In the past decade, online poker has surged in popularity. In fact, there are now more people than ever before playing poker online and competing in online poker tournaments.
At the same time, mobile technology has advanced leaps and bounds. It should be no surprise then that the two have come together to create a highly exciting and lucrative mobile gambling opportunity.
Mobile poker does what it says on the tin and allows you to play poker games on the go. What’s more, in the past few years mobile poker has improved so much that it’s now comparable not only to poker games you can play on desktop, but poker games you’d play in a land-based casino venue too.
Learn More about Mobile Poker
On this page, you can learn everything you need to know to get started playing mobile poker. We’ll be discussing:
- Which types of poker games can be played on mobile
- What the advantages of playing mobile poker are
- What to look for in the best mobile poker sites
- How to play mobile poker for free
What Types of Mobile Poker Can You Play?
The overwhelming popularity of mobile poker means that there are plenty of different types of poker games to pick and choose from. 
Essentially, mobile poker fans have two options:
- They can sign up to a regular mobile casino and enjoy poker games there
- They can sign up to a specialized mobile poker site
Many casual poker players may wish to sign up to a regular mobile casino where they can also play slots and other classic poker games. Those who are solely interested in poker, however, may want to join a mobile cardroom where tournaments and competitions are offered.
Mobile Poker Variants
Depending on which option you pick from above, you will be greeted by plenty of different mobile poker variants. Below we’ve highlighted three main types of mobile poker games.
- Video Poker – Played against a computer
- Live Dealer Poker – Played against a professionally trained croupier
- Classic Online Poker – Played against other players, each logging in online
Of the three types mentioned above, you’ll also come across different poker games. These different types refer to variations in rules. Popular mobile variants include
- Texas Hold ‘Em
- Casino Hold ‘Em
- Omaha Poker
- Seven Card Stud
- Draw Poker
Mobile Poker Formats
As if you didn’t already have enough choice, it’s worth bearing in mind that there are also different formats of poker games, which describe how the game is run.
Below you can find out more about the most popular mobile poker formats.
Cash Games
Cash games (also known as ring games) are the most traditional formats of mobile and online poker. In these games, you play with chips which directly relate to cash amounts. As such, once you have your chips, you’re free to cash out at the end of any round.
Cash games are perfect for those who want to play a quick game.
Poker Tournaments
In mobile poker tournaments, you pay a set buy-in amount and receive a stack of chips. Like traditional poker games, if these chips run out, you’re out of the game. The winner is the player who collects everybody else’s chips.
Tournaments are very popular, as they offer a competitive aspect. What’s more, they can boast huge prize pools so it’s easy to see their appeal.
Sit and Go Games
Sit and go poker games are like small tournaments. As the name suggests, they are fast-paced and allow players to jump into tournaments without having to wait around to play.
These games take much less time than regular tournaments, however, they also offer smaller prize pools.
What are the Advantages of Playing Mobile Poker?
There are many benefits to playing poker on a mobile device. Below we’ve listed just a few of the main advantages, but we’re sure when you start playing you’ll find many more things you love about mobile poker too.
It’s Convenient
The main advantage of playing mobile poker is that it’s exceptionally convenient and accessible. As mobile poker can be played on the go, you can enjoy it wherever, and whenever you want. So, for example, on the train to work, on the sofa, in the pub…
It’s Perfect for Beginners
Poker can seem like an intimidating game. It’s hugely competitive and many prospective players get put off by its intensity. However, by playing on mobile, you avoid all of this.
When playing poker on your mobile phone, you don’t need to meet any of the players in real life, nor do you need to enter a daunting setting. This makes it easier to relax and makes it perfect for beginners.
It Suits All Budgets
Thanks to the huge array of mobile poker games there are, there’s something to suit everybody’s playing styles and budgets. Whilst many people may consider poker to be an expensive game, games online can start for as little as 1p.
Moreover, many mobile poker tournaments will have lower buy-in rates than brick-and-mortar venues. This already makes mobile poker more budget-friendly and that’s even before you consider what it would cost to travel to a land-based venue.
What to Look for in a Mobile Poker Site
When looking for a mobile poker site to play at, there are a plethora of different criteria you need to pay attention to. Below we’ve listed some of the features which make for a great mobile poker site.
Up to date technology and software- SSL encryption to keep your transactions safe
- An array of customer support options
- A high volume of players
- A wide variety of poker games and formats
- Generous bonuses and promotions
- Tournaments which suit your budget
- Multiple banking methods for both deposits and withdrawals
- A native mobile app for your device (iOS or Android)
Up to date technology and softwareWhilst all of the things mentioned above are very important, you do need to work out which features are most important to you. Then, you can decide which are worth compromising on too.
For example, if you want to enjoy playing mobile poker for free, you may wish to look for a site with a great welcome bonus. However, these sites may not offer big prize pools for their tournament games.
Should I Play Mobile Poker on a Site or an App?
In general, we’d highly recommend finding a mobile poker site or casino which offers a native downloadable app. Although you can simply load up a site in your mobile browser, many of the features may not be available to you.
What’s more, a native app will allow you to experience a much smoother performance. Downloadable apps are created to suit your specific device (for example, Android or iOS), and so you can expect the games to load faster and run better.
Can I Play Mobile Poker for Free?
Yes! One of the best things about mobile poker is that many mobile poker sites and apps allow you to play for free. In fact, free play is often encouraged as it allows you to get to grips with the layout of the specific game and which buttons to press.