Australian Poker Sites
Find out which sites are the best poker sites to play online poker from Australia
Well-regarded both as a classic stop on the international tournament circuit and as the home of many talented poker players, Australia has a long and storied relationship with the game of poker. Online poker in particular has exploded in popularity among Australians over the last few years as Aussies and online poker companies have awoken to the potential of the game as a source of entertainment and profit..
That popularity has resulted in more and more Aussies new to the game logging on to find out what it's all about. For those players - and perhaps even for some players who are already involved in online poker but looking to find a new online poker room - we offer this quick yet complete guide for Australian poker players to choosing the best online site.
What Makes an Online Poker Room Aussie-Friendly?
These is no shortage of poker rooms looking to serve the market, that's for certain. Aussies have their choice from a complete menu of rooms that includes the biggest, the best and the most respected the online poker industry has to offer.
However, online poker players from Australia have a special set of needs that not all online poker rooms are equipped to address, and, even among the rooms that are, some do a much better job than others. Here's the basic list of must-haves for poker fans from the land down under:
Reasonable Exchange Rates: No major online poker room that we're aware of offers play in Australian dollars. Most will allow you to deposit with AUD, but you will then have to convert those funds to USD or EUR before actually getting to play. That's not a big deal, but you will want to do a little double-checking on the exchange rate rooms are giving you and any fees that may be buried in the process. Even a difference of a few cents per transaction can really add up quickly for Australian players at an online poker room.
Satellites to Major Land-Based Tournaments in Australia: There is, of course, the Aussie Millions - perhaps the best known live tournament event on the continent - but Australia is home to more than just the millions. Dozens of events run each year, and any online poker room hoping to appeal to Aussies will make seats and satellites to such events a major part of their promotional lineup.
Accepts Payment Methods Popular With Australian Poker Players: POLi is the payment method of choice for most Australian poker players for some very simple reasons: It's safe, free and very easy to use. Players from Australia should definitely seek out rooms that accept POLi, as it saves you from the worry of having to expose your financial details to an online poker site and allows you to handle all of your online poker transactions from one central (and secure) location.
Staff Pick for Most Australian-Friendly Online Poker Room
It's a close call, but we ultimately give the nod to 888 Poker. Home to Australian icon Shane Warne, 888 has a clear focus on the Australian market and therefore understands exactly what the players in that market want. With promotions exclusive to Australians and a host of paths to various live events throughout the country - including, of course, the iconic Aussie Millions - 888 is likely the only online poker room many Australians will ever need to visit.
Underlying those promotions is a rock-solid foundation of credibility, security and reliability. Certified by every major body in the gambling industry and regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, 888 has handled billions in wagers and payouts without a single substantial issue to mar their record. That is the sort of reputation that Aussies - highly sought after customers in the online poker sector - should demand of any room they choose for their online poker play.
