Discover the Best Poker Sites in the Philippines for 2024

Written By Scott Lawson Published on 26.08.2020 Last Updated on 19.07.2024

The poker websites ranked above are the cream of the crop – the operators who scored highest when tested against our expert criteria. When playing at the best online poker site you can expect top security and safety standards, high quality gaming and great player rewards.

The Top 10 Online Poker Sites in the Philippines by Category

Before we get into the nitty gritty of where to play online poker, it’s worth pointing out that certain websites are better at some things than others. For example, one site might have the best bonuses, while another might have the best mobile poker apps. For each known category, we have selected noteworthy operators where you can play poker online.

• bwin Poker – Top PH Poker Tournament Site

• PokerStars – Biggest Poker Site Worldwide

• GGPoker – Top Choice for VIP Poker Offers

• Full Tilt Poker – Great Choice for New Poker Players

• partypoker – Best Pick for Cashback Hunters

The above list is in no way an exhaustive run-down of all the online poker sites Filipino players can engage in cash games. Rather, it’s a good starting point in our goal of reviewing online poker sites and directing you to the best choice for your specific case. To learn how we made the above choices, keep reading.

Our Selection Criteria for Online Poker Sites in the Philippines

We’ve briefly mentioned our criteria already but allow us to introduce it in greater detail. Just as the players do, we too look favorably upon the top poker bonuses and features of the sort of free games. The opporutnity of playing online poker should be assessed following tried and true method of testing for the best results.

1. The Online Poker Game Offering

You don’t need to be an expert reviewer to know that the games on offer make up a big portion of what makes a poker site worthwhile. We always scan several online poker sites to ensure that we can then select the best selection of card games in terms of variety and popularity.

As any card game fanatic will tell you, there’s a lot of variety in the world of legal online poker, so an adequate representation of the game’s many variants is a must. Naturally, some online poker rooms will favor certain variants over others. If you’re looking for where to play free games and your favorite form of poker, check out the options below.

• Texas Hold’Em – Offered by bwinPoker

• Omaha – Offered by bwin Poker

• Pot Limit Omaha – Offered by PokerStars

• 7-Card Stud – Offered by partypoker

• Razz – Offered by Full TiltPoker

With the intention to review poker sites that offer a tailored service to Filipinos, we presented our top picks for each respective game variant. That’s not to say that you won’t find the above real money games at any of the other poker sites in the Philippines, but only that those listed really impressed us with the poker variant diversity of their cash game rooms and tournaments.

Besides popular poker games, we were looking for online platforms which have the full package of features you’d expect. The websites which offer online poker in the Philippines, tend to be very inclusive in most respects. We will methodically explain what that means for the PH player in the rest of this online poker guide.

2. The Online Poker Sites Payout Rates: Rake and Rakeback

When playing any kind of casino game, UK players are used to referring to the United Kingdom Gambling Commission for safety guidance, but the online poker experience in the Phillipines is different. There’s no theoretical payout, just pure online gaming against other players. If you’re looking for the best online poker sites for real money in the Philippines you can refer to the table below for additional advice. Check out our payout findings on the global poker game findings.

The table above is not indicative of which the best poker site is, it just brings to your attention how much the biggest poker sites pay after the rake percentage is subtracted. As you can see, some of the payout percentages are quite high. Take one more good look, before considering a single poker site for Filipinos. Also, always check the best payout casino games in the Philippines before committing to a specific website.

3. Bonuses and Promotions

Bonuses are big business in the online betting world. Sites routinely offer large rewards to players simply for signing up, and poker sites are no different. Though poker-specific bonuses are less common, many regular PH online casino welcome bonuses can be used across poker games.

Welcome bonuses are not the be-all and end-all of rewards, but a welcome bonus can change a lot. You might be lucky enough to come across poker sites with a no deposit bonus code applicable Philippines-wide, which means Filipino players can enjoy a free hand without having to pay a penny. Though rare, these offers certainly are not unheard of.

4. Mobile Poker Apps

What more apt way to start than a session of speed poker on your cell phone? Mobile poker sites in the Philippines also enable players to claim the best sign up bonuses in this category. In short, as a Filipino customer, you will be able to make use of either a mobile-ready site or a downloadable app for both Android and iOS and even earn tournament tickets gradually playing on the go..

You don’t need to be au courant with the latest poker news to find good offers. The table above gives you a short overview of what’s available at the many online poker sites for Filipino poker players. Those are real cash prizes you get as a new customer who has just made their first deposit. Learn about mobile gambling in detail and the sign up bonuses on offer from our mobile casino guide for Filipino players.

