The online poker space has become saturated with dozens of sites, sparking the debate between classic poker rooms vs new poker rooms. While long-standing poker sites like GGPoker, PokerStars, and ACR Poker continue to provide excellent service, newcomers like CoinPoker, BCPoker, and Phenom Poker also bring advantages to the table.
If you are looking for a poker site to play on these days, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve created a comprehensive poker room comparison, covering top traditional poker sites and the best new sites on the market. Before we take a closer look at the specific poker sites, let’s discuss what advantages each group has to offer.
Classic Poker Rooms and New Poker Rooms Compared
When considering whether to play at an established poker site like GGPoker or PokerStars, or choose a newer poker room, it’s all about weighing the pros and cons, instead of simply picking a site based on one particular parameter.
Each poker room brings some advantages to the table, and your ultimate goal should always be to maximize your poker EV. To do so, you should weigh the online poker traffic, game availability, rakeback and bonuses, and other key factors for each site.
Ultimately, there is no single best poker site out there, as each player should choose their preferred place to play based on their preferred game type, average stake, the time of day they prefer playing at, and much more.
Before we go over the main pros and cons of some of the leading sites in each bracket, here is a quick look at some of the main differences between classic poker rooms and new poker rooms on the market:
| Traditional Poker Sites | New Poker Sites | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Numbers | Higher average traffic | Lower average traffic |
| Game Variety | More game types | Fewer game types |
| Licensing | MGA/UKGC/Gibraltar | Anjouan/Curacao |
| Rake | Mid-to-high | Low-to-mid |
| Rakeback & Bonuses | Traditional poker bonuses | Competitive rakeback and promotions |
| Customer Support | Fast and reliable | Sometimes slower and AI-powered |
| Payment Options | Mostly traditional payment methods | Traditional methods + crypto |
| Security | High-to-very high | Mid-to-high |
Top Classic Poker Rooms Reviewed
The best traditional online poker rooms bring massive poker player pools and an extensive game selection. Whether you are looking to play a high-stakes cash game or a micro-stakes tournament, these sites typically have a game running at all hours of the day or night.
That said, these sites aren’t always the best poker rooms for EV, as the games there tend to be tough to beat, with many professional players seated at the tables. The value of playing at such sites depends on your preferences and is different for each player type.
Let’s take a look at three of the most popular sites and how they compare in key rating categories.
GGPoker: Best Classic Poker Room for High Traffic
The biggest online poker site in the world, GGPoker has shattered all the records and beaten all the competition over the years. In operation since 2017, GGPoker has become the world’s unrivaled leader in online poker operations, offering non-stop action across the stakes.
If you are looking for the most extensive player pool and biggest game selection, you need not go further than GGPoker. This site will always have a game for you and ensure you are never out of action for more than a few minutes. A slight tradeoff comes in the fact that GGPoker also attracts many of the world’s best players across all stakes, often making the games very competitive and hard to beat.
Game Selection & Traffic. If traffic and multi-tabling are your main concerns, GGPoker will not disappoint. The site attracts thousands of poker players at all hours of day and night, with NLH and PLO cash games, Rush & Cash tables, Spin & Gold tournaments, and traditional MTTs all running from micro to high stakes. GGPoker can reach up to 900,000 active players at peak times, which is more than any other online poker platform these days.
Bonuses & Promotions. In terms of bonuses and promos, GGPoker knows how to reward its loyal players. All newcomers are welcomed with a deposit bonus worth up to $600 or $100 in free play, depending on their preferences. Further rewards can be obtained through the competitive Ocean Rewards program, which offers up to 80% in rakeback to the most active players. Further promotions, including regular leaderboards and competitions for different game types, add extra value to active players.
The Tradeoff. The only real tradeoff to playing at GGPoker as opposed to other sites is the fact that games at GGPoker tend to be very competitive. The site is populated by many of the world’s best players across all stakes and game types, and to be a consistent winner here, you may need to take your game to the next level.
PokerStars: Best Classic Poker Room for Mixed Games
Some years back, PokerStars was by far the biggest and most popular poker site in the world. While this has changed and GGPoker took over that title, PokerStars still remains one of the top options for players looking to play in an international player pool with significant traffic.
PokerStars is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and is still one of the most active online poker rooms on the market. Like at GGPoker, the games at PokerStars tend to be a little tougher than they are at some of the newer poker sites, thanks to every professional poker player in the world already having a PokerStars account.
