Michigan Online Poker

Michigan online poker is live, legal and here to stay! Online poker tournaments, spin and gos and no-limit hold’em cash games are among the playing options available in the state.

BetMGM Poker, PokerStars and World Series of Poker MI offer a no-deposit welcome bonus and a first deposit bonus to allow you to try out the site with little to no risk. Details to register are below.

Best online poker sites in Michigan

 

 

Online poker bonuses and rewards

Like most Michigan online gambling outlets, the best poker sites have to keep their customers happy. So every poker brand will have bonuses and rewards that you can use to pad your account balance. Most online poker bonuses come in two formats: instant bonuses and tournament tickets. Although there are numerous ins and outs to the different types of bonuses you’ll find, the end result of each will usually be one or both of those types of rewards.

For the most part, here are the types of bonuses you will encounter:

1. No deposit bonus: These bonuses are essentially free money that will show up in your account. You will most often see no deposit poker bonuses when you sign up for an account — they are otherwise rare. Although they may be withdrawable as cash, no deposit poker bonuses often come in the form of site credits and will require you to play through the bonus a certain number of times.
2. Deposit bonus: With this type of bonus, the poker site will match a portion of your deposit and contribute additional funds to your account on top of the deposit amount. The percentage of the match can be any amount, even 100%. However, there will also be a limit to the maximum amount you can match. In many cases, the site will withhold the full amount of the bonus and drip it to you as you play. Be aware, then, that you may not see an immediate benefit.
3. Loyalty or rewards programs: In many cases, you are a member in the program automatically from the moment that you register. If you never pay it any mind, that’s all right. However, these programs will both classify you and reward you based upon how much you wager and how often you play. As you hit the tables, you will earn points to redeem for cash or prizes. The exact amounts of cash or prizes vary, but common options include free-money bonuses, tournament tickets and branded merchandise from the site’s store.

The rarest reward you can receive is unrestricted cash. It is unusual, however, for online poker sites to hand out withdrawable funds for a bonus.

In most cases, you will either receive site credits or tournament tickets. Site credits function like cash, but you cannot withdraw them until you’ve “washed” them through the system. Tournament tickets, meanwhile, require you to use them for tournament buy-ins. They are non-transferable and can’t be converted into cash.

Comparing Michigan online poker sites 2023

WSOP Michigan

Review: WSOP Michigan

Download: Play WSOP MI

Best features:

• Smart new, high-functioning client provides enjoyable user experience
• WSOP tournament series with bracelet and ring events
• Offers good selection of satellites for live WSOP events
• Ties into the popular Caesars Rewards program

The World Series of Poker is one of the most recognizable brands in poker, and it finally launched in Michigan in March of 2022.

Big-time tournaments are the main draw for WSOP Michigan players, whether that’s during the week, in daily qualifiers for the WSOP Main Event or the WSOP Online Circuit. The weekly $100 buy-in, $50K guarantee tournament is the biggest Sunday tournament in the state.

WSOP Michigan uses the Poker 8 software used by 888poker sites worldwide. The Poker 8 software represents a significant step up from that used by WSOP’s sites in Nevada and New Jersey. The client features a pleasing, dark color scheme. The design makes it easy for players to find favorite game types and tournaments.

The WSOP partners with 888 poker, which operates sites in NJ, NV and Delaware. Together, those sites take advantage of a multi-state agreement that enables them to share player pools among the different sites. Michigan has been accepted into the agreement, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board has signed it, so it’s just a matter of WSOP (or others) meeting requirements to allow Michigan online players to be dealt into interstate hands.

Our Verdict: WSOP is a welcome addition to MI online poker, and the real excitement and benefits are on their way, as the state’s acceptance into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement will allow the site to pool players across MI, NJ, and NV. On top of that, Michigan players can enjoy online Circuit and Bracelet Event series, as well as satellites for live events like the WSOP in Las Vegas.

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BetMGM Poker MI

Review: BetMGM Poker Michigan

Download: BetMGM MI Poker App

Best features:

• Clear, no-nonsense design makes for easy navigation
• Approachable monthly tournament series, with buy-ins ranging from $20 to $1,060
• Can earn M Life Rewards at MGM Grand Detroit and other MGM locations
• Offers a “fast-fold” cash game, Fast Forward

BetMGM Poker launched in Michigan in March 2021 to become the second legal online poker site in the state. The site uses the same software found at partypoker US network sites (including BetMGM Poker sites) in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. BetMGM Poker’s land-based partner is the MGM Grand Detroit casino, the largest casino in the state.

