Introducing online poker in New Jersey: Everything You Need to Know

Everyone knows that New Jersey is one of the most popular states for online poker, as it’s a state that has many players who enjoy this type of game (and other casino games, besides). It has always prided itself in being a pioneer in the gaming landscape, particularly when it comes to online casinos - which naturally brings us to online poker.

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📖 Published on: June 15th, 2023

✍️ Updated: 7 months ago

⏳ 25 mins read

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But not everybody may be aware that the state also shares cash flow (freeway player pools) with Delaware and Nevada, allowing players from all three states to compete. There’s no doubt that NJ online poker is a great way to enjoy quality time with friends and family while also getting the unique chance to earn extra money. If you’ve always been a good card player, poker is a great way to pass the time, not to mention double - or even triple - your earnings! You just have to know when to play your cards right, as they say.

With NJ online poker, the coolest part is you can easily find games that are perfect for your skill level and playing style. Aside from this, all participating NJ online poker sites offer mobile apps that allow you to play on the go without missing a beat – and the sites themselves offer an impressive range of bet types and pot size options. But there is more on offer in poker NJ sites than just high-quality games. For example, users can get bonuses and cashback rewards. So what else makes online poker in NJ different from the rest?

 

The best online poker sites in New Jersey: What makes them different?

It’s clear to see that New Jersey online poker offers you the safety measures you need and the security features that keep your private information private. As a result, playing NJ online poker is just as safe as playing poker in person in Atlantic City. It’s even better, in fact, because you have the added convenience of playing at any time, from anywhere, in the Garden State.

A total of six NJ online poker sites launched on November 21, 2013. Unfortunately, two have since closed their doors, but four others have been fully licensed and have opened in the state since then. After laying low for a few years, especially during the beginning, the state became a much more active market in 2020 (spurred on by the ongoing pandemic) and has since stayed at the top of the real-money online poker industry. Poker NJ is worth checking out if you want to take your game up a notch or have fun in the evenings with friends. Either way, you win on both ends!

Here’s the thing about real-money poker sites: they are made for people who would rather play on their phones rather than on desktops or laptops.

NJ online poker

As a result, you'll find simple gameplay features and easy-to-navigate tournament lobbies on the small screen, and one-handed movements and quick finger movements are some examples of these. Almost everything you can imagine on personal computer software is now on the New Jersey online poker apps. You can get a better idea of what's going on from the lobby and sideboards, and you can navigate upward and downward to identify event tables and other alternatives. NJ online poker players will find all the games and events they yearn to have together with a secure and confidential method for handling their accounts and game records. New Jersey online poker apps also have a lot of features that desktop versions of the game need, like sit-and-go, quick-play, jackpot-style SnGs (Spin & Gos, Blast Poker), freerolls, and free poker. Indeed, in many ways, poker on-the-go and poker apps have quickly trumped classic poker, offering more freebies and rewarding gameplays the more you spend time on them.

Benefits of online poker in NJ

 

Skill-based

Players can easily learn to play NJ online poker by playing low-stakes games for cents or even for a trial version before moving on to higher-stakes games as their skills improve.

 

Convenient and Easy

NJ online poker makes playing online poker convenient and easy. For example, you can play anywhere inside the entire state of New Jersey without leaving your home. You can also play poker with a network of other players from Nevada and Delaware with just a few clicks - imagine the exciting possibilities!

 

Games offered

Poker rooms in New Jersey provide more variety than traditional brick-and-mortar NJ poker rooms, giving players more options for the games they want. Rather than just stick to a classic Texas Hold’em game, you can choose other variations, from Omaha and more, depending on your skill (and mood).

 

Variety

Poker NJ offers a variety of great bonuses and promotions designed specifically for online players. These include (but are not limited to) free spins on best slots and exclusive cashback opportunities when you make your first deposit.

 

Learning the Ropes

Playing poker NJ online allows you to conquer your greatest fears - including apprehension or hesitancy. For instance, you can begin by playing low-stakes games for pennies or even free web poker before moving on to higher-stakes games and taking bigger risks with more prizes as your confidence grows.

 

Lower Rake

Cash games and tournaments at NJ online poker sites can even be an excellent way for players with a lower bankroll to enjoy the game. Plenty of sites offer free play, which allows players to learn the basics of the game and how each site works. Additionally, cash games and tournaments start at only pennies, making them an affordable option for those starting in poker and making their way up the ladder. In other words, you can start small, and as your confidence and skills grow, so will your rewards.