Game Selection & Traffic. The average player traffic at PokerStars is significantly lower than that of GGPoker, but is still quite significant, especially when it comes to tournaments. PokerStars still hosts some of the most iconic poker tournaments, such as the Sunday Million and Sunday Storm, as well as yearly series like SCOOP and WCOOP, which attract thousands of players across the stakes.
Unlike GGPoker, PokerStars also offers mixed games, which makes it the perfect place for players looking to play games like Omaha 8, Seven Card Stud, Badugi, or 8-Game. The traffic at traditional cash games and Zoom tables is consistent, and you will find a game at stakes up to $5/$10 at most hours of the day.
Bonuses & Promotions. PokerStars offers newcomers a welcome bonus worth up to $600, along with a generous PokerStars Rewards scheme, which awards up to 60% rakeback. The competitive rewards scheme is accessible to everyone and is purely merit-based, with the most active players getting the most rakeback. At most levels, rakeback at PokerStars matches that of GGPoker quite closely.
The Tradeoff. The main drawback of playing at PokerStars, much like GGPoker, is the fact that the games tend to be a little tougher than they are at newer poker sites. Many grinders and regular players play at PokerStars on a daily basis, and getting a good table with few regs can be a challenge. What’s even more, the traffic at PokerStars is lower than GGPoker’s, which makes the overall table selection less favorable.
ACR Poker: Best Classic Poker Room for US-Facing MTTs
Unlike GGPoker and PokerStars, ACR accepts players from the US and a number of other regulated markets, extending its potential player pool with hundreds of thousands of new players. The operator’s Curaçao license allows it to accept international traffic, but it’s important to understand that ACR isn’t licensed in all the markets it serves, which can cause payment delays and other issues for players from such jurisdictions.
Game Selection & Traffic. ACR doesn’t get nearly as much traffic as GGPoker or PokerStars, but it is still one of the biggest poker sites in the world. Low and mid-stakes cash game action is guaranteed every day, while tournaments with buy-ins starting from $0 to $100 fill out a rich daily schedule. Special events like The Venom are especially attractive, as they offer seven-figure prize pools and the ability to qualify for a very low price.
Bonuses & Promotions. ACR’s 100% deposit bonus up to $2,000 is one of the biggest in the industry, and one of the main selling points of this poker site. On top of that, players can earn up to 65% rakeback through the Elite Benefits Loyalty Program, which is accessible to every registered user. Further leaderboards, reload bonuses, and seasonal promotions make playing at ACR quite lucrative, especially for high-volume grinders.
The Tradeoff. There are a few major tradeoffs to playing at ACR compared to other traditional poker sites. For one, the operator is licensed in Curaçao, and it has been involved in a few security scandals over the years, including extensive bot farms that were discovered at the site. Traditional deposits may cost up to 10% extra to process, and withdrawals may take up to a few days to reach your bank account, depending on your country and the exact payment method you selected.
Top New Poker Rooms Reviewed
In this guide, “classic” refers to rooms with mature ecosystems, large player pools, and established tournament brands, while “new” refers to emerging or crypto-first rooms with newer software models, softer pools, or alternative reward systems. Some of the sites, such as CoinPoker and BCPoker, make playing with crypto extremely easy, which allows players from markets that typically don’t have access to online poker to deposit and cash out their winnings with ease. The games at such sites also tend to be much softer, as they often attract recreational players from regulated markets, many of whom are just there to have some fun. Let’s take a closer look at the top three operators falling into the new poker sites category:
CoinPoker: The Best New Poker Room
CoinPoker emerged in 2017, the same time as GGPoker, but only really came to prominence in the 2020s, when it ramped up marketing and redesigned its product. Today, CoinPoker is the face of a new wave of poker sites, looking to capitalize on the younger generations of poker players and the crypto boom. While crypto deposits are the norm, the operator does allow for traditional payment methods from select jurisdictions as well.
Game Selection & Traffic. The traffic at CoinPoker is very impressive, especially when you compare it to other similar sites. The operator offers NLH, PLO, PLO5, and PLO6 cash games, as well as MTTs across popular formats. From freerolls to high-stakes events and seasonal series like the CSOP, CoinPoker is a very attractive stop for tournament lovers. In terms of cash games, tables with stakes up to $1/$2 are always open, while super high-stakes games like $500/$1,000 run on occasion and attract some of the biggest whales in all of online poker.
