Whether playing for cash, bragging rights or just for the thrill of it, you’re sure to find a number of first-rate online poker sites in Canada. Whatever pulls you in, you’re not alone. Not surprising too, considering among the greatest poker players in the world are Canadian, such as former WSOP Champion Jonathan Duhameland Daniel Negreanu, the current record holder for highest lifetime earnings.
However, internet gambling has always been a grey area within Canadian law as the country was strictly anti-gambling before the criminal code was amended to legalize certain gambling activities in the 1970s. A decade and a half later, provinces and territories were given the right to decide if they should allow gambling in their domains and as result, some areas started hosting lotteries while others constructed casinos.
It’s debatable though, if that edict gives the right for online casinos, online gambling or online poker. But beyond the provincial domains, Canadians thus far enjoy online poker without hassle. Millions of Canadians are currently wagering online, most hoping to win millions, of course, while others are in it simply to compete for a few dollars in tournaments amongst friends. Whether an online poker master or a weekend warrior, this guide serves to expound more on the Canadian online poker scene.
Online Poker In Canada
For those who have never played online poker, it can be a little hard for them to identify the best poker sites in Canada since there are literally hundreds of poker sites which will be glad to welcome real money players. However, only a handful will offer players the experience they deserve. While lesser real money online poker sites in Canada will attempt to lure new players with clever ad campaigns or huge bonuses, the best poker rooms are those which excel in every category. Players can even play on their mobile devices on the best Canadian poker sites.
What gamers need to look for in an online poker site is solid software, steady traffic during peak times plus great bonuses. All these make for a great real money poker room. More importantly, players should opt for Canadian poker sites that employ the best software platform since it ultimately determines every aspect; from connection quality to login time, to the clarity of the graphics to hand speed, and more.
Range of Games
Before setting off for a game of online poker, it’s important to know that Canadian poker rooms have a range of different variations of poker. Naturally, there’s Texas Hold’em, in addition to the traditional variants such as Omaha and Stud just to name a few. Players also have a choice of Limit, No Limit plus Pot Limit. Many of the best Canadian poker sites provide players with quick tutorials to ensure they know the game type they’ll be playing before shuffling up and double clicking on a table or tournament.
All Canadian poker sites offer real money games and tournaments. For real money poker, players bring as much cash as they want to the table but mostly up to a healthy maximum. Players are free to come and go as they please. The games runs continuously meaning there’s never quite an end but should a player feel they’ve won enough, they’re free to walk away.
Tournaments on the other hand work a little differently; rather than bring cash to the table then getting an equivalent stack of chips, players buy in for a set price. Each player will pay a similar entry fee and receive the same stack of chips. The winner of the tournament is the last man standing, although there are prizes for the next few spots too, depending on the number of entrants. In short, the bigger the tournament, the more players will win.
Asia is comparatively new to the game of poker. It consists of48 countries. The Asia online poker law is, therefore, as diverse as the continent itself. With the internet revolution and influx of technology, there has been a paradigm shift towards the game of poker. You get to see both online and offline versions of the poker game in Asia.
The Asia online poker law – an overview:
Afghanistan: Gambling was outlawed during the Taliban regime. There are a few sites that offer online poker games there.
Armenia: Though online poker game is gaining ground in the mountainous country Armenia, there is still no legal site for the same.
Azerbaijan: Online poker is still at bay in Azerbaijan though the people here have the appetite for it. In consequence, there has been a black market for the game of poker here.
Bahrain: This island nation strictly prohibits the poker game.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh follows a strict policy on poker that prohibits the game in totality there.
Bhutan: Bhutan doesn’t endorse the game of poker though some online sites are accepting the players from Bhutan these days.
Brunei: Playing poker in Brunei can bring harsh penalties on you.
Cambodia: The country is known as the hotbed for the game of poker. People from across the border such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam come here to play the game.
China: Except Macau and Hong Kong, gambling is illegal in China. As such, underground poker market is huge here.
East Timor: Poker isn’t a popular game here. Moreover, the government has disapproved any form of gambling here.
Egypt: Egypt allows poker and gambling as a whole. In fact, poker is quickly gaining the popularity here.
India: Online poker game is not licensed here. You can, however, find many sites that are active here.
Indonesia: Indonesia is conservative about any form of gambling. Poker isn’t legalized here.
Iran: Iran endorses strict laws on gambling. Poker is completely banned here.
Iraq: Iraq despite being a Muslim country fully endorses gambling including the poker.
Israel: Gambling is legal but highly regulated by the government. Local companies, except the official lottery and sports betting, cannot run online gambling sites.
Japan: There is no legal casino in Japan. The government allows a restrictive practice here in the form of pari-mutuel betting with the official channels such as soccer toto, lottery, and public sport.
Jordan: Gambling is limited in Jordan and poker is completely banned here.
North Korea: Poker has no future in North Korea as gambling is completely prohibited here.
