Online El Paso Poker Rooms in TX
Discover the best online poker sites in El Paso, Texas. Read about the legality of the game in El Paso, how to choose a poker room, and more.
Despite the most popular poker variant named after the state, poker is less welcomed in Texas than some would expect, and the same is true for El Paso.
There are no traditional regulated poker rooms or commercial casinos with poker tables, and online poker is not legal.
However, there are plenty of private poker rooms in the city, and online poker is always an option in sweepstakes poker sites or offshore poker platforms. Naturally, the situation is not so clear-cut, so we have to look into it more carefully to see if you are allowed and where you can play online poker games and tournaments in El Paso, Texas.
Best Online Poker Sites in El Paso, Texas
Even though online poker is unregulated in Texas and, consequently, in El Paso, that doesn’t mean you lack the sites to join and experience the game in its full glory. You can do that on offshore poker sites that cater to people from El Paso and the rest of Texas. We’ll explain this legality in the guide, but for now, let’s cover the best online platforms you should consider if you want to play online poker.
Our experts have researched, found, and analyzed several dozen offshore poker sites. We’ve ended up with the leading sites that feature lots of player traffic, various cash games, regular tournaments, a wide range of payment methods, options for both beginners and pro players, and so much more.
We’ll continually update the list whenever we find a new reputable and legitimate site you can join, so make sure to come back and check the list periodically to find another place to play the game.
My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:- 100% Legal & Licensed
- Verified Bonus
- Mobile Friendly
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- Must be 18+ to participate.
Displayed 3 of 8 rooms
Is Online Poker Legal in El Paso, TX?
In short, no, online poker is not legal in El Paso, Texas. The laws that apply here are all state laws, and Texas has never considered legalizing online poker sites.
The current gambling laws are fairly strict, as they ban most forms of gambling. The only legal gambling forms include the standard options in most states — the Texas Lottery, charitable bingo, Indian casinos, and horse racing.
Every gambling form that isn’t regulated is considered illegal. However, the laws don’t specifically mention online poker, which is why many assume it’s OK to use out-of-state sites.
More accurately, the state laws don’t expressly ban online gambling and poker. The government is not actively prosecuting players for joining these sites, which explains the vast number of famous poker players from the state.
You’re also free to use social poker rooms, like Global Poker, as these sites are legal by default because you’re not using real money in the games.
Even though the government has never considered legalizing poker, several bills have entered the state legislative bodies. This gives some hope that Texas will change its stance sometime in the future, and we’ll finally see local and regulated poker sites in El Paso.
El Paso, TX Poker Laws
If you want to learn more about the gambling laws that may or may not apply to online poker in El Paso, here’s some reading material:
- Texas Penal Code Chapter 47. Gambling
- Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006
- Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988
- Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 47
- Texas Local Government Code Chapter 234, Subchapter E
How to Pick a Great Poker Site in El Paso
The importance of choosing the right poker site in El Paso cannot be overstated. If you want to play real money online poker, your only options are offshore poker rooms, and many of these don’t have the proper licenses or suffer from a poor reputation. It’s crucial to look into every vital criterion to determine whether the site is safe and the right fit for you.Licensing and Safety
Offshore sites need licenses, even though they are not regulated in Texas. As long as the site has a permit from a reputable regulatory body, you know they were vetted and are legitimate. Licenses should come from Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and other esteemed agencies.This also confirms proper security measures, but you can check those yourself. The platform should have SSL encryption, denoted by HTTPS in front of the domain. Moreover, you should check the T&C to see how they handle privacy and what additional protection you get.
Cash Games and Tournaments
To put it simply — the more cash games and tournaments the poker room has, the better. You want to see a wide range of cash games like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Seven-Card Stud and others.As for tournaments, the best sites have them regularly. This usually means several daily and weekly competitions with prominent prize pools.
Rake and Player Traffic
The best poker sites to join always have lower rakes, making them ideal for a broader range of players.Moreover, they have higher player traffic, meaning you get a massive pool of opponents. If the traffic is high, it also means the site is popular and thus better than many of its competitors.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promos are a common sight on most gambling websites today. However, every platform wants to stand out from the pack, so you’ll constantly see bigger and bigger promotions.Naturally, they still need to be good, which is why you need to primarily look into their terms to see how lucrative they are.
Diversity also matters, and every worthwhile poker site will have a welcome bonus and a wide range of promos for existing players, including reload deposit bonuses, loyalty programs, freerolls, and more.
