Online San Jose Poker Rooms in CA

The first legal poker rooms in California date back to the 19th century. Although the industry has experienced a fair share of ups and downs over the years, the Golden State has managed to maintain its status as one of the top poker destinations in the US.

Unfortunately, we can’t say the same about the online gambling industry in the Golden State, including San Jose, as the gambling laws explicitly forbid facilitating online poker. However, the laws don’t prevent players from participating in this activity, so the city’s residents and visitors can still play poker online on offshore websites.

All attempts to legalize online gambling in the past fell through, and a change in legislation is yet to come. In the meantime, we can take a look at international online poker platforms and discuss what they have to offer to players from San Jose, CA.

Best Online Poker Sites in San Jose, California

The existence of offshore poker sites catering to players from San Jose may seem like a perfect workaround for legal restrictions. However, players should approach these sites with caution. Many of these platforms use counterfeit software, avoid paying the winnings, and employ fraudulent tactics to scam players.

To save you the trouble of checking individual poker sites, our team of industry experts has scoured dozens of these operators. As a result, we’ve managed to create a list of the best and most trustworthy sites that accept users from San Jose. Pick any brand from the list below, and enjoy the best online poker experience available.

• 100% Legal & Licensed
• Verified Bonus
• Mobile Friendly
• Advertiser Disclosure
  Kindly be aware that some links on Top 10 Poker Sites are affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission. Find out more on our terms & conditions

• Must be 18+ to participate.

# 1  Poker Site

5

5.0 / 5.0

100% up to $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Regulated by

• 100% First deposit bonus
• Top 3 in US player traffic
• Great selection of games
• Banking through cryptocurrencies

Payout speed 1-3 days

Deposit options

+10

Exclusive bonus

100% up to $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Visit Site Read Review

# 2

5

5.0 / 5.0

100% upto $3000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Regulated by

• Increased Poker Crypto Bonus $1500
• Exclusively for US players
• Many Payment Options
• Rich Player Traffic

Payout speed 1-3 days

Deposit options

+4

Exclusive bonus

100% upto $3000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Visit Site Read Review

# 3

4

4.0 / 5.0

200% upto $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Regulated by

• Recreational Player Traffic
• Get a 200% Match on Your Initial Deposit
• Wide Tournament Selection
• High-Quality Games

Payout speed 1 - 5 days

Deposit options

+9

Exclusive bonus

200% upto $1000

18+. T&Cs Apply

Visit Site Read Review

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Is Online Poker Legal in San Jose, CA?

Online gambling, including online poker, is considered illegal in San Jose and other parts of California. Although the state is famous for being one of the most prolific US territories when it comes to land-based poker, the efforts to legalize its online version have been unsuccessful over the last 16 years.

The nationwide ban on all online gambling activities was brought on by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006. There have been many attempts to reverse the state of online gambling in California. The most notable bills in favor of the activity were SB 1463 in 2012, AB 431 in 2015, and AB 2863 in 2016, but none of them were voted on.

In recent years, the cause seems to have been abandoned in favor of sports betting. However, the efforts to legalize sportsbooks at Indian casinos also fell through on the November 2022 ballot.

The only forms of gambling in the Golden State are currently conducted in card rooms and casinos on Indian reservations. You can also try your luck at charitable gambling, horse race betting, and the lottery.

San Jose, CA Poker Laws

To make sure you’re well-versed in the current gambling laws and regulations in California, check out the documents below:

• 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
• California Gambling Law, Regulations, and Resource Information
• Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

How to Choose the Best San Jose Poker Site

Finding a reliable San Jose poker website can be challenging. There are multiple factors you must pay attention to in order to ensure a platform is safe and its games and bonuses are legitimate.

In this section, we’ll discuss the criteria our team uses when assessing the quality of offshore poker sites. Read on to find out what features to pay attention to when choosing the best operators so that you can evaluate them yourself, as well.

Licensing and Security

Naturally, these poker websites won’t have a license issued by a US gambling authority, but they should still be regulated. You should look for valid operating licenses from gambling authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, to name a few. If a site doesn’t display any licensing information at the bottom of the homepage, it’s best to steer clear of it.