The site got off to a slow start traffic-wise and still trails PokerStars. But it has gained some ground. BetMGM occasionally runs a monthly tournament series, the BetMGM Online Series, that attracts decent-sized fields for certain events. Although the BetMGM Poker client is functional and easy to use, it lacks the sophistication of other online poker sites. That said, some players prefer the lack of “bells and whistles,” as it helps enable them to focus more directly on gameplay.

Desktop and laptop users (PC or Mac) can download the client to their computers. There is also an app for both Apple (iOS) and Android users.

Our Verdict: Generally low traffic means BetMGM Poker in Michigan is likely a less attractive option for cash games. The tournament offerings, however, are frequent and varied, and Michigan online poker players may want to add some of the more popular events to their weekly schedules (especially those with guaranteed prize pools). The monthly BetMGM Online Series is worth keeping an eye out for as well whenever it comes around.

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PokerStars Michigan

Review: PokerStars Michigan 

Download: Play PokerStars Michigan

Best features:

• Shared player pool with New Jersey
• Consistently high traffic (for a ring-fenced US site)
• Mixed games and variants beyond no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha
• State-of-the-art software with a clear, intuitive design

PokerStars partnered with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to launch the first online poker room in Michigan in late January 2021.

Almost immediately, the Michigan site became PokerStars’ most-trafficked US site. Big tournament series such as PokerStars’ famous “COOP” series drew big fields and featured huge prize pools. Both the first Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP) and first Michigan Spring Championship of Online Poker (MISCOOP) did especially well.

One big reason why PokerStars began thriving from the start is the state-of-the-art PokerStars client software. PokerStars first launched globally in 2001. With two decades’ worth of development, PokerStars arguably provides the smoothest and most reliable online poker experience in the world. In Michigan, there is no contest at present, as PokerStars.com is easily the most inviting site from a player experience standpoint.

In January of 2023, PokerStars became the first operator in the state to open interstate play, combining the player pools from Michigan and New Jersey.

Players can enjoy PokerStars on a desktop or laptop (PC or Mac) by downloading and installing the PokerStars client. There is also a PokerStars app available for both Apple (iOS) and Android mobile devices.

Our Verdict: Right now, there’s little to complain about with PokerStars.com, and the addition of the shared player pool with New Jersey only strengthens that. PokerStars can now attract the largest fields for its big tournaments series, and its daily and weekly MTTs consistently draw well, too.

Poker games available at real money poker sites

No-limit hold’em is far and away the most popular poker game in Michigan — and just about everywhere else. Indeed, almost all tournaments on Michigan online poker sites are NLHE, although they come in many different formats (turbo, deep-stacked, progressive knockout). You will find some pot-limit Omaha tournaments on occasion.

BetMGM Poker and WSOP only offer hold’em and Omaha. PokerStars is the only option for players looking to play other games, including mixed-game formats. PokerStars has the following cash games available:

• limit seven-card stud
• limit seven-card stud hi-lo
• limit razz
• pot-limit 2-7 triple draw
• limit 2-7 triple draw
• Badugi
• H.O.R.S.E. (limit hold’em, Omaha hi-lo, razz, stud, stud hi-lo)
• 8-Game (H.O.R.S.E. plus 2-7 triple draw, PLO, and NLHE)

PokerStars features a daily tournament called the “Change-Up,” where the game is something other than NLHE or PLO (for example, H.O.R.S.E., stud, razz, Badugi).

Tournaments and Cash Games in Michigan

While it’s true your game options at Michigan poker sites are mostly limited to no-limit hold’em and Omaha varieties, there’s still a good deal of variation. All legal poker sites have their regular sampling of daily and weekly tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and their own flair on some classic favorites.

PokerStars Tournaments and Cash Games

In addition to frequent tournament series, PokerStars features many popular daily and weekly multi-table tournaments, often with guaranteed prize pools. Some feature the popular progressive knockout (PKO) format, although most are traditional multi-table tournaments (MTTs).

