NJ Real Money Online Poker

New Jersey real money online poker is as popular as ever, with NJ players having several different online poker sites from which to choose. You can play cash games, tournaments, sit-n-go’s and more, and even compete for World Series of Poker bracelets in New Jersey on your computer or mobile device. Here’s an overview of how to get started playing NJ real money online poker with information about available sites and what to expect once you log in to play.

Best NJ online poker sites for real money in 2024

How to play real money poker in New Jersey

New Jersey is one of just a handful of states that have legalized real money online poker. In order to play at NJ online poker sites, you must be at least 21 years old and physically located within New Jersey. The sites use geolocation software to ensure players are indeed within state lines when playing real money games, much like NJ online casinos and NJ online sportsbooks do.

We go over the different NJ online poker sites in some detail below. While we have tested all of them and can share different reasons to recommend each of the online poker room, we encourage you to research the sites yourself. Check out NJ online poker site reviews, including ours here at PlayNJ, and take a look at the sites themselves to get familiar with the software, game selection, stakes, promotions, and more.

Once you have selected a site on which to play, you’ll need to create an account and deposit funds before you can start playing real money online poker games. When creating an account, you’ll be asked to provide some personal information, including:

• full name
• email address
• physical address
• phone number
• date of birth
• last four digits of your Social Security Number

You might have to provide further information for verification purposes, including uploading a photo ID. Remember also when registering your account to use any bonus code such as are listed above in order ensure you receive the site’s welcome offer(s).

Top NJ online poker sites for real money in 2024

Right now there are five real money online poker sites in New Jersey where you can play:

• WSOP.com
• BetMGM Poker
• PokerStars
• PartyPoker
• Borgata Poker

After thoroughly testing all of the sites, we rate the following three as our favorite NJ online poker sites for real money. Each has different merits and reasons for earning our recommendation.

1. WSOP.com

WSOP.com is a reliable site in multiple areas including promotions, software, and tournament selection. One big positive at WSOP.com NJ is the fact that the site shares a player pool with both the Michigan and Nevada WSOP online poker sites. That means increased “player liquidity” which translates into more cash games running and bigger fields and prize pools in tournaments. That’s especially great when the site runs special World Series of Poker events as well, including WSOP Online Bracelet events.

New sign-ups at WSOP.com NJ should use bonus code NJWSOP to receive several benefits thanks to the site’s multi-part welcome offer. First, with their first deposit they receive a 100% deposit match worth up to $1,000. They also get $100 in Bonus Play after making that first deposit. On top of that, WSOP.com NJ players get 7 Spins on the Winner Spinner Wheel where they can win even more prizes, and they additionally get a free entry into a $10K WSOP Main Event seat drawing. 

Both the desktop client and the WSOP.com NJ poker app are well designed and user-friendly. The site as a whole received a major upgrade in May 2024, getting rid of the old platform that had been used ever since the site first went live in 2013.

2. BetMGM Poker

BetMGM Poker provides another worthwhile alternative to New Jersey poker players with a decent selection of hold’em and Omaha cash games and tournaments, and frequent tournament series. The site doesn’t have mixed games like PokerStars, nor does it share player pools with other states like both WSOP.com and PokerStars. But the site is nonetheless a nice alternative and does manage to build up decent-sized traffic thanks to sharing a network with both PartyPoker NJ and Borgata Poker NJ (more on that below).

The welcome offer at BetMGM Poker NJ comes in two parts. When you register, enter bonus code PLAYNJCHIP and when you make an initial deposit you’ll receive up to $75 in tournament tickets. The amount of tickets you’ll get depends on how much you deposit. Depositing between $10-$499 gets you $25 in tickets, between $500-$999 gets $50 worth, and $1,000 or more gets $75. On top of that, for that first deposit you’ll be due a 100% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000 as well. 

The BetMGM Poker NJ platform is simple but solid, lacking the bells and whistles of the other NJ real money poker sites but fully functional in terms of game play.

3. PokerStars

PokerStars is another top choice for New Jersey players. The site features a wide selection of cash games and multi-table tournaments, plus sit-n-go’s, “Spin & Go” games (jackpot sit-n-go’s), and the fast-fold Zoom poker variant. Unlike other NJ sites, PokerStars doesn’t just focus on no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha, but also offers a variety of mixed games including seven-card stud, razz, five-card draw and others. The site also has a shared player pool with the PokerStars Michigan site, which means in terms of overall traffic it competes well with WSOP.com NJ.

Use our links when signing up to receive the PokerStars NJ welcome offer, which is in fact a choice between two offers. The first option is simply to play one hand of real money poker on the site and receive $150 in Bonus Play. The bonus money is awarded via three PokerStars “chests,” each worth $50, that are distributed over your first five days on the site. The second option is a 100% deposit match bonus worth up to $600. To choose that second option, be sure to use promo code STARS600 when making your first deposit.

