Online Baltimore Poker Rooms in MD

Unlike most US states, Maryland permits most forms of gambling, including lottery, casino gambling, charitable gaming, horse racing, and sports betting. Even home poker games have been legal since 2016. In light of everything, one would think that Baltimore and other major cities in MD are a paradise for poker players.

However, Little America residents can legally play poker only in six commercial casinos. Most of them are located in close proximity to Baltimore, making it the state’s poker hub. There are poker rooms in four of them, with tournaments held regularly.

On the flip side, online poker fans are not that lucky, as Maryland doesn’t allow online gambling. For this reason, Baltimore players frequent offshore casinos, although they operate within a gray area in Little America.

Best Online Poker Sites in Baltimore, Maryland

Maryland doesn’t have a regulated online poker scene. Still, an array of international poker rooms allows its residents to register and play real-money poker games. However, you must be able to distinguish those worth your time and money from those with questionable business practices and poor game quality.

To minimize your search time, our team tested several of these platforms. Before recommending any, we reviewed their licenses, game selection, reputation, and bonuses and selected those that ticked all our boxes. You’ll find the best and most reliable sites in the list below.

• 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 Baltimore, MD?

Despite sharing borders with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware, which have all legalized online poker, Maryland is not there yet. The state legislators haven’t proposed any bills that would regulate this sector. Thus, we are not surprised to see Baltimore players in search of better poker opportunities.

The chances that the Free State will legalize online poker are slim because its sole focus is on sports betting. So, players who don’t want to go to land-based poker rooms in the state or over the borders can play on social and sweepstakes sites or visit international poker platforms.

Offshore sites are not based on US soil and fall under the gray area since Maryland cannot categorize them. Numerous players use this golden opportunity to register and play poker there.

Many of the sites are reputable, hold the necessary licenses, and, most importantly, accept players from Baltimore and the rest of the state. Furthermore, their game portfolios and the number of tournaments are much more extensive than those at brick-and-mortar halls.

Baltimore, MD Poker Laws

It is important to familiarize yourself with Maryland’s regulatory framework before entering a live poker room or joining an international site. We suggest you go through the following laws:

• Maryland Statute, Section 12–102 — Betting, Wagering, Gambling
• Senate Bill 842 — Gaming

How to Pick the Best Baltimore Poker Site

A simple Google search will reveal countless poker rooms catering to Baltimore players. Those with experience know how to distinguish a poker site with a good reputation from a sketchy one. You won’t waste your time if you consider the following factors next time you choose a poker room.

Licensing and Security

Even though no international online poker sites hold licenses from the Baltimore regulatory bodies, it does not mean that they don’t have any. A reliable and trustworthy poker platform will have a permit from an established international agency, such as the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, the Malta Gaming Authority, or the Kahnawake Regulatory Board. Whenever possible, avoid sites that operate without proper certification.

A safe environment is also essential for playing. Platforms must utilize the latest security protocols, such as SSL encryption and firewalls, to safeguard their users.

Game and Tournament Offer

Always check the number of available games before registering. Excellent poker sites offer a wide variety of games ranging from popular titles, like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, to rare releases, such as Zone Poker, Razz or Pineapple. We don’t have to mention that this also applies to daily and weekly tournaments. The more, the better.

Software Developers

The site you play at should be trustworthy, secure, and have titles from top-notch software providers. Essentially, the game’s quality depends heavily on the developer. In other words, look for a site that works with reliable providers so you can play with peace of mind.

Promotions

Operators give bonuses to new and devoted players alike, which include welcome packages, freerolls, reload promos, and cashbacks. Plus, there are loyalty programs awarding the most loyal players with cash, complimentary gadgets, and similar prizes. That said, you should always be on the lookout for the best deals. This is not just about free money but also about bonuses that are easy to clear. Because what is the point of claiming a promotion with high wagering requirements? For this reason, make sure to read the fine print carefully.

Payment Systems

If you are considering a poker website, check that it offers safe payment methods recognized in your country or state. Fantastic poker sites should provide various banking ways for players to deposit and withdraw their funds. Two other factors to consider are transaction speed and minimum/maximum withdrawal limits.

Customer Support

When browsing a poker room, don’t overlook the fact that you may occasionally need assistance from customer service. This is why you make sure their team is professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and capable of assisting you with any issue.

Another thing to check is their response time and whether they provide effective solutions. Great poker platforms have several communication channels, and their support staff works 24/7.

