go to land-based casinos or poker rooms in their country.

Live poker online is pretty much the same as the poker you'd play at a casino or during a poker night with friends at home. The only difference is that the game happens virtually, using streaming technologies. The dealer is in a studio, in front of a camera, and thanks to a high-quality live stream, you and other players can connect from wherever you are in the world to virtually sit at that table.

Multi-Tabling: An Online Poker Feature

Live dealer online poker opened the doors to another form of real-money gambling - multi-table poker. This is certainly one of the biggest advantages online poker has over traditional live poker. Players are able to play at multiple online poker tables at once. Professional poker players have seized this opportunity to make more money from online games. Playing at two to four tables simultaneously is, in fact, a common practice among players who want to increase their winning rates. Multi-tabling can also help you improve quickly – although, of course, there are also risks associated with this practice.

If you’re wondering how live poker online compares to playing poker in other formats – regular online games or sitting at a casino table – here’s a quick rundown. Live dealer poker actually combines aspects of both online and in-person play. The table below highlights the major differences:

As you can see, live dealer poker online sits in a happy middle between traditional online poker and live in-person poker. It gives you the convenience and flexibility of online play with a touch of the realism and human interaction of live play. For many, that means the best of both worlds – you can enjoy a real dealer and authentic gameplay without the downsides of travel or feeling out of place.

Live dealer poker brings together the comfort of online gaming with the authenticity of live casino poker. This is what makes it special:

• Less Intimidating for Beginners: Playing live poker online is a great way to start if a real casino feels daunting. You still get a real dealer dealing real cards, but you can play it from wherever you are. There’s no crowd watching and no seasoned pro staring you down from across the table. You can take your seat with confidence.
• Real Social Interaction, Minus the Hassle: Unlike pure video poker or RNG games, live dealer poker lets you interact via chat. You can joke with the dealer and celebrate wins, bringing a social element to the game. Yet, you won’t encounter the potential awkwardness or distractions of a physical table. It’s social, but on your terms – you can always mute the chat if you prefer focus, or enjoy banter when you feel like it.
• Casino Atmosphere at Home: The live HD video stream delivers the casino atmosphere to your screen – the cards, chips, and dealer are all real. It feels like being at a casino table. For players who miss that authentic vibe but can’t travel to a casino frequently, this is a perfect solution. You get the thrill of a casino night from your couch, whether it’s day or midnight.
• Ultimate Convenience and Availability: With live online poker, there’s no dress code, no commute, and no waiting for a seat. You can jump into a live game in seconds. It’s available to you wherever and whenever you want to play. Busy schedule? You can play a quick hand or two on your phone. No local casinos nearby? No problem – the dealer comes to you. This level of ease is something traditional live poker can’t offer.

Online live dealer poker has benefits over the land-based version of the game. For starters, you don't need to wait to get a place at the table. You can access the live dealer poker game from wherever you are, as long as you have a stable internet connection. The number of live dealer poker games available online is quite staggering. This means you'll always find a table available.

Plus, the best live poker sites offer bonuses and promotions to help boost your budget. They will also provide you with a range of casino payment options with which to fund your online casino account. The most common options are usually e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill, and others), credit or debit cards (such as VISA and MasterCard), and bank transfers. Other methods that are becoming increasingly popular are cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin and Ethereum) and PayPal.

You’ll find all the popular poker variants in live format at the top online casinos I recommend, including:

Features Unique To Live Poker Online

Live dealer casino games come with several unique elements you cannot get when playing virtual or land-based poker. These key features bring live poker to life and encourage you to have a great time while implementing a live online poker strategy and betting on casino games. 

• Poker in Real Time with Human Dealers: You play in real time and watch as the action unfolds. You play against real dealers and have authentic gameplay experiences.
• Multi-tabling: You can play at more than one online poker table simultaneously. 
• Enjoy Live Dealer Poker Games at Any Time/Place: Live poker online is always available, allowing you to play whenever and wherever you want.
• Modern Technology: Leading software providers like NetEnt, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution use cutting-edge tech to deliver beautiful streams in Full HD or 4K.
• Live Chat Feature: To add to the realism, live casino games have a chat feature that allows you to converse with the dealer and other players in real time.
• Live Dealer Bonuses: Casino bonuses help you to keep your bankroll longer. Live dealer bonuses and promos allow you to play live poker to claim a reward.
• Fair Live Dealer Poker Games: As you can see the action in real-time, you can see that the online poker games are fair, and there is no direct influence from the casino/dealer.

