You may often read that poker got developed some time during the 19th century. However, if you dig deeper, you will find that its roots go back almost 1,000 years, crossing many cultures and continents. Some think it stems from a 10th-century Chinese domino-card game, while others believe it is a descendant of the 16th-century Persian As Nas. Whatever its backstory is, its social nature is the secret sauce that has helped it become a staple at gambling parlors worldwide.

Even though poker’s boom period came and went in the early to mid-2000s, it has not gone into hiding, as it remains popular at both land-based and digital gambling establishments. PokerStars’ user activity grew by 38% in the first half of 2020, signaling that it still manages to swell its player pool. A massive contributing factor to this occurrence is the existence of dedicated mobile software. Apps that let you enjoy some Omaha or Texas Hold ‘em action from the comfort of your home while you converse and compete with others.

Below, we look at what many see as the best poker options you can enjoy with friends via your smartphone.

Poker Face

Developed by Comunix Ltd, Poker Face hit the Google Play and Apple stores in July of 2019. Over the past two years, it has amassed a pretty decent following, generating over one million Android and iPhone installs. It claims to be the world’s most authentic free poker app. While that statement may cause some debate, there is no doubt that this video-chat game software provides thrilling social entertainment. It lets you meet people from all corners of the globe and offers you the option to play in private rooms. Remember, as its name suggests, your avatar here is your face, a video feed of it.

Once you open an account with this service, you get treated to a welcome bonus of one million in free chips, and you get to go on daily missions that will help you boost this figure.

World Series of Poker – WSOP

Playtika is one of the largest mobile game developers in the world. It is a company that caters to over 34 million users and boasts a staff of more than 3,700 employees. Thus, it is no wonder that they are the ones that have teamed up with the most established series of poker tournaments to develop their branded app. The WSOP software is available for Android and iOS users, and it has a 4.4 rating at both stores.

Utilizing this app, you can compete in tournaments with stranges for bracelets or invite friends to play in private rooms for fun. Same as with Poker Face, Playtika gifts you one million in free chips to help you start your poker adventure the right way. After that, you get additional free chips every three hours. Playtika loves Facebook, which is why it will give you an extra quarter of a million in free chips if you connect the app to your Facebook account. Visually, WSOP may not blow you away, but it still packs a lot of entertainment value with its slots mini-game and level-up rewards.

Real Money Poker Apps

As mentioned in the intro, real money online poker is witnessing a renaissance, reaching user activity not seen in this past decade. Some gambling experts are even claiming that we may be on the cusp of a second boom period. However, such a prediction is perhaps a tad too bold. That said, no one can deny that online poker is back in style and that mobile software has played a massive role in its comeback.

Nowadays, the internet is swarming with online gambling platforms, and many of these provide mobile poker rooms. If you are unsure which one to pick, review some of the best real money poker apps before settling on a platform. The benefits of these sites are that they provide promotions such as welcome bonuses and Rakeback. They also allow you to participate in affordable buy-in tournaments with guaranteed prize pools. You can select one that best suits your budget and invite acquaintances to join. It is the perfect alternative to enjoying real money action without having to travel to a friend’s house.

To Sum Up

The offer of social poker apps is vast. Aside from the ones listed, other software gamers recommend is Zynga Poker, Rest Poker, Hi Poker 3D, and Governor of Poker 3. All of these are oodles of fun. However, they do not provide money prizes. If you want to enjoy the thrills of playing with something other than bragging rights on the line, you should navigate to online casinos. Pick a gambling site with decent reviews, and hope that skill plus luck will line your pockets with some extra dough.

About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.