Rake and Player Trafic

Track down sites that attract many players. Experienced participants know the importance of player traffic and avoid platforms that don’t have enough players. Low figures indicate a site may be rogue and that you will never be able to find opponents to play against. You should also check if enough players participate in tournaments since this is the only way to generate valuable prizes. You can gain insight into what other players think of a particular site by reading their reviews and feedback.

Another thing to check is the rake. This is the fee operators charge players to allow them to participate in poker events or tournaments. If the rake is too high, avoid that operator at all costs.

Mobile Compatibility

People don’t go anywhere without their phones, and having this little gadget is quite convenient as it allows you to play your favorite poker games regardless of where you are. Therefore, you should choose a casino that supports your device’s operating system. Websites like these are usually mobile-friendly, so you shouldn’t have trouble accessing them as long as your connection is stable.

Operators sometimes have native poker apps available for download from the official app store. This can be beneficial since some operators offer promotions that only mobile users can claim.

Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Baltimore, Maryland

• Easier accessibility — Online poker platforms work round the clock, meaning you can play at any time of day or night from any location. This is especially beneficial to those who live far away from land-based casinos.
• Wider game selection — Online gambling sites offer more poker titles than you will ever see at a physical casino. Whether you are a fan of globally popular Texas Hold’em and Omaha or prefer rare variants like Pineapple and Badugi, they got you covered.
• Cost savings — Playing online poker doesn’t cost that much compared to playing in a conventional setting. This is because you don’t have to worry about things like accommodation, food, drinks, and travel expenses.
• Skill development opportunities — Online poker is a great way to hone your skills. Playing in demo mode can be beneficial because it helps you learn the rules without risking your funds. Also, poker sites usually gather crowds of players of different skill levels, so you can practice with both beginners and professionals.
• Anonymous play — Many players favor online poker because they don’t have to worry about revealing their identities. Beginners will also benefit from this as they can practice without the fear of being judged by other players.
• Great promotions and bonuses — These platforms attract players by rewarding them with various bonuses. They range from welcome promotions for registering to special giveaways, cashbacks, rakebacks, and tournaments.
• Lower entry fees — Online poker sites don’t have to pay for utilities, bills, or rent, so they allow you to play games with low entry fees. This is vital for those who want to start small because they are unsure of their skills.
• Broader payment options — These platforms allow players to deposit and withdraw via multiple payment gateways, from e-wallets and credit cards to bank transfers and cryptos.

Famous Poker Players From Baltimore, MD

Baltimore is home to several poker pros, including Steven Paul Dannenmann, Josh Aaron Schlein, David Brookshire, and Aaron Pinson.

Steven Paul “Steve” Dannenmann is probably the most famous and successful Baltimore poker player. His biggest success was the 2005 WSOP, when he finished runner-up and won $4,250,000. He is ranked 330 on the all-time money list.

Josh Aaron Schlein has amassed more than $780k in poker tournaments alone. He participated in 19 live tourneys and is ranked as the 23rd-best poker player in Maryland and 1,661st in the US. His most significant achievement was a prize of more than $400k in a live poker event.

David Brookshire participated in almost 80 live competitions, earning over $500k. His last major win was in 2020 in the $ 1,100 Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better (Event #53) in WPT Los Angeles. Currently, Brookshire holds the 25th spot in Maryland and 1749th place on the US all-time money list.

Aaron Pinson is another notable player from Baltimore who won more than $400k in tournaments only. He participated in almost 150 poker tournaments, winning $90k as his biggest prize. Pinson is ranked as the 40th-best poker player in Maryland.

However, the list is incomplete, and we must mention several other successful Baltimore players, such as Matthew LaGarde, Jeffrey Kostolni, John McIntosh, and Steven Hudak.

Top Land-Based Poker Rooms in Baltimore, MD

As mentioned, Maryland has six commercial casinos, and all of them are under the Maryland Lottery’s supervision. It just so happens that four of them with poker rooms are in or near Baltimore.

Maryland Live! Casino has the largest poker room with 50 tables and a place that hosted multiple WPT and WPTDeepStack events over the years. Also, the room at Horseshoe Casino is famous for hosting WSOP satellites.

Whichever poker room you decide to visit, you can expect nothing but a great poker experience. This is where you can play Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Mississippi Stud, 5-Card Omaha, 3-Card Poker, High Card Flush, Pot Limit Omaha, Heads-Up Hold’em, and a few other variations.

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.