You’ll likely find PokerStars NJ software to be the smoothest-running of all the real money online poker sites in New Jersey. Both the desktop client and PokerStars NJ app are especially well designed and routinely receive high marks from players.

Other NJ real money poker sites

The other two New Jersey online poker sites where you can play for real money also have their merits and are worth a look as you decide where to play.

4. PartyPoker

As noted above, PartyPoker operates on a New Jersey-only network of real money online poker sites along with BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker. The different sites might be regarded as distinct “skins” of the same site, but they do have some differences that distinguish them. You will, however, find the same selection of hold’em and Omaha cash games and tournaments on PartyPoker NJ that are available at BetMGM Poker NJ. The sites also have sit-n-go’s, including jackpot sit-n-go’s (called “Spins”). There’s also a fast-fold poker variant called FastForward that doesn’t run that often due to lack of interest.

PartyPoker NJ has a 100% deposit match offer worth up to $1,000. Enter bonus code CHIPPLAYNJ when registering in order to be eligible for the deposit match bonus.

5. Borgata Poker

There is also Borgata Poker that shares a brand with the famed Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Borgata Poker also operates on a network with BetMGM Poker and PartyPoker, which means once again you’ll find the same games available as well as a similar software platform both on the desktop client and the Borgata Poker NJ app.

When registering at Borgata Poker NJ, use bonus code PLAYNJCHIPS and you’ll get a similar deal to the one new players at BetMGM Poker NJ receive. That includes up to $75 in tournament tickets depending on how much you deposit (as described above). It also includes the 100% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000.

Is it safe to play online poker for real money in NJ?

Yes, New Jersey features a legal and regulated online poker market. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) regulates the NJ online poker sites, and you’ll see each of the sites displays the NJDGE seal.

The NJDGE thoroughly vets every operator before issuing them a license to offer real money online poker in the state. Part of the process includes ensuring each site offers fair play. Regulators test each operator’s poker software to confirm game integrity, including regarding the software’s use of a random number generator to govern the “shuffling” and “dealing” of cards. The NJDGE also makes sure the sites are handling your personal information and funds safely and securely.

As long as the poker site is legal and regulated to operate in New Jersey, you can trust it and feel safe playing on it. The opposite is true for so-called “offshore” or “rogue” poker sites that don’t operate in New Jersey and don’t abide by NJ gambling laws. Such sites are risky for NJ players and we strongly recommend you avoid them, sticking instead to the many regulated sites that are available.

What are the advantages of playing real money poker online?

New Jersey features a big, land-based poker hub in Atlantic City, but many players are enjoying the benefits NJ real money online poker offers. Here are some key advantages to playing real money poker online versus in person at the NJ casinos’ poker rooms.

Faster games

Poker is one of the slowest games in land-based casinos. Dealers must physically shuffle and deal cards, which is a time-consuming process. The software shuffles and deals online poker hands instantly. The sites also provide players with a timer on decisions, which prevents them from taking minutes for each decision. These aspects speed up the action, with the average ring game featuring around 50-60 hands per hour. This amount is approximately double the number of hourly hands gamblers play in land-based poker rooms.

Lower rake

New Jersey poker sites don’t need to cover salaries for dealers and other floor staff. As a result, you’ll find the rake or amount of money taken from each pot is much lower when playing online versus live poker rake. The same goes for the fees you pay when entering tournaments, which likewise tend to be less (percentage-wise) than the fees that go along with entering live poker tournaments. There also isn’t any tipping in online poker like there is when playing live.

Greater convenience

Online poker doesn’t require players to travel anywhere. It instead offers a fast way to start playing the game immediately from home on their computers or on the go via mobile devices. You can also come and go from the games much more easily, simply by clicking an empty seat to join or ticking a box to signify you’re leaving the game. There’s no need to purchase chips or cash them in afterwards.

24/7 availability

Internet poker rooms don’t close in the twilight hours or for holidays like many land-based locations. They’re instead open 24 hours a day. This constant availability ensures NJ players can enjoy poker whenever the urge strikes them. They also don’t need to worry about being forced to stop playing when the casino closes. In addition, you can always see in the lobby which tables currently running have open seats and join them right away. In other words, there’s no need to get on a list first and wait for a spot to open up, although you’ll find sites also have a “wait list” option for full games if you really want to join a particular table.

Ability to multi-table

Poker sites in New Jersey offer the ability to multi-table, which means being able to play two or more tables at the same time. Multi-tabling is great for successful players who want to increase their edge, and over the years has become a favorite aspect of online poker play. Obviously when you play live you can only sit at one table at a time, so multi-tabling online helps increase your action and volume considerably. Be careful, though, and don’t play so many tables that you can’t play your “A-game” on each. Don’t overstretch your bankroll, either, when playing multiple games, and always practice responsible gambling.