Banking Policy and Methods
Every poker site should have a wide range of payment methods for you to choose from. Naturally, the diversity of alternative options matters more as you can have problems with credit cards due to US banks’ treatment of gambling sites.Besides variety, it’s crucial to check transaction speed, fees, and limits. You want quick withdrawals, low or zero fees, and high limits.
Customer Support
Responsive and helpful customer support agents are needed for every poker player, as you’ll certainly need their help from time to time. Players usually need help with payments, bonuses, tournament schedules and rules, and account management.The support system should be live 24/7. You also want the ability to reach out to agents through live chat and potentially other methods like email, phone, and social media. The poker room’s employees should be responsive, helpful, and, most of all, knowledgeable.
Benefits of Playing Online Poker in El Paso, Texas
Let’s take a closer look at the main advantages of playing online poker in El Paso, Texas:- Easier to find opponents — The best poker sites have massive player traffic, so you’ll always find worthy opponents close to your skill level.
- Poker sites work 24/7 — Playing online poker is incredibly convenient as you can do it whenever you want. There are always people to play against on international poker sites.
- No need to leave your home — You can experience online poker from any location, so you can play from home or on the go through your phone.
- Better bonuses — Land-based poker rooms rarely have promotions in Texas due to limiting laws, but online sites have lots of them. That way, you’ll always have more funds to play with.
- It’s easiest to improve your game — With so many opponents, different games, and advanced analytics like hand tracking, you have everything you need to improve your game over time.
- Saves time and money — With online poker, you don’t have to worry about spending time commuting or wasting money on gas.
Famous Poker Players from El Paso, TX
Let’s look at the most renowned poker players hailing from El Paso, Texas:- Phil Gordon — Even though he hasn’t played since the early 2010s, he is still known for reaching as many as five final tables at the WSOP. Moreover, his all-time earnings surpass $2 million.
- Bruce Vandervort — Bruce has won more than $160,000 playing live poker, which has enabled him to find himself in the top 600 players in Texas.
- Gene Fisher — No longer active, Fisher remains known across El Paso as he used to be one of the top players in the state. He has won more than $1.2 million playing poker and two WSOP bracelets.
- Mauricio Solano — Known as Maury, this El Paso poker pro has accumulated around $600,000 playing live poker, winning as much as $205,000 in one sitting.
Best Land-Based Poker Rooms to Visit in El Paso, TX
El Paso and the rest of Texas are known for not having proper commercial or large poker rooms like those found in tribal casinos across the US. However, you’ll find hundreds of smaller poker rooms, and El Paso certainly keeps its fair share. Here’s an overview of the best ones:Poker room | Address | Number of tables | Cash games | Tournaments |
Jack of Hearts | 1212 N Yarborough Dr, El Paso, TX 79925 | 13 | Yes | Yes |
House of Kings Card Club | 10705 Gateway Blvd. West, Suite E, El Paso, TX 79935 | 8 | Yes | Yes |
Flaming Aces Card Club | 4650 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, Suite J, El Paso, TX 79924 | 7 | Yes | No |
FAQ
Is online poker legal in El Paso, TX?
Online poker is not legal in El Paso, Texas. It’s not regulated, and the law does not mention it, which is why many players use offshore poker sites.
Are offshore poker sites safe for El Paso players?
Yes, they are, as long as you use reputable and licensed ones like the platforms recommended on this page.
How to start playing online poker in El Paso, Texas?
Choose one of the recommended sites on this page to start playing. Visit the poker room and create an account. Make a deposit and claim the welcome bonus. Once that’s done, you can start playing cash games on offer or join one of the current or upcoming tournaments.
Do I need to download a poker client to play the game in El Paso?
In most cases, the poker site offers various options, including desktop clients, mobile apps, and desktop and mobile sites. It all depends on the site, but in most cases, you’ll be able to play online through a browser or by downloading an app.
Which payment methods can I use in El Paso poker sites?
You can use almost any payment option you can imagine. Naturally, the exact ones will differ from site to site, but there are plenty of e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, credit cards, and more. It’s worth mentioning that alternative payment methods are typically better than US cards and bank transfers because American banks sometimes block payments from and to international gambling websites.
Are there any land-based poker rooms in El Paso, TX?
Yes, you can visit a few private poker rooms in El Paso, Texas. This includes the Flaming Aces Card Club, Jack of Hearts, House of Kings Card Club, and others.
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