In addition, the platform should also employ up-to-date security protocols to protect the users’ data and financial information from unauthorized access. Check whether the site uses SSL encryption and firewalls and how well it protects its users’ funds. You can find this information in the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Selection of Tournaments and Cash Games

A platform is only as good as the games and tournaments it offers. It should at least feature Omaha and Texas Hold’em (if not other, less common poker variants, such as Seven-Card Stud, Mississippi Stud and Razz).

When it comes to tournaments, there should be a range of options available, including those hosted daily and weekly.

Rake and Player Traffic

A poker website may have a misleading marketing strategy designed to convince you to sign up. However, once you’re in, you may discover that the site is struggling to maintain constant traffic. Therefore, it’s important to choose platforms that have large player bases so that you can always join the action, regardless of your skill level.

It’s also important to check the site’s rake — that is, the amount of money you have to pay the operator to enter a game or tournament. Platforms use these fees as compensation for facilitating the games, but you should stay away from websites that charge too much.

Bonus Offers

To keep themselves afloat in the competitive iGaming market, most online poker sites offer at least a welcome bonus. No deposit poker bonuses tend to be a rare occurrence nowadays, so consider yourself lucky if you find a platform that offers one.

Other common types of promotions you can expect to find are reload bonuses, cashbacks, and loyalty programs, among others. When choosing a site to play on, make sure that its bonuses are lucrative enough and that they come with reasonable terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements and winning caps.

Payment Methods

Banking options commonly used in San Jose, California, may not always be available on offshore poker sites. You should read the banking policy to check which methods are offered and whether the platform supports the ones you can use.

In addition, you should pay attention to the deposit and withdrawal limits, check how much time the site takes to complete a withdrawal, and see whether it charges any fees for your transactions.

Device Compatibility

Most offshore poker platforms have at least a mobile-optimized website you can access on an iPad or iPhone and Android devices. Ideally, though, the operator should have a standalone app you can download, as this type of software tends to be more reliable and efficient.

However, even if this option is not supported, visiting the mobile website is still worthwhile.

Customer Support

A good poker website should have reliable customer support you can contact in case you run into a problem. A comprehensive FAQ section is a good sign, but the platform should also have a live chat option, preferably available 24/7. Other desirable channels of communication include email and phone.

Benefits of Playing Online Poker in San Jose, California

• You don’t have to travel to a land-based venue to participate in a game. Online poker games are available 24/7 from the comfort of your home.
• Most poker sites offer regular bonuses and promotions you can claim.
• Thanks to mobile websites and poker apps, you can enter your favorite game wherever you are, provided that you have a stable internet connection.
• The range of games you can play is much higher online. You can participate in new and interesting variants and enter daily and weekly tournaments.
• You can play against players of different skill levels from all over the world.

Famous Poker Players from San Jose, CA

Faraz Jaka has amassed more than $10 million in poker tournament winnings. One of his most notable achievements is winning the Player of the Year title at the WPT Season VIII.

Mimi Luu’s biggest success in a live poker game was winning $105,500. During her poker career, Mimi has managed to win a total of $724,364, taking into account only live event earnings.

David Fong took home his biggest cash prize worth $236,250 at the 2013 L.A. Poker Classic’s Main Event. His total recorded earnings amount to $548,827 to date.

Best Land-Based Poker Rooms in San Jose, CA

Although California’s gambling laws concerning poker may be confusing, the state is known as one of the most poker-friendly jurisdictions in the United States. The majority of land-based poker rooms in the state are situated in or near major cities, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

San Jose currently has only two operating poker rooms. You can find more information about them in the table below.

FAQ

Adrian Sterne

Editor

  Contact Me

Hi, I am the Chief Editor of top10pokersites.net, this site is dedicated to all thing poker. I have been working around the poker industry for the last 15 years, with different brands. The main purpose of this site is to keep you uptodate with the industry and offer you the best deals around.