Popular PokerStars daily tournaments include:

• The Big $5, The Big $10, The Big $15, The Big $30 (regular MTTs)
• The Hot $5, The Hot $10, The Hot $30, The Hot $50 (turbo MTTs)
• The Lunchtime Hot $20 ($1K gtd.)
• The $100 Nightly Stars ($10K gtd.)
• Change-Up — mixed game, non-NLHE tournaments ($20 buy-in, $500 or $1K gtd.)

Popular weekly tournaments at PokerStars MI include:

• Thursday Thrill ($200 buy-in, $15K gtd.)
• Sunday Warm-Up ($30 buy-in, $3K gtd.)
• Sunday Supersonic ($50 buy-in, $5K gtd.)
• Sunday Marathon ($100 buy-in, $10K gtd.)

PokerStars features Sit & Go’s, with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $500. There are also the jackpot-style Spin & Go’s, with buy-ins from $1 to $10 and top prizes from $10 to $30. Cash games range in stakes from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50 for no-limit hold’em and as high as $100/$200 for the 8-Game mix. Players stick to lower stakes most of the time, however, with NLHE games of $0.50/$1 and below the most popular.

PokerStars recently began to offer the fast-fold “Zoom” game found on PokerStars’ global sites for its shared Michigan and New Jersey player pool.

BetMGM Tournaments and Cash Games

BetMGM Poker always has a number of multi-table tournaments scheduled, many of which feature guaranteed prize pools. These MTTs start at $0.25 and $1 to play, with a $535 weekly tournament among the highest buy-ins. The monthly BetMGM Online Series frequently features a $1,060 buy-in tournament as well.

Some of the more popular regularly scheduled tournaments at BetMGM Poker in Michigan  include:

• The Daily $10K ($109 buy-in, $10K gtd.)
• Mega Tuesday ($535 buy-in, $12K gtd.)
• Sunday $35K ($215 buy-in, $35K gtd.)

BetMGM Poker also has Sit & Go’s, with buy-ins from $1 to $500. Note that unlike PokerStars, BetMGM Poker only offers hold’em (no-limit and limit) and pot-limit Omaha. In the past and in other states, BetMGM Poker has offered seven-card stud. But that variant has not been added to the Michigan site.

NLHE and PLO cash games feature stakes ranging from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50. Although less popular, the fixed-limit hold’em games have stakes from $0.02/$0.04 to $30/$60. BetMGM Poker does have a “fast-fold” game, Fast Forward, although it almost never runs, because of a lack of players.

WSOP.com Tournaments and Cash Games

WSOP Michigan players will find four primary categories of games: cash games, tournaments, sit & go’s, along with WSOP and 888 poker’s jackpot-style sit & go game BLAST poker.

For cash games, WSOP MI has no-limit hold’em, pot-limit Omaha and fixed-limit hold’em. The no-limit hold’em cash games feature a range of stakes starting as low as $0.01/$0.02 blinds and going up as high as $100/$200. The pot-limit Omaha stakes are similar, starting with pennies and topping out at $50/$100. Meanwhile, the stakes for fixed-limit hold’em cash games range from $0.05/$0.10 to $10/$20.

There are a variety of MTTs featuring different buy-ins and a range of formats. Guarantees are as high as $15K on Tuesdays, $20K on Thursdays, and $50K on Sundays.

As with cash games, you’ll only find NLHE and PLO tournaments at WSOP MI (i.e., no stud or mixed game MTTs). Tournament types include regular and short-handed MTTs, knockout and progressive knockout bounty tournaments, freezeouts and rebuy/add-on tournaments, and SNAP fast-fold tournaments. Different speeds include from regular, turbo and super turbo.

WSOP MI provides satellites to live WSOP tournaments, including for the WSOP Main Event as low as $1 to play. The WSOP Online Bracelet Series and WSOP Online Circuit series allows players to compete for coveted gold bracelets and rings.

Sit & Go’s have buy-ins ranging from $0.25 to $200, and players can play heads-up, six-handed or nine-handed varieties.

BLAST is WSOP’s form of a hyper turbo sit-n-go but with a jackpot twist. It takes four players to fill and then you get entered into a jackpot drawing. This drawing is important because it determines a multiplier that can range from double to 10,000 times your buy-in. Additionally, the multiplier determines the timer of the BLAST sit-n-go. Once the timer is up, all players are all-in until a winner is determined.

