Finding a poker site that works with Linux can be challenging, as most operators do not offer dedicated Linux software. The good news is that Linux users can still play online through a compatible browser, Wine or a dual-boot setup.
Below, you’ll find US-friendly poker sites and an explanation of the different ways to access them on Linux.
Ignition Poker is a trusted, reliable online poker site on the Pai Wang Luo network that offers a wide selection of real money online poker games to US players. You can claim a variety of bonuses when you sign up for the site, including a generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,500. Ignition is well known for having soft games thanks to its recreational player-friendly features, creating an attractive prospect for poker players.
High traffic with active cash games and tournaments.
100% up to $1,000 bonus with tournament tickets.
Fast crypto payments with no fees.
Many tournament options, including PKOs and Sunday Majors.
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
1 Day
BetOnline has been serving online gambling customers since 2001. Its decades of online poker experience and established track record have made BetOnline Poker a popular option for US players.
Bovada Poker, a well-established name in the American online poker scene, stands out for its user-friendly platform and soft competition. With various deposit and withdrawal options, including Bitcoin and credit cards, Bovada offers convenient banking methods. While its promotional offerings may not be the most extensive, its unique features like anonymous tables and fast transaction processing make it a reliable choice for US players seeking an enjoyable online poker experience.
Multiple cryptocurrency deposit and withdrawal options
Good for low-stakes and recreational players
Min Deposit
20
Payout Speed
1-2 days
Sportsbetting.ag offers a robust online poker option with excellent cash game and tournament action. For cash games, they provide weekly cash leaderboards with $10,000 in prizes weekly. They offer over $45,000 in weekday guarantees, over $130,000 in guarantees on Saturday and over $275,000 in guarantees on Sunday. If you like fast-fold poker variants like Zoom Poker, you’ll love Boost Poker. Get a new hand every time you fold in this fast-paced game.
Massive daily & weekly tournament schedule with high guarantees
Daily freerolls & leaderboards for casual players
Fast Bitcoin withdrawals
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
1-24 hours
The new rebranding of ACR Poker makes this site no less a staple in US online poker. Since 2001, the flagship site of the Winning Poker Network has provided a reliable and exciting place for Americans to play poker online.
Black Chip Poker is part of the Winning Poker Network making it one of the largest sites for US players to play online poker for real money. The poker room has been in operation for more than 5 years providing players with excellent support, a variety of cash games and guarantees in addition to smooth payouts. The site is legally licensed in Costa Rica and accept all US players except for those residing in Nevada, Delaware & Washington State.
Beginners Guide to Playing Online Poker on Linux OS
Finding Real Money (Linux) Poker Sites
Finding the right online poker site is important. You want to make sure you sign up to a safe site that has games you enjoy playing and deposit options you can use.
The ideal (and fastest) way to find this site is to use the top list tables and reviews on our site. We handpick the perfect poker sites for players, review them and then share our findings with you. Things we look for include:
A good reputation, satisfied customers and fair games.
A variety of games, variations and stakes. Traffic to these games are just as important, too.
A variety of deposit options, no/small fees, quick processing times and secure transactions.
Generous promotions and reasonable terms.
From here, all that’s left is figuring out what you want. Ask yourself, what games do I want to play, what stakes and what banking methods do I have? Then use our reviews to find the site that’s right for you.
What American (Linux) Poker Players Need to Know
As an American Linux user, finding a compatible poker site isn’t your only problem. You also have the challenge of finding a poker site that accepts US players.
We try to make this easy for you. On our top-list charts and review pages, an American flag or symbol indicates that the site accepts US players. Availability can vary by state, so check the operator’s restrictions and your local laws before signing up.
Credit and debit cards are commonly available because they are convenient and process quickly, but acceptance varies by bank and operator. If a payment is declined, check the site’s cashier for another supported option or contact customer service. Available real money alternatives may include e-wallets, bank transfers, cryptocurrency or money-transfer services.
Options for Linux Operating Systems
Since you’re unlikely to find a download for the Linux operating system, you’ll have to use an alternative method to play online poker. Here are the 3 options you have.
No Download / Browser – No download games, also known as instant play or browser games, give you the opportunity to play from your browser. So with these options, you don’t have to download any software.
The upside to the no download option is that you don’t have to download large files to your computer. It’s also fast to get started — just log in, choose your game and play. You can also play from any computer, so long as it has internet access.
For most Linux users, browser-based poker is the simplest option. Modern instant-play clients generally use HTML5 or similar browser technology, so they do not require Java or Flash. Availability and features can vary by operator, so confirm that the site is working on your browser before depositing.
Install Wine – Wine is a program that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux (and other) operating systems. It’s not quite an emulator though. It doesn’t simulate the operating system(s), but translates Windows API on the fly. This means faster, more reliable performance. That’s important for online poker.
Using Wine, you can download the poker site’s software to your computer. Wine may work with some Windows poker clients, but compatibility varies by operator, client update and Linux distribution. A browser-based HTML5 client is usually the easier option when it’s available. However, Wine is free, and if you would like to try it, you can get it here.
Dual Boot – Your last option is to set up a dual boot system. Dual booting is having more than one operating system installed on the same hard drive. Once setup, whenever you turn on your computer you’ll have the option for which operating system to use. When you want to play poker, you can boot into Windows, then return to Linux for your other tasks.
That said, dual booting might not be right for you. You need to know what you’re doing when it comes to setting it up on your computer. It also takes up more space on your hard drive, and can take longer to boot up.
Cliff Spiller is a casino and sports enthusiast with nineteen-plus years of experience as a writer and editor. He’s blogged about US casino and sports betting news for several prominent gaming sites. Along the way, he’s written for OddsShark, NJ.com, SportingNews.com, PlayUSA, LegalSportsReport and many more.