 

Money management

It's easy for those who play poker in NJ at home to log out following a losing session and do something different - it’s better to take a break for a while so you can clear your head, as the pros know very well. If you've traveled a long way, stepping away from the action may be simpler when blinking lights and vibrant color chips in a real casino do not surround you.

 

No download or registration

Lastly, it is optional to download the application or software to wager in the NJ poker tournament. You don’t have to wait long; you can dive into the action right away.

 

Online poker bonus codes

The primary reason why NJ poker players go back to New Jersey online poker sites time and time again is the bonuses. NJ online poker bonus codes aim to bring in new players and reward them for playing on the site. Since all online poker sites in New Jersey need to stay competitive against one another, it’s only natural that they all have their promotional offers. Note that all offers, however, fall within one of the following categories:

 

Coupon codes for No Deposit Bonuses

First off, players get free money just for signing up for virtual poker in NJ when they use no-deposit codes. Basically, when you sign up for an account, you can get this bonus even without making a deposit.

 

First-Deposit Bonus

Secondly, most legal poker sites in NJ provide a deposit-match bonus. This bonus is usually double your first deposit, giving you half your money and the other half in bonus funds. It’s a sweet deal if you ask us!

 

Bonus for Reloading

There’s also a bonus you can get for reloading, but they're usually smaller than the welcome bonus. The match bonus on the first deposit is the same as the reload bonus. It doesn't apply when you first join but when you "reload your bankroll." Remember that a different bonus code will be needed whenever there is a reload bonus.

 

Freerolls

One of the best ways to get better at poker without putting your money at risk is to play "cash" games or tournaments online for free. What are they, and how do they work? Freerolls are sales promotion tournaments with real money pots that are accessible for free. For example, the "Start-Up Freeroll" is open to all first-time depositors. But it's worth noting that all online poker sites in New Jersey have tournaments every day, every week, and every month, so you can play many kinds of free poker online - In fact, the hardest thing you have to figure out at this point is what game is best for you.

 

Leaderboard prize pools

Leaderboard prize pools ensure that everyone has a chance to win some substantial cash prizes. Most NJ online poker rooms also offer weekly, monthly, and annual leaderboard tournaments. Players who finish within the top 15% of the tournament at these events can gain points, adding to their total score. At the end of the promotion period, the player with the most points at the end of the sales season gets a percentage of the prize pool.

Depositing and withdrawing your money

Signing up for an online poker account is very easy, particularly if the state has been fully licensed, like New Jersey. And many real-money poker sites let users make withdrawals and deposits in various ways. They include in-person and online transactions using the most up-to-date technology for payment processing. It’s much like making a purchase online - with the only difference being you have to verify that you are of legal age, which in NJ is 21.

 

Online bank transfer

Bank transfers are the most direct deposit and cash-out methods at NJ online poker websites. You can use your online banking login to transfer money to and from your NJ online poker account, and that's it. The only reason you may not want to use this method is if you want to keep your regular finances separate from your online gambling finances, which can help you track your spending better.

 

Card PlayPlus

PlayPlus, commonly written as Play+, is a popular way for people in New Jersey to deposit and withdraw money from online casinos. PlayPlus worked with all of the legal sites in New Jersey to make an easy-to-use web wallet and a physical card. So, you can put your winnings on your PlayPlus card and use them to buy things or play games online.

 

Skrill

The rest of the world knows Skrill is one of the best ways to pay for a poker New Jersey virtual account, though it is less famous in the United States, especially compared to PayPal. Nevertheless, Skrill is a fantastic e-wallet accepted at almost all New Jersey online gambling sites.

 

Neteller

Netteller is also an excellent electronic wallet that online gamblers from all over the world like to use. It has some of the same features as PayPal, but it is better known outside the United States. A word of caution, though: before you sign up for an online poker room, make sure it accepts your card.

 

Cash at the Casino Cage

Cash at the Casino Cage is a quick and secure way to add money to your New Jersey online poker account. Just bring your Poker NJ account information, a photo ID, and the cash you want to deposit. At the cashier's desk, all online casinos in New Jersey take cash, and you can also get your money out in cash.

