Online Corpus Christi Poker Rooms in TX

Although Corpus Christi is a town in Texas (the birthplace of Texas Hold’em Poker), it is better known for windsurfing than poker.

The state lawmakers have been hostile toward gambling for many years, so Corpus Christi residents have limited poker options.

The Lone Star State has only 1 tribal casino and over 50 membership-based cardrooms, operating under special provisions and without traditional licenses.

Online poker is banned, but that doesn’t mean players are left high and dry, so keep reading to learn everything about the legality of this casino classic in Corpus Christi.

Best Online Poker Sites in Corpus Christi, Texas

Since online gambling is prohibited in Texas, Corpus Christi poker enthusiasts have to play on offshore online poker sites.

We know that there are plenty of unregulated and scam websites out there, which is why we’ve done the research for you. Following is a list of sites that have passed the test with flying colors after being thoroughly assessed by our iGaming experts. They may not feature major tournaments like the WSOP, but they still have a lot to offer — from welcome bonuses going up to $2,000 and other deals aimed at loyal players to a more extensive gaming portfolio comprising a wide range of poker games.

You will enjoy a top-rated poker experience in a safe environment regardless of which operator you choose.

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

Is Online Poker Legal in Corpus Christi, Texas?

Unfortunately, the Lone Star State doesn’t allow online poker. As a matter of fact, its land-based counterpart is permitted in only one facility, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, whilst many cardrooms scattered over the state operate “legally” by leveraging loopholes in the law. Thus, don’t expect to find any state-based online poker platforms in Corpus Christi (or anywhere else in the state, for that matter).

The state penal code is clear when it comes to illegal gambling, except for one part that is vague and may or may not refer to online poker:

“A person commits an offense if he..(3) plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.”

This “gambling device” could refer to a computer and the cards on the screen. However, many argue that the law explicitly targets machines manufactured for real money gambling, like video poker, roulette, and keno, not PCs.

If you as an individual breach this law, it is considered a Class C misdemeanor, and it is punishable by up to $500 in fines and no jail time. On the other hand, the law is much stricter for those who attempt to operate online poker sites — Class A misdemeanor and a fine of up to $4,000 or a one-year jail sentence.

There haven’t been many attempts at regulating online poker in the Lone Star State. The last two were in 2013, when Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Rep. John Kuempel proposed several bills that would regulate it, including HB 3529. However, none of them passed the committee stage. The other was when Rep. Joe Barton pushed for poker legalization with his Internet Poker Freedom Act but to no avail.

For now, Corpus Christi players can either register on sweepstakes sites or join international poker cardrooms. The state has never prosecuted any individual for playing internet poker, and no provision in the Texas statutes prevents you from doing so.

Corpus Christi, TX Poker Laws

You can find out more about Corpus Christi poker laws in the following documents:

• 2006 UIGEA
• Texas Penal Code, Title 10, Chapter 47: Gambling

How to Pick the Best Corpus Christi Poker Site

You should always be on the lookout for reputable poker sites that offer regular tournaments and attractive promotions. Choosing the right online poker room can be difficult (given the sheer number of mediocre ones), so here are a few tips you might find useful.

Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Corpus Christi, TX

If you’re still unsure whether online poker is right for you, here are some compelling reasons why you should opt for this game:

• Convenience – You don’t have to leave the comfort of your sofa to enjoy your favorite gaming activity. With mobile poker sites, you can play poker virtually anywhere — as long as you have internet access.
• Availability – Online poker rooms don’t have working hours. Therefore, you can play any of your favorite poker games at any time.
• Lower rake and higher traffic – These platforms charge lower rakes than brick-and-mortar poker rooms. So, even with a small budget, you’ll get to play more. They can also accommodate thousands of players worldwide at the same time — the more players there are, the easier you will find someone to play against.
• Wide selection of games and tournaments – Online poker rooms have a greater choice of games and tournaments. By diversifying your gaming experience, you will be able to easily find games tailored to your skill level. You can also pick the tournament format that appeals to you most, such as SnGs, bounties, freezeouts, and more.
• Bonuses and promotions – The online gaming market is highly competitive, so poker rooms must invest in generous bonuses to attract players. A bonus can boost your bankroll and increase your chances of winning.
• Multi-tabling – International poker platforms allow multi-tabling. Playing at several tables simultaneously increases your winning chances, which is not possible in a live setting.

Famous Poker Players From Corpus Christi, TX

Although Corpus Christi doesn’t have any poker rooms in the city itself, it is the birthplace of several successful poker professionals. The best ones are undoubtedly:

David Baxter — Baxter’s poker career started in 1980 when he finished 2nd at the 11th WSOP in Las Vegas. He participated in over 40 tournaments, and his last appearance was at the Heartland Poker Tour in 2007. His most significant achievement was winning the WSOP twice, which brought him two bracelets and over $500k. During his career, he has amassed over $1.4 million and is currently the 57th-best player in Texas.

Schuyler Thornton — Thornton is another Corpus Christi native who participated in over 100 tournaments and earned over $1.4 million. He has been playing poker professionally over the last decade, and his biggest success was finishing 3rd at the 48th WSOP in Las Vegas in 2017, which brought him more than $191k.

Dody Roach — Roach was one of the best poker pros from Corpus Christi. He played from 1981 to 2002. He died in 2004 but amassed over $490k in live tournaments exclusively.

Joseph Skinner — Skinner has been actively playing poker since 2015 and has participated in over 35 live poker competitions. His most notable performance was at the $2,400 + 100 No Limit Hold’em Main Event (Event #6) when he finished 2nd and snatched a $344k prize. He currently holds the 192nd spot on the Texas all-time money list.

Top Land-Based Poker Rooms in Corpus Christi, TX

With 57 poker rooms in the state, there is more than enough poker action for everyone. However, most poker rooms are several hours away from Corpus Christi. The closest ones are in San Antonio and Edinburg, both being 150 miles away by car.

Not all offer tournaments, but we have singled out in the table below those with the most tables, plenty of poker games, and frequent competitions.

Poker room	Address	Number of tables	Tournaments
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino	794 Lucky Eagle Dr, Eagle Pass, Texas 78852	12	Yes
Rounders Card Club	3723 Colony Dr Suite 101, San Antonio, Texas 78230	30	Yes
SA Card House	13400 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78216	24	Yes
Texas Card House Rio Grande Valley	403 W Trenton Rd suite 2-b, Edinburg, Texas 78539	9	Yes

 
Rounders is the largest, featuring 30 tables. This is where you can find daily Limit and No-Limit Hold’em cash games, weekly competitions with $10,000 GTG, $5,000 GTD freerolls each Friday, and more. The other rooms have similar offers, but you can also find some unique formats, such as Bad Beat Jackpot at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, which awards up to six figures.

It’s worth noting that all of these cardrooms operate as membership clubs, as this is the only way to conduct business legally and prove they are not profiting from the game. Instead of fees, they charge daily, monthly, or annual memberships or seat rental charges. This way, they comply with the law, but their status is still uncertain.

Nevertheless, some state representatives have tried to clarify the language of the law and remove the gray area surrounding these social poker rooms during the 2023 legislative session. One of them was Rep. Gene Wo, who introduced HB 732 and HB 1601. The other one was Rep. Ryan Guillen, who proposed HB 2345 with the same goal. The bill passed the Committee but was voted out of the Senate. How this situation unfolds remains to be seen, but social poker rooms continue to operate uninterrupted.

FAQ