Despite being the titular state for arguably the most popular version of poker in the world, Texas does not allow its residents to play online poker for money. However, online poker games are still available in Texas. It’s just in the form of sweepstakes poker sites. Let’s break down everything you need to know about online poker in Texas so you know how to play legally and safely.
The Best Poker Site In Texas
While there are plenty of online poker sites to find if you’re a Texas resident, there’s only one really worth your time and money: Global Poker. That’s because it’s a legitimate social poker site that’s totally legal to enjoy as opposed to illegal cash betting poker sites.
Global Poker provides sweepstakes poker not just to Texans but to most states across the US. It allows you to play with both Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins. If you win with Sweeps Coins, you can redeem those for cash prizes.
The excellent social poker site also has a fantastic first purchase discount. With promo code FLUSH, you get 150,000 Gold Coins for $10 and also get 30 FREE Sweeps Coins.
Global Poker further benefits from a well-developed player base and a wide range of tournaments and games to enjoy.
Five Minute Guide To Social and Sweepstakes Poker In Texas
Not sure how social and sweepstakes poker works in Texas or anywhere else? This guide will explain everything you need to know.
How Does Social and Sweepstakes Poker Work In Texas?
Fortunately, social and sweepstakes poker works exactly the same in Texas as it does everywhere else. In Texas, gambling real money over poker games is strictly illegal. So, sites like Global Poker allow you to use valueless and digital “Gold and Sweeps Coins” instead.
Both coins can be used in place of cash for all of Global Poker’s poker games. Since you never use real money to gamble, social and sweepstakes poker is still solidly legal. However, if you play with Sweeps Coins and reach a certain amount (SC50 at Global Poker), you can redeem the SC for cash prizes.
You can always purchase Gold Coins if you are running low. However, Sweeps Coins can never be purchased. Instead, players receive a certain amount of FREE Sweeps Coins with every Gold Coin purchase. You can also get free coins through social media competitions, daily logins, mail-in offers, and more.
How Do You Win Cash Prizes By Playing Poker?
Global Poker’s Sweeps Coins system allows you to win occasional cash prizes. Once you have at least SC50 (that you have won in games, not just all the free ones they give you), you can hit the button to redeem them for cash prizes. You can choose a direct deposit to your bank account (after you go through the verification process), or you can receive a digital gift card.
How Do You Access Social and Sweepstakes Poker Sites In Texas?
In Texas, your best bet to enjoy social poker is to check out GlobalPoker.com, which is the main website for this platform. Global Poker does not have a dedicated app, but the website works just fine on any mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.
You can make an account right on the Global Poker website and start playing almost immediately. The site will just ask for a few pieces of personal information, such as your date of birth and your physical address, to verify your identity.
How Do Purchases Work At Texas’s Social and Sweepstakes Poker Sites?
Global Poker and other social/sweepstakes poker sites will never require you to purchase anything to play games. You can always play for free. However, if you choose to purchase Gold Coins, you certainly can. If you purchase GC, you often get FREE SC as well, which is a nice added benefit. You can purchase Gold Coins by linking a credit or debit card to the account, by initiating a bank transfer, and by using an ewallet, such as Skrill.
Once you purchase Gold Coins, this valueless digital currency instantly appears in your account. You can use the Gold Coins to play poker games immediately. You’ll also often get a small amount of Sweeps Coins with your Gold Coin purchase. These appear in a separate part of your account and can only be used for Sweeps Coins poker games. It is easy to switch between playing games for GC and playing games for SC, though. Just click the type of currency you would like to play with at the top of the screen.
What Is the Difference Between Social or Sweepstakes Poker and Real-Money Online Poker Sites?
In terms of gameplay, there isn’t a significant difference. Both types of poker sites offer ring games and tournaments. They also both offer multiple types of poker, with Texas Hold’Em and Omaha being by far the most popular.
Real-money operators usually have a larger variety of games offered and offer higher winnings from tournaments. (However, to be honest, the differences are far less than you might think.) Social and sweepstakes poker sites can actually offer much larger player bases. Global Poker, for example, is available in almost all US states and Canadian provinces.
Of course, for people in Texas, the most important distinction is that social and sweepstakes casinos are completely legal, while real-money sites are not.
Status Of Online Gambling In Texas
Although Texas has something of a reputation of being a freedom-loving state, it is strangely conservative regarding gambling. In fact, you can only enjoy online horse and greyhound race wagers in the Lone Star State.
All other forms of gambling are illegal, including all types of card games or slot games. You can visit two retail casinos on Native American land within the state, but other than this, players have very few options.
This is why many card lovers turn to social/sweepstakes poker and other websites to enjoy themselves without breaking the law. While private poker clubs are opening throughout the state, it’ll still be some time until Texas’s legislature has enough momentum to seriously revise its existing and draconian gambling laws.
The most recent development in this field was in 2019 when two Texas sports betting bills and a casino gambling bill reached the House of Representatives. Although Representative Eddie Lucio III has been spearheading changes to Texas’s gambling industry, it’ll still likely be some time before things change.
Is It Safe To Play Social and Sweepstakes Poker In Texas?
Are Social and Sweepstakes Sites Legal In Texas?
Yes, they are. They do not fall under the legal definition of gambling for Texas because players play for free. Since you aren’t risking any real money, these sites are totally free.
Global Poker is one example of a great social poker site in Texas. Global Poker also features slots and table games. However, if you are looking for different offerings (or want to try your luck at a variety of sites), consider Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Pulsz Casino, and Funzpoints as well.
Is My Information Safe On Social and Sweepstakes Poker Apps In Texas?
Most legal and well-known social and sweepstakes poker sites have good digital security, such as SSL certification, to protect their users’ personal information from hackers and other players. Global Poker has good digital security and can protect your information capably.
However, you should not download an illegitimate poker app. Illegal poker sites often have bad digital security and your personal information may be at risk if you decide to use them.
What Are The Types Of Games Available At Social and Sweepstakes Poker Sites In Texas?
No-Limit and Fixed-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em
The two most popular poker games in Texas are both of the above varieties of Texas Hold ‘Em. These games allow players to enjoy familiar varieties of poker and also comprise the majority of the tournament games.
Pot-Limit Omaha
Pot-Limit Omaha is also offered on most days. This poker variety gives each player four cards per hand and requires them to make a good hand using only two of them.
Tournaments
Global Poker, which is Texas’s best social poker site, has a variety of tournaments throughout the week. Most of these are “Sit-n-Go” tournaments, which allow players to come and go between hands.
Other tournaments are longer or so-called multi-table tournaments. Multi-table tournaments crop up daily and feature entry fees like 0.11 Sweeps Coins or 33 Sweeps Coins.
Global Poker’s most popular tournaments or the Sunday tournaments, which include the Sunday Scrimmage and Sunday Tease. Both of these tournaments have guaranteed prizes of 50,000 SC and 20,000 SC, respectively.
Texas Online Poker Sites – FAQS
No. But you can win Sweeps Coins, which may be traded in for cash prizes for certain amounts.
18. You need to be 18 years of age or older to use Global Poker or other social/sweepstakes poker apps.
Yes, and it’s the best legitimate sweepstakes poker app in the state.
You generally have two choices. You can redeem your SC for a cash prize that will be deposited straight to your bank account or ewallet. Or, you can get a gift card instead.
The weekends are usually the best time as it’s when most people have time off.
Most likely. There’s no practical or gameplay difference between social/sweepstakes poker and other online poker types. So you still get the same gaming experience even if cash isn’t on the line.
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