 

Debit Cards

Because they allow you to transfer money directly from your bank account to your electronic wallet, debit cards are a convenient means of payment for online poker in New Jersey. However, a word to the wise: a debit card is rarely an option for cashing out, so you'd need to change your banking method to get your winnings. Also, banks that give out debit cards often turn them down as a part of their automated system to stop fraud.

 

PayNearMe

Another payment method that works is PayNearMe, and you can quickly and easily add money to your online gambling account using this. Just go to a store that works with PayNearMe, like 7-Eleven or Walmart, and show the teller your receipt. The funds will reflect almost immediately in your account wallet. PayNearMe makes it easy to keep track of your betting progress without waiting for bank transfers or check deposits to reflect on your account.

 

Credit Cards

After all the better payment methods available, here’s one that’s not recommended. Using credit cards to make deposits in online New Jersey poker rooms is not a good idea. All the funds added to gambling accounts are processed as cash rather than a standard credit card purchase. Plus, issuing banks will often reject these transactions, much like debit cards. So your best bet is something other than a credit card; online bank transfers or a regular check deposit can suffice.

 

ACH/eCheck

ACH stands for "Automated Clearing House." It is a way to digitally send funds from one account to another bank account through a third party (a clearing house). It's a lot like signing up for direct deposit since you must enter your account number and routing number to move money to and from the gambling site. As a matter of fact, ACH is one of the most popular ways for New Jersey poker players to put money into their accounts. As long as you have your banking information, adding an ACH payment option is easy and quick. ACH is a perfect fit when you don't have time to wait for a traditional wire transaction.

Is it legal to play online poker in New Jersey?

NJ poker image

Now this is a question that may seem clear to some expert players, but other players (especially newbies!) are understandably confused. Here’s what you should know from the get-go: the bill that Governor Christie signed into law on February 26, 2013, was about online gambling. Online poker was officially launched in November of 2013. This law legalizes online poker in NJ as long as the player meets all of the state's requirements. These requirements include the following:

  • Gamers should have attained the legal drinking age in the United States (which is 21),
  • Gamers must possess a driver's license that is not expired, and
  • Gamers must never have committed an offense that led to a ban from gambling in the past.

One thing you should note is that it has never been a rule to possess New Jersey residency, but it is imperative to be in the NJ axis when you want to wager. So what does this mean? It means that even tourists in NJ can play online poker - but they need to be within state lines in order to do so. NJ is very strict about this, too - it can learn a phone’s IP address and does triangulation to determine if the phone or tablet is within New Jersey jurisdiction. In terms of revenue, all NJ online poker sites must pay a 15 percent tax on gross revenue (i.e., before any rake or bonuses). The tax gives operators a good financial reason to run their businesses responsibly and follow DGE rules.

NJ online poker tournaments

Players who play New Jersey poker online every week can choose from dozens of great tournaments offered in the state. Poker tournaments in New Jersey give online poker players a great chance to make money by playing high-stakes games. Not only do poker tournaments in NJ have excellent prizes, but they also have low entry fees. Even if you are a new player, you can play at some of the best-paying tables on the internet. So if you're looking for an exciting (and lucrative) way to spend your Sunday afternoon, check out one of NJ's many great tournaments listed below.

 

Sit & Go tournament

Sit-and-go tournaments are suitable for players who would like to have fun in a short amount of time. These small tournaments usually have No Limit Texas Hold'em, and the buy-ins start at $1.

No Limit Texas Hold'em is the most popular online poker game in New Jersey, and almost every online poker site has it, at least on the surface. But players can also go for other Sit & Go tournaments, such as Pot Limit Omaha.

Another fun way to play fast-paced poker is in a Jackpot Sit & Go tournament. The blinds move quickly in these three-handed events, and the stakes are low. But players could win a lot more money if the wheel spins a certain way before the game starts. What’s more, these short games are great for playing on a phone or tablet, so if you’re waiting for a friend or family member at the dentist’s office or just want to kick back and relax in a coffee shop, these Sit & Go tournaments are ideal.

 

Cash games

No Limit Texas Hold'em is the most popular cash game (by far!) in NJ online poker, and almost every online site in NJ began as a Texas Hold'em poker site. During most of the day, the NJ Online Poker Cash game could be found with blinds ranging from 1-2 cents to $1-$2. There are six-max and full-ring tables, and the blinds can change during peak times. For example, in Pot Limit Omaha and Pot Limit Omaha High/Low, the blind could range between one cent to one dollar. You could even play seven-card and seven-card stud high/low in NJ poker tournaments when the action is slow.