How Michigan online poker works

You can play online poker for real money legally within the state. But it’s important to understand how things work at regulated online poker sites in Michigan.

Who can play?

First, Michigan requires anyone who plays online poker in the state to be 21 or older. This requirement should come as no surprise. Now that Michigan has been accepted into the MSIGA, players at WSOP Michigan will soon be able to compete against players from New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada. PokerStars and BetMGM do not support interstate poker, however.

The good news is that it is not necessary to be a resident of Michigan to play. If you are a visitor, you have the same opportunity to experience online poker, as long as you are of legal age.

How to download the app or poker client

First, use one of the links above to access the site of your choice. You will need to download the app to your mobile device or the poker client to your desktop computer. Using our links will often put you in line for the best welcome bonuses. However, make sure you jot down any poker bonus codes we have listed, as they can be worth extra cash and benefits in your account.

Apple and Android device users should have no difficulty downloading and installing the app via the provided PokerStars and BetMGM links above. Once you’ve installed the app or client, look for a sign-up button at the top of the screen.

As with online casinos in Michigan, be ready to supply your personal information in order to create your account. You will need the following:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number

These are all common requirements at online gambling sites in Michigan. You will also need to choose an appropriate screen name, password and (potentially) security challenge questions. Then, find the box to enter our bonus code. It is usually the only optional box on the page. Make sure that you enter the code exactly as it appears — including any capital letters and without any typos.

After that, hit the button at the bottom to submit, and you should be ready to go.

How to deposit and cash out at Michigan poker sites

In order to play for real money on a Michigan site, you’re going to have to invest your own money. Even more obviously, you’re going to want to be able to withdraw any winnings if your big moment arrives. Thankfully, every Michigan poker site comes with multiple ways to deposit and cash out quickly.

If you want to make a deposit, these options are available:

• Credit or debit card — Visa and Mastercard are acceptable options. However, make sure to check with your issuing bank before you make this type of request. Some do not allow deposits to online poker sites or may charge hefty cash advance fees.
• Electronic wallets — Skrill and PayPal are accepted by Michigan online poker rooms.
• Online banking — If you use online bill pay for other transactions, you may be able to use it to send money directly from your bank account to the poker site, too.
• Electronic checks — VIP Preferred is the option, although ACH is viable. These function exactly like paper checks, except in an electronic format. Most Michigan poker sites will accept echecks.
• Prepaid cards — Play+ and Paysafecard are the most common options for a prepaid card, which is essentially a gift card that you give yourself.
• PayNearMe — You can fund your accounts at 7-Eleven and Family Dollar locations using cash and the PayNearMe service.

Finally, some poker sites’ land-based partners will accept deposits in person at the casino cage. You can deposit and withdraw from your BetMGM Poker account at MGM Grand Detroit casino, for example.

Are Michigan online poker sites safe?

Yes. It is safe to play on Michigan’s legal online poker sites. Any sites that you see mentioned above are fully licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Rest assured: This page will never advertise poker sites that do not meet these standards. All legal poker sites in Michigan come with the MGCB logo and/or note that the site is “authorized and regulated by the MGCB.”

If you come across a site not mentioned on this page, it is most likely an offshore poker site. These sites are not under the regulations and laws of the state of Michigan or the United States. Invariably, offshore sites do not work with the MGCB, nor do they operate with a Michigan land-based partner or have offices in the US.

Playing on one of these sites puts you and your financial security at a much higher risk. International sites often exist in the gray areas of the law and in countries with far less stringent business standards.

You also cannot count on these sites to report to an effective regulatory body. In many cases, the regulator has no authority to take action on the site if there’s an issue, including with payouts. Worse, it’s even possible that it is part of the same organization. The bottom line is that there’s no reason to take any kind of chances, now that legal online poker is legitimately underway in Michigan. Stick to legal — and safe — Michigan sites.

Will Michigan share player pools with other states?

Yes. But for now, only at PokerStars. It launched interstate poker in January of 2023, combining its Michigan and New Jersey player pools.

That was the end of a months-long wait, even as shared liquidity looked to be very, very close.