Bonuses & Promotions. CoinPoker attracts players with a variety of promotional offers. It all starts with a 150% welcome bonus worth up to $2,000 and continues with an extensive rewards schema that was recently redesigned to reward the players who contribute the most to the operator’s success. Recreational players can expect to get up to 100% of their rake back, while pros sometimes have to settle for lower rakeback and a higher win rate.
The Tradeoff. CoinPoker has only been one of the top options for online poker players for a few years, and as such, it doesn’t have as much traffic across the stakes as the likes of PokerStars. CoinPoker is also licensed in Anjouan, which means the security guarantees are slightly lower. Yet, the operator has shown a dedication to ensuring a high level of trust from its players and continues to provide proof of reserves, third-party RNG verifications, and other security measures that emphasize a commitment to building a secure online poker environment.
BCPoker: Best New Poker Room for Softer Games
If you are looking for the softest games and easiest competition to play online poker against, you should always look to play on poker sites tied to major online casino brands. BCPoker is in this category, as it’s part of BC.Game, a large international casino platform, with many gamblers coming over to play poker.
BCPoker may not be the biggest poker site on the market, and its platform may not be the most player-friendly, but the games you do get into may just be the best you have ever had a chance to play. With very few geographical restrictions, BCPoker is available to players in most jurisdictions.
Game Selection & Traffic. Game selection at BCPoker is quite limited. For the most part, you will only find NLH and PLO games, with a limited selection of daily tournaments sprinkled in for good measure. The stakes start at $0.01/$0.02, while tournament players can enjoy low buy-in events and even our exclusive $250 freerolls for GipsyTeam members.
The traffic is limited, and you won’t find dozens of tables running at BCPoker at any time. Yet, the games that do run promise to be some of the softest around, making every hour you spend grinding on this platform worth your time.
Bonuses & Promotions. New players at BCPoker can get a 10% instant bonus worth up to $200, available for play immediately, which is quite rare in online poker where most bonuses are only released over time. Players can also enjoy other promotions organized by the operator, many of which are only available for limited time periods.
The Tradeoff. The one major tradeoff that players should be ready for at BCPoker is the lack of traffic. The site is still quite small and mainly attracts players coming over from the casino, who don’t spend too much time playing poker. Yet, these players are very quick to leave a few buy-ins at the poker tables before going back to the pit games, which makes every hand you get to play at BCPoker a very positive EV situation.
Phenom Poker: Best New Poker Room for Alternative Poker Formats
Designed with community ownership in mind, Phenom Poker is a next-gen poker site whose innovative approach and blockchain-powered platform make it one of a kind. A reliable RNG, substantial rakeback rewards, and international player liquidity make Phenom Poker a top pick for players who are looking for a new home base for their online poker exploits in the modern era.
Game Selection & Traffic. When it comes to game selection, few sites can compare to Phenom Poker. The room gives players access to a wide variety of poker games, ranging from traditional games like NLH and PLO to various mixed games like Badugi, 2-7 Triple Draw, 8-Game, and more. Phenom Poker is ideal for mixed game lovers, who often can’t find the games they are looking for on established poker sites. The traffic is not yet at peak levels, but more and more players join Phenom Poker every day in search of mixed game competition and potentially softer games than those found at traditional poker sites.
Bonuses & Promotions. Phenom Poker is all about community ownership and getting rewarded for patronizing the site. New players are welcomed to a bonus worth up to 4,000 USDT, but further rewards can be gained through the operator’s rakeback program, which rewards players with up to 35% of their rake. Players holding the PHNM tokens get to participate in the site’s profits, as the operator pushes the idea that every committed player should have a stake in its success.
The Tradeoff. Players at Phenom Poker should be aware that the traffic on the site can vary from one time period to the next. Games run sporadically, and there are times when many tables are open at the same time, and times when the action is quiet. While it’s hard to get all the action you want at Phenom alone, making it a part of your poker site rotation is likely to earn you a lot of EV, especially if you are good at playing mixed games.
Choose Your Poker Room
We’ve compared the poker player pools, poker rewards programs, and other key factors of some of the best classic poker rooms and new poker rooms in the world. As you can tell, each site we listed comes with some pros and cons, and the final decision should be based on your personal preferences rather than generalized opinions.
If you need any help figuring out which site will work best for you, we highly recommend you reach out to our customer support agents. Our team is trained to help players find the best poker rooms based on the particular game type and average stake they play, so don’t hesitate to reach out and get advice from experts with inside knowledge of the workings of the top poker platforms out there.