 

Freerolls and free poker

Freerolls and no-cost poker is the most exciting game for players, owing to the fact that the stakes are lesser than in a classical casino. To master the poker game, you could play with low stakes and participate in complimentary tournaments. In addition, many New Jersey online poker sites offer freerolls for both new and old players. These let you play and strengthen your new capital base without splurging your funds - best of all, they’re plenty entertaining, too.

 

Shared player pool

The region of NJ shares cash flow (a virtual mesh of freeways among gamers) with Nevada and Delaware. MSIGA (the Multi-State Online Gaming Agreement) removed the barrier around MI state virtual poker on January 1, 2023. The Wolverine community joined the league gamblers from Nevada, NJ, and Delaware in the player pools. Gamers continue to flock to the Wolverine State, and a boom in the virtual poker community is expected soonest because MI got a million more residents than New Jersey. What’s even more exciting is that a high payout and more games may appear in NJ online poker soon. All online poker sites in New Jersey are regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), so DGE ensures that all online poker NJ websites are safe and closely monitored.

Live poker

When it comes to live poker in New Jersey, Atlantic City is the place to be. But a close second in New Jersey Live Poker is all about playing NJ online live games. The site has real money games and tournaments, so it's great for people who want something fun and challenging in their spare time. Also, the real money online poker New Jersey site has unique features like cashback rewards on all in-game purchases, tournaments, and events that are only open to registered people. In addition, the NJ Unit of Gaming Enforcement decides on licenses and rules for casinos, so these let you play and strengthen your capital base without blowing through all your funds.

 

History of New Jersey Poker

Gambling has existed in the state of New Jersey since time immemorial. Close to the end of the 18th century, residents of New Jersey introduced the first poker game. As you may have imagined, it quickly became a favorite there! But people mistakenly think that NJ Poker history is how modern poker spread to the rest of the world. Yes, even though other states have won championships or become world-famous experts at this popular pastime, no state can claim to have been more influential than New Jersey during its formative years when everything began. NJ was at the forefront of everything, from developing new rules and techniques through to game innovation to molding the world tournament as it is today.

New Jersey in 70s image

The New Jersey Casino Control Act was passed by the people of New Jersey in 1976. It was supposed to go into effect in the next year, 1977. True enough, gambling became legal in 1977. In 1978, Atlantic City bloomed and blossomed, becoming a mecca of gambling in the northeastern portion of the United States, and we haven't looked back since.

Meanwhile, Jersey lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 2578, which legalized online gambling in the state. Gov. Chris Christie passed the bill into law in October of 2013. NJ online poker real money was officially launched in November of 2013; in turn, many casinos applied for licenses, got them, and opened poker sites in the state.

In addition, the Shared Player Pool for Online Poker came to pass in May of 2018, and due to the shared tri-state player pool, players on the New Jersey network can now pit their wiles and skills against players in Delaware and Nevada.

In the latest news, New Jersey’s Shared Liquidity with Michigan came into effect in January of 2023 Online poker is still legal in New Jersey, and several sites in the Garden State permit gamers to wager on cash games and tournaments. All poker rooms also got their licenses from casinos. But the best piece of news to come out of the state thus far is the announcement that it has once again renewed its gaming license, and online poker sites (and all manner of online casino games, at that) can keep on running - and captivating players from all walks of life - well into 2028.

FAQ

Can I open a poker room in New Jersey?

All NJ poker sites need a license from the Casino Control Commission, and all poker rooms also need licenses from casinos.

How can one deposit at any real money sites?

All the prominent means of payment for poker sites in New Jersey are accepted. These are: Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards, Locations of PayNearMe (cash deposits), Online bank transfer, Echeck, PayPal, Skrill. You can also deposit at the cage of a partner land-based casino.

How do New Jersey poker sites let you cash out or get your money?

There are fewer ways to take money out of New Jersey poker sites than to put money into them. Here are a few cashout methods: Online bank transfer, Echeck, PayPal, Skrill, If you withdraw at the kiosk of the other poker room, you can get your funds in cash.

How old do you have to be to play poker in New Jersey?

You must have attained the drinking age in the United States, i.e., 21 years old, before you can legally participate in any gambling activity in the Garden State.

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