Michigan was accepted into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement on April 6, 2022, and the MGCB has signed onto the agreement, which was the final major hurdle in allowing Michigan players to join those in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey.

Now it’s on BetMGM and WSOP to launch their own versions of interstate play.

Live poker rooms in Michigan

Michigan offers a slew of live poker options. Many of the state’s casinos offer their own poker rooms. Here are the opportunities you have to play poker in live settings at Michigan casinos.

List of poker rooms in Michigan casinos

Michigan casino card room	Address	No. of tables
Bay Mills Resort & Casino	11386 W. Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715	4
FireKeepers Casino Hotel	11177 E. Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49014	26
Greektown Casino-Hotel	555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit, MI 48226	12
Gun Lake Casino	1123 129th Ave., Wayland, MI 49348	14
Island Casino	W399 US-2, Harris, MI 49845	6
Kewadin Casino	2186 Shunk Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783	4
MGM Grand Detroit	1777 3rd Ave., Detroit, MI 48226	17
MotorCity Casino Hotel	2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48201	17
Odawa Casino	1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, MI 49770	6
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort	6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858	14

Michigan online poker FAQ

Can I play online poker in Michigan?

Yes. Online poker is legal in Michigan. Multiple operators offer regularly open tables, daily and weekly tournaments, and occasional special series with larger guaranteed prize pools.

What online poker sites are in Michigan right now?

Michigan has three online poker sites. PokerStars was the first to market, and BetMGM Poker followed soon after. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) launched about a year later.

How does an online poker site know I’m in Michigan?

All Michigan online poker sites, casinos and sportsbooks must verify the physical location of their players at all times. They accomplish this by using geolocation software. This software uses your mobile device’s onboard GPS to pinpoint your location before you are allowed on the site. If you use a laptop or desktop computer, you will have to verify your location by downloading this software separately, or through the site.

The sites are not inclined to waver on this requirement, either. They face heavy fines and sanctions, including the loss of their operating licenses, if they are not vigilant about enforcing the in-state requirement. Simply put, you will have to verify your location within Michigan before you’ll be able to make your first bet, raise, call or fold.

Can online poker be trusted in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan online poker games are as fair as they come. Online poker sites use random number generators to deal the cards. The Michigan Gaming Control Board tests this technology and oversees operations to make sure games are presented fairly.

The sites don’t have an interest in one player winning over another. They have strict security in place to police collusion, bot play and anything else untoward.

What was the first legal online poker site in Michigan?

PokerStars MI was the first poker site to launch in Michigan. PokerStars was live on Jan. 29, 2021, a week after online casino gaming and online sports betting were first allowed in Michigan. BetMGM Poker followed on March 22, 2021, and World Series of Poker launched on March 28, 2022.

Are home poker games legal in Michigan?

Technically, home games are not legal in Michigan, but there are several poker rooms around the state that are legit and regulated. Michigan gaming law also allows some charitable organizations to offer poker games at standalone facilities.

What poker variants do Michigan poker sites offer?

The vast majority of tables and tournaments you’ll find on Michigan online poker sites will be centered on no-limit Texas hold ‘em. Omaha to a lesser degree. You’ll come across a game of Omaha or pot limit Omaha on occasion in the regular fold, too. Several other game types you’ll sometimes find at PokerStars include seven-card stud, razz, 2-7 triple draw, Badugi, 8-Game and HORSE. But these games and tables are rare, and are often limited to special tournament play.

How do you play PokerStars in Michigan?

First, make sure you have downloaded the PokerStars client. Use the PokerStars link above on this page. You will need to download the app to your mobile device or the poker client to your desktop computer. Using our links will often put you in line for welcome bonuses. But our bonus codes can be worth extra benefits in your account, so write them down, too.

Apple device users should have no difficulty downloading and installing apps and clients. However, Android users will need to instruct their devices to accept downloads from unknown sources in the device’s security settings.

Once you’ve installed the app or client, look for a sign-up button at the top of the screen to create an account and find tables or tournaments for play.

Can Michigan players compete for WSOP bracelets online?

Yes. With the launch of WSOP MI in March of 2022, Michigan online poker players can now compete in satellites for spots in live WSOP tournaments, including the WSOP Main Event. There is also the WSOP Online Circuit series, in which players can compete for coveted WSOP-C rings.