5. Poker Software Platform

A poker player from the Philippines can visit are ever-so greatly reliant on software. Although, there are no random number generators in online poker, both the experienced player and recreational players need to be able to make a security deposit and to splash chips free of safety concerns. We will acquaint you with the software houses that make palying No Limit Hold’em on a mobile device possible.

The best online poker sites in the Philippines are powered by the best software on the internet. Besides quality virtues, that means you’ll enter a big pool of players regardless of game selection. Selected games will have you compete against a wide variety of players from other operators. When looking through our list of the top poker sites in the Philippines, you’ll likely come across the following platforms:

• OnGame
• iPoker
• GG Network
• partypoker
• The Microgaming Network
• Winning Poker Network

In addition to providing top-of-the-line poker software, these poker networks are a sign of trustworthiness and good repute. The above networks have the necessary licenses and trusted by high roller because they go to great lengths to protect and satisfy their customers. Look out for inclusive stake levels and new features when you play on the sites supported by these poker platforms.

Downloadable Clients

Winning and spending tournament tickets is also possible on a PH poker app. There are no specific wagering restrictions brought by downloadable poker apps you should know about. It’s quite on the contrary, they are preferred by experienced players because of how convenient they are. It’s recommended to download the software wherever possible, as it can often run more smoothly and with fewer hiccups than the browser equivalent.

The Liquidity Factor

Liquidity is something we’ve briefly touched upon already with regard to poker platforms. Basically, liquidity refers to traffic on a platform coming from a variety of operators. When operators share a platform, they increase the ability for players to play against a lot of opponents. The top poker sites in the Philippines will have strong liquidity.

6. Safety: Only Trusted Poker Sites

When examining any gambling site, our primary concern is always player safety. Therefore, you will never find any risky or untrustworthy poker sites featured here. When selecting our trusted poker sites, we make sure to screen for funds protection, responsible gambling tools, brand reputation, data security and fairness always.

• Coral Poker – SSL Security Certification from DigiCert

• bwin Poker – 128-bit SSL Encryption

• Full Tilt – Trustwave Encryption Software

• partypoker – License from the Gambling Commission

The above online poker sites for Philippines players can access have all received the proper licensing from the official regulator. This means that they have met the regulator’s high standards for safety and security and present no risks to players.

7. Tables, Sit and Go and Tournaments

Another key feature we screen for when seeking the best sites to play poker Philippines, or elsewhere, is the number of tables and the variety of tournaments. Naturally, the table number is important. It’s all well and good if a site is buzzing with activity, but if you can’t find a free table you won’t get in on the action.

Ideally, tables and tournaments should cater to a wide number of players and allow players to play and go as they please. In this sense, the biggest online poker sites operate something akin to Philippines bingo sites, in that traffic can pass smoothly and frequently.

8. The Range of Payment Methods

Payment methods are an often overlooked, yet nonetheless important, aspect of any online gambling. It’s crucial that the best real money poker sites offer their players a wide array of payment options so that they can feel comfortable and secure in making easy online transactions.

Wherever possible, we recommend that players use PayPal when making online payments. This is due to the service’s sterling record of user safety and widespread availability. Philippines players should also note that it is no longer possible to make credit card payments at gambling sites.

9. The Players

Apart from the potential winnings, a big part of why we stick to the best poker apps in the Philippines is the players. A strong user base means you won’t have to wait too long to start playing and will also ensure a steady flow of new people to play against, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Between tournaments and the liquidity of platforms, you’ll have no shortage of opponents at our recommended poker sites. The communal aspect of the game really is one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable features, so don’t underestimate it in your search for a quality operator.

10. Special VIP Levels

Last but certainly not least among the features we scan for are special VIP levels. If you’re familiar with any kind of gambling site, you’ll already be aware that there are often VIP perks available for frequent players. In this regard, the top poker sites featured on this page are no different.

At many of the operators we’ve listed here, you can expect rewards for loyalty. More often than not, these are accessed automatically through an in-built point system. Accruing a certain amount of points will net you rewards like exclusive tournaments or monetary bonuses, so keep an eye out.

Licensing and Regulation in the Philippines

Filipino players are fortunate insofar as most online gambling is legal and accessible – as long as you’re aged 18 or over and can provide valid identification upon registration. The poker sites for Filipino players allow you to cash out only after an ID check, but that’s as strict as it gets. This is true for Philippines real money casinos as well.

However, Filipino players are not in an enviable position when it comes to taxes on winnings. As you may already be aware, Filipino gamblers are required to pay any taxes on their gambling winnings. The tax rate depends entirely on the value of your winnings, so keep that in mind.

