Online Long Beach Poker Rooms in CA

Aside from being famous for its Aquarium of the Pacific, the Acura Grand Prix, and numerous art museums, Long Beach in California attracts a large number of poker enthusiasts.

The International City has a little over 456k residents, but its poker scene has been thriving due to its proximity to Los Angeles.

California prohibits many gambling forms, but poker is not one of them. Long Beach residents have a range of quality poker rooms at land-based tribal casinos and commercial cardrooms at their disposal.

They host different cash games and regular tournaments.

Regarding the web-based version of the game, the only legal option is social casinos. Despite many attempts over the last decade, the Golden State hasn’t legalized online casinos and poker rooms yet, which is why many players resort to offshore sites.

Stay with us as we examine the legality of the popular card game in Long Beach, the benefits of playing it online, the criteria for choosing the best offshore sites, and more.

Best Online Poker Sites in Long Beach, California

California may lack regulations regarding online poker, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join and play at high-quality offshore poker platforms catering to people from Long Beach and the rest of the state.

To help you find the best online poker rooms, our team of experts has searched the internet for all popular platforms that accept Long Beach players. We analyzed each one, looking at several crucial aspects and features before recommending them.

To get you started, here is our list of the top Long Beach poker sites:

My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:

Is Online Poker Legal in Long Beach, California?

Poker has a long and rich history in California, reaching back to the mid-19th century. The state today has 15 land-based tribal casinos and non-tribal cardrooms, some with dedicated poker rooms featuring over 180 tables. However, the web-based version of the game hasn’t been that fortunate.

According to Section 330 of the California Penal Code, online poker is prohibited, and whoever violates this law will be guilty of a misdemeanor. On the flip side, social and sweepstakes sites are allowed.

Many lawmakers tried legalizing online poker over the years, and the first attempts were made in the late 2000s. In 2008, Assemblyman Lloyd Levine introduced AB 2026, while Senator Roderick Wright sponsored SB 1485 in 2009. Several bills soon followed, including SB 40 in 2010, SB 1463 in 2012, SB 1366 in 2014, and AB 431 in 2015, but to no avail.

In 2016, Assemblyman Adam Gray introduced AB 2863, but once more, the legislative session ended without a vote. The same happened to AB 1677, introduced the following year. There hasn’t been much progress in legalizing online poker since then, and the state has shifted its focus to sports betting.

Despite this, Long Beach poker players still have options. Section 330 mentioned above targets operators who run online poker platforms within state borders, but it doesn’t say anything about playing poker at international sites. Thus, Long Beach residents can use this opportunity to pursue their favorite games on offshore websites.

Long Beach, CA Poker Laws

In the list below, you’ll find the most important poker laws relevant to Long Beach, CA.

Read them carefully for more information on the game’s legality in this city.

• Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988
• Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006
• California Penal Code
• Assembly Bill No. 649, Chapter 432
• California Gambling Law, Regulations, and Resource Information of 2022

How to Pick the Best Long Beach Poker Site

Choosing the right poker room in Long Beach is essential since each is different and can’t suit every player. To facilitate this process, we have compiled a list of the vital factors to help you evaluate the platforms you encounter.

Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Long Beach, CA

Long Beach brick-and-mortar casinos may have poker rooms with plenty of cash games and tournaments, but would you consider playing the game online? Web-based poker has many benefits, and we have listed the most significant ones below.

• Comfort and availability – Online poker platforms operate around the clock, allowing you to play anywhere at any time. This is especially beneficial to those who live far from land-based casinos.
• Game and tournament variety – Offshore poker sites offer a wide range of cash games, including Omaha, Hold’em, Stud, Razz, and others. Tournaments also come in many formats, allowing players of various tastes to participate.
• Bonuses and rewards – Competition is fierce, so online poker rooms do everything in their power to attract and retain players. Promotions and rewards are the most effective ways to accomplish this. They range from welcome bonuses for new players to rakebacks, cashbacks, tournaments, and special giveaways.
• Anonymity – Players prefer online poker because they don’t have to reveal their identities. It is also helpful for beginners, as they can practice without being judged by more experienced competitors.
• Lower entry fees – If you like to start small, online poker rooms are an excellent option. Compared to their land-based counterparts, they don’t spend money on utilities, rent, and other expenses, so they can offer low entry fees.
• Multi-tabling – Most offshore poker sites allow you to play simultaneously at multiple tables, which is obviously impossible with live poker.
• Cost-effectiveness – It costs less to play the game on the internet than in a traditional casino since no expenses such as accommodation, food, drinks, or travel are involved.
• High traffic – As offshore poker sites are international, players of different skill levels flock to them in droves. This means there will always be someone to compete against.
• Broad payment options – Online poker platforms allow you to deposit and cash out your winnings via multiple banking methods, from bank transfers and credit cards to e-wallets and cryptos.
• Skill development opportunities – Online poker is an excellent way to learn the ropes and practice your skills. When you play in demo mode, you get a better grasp of the rules without risking any money.

Famous Poker Players From Long Beach, CA

Long Beach is not a large city, but it is home to several poker professionals. Some are more famous than others, but they have all participated in numerous tournaments and earned substantial amounts of money playing this game. These are the ones you should know about:

Yoshio Nakano — Nakano has played poker professionally for over 20 years and has been one of Parkwest Bicycle Casino regulars. His biggest achievement was winning a $350,000 prize when he came first at the Intercontinental Poker Championship. He has accrued over $670k in poker tourneys alone and is currently listed as the 3,763rd on the all-time money list.

Bobby Hoff — Known as The Wizard, the late Hoff amassed over $534k in live tournaments. He participated in several WSOP competitions and reached the final table three times. His most significant achievement was a prize of $108k in a live poker event.

John Gillis — Gillis is another successful poker pro who has earned over $29k in live poker tournaments, his record at a single event being $10k. He ranks 6,643rd on the list of the best poker players in California.

Stephanie Donahue — Donahue has participated in two dozen poker competitions, earning over $36k. Her greatest accomplishment was winning the $225 No Limit Hold’em Ladies in Los Angeles in 2013, when she bagged a $5.2k prize. She is ranked as the 5,804th player in the Golden State.

Top Land-Based Poker Rooms in Long Beach, CA

California has 15 land-based casinos and cardrooms for you to choose from; however, only four with separate poker rooms are near Long Beach. Parkwest Bicycle Casino has the largest cardroom with 185 poker tables and hosts regular daily No Limit Hold’em events, along with major competitions like Winnin’ O’ the Green and WSOP.

You can find more information on each of the four below:

Poker room	Address	Number of tables	Tournaments
Parkwest Bicycle Casino	888 Bicycle Casino Drive, Bell Gardens, California 90201	185	Yes
The Gardens Casino	11871 E Carson Street, Hawaiian Gardens, California 90716	184	Yes
Hollywood Park Casino	3883 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, California 90303	51	Yes
Hustler Casino	1000 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, California 90247	50	Yes

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