To increase your chances of success in live dealer poker, there are a few simple yet effective strategies you can use. I won't go into too much detail here because this subject is covered better in our comprehensive guide to online poker strategy which will help you enhance your online poker skills. Still, I think that these tiny tips can significantly improve your odds of making a good performance when you try live dealer poker online:

• Target Limpers: Limping is a common strategy in live dealer poker, as many players are cautious and simply call the first round of bets. By raising against limpers, you can force weaker players to fold and pick up easy pots.
• Select Your Table Carefully: With a wide range of live dealer poker tables available online featuring different variations and betting limits, it’s crucial to choose a table that matches your bankroll, stakes, and experience. This ensures you make the most of your playing funds.
• Know When to Fold: Folding may not be the most exciting part of poker, but it’s a vital skill for protecting your bankroll. Learning to fold at the right times will help you stay in the game longer.
• Don't bluff too much: Play your cards well instead of trying to bluff your opponents out of hands. Bluffing is part of the game, but you should learn when to use it.
• Master Hand Rankings: By memorizing hand rankings, you’ll always know where you stand in a game, allowing you to make informed decisions without hesitation. This knowledge is essential to successful play.
• Manage Your Bankroll: The golden rule of live online poker is to never wager more than you can afford to lose. Establish a budget and stick to it, no matter what!

Respect towards the dealer and other players is crucial to creating a pleasant online atmosphere. Here are a few tips that are worth thinking about when sitting at a virtual live dealer poker table online.

Respect the Live Chat Box

The chat feature of live dealer online poker rooms is great for casual conversation about poker and other topics. However, it shouldn't be used to criticize other players or brag about your skills. Your fellow players aren’t interested in hearing how great you think you are or how poorly you think they played. Remember that behind the screen, they’re real people. Using the chat box for rude or irritating comments serves no purpose and might even make you a target for others. Chatting during a game is a privilege, not a right. Moderators can easily revoke your access if you misuse it.

Avoid Talking About Folded Hands

Just like a traditional game of poker, when playing online, it's best to stay quiet about your cards if you've folded them, especially while others are still in the hand. Revealing your folded cards can give remaining players an unfair advantage by hinting at what might not appear on the board. Sharing such information, whether in live or online poker, is generally considered poor form.

Stay Engaged at the Table

When it’s your turn to act, online poker platforms usually give you plenty of time to make a decision. While you shouldn't rush your choices, be mindful of the time you take. Consistently letting the clock run down before every move can become frustrating for the other players. Pay attention to the game and try to act promptly when possible.

Because many people love playing live poker online, you don’t need to look far to find an online casino with live dealer poker tables. Even so, my colleagues and I want you to play live poker at top-tier casino sites, the very best available online. With our decades of collective experience in the casino industry, we have found top live casinos that poker players will love. Not only do we recommend sites with poker games, but the strict testing process also means we highlight the most reputable live poker casinos. When you compare casino sites on this page, all operators have been checked for the following criteria:

• Live-dealer Poker Game variety: We are all-in on showing you casinos with the best live poker games from leading software providers.
• Live Poker Streaming quality: Each casino is put through its paces to ensure live streams have no lag and the resolution is available at the highest quality (Full HD or 4K).
• Live Casino Licensing and Safety: Gambling authorities provide casino licenses. You will never see a casino make our list that does not have a license from a respected authority. We also ensure operators use encryption technology and allow their live games to be tested for fairness.
• Live Poker Bonuses: Don’t forget to grab casino bonuses at the sites we recommend. Our team looks for big promotions that have favorable terms and conditions.
• Deposit options for Live Poker: You deserve to deposit/withdraw using secure and diverse payment methods. We find the casinos with the broadest selection of debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and prepaid cards.
• Mobile Live Poker Experience: If you are one of the millions of people who now play poker exclusively on mobile, we have the casino for you. Each site we review is rated for its mobile experience, including the casino application (if available).