Micro stakes games

The lowest no-limit hold’em stakes offered in Atlantic City are games with $1/$2 blinds. Meanwhile when you play NJ online poker you’ll find cash games with blinds as low as $0.01/$0.02. Such “micro stakes” games are quite popular among recreational players who want real money action without assuming too much risk. Those games do attract a decent number of players, too, which means you can usually find micro stakes games running whenever you log on.

Free online poker

Some NJ poker sites also offer “play money” or free-to-play games where players can enjoy online poker play without risking any funds. PokerStars (for example) has a separate “dot-net” site where you can play the very same “cash” games, tournaments, sit-n-go’s and other formats and variants available on the real money poker site. While these games don’t necessarily feature the same level of play, they can still be competitive and are an excellent way to learn the game for new players.

Types of real money poker games in New Jersey

All New Jersey feature two poker variants most prominently both in their cash games (or “ring games”) and tournaments:

• no-limit Texas hold ’em (NLHE)
• pot-limit Omaha (PLO)

In fact, at some of the sites you’ll find NLHE and PLO are essentially the only games available. You might find a fixed-limit hold’em game or Omaha hi-lo (also played as a fixed-limit game), and sometimes there will be the hi-lo version of PLO.

The one exception to the rule is PokerStars NJ where there is a wide array of non-hold’em and non-Omaha games available. There you will find seven-card stud (both high and hi-lo), razz, five-card draw, deuce-to-seven triple draw, and other “mixed” games like H.O.R.S.E. and the eight-game mix. Of course, these games tend to attract few players that the more popular NLHE and PLO games, but you can usually find some tables featuring these other variants running.

In terms of poker formats, the most popular at the NJ real money poker sites are:

• cash games
• multi-table tournaments
• sit-n-go’s (including “jackpot”-style sit-n-go’s)
• fast-fold variants

The stakes for these games vary from site to site, starting as low as pennies and ranging as high as $25/$50 or even $100/$200 occasionally. Buy-ins for tournaments similarly range from very low (just a dollar or two) up to three- and four-figures.

You won’t see blackjack or other casino card games at these online poker sites. That said, with the exception of WSOP.com, all of the sites let you use the same account to play on their online casino sites in NJ (e.g., PokerStars Casino, BetMGM Casino). On those sites you will find a nice selection of table games, including poker-based card games.

No deposit options for real money poker rooms in NJ

No deposit bonuses are bonuses gambling sites give to new players that allow them to play games without depositing first. For example, a NJ no deposit casino bonus gives new sign-ups “bonus money” (or site credit) with which to play slots or other games on the site. You cannot withdraw a no deposit bonus, but have to wager with it. That said, if you win any money with the bonus, many sites let you withdraw that cash or play other games with it. (Sometimes additional playthrough requirements are attached to winnings earned with no deposit bonuses.)

When it comes to NJ online poker sites, no deposit bonuses are generally less common than is the case with NJ online casinos. You’ll notice in the summaries up above several examples of sites giving players bonuses once they make a first deposit. In some cases, the bonuses are awarded without requiring you to risk any of the money you’ve deposited, which does let you start playing on the site with bonus money first.

Once you do start playing at NJ poker sites, keep an eye out for ongoing promos and giveaways. Sites frequently run “freeroll” tournaments that cost nothing to play and typically award bonus money or tournament tickets as prizes.

Depositing and withdrawing money at NJ online poker sites

Much like NJ online casinos and sportsbooks, the New Jersey online poker sites offer a variety of ways to deposit money into your account as well as multiple methods to withdraw funds later. Be aware that when moving money to and from online poker sites, you’ll likely have to provide some more personal information such as your banking information. You might be asked to provide more information to verify your identity as well, although usually after depositing and withdrawing an initial time these steps aren’t necessary thereafter.

Deposit methods at NJ real money online poker sites commonly include:

• ACH / e-check (VIP Preferred)
• Debit and credit cards
• PayPal
• PayNearMe
• Play+ prepaid cards
• Online banking
• Cash at the partnering casino cage

You can typically withdraw funds using several of the same methods, although often there will be fewer withdrawal options than ways to deposit. For instance, sites typically don’t allow withdrawing to a credit card. Meanwhile, you can usually request a check by mail when withdrawing, too.

Deposits are typically processed instantly. Withdrawals can be very quick as well, even processing near-instantly or within an hour or two, although it depends on the method you’ve chosen. For instance, withdrawing via PayPal typically fast and competed within a day, while VIP Preferred or online banking might take 3-5 days. Requesting a check by mail takes even longer, usually at least 7-10 days. Meanwhile, if you can visit the sites’ partnering Atlantic City casinos you will be able to perform banking operations in person at the casino cage, usually very quickly.

Rest assured that as long as you stick with the NJ real money poker sites discussed above, all of which are legal and regulated to operate in NJ, your funds will be safe and all of your personal information (including banking information) kept secure.