New Poker Sites in the Philippines

The popularity of poker online often dictates the appearance of new operators. Currently, online poker is enjoying a great deal of success, and as such new sites are being launched all the time. It can be difficult to keep up with the new poker sites in the Philippines, so we’ve been keeping tabs on the latest.

The above refers solely to the best new poker sites. Naturally, the above table will be updated frequently to reflect new arrivals on the scene. If you’re looking for sites with a bit more scope, or just casino sites generally, we recommend you head over to our ranking of the best new casinos in the Philippines.

Poker Sites to Avoid in the Philippines

The bad players also have the right to stay safe and secure when they engage in poker gambling. That’s why we put together a list of poker sites you shouldn’t join nor deposit at. Remember to register only at licensed operators that are audited by trusted third-party organizations. In other words, stay away from the following sites:

The fair judgement of users paint the above-mentioned websites as sub-par. With such websites legality problems are always par for the course, so just don’t register there. We can’t guarantee our readers they won’t become subjects to a dodgy practice. Therefore, we simply advise you to deposit at PH poker sites we have reviewed and trust.

History of Poker in the Philippines

The history of poker in the Philippines isn’t too long. The game first became popular in 2006, with the opening of the first poker room in the PAGCOR Airport Casino. At this time, it was the only casino in the country where players could play Texas Hold’Em. The WSOP also played a huge role in popularizing the game and teaching the poker rules to the masses.

The year 2007 saw the first Asia Pacific Poker Tour Tournament take place in the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino in Manila. This really helped to put the Philippines on the map as a major poker haven, and since then the popularity of the game has soared. That made available more freerolls and tournaments with guaranteed prize pools to the average PH gambler.

Conclusion

Before you invest millions into a bankroll, make sure you understand what the poker sites in the Philippines have to offer. We hope you found this page useful, and that you will be profitable time playing at any one of our recommended sites. Failing that, we hope you utilize our criteria when finding a site on your own.

If you’re still looking for further information, perhaps on what other casino options are available to you, we recommend checking out our page on the best Philippines online casinos. Otherwise, we wish you the best of luck at the best sites to play poker Philippines!

FAQ

Before you set out to show your poker skills, have a look at what players from the Philippines are asking. Should you have any lingering questions about playing Philippines poker online, please consult our frequently asked questions below. This section is updated regularly, so if your query doesn’t appear, do check back again soon.

What are the best poker sites in the Philippines?

There are poker platforms available to Filipinos, but the absolute best are just a few. They have great deposit options and the experienced players like them a lot. Some of them even make it possible for new players to test the waters at a play money table. To do that, you should be a client of the top poker sites for Filipinos.

Are there PH poker sites with a no deposit bonus?

A no deposit bonus is a great option, but special offers of this kind are also very rare. No poker websites accepting Filipinos gives free player funds at the moments. It's not against federal law or something, but the practice is not that common currently. Pick a category of Philippine poker bonuses with a deposit reqiured.

Do you have to pay taxes on poker winning in the Philippines?

Yes. You will find that pursuant to gambling regulation in the Philippines poker players are charged at a 10% tax rate when the winnings accrued are less than PHP 10,000, and at a 20% tax rate when we winnings in excess of PHP 10,001 are reported.

Which Filipino poker platforms online pay best?

Currently, three are the best-paying Filipino poker sites. They have achieved their above-average payout rates by bringing down the rake percentage and not applying additional taxes. Obviously, this is to the liing of the majority of the real money players, and this is how the operators in questions have made a name for themselves.

Can you play free at online poker sites in the Philippines?

Indeed, one of the currently best PH poker operators has a free play bonus you can take advantage of. It's possible to play free online poker from the Philippines if you register, and claim the PH poker bonus of the operator in question. You get a deposit match too.

Can I play Texas Hold'em poker online from the Philippines?

Texas Hold'em is one of the widely-known poker game variants among Filipinos. As such, it is supported by all online poker platforms available to country residents. As long as you have a validated account and a sufficient bankroll, you will be able to play Texas Hold'em.

Can you win live poker tournament tickets from PH poker sites?

In the majority of the cases, yes, you can win a live poker promotion. To find such packages, it's worth keeping an eye on the poker tournaments for Filipinos and the prizes up for grabs. Then, all you have to do is register at a satellite tournament with the correct prize structure.

The List of Poker Sites in the Philippines

We believe that on our page you will find the best conditions provided by the trusted poker websites in the Philippines. In an ever-expanding industry as this one, there are rarely any limits to what oyu can expect, so don’t forget to come here for updates from time to time. For further information on any of the sites featured here, we recommend checking the operators out for yourself or clicking across to the dedicated reviews we’ve written, which you can find in the below list of Filipino poker sites.