South Korea: South Korea endorses a restrictive view on gambling. Poker isn’t legalized here.
Kuwait: Poker is illegal in Kuwait and it bans any form of gambling.
Kyrgyzstan: Poker is currently prohibited here. Talks are on to legalize gambling here.
Laos: Gambling is technically illegal here, so is the poker.
Lebanon: The country endorses legal gambling. Except some lottery sites, there is no legal poker site currently active in Lebanon.
Malaysia: Poker isn’t popular here and there is no legal poker room in Malaysia.
Maldives: Gambling is illegal and so is the poker here.
Mongolia: Live poker is illegal here.
Nepal: The Nepalese are fascinated about poker, but it’s banned now.
Oman: Currently all forms of gambling is prohibited here.
Pakistan: Some forms of gambling are allowed, but poker isn’t popular here.
Palestine: Neither gambling nor poker is popular here.
Philippines: Gambling is very popular so is the poker here.
Qatar: Gambling is completely forbidden here.
Russia: All forms of gambling is banned here.
Saudi Arabia: Gambling is completely illegal in Saudi Arabia.
Singapore: Poker is popular though the laws on gambling do not hold a clear view of the country.
Sri Lanka: Gambling is legalized here so is the poker.
Syria: Poker isn’t legal here.
Taiwan: Poker is not legal in Taiwan though it is pretty popular here.
Tajikistan: Gambling is illegal though poker sites accept players from Tajikistan.
Thailand: Though illegal gambling is rampant, the Thai government is against it.
Turkey: Gambling is now banned in Turkey, but Turks have a big appetite for it.
Myanmar: Myanmar has 4 legal casinos, but poker is not popular here.
Turkmenistan: It has 2 legal casinos and 5 poker tables in total. Average disposable income is low here.
United Arab Emirates: All forms of gambling is strictly prohibited here.
Uzbekistan: All forms of gambling is banned here.
Vietnam: Except the state lottery, all forms of gambling is prohibited.
Yemen: Neither gambling nor poker is popular here with per capita GDP pegged at $2000 p.a. only.
In a nutshell, the Asia online poker law is mostly crippled either by the conservative laws of the land or by the poor per capita income.
Playing poker online is legal for Canadian players. There are no laws which specifically target Canadian players although a few hazy laws target web-based betting operators. However, it’s illegal to operate poker sites in some provinces and territories meaning setting up a poker site located in the country isn’t recommended. But if merely playing in a poker site, players have nothing whatsoever to worry about. The one reason some poker sites won’t accept Canadian players might be due to worries surrounding future legislation; some are afraid that Canada could eventually pass anti-gambling laws and come after them. This is just a stretch at best since there a host of Canadian poker sites that still welcome gamblers.
The poker legislation in Canada is very similar to that of the US which states that no one should operate or start a poker site. Nevertheless, the government has no problems with players anteing up on poker sites that owned or operated from outside Canada. The result has been a growth of a big number of poker sites which support players from Canada. These poker sites also offer special sign-up cash bonuses and other benefits that are used to play poker online. Moreover, a variety of promotional as well as other exceptional offers is provided in order to lure more Canadian players. The Canadian poker sites are renowned for their high quality playing experience coupled with among the best incentives in the poker scene.
What To Know About Canadian Poker Sites
When playing at Canadian poker sites, among the most important qualities of the best sites is the fact that they accept Canadian Dollars [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][CAD/CDN]. Most poker sites accept this currency and they also accept the popular deposit options made using this same currency. Of course, a Canadian poker site that doesn’t CDN payment options would hold little interest with Canadian players. Another important aspect is that the best poker sites for will allow gamers to play online Texas Hold’em in both English and French. Moreover, some poker sites provide their web pages as well as the software platform in French, and players are also able to enjoy French customer service support that’s on call 24/7. This is certainly a big boon for Quebec poker players.
Poker Varieties
The two most popular variants of poker in Canada are Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Both these card games are offered by most top-line Canadian poker sites. As a matter of fact, the best poker sites offer the two poker titles as tournaments and ring games, providing players with an even greater choice. By accepting Canadian players, poker rooms must strive to ensure competitive VIP Clubs alongside enticing promotions in order to provide players with extra benefits above their bonuses. Together with rich promotions and bonuses for real money poker site players, there are also special tournaments which are a further incentive for Canadian poker players.
Finding The Top Poker Sites
An important feature with many Canadian poker sites is the fact that they accept a wide range of the more popular methods of deposit available in the market. As an example, the most commonly used internet payment solution when it comes to real money gambling within Canada is Skrill, which also happens to be almost always accepted for a variety of online transactions. eChecks [Electronic Checks] which are issued by Canadian banks are also accepted. These eChecks are among the most frequently used and secure deposit methods online, and they are the top option for real money Canadian poker sites. Finally, major credit/debit cards are also accepted due to their speed and simplicity and as such, they are a good option when playing poker for real money.
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