Micro Stakes Online Poker Sites
- Micro Stakes Online Poker Sites For Play Money
- Micro Stakes Online Poker Strategy
- Micro Stakes Online Poker Sites Online
- William Hill Poker
Will I find good low stakes traffic? The best online poker sites are the ones that have the widest range of games and the biggest player pools. Our recommended poker sites offer plenty of options for low-stakes tournaments and micro-stakes cash games. Aug 25, 2020 Best Micro Stakes Poker Sites. Most of the largest online poker sites include some low stakes online poker games in their offer, but that doesn't mean you can play poker for pennies just about.
Sweepstakes poker sites offer a legal online poker experience to players across the United States.
The games at a sweepstakes poker site operate as mini sweepstakes games and are available to poker players in virtually every US state. In states without legalized real-money poker, sweepstakes sites like Global Poker are the best option available to US players.
The sweepstakes gaming model offers players the opportunity to play poker for cash prizes. Sweepstakes poker sites offer both play money games, as well as sweepstakes games, using a unique “Sweeps Coins” currency system.
Most Popular Sweepstakes Poker Site: Global Poker
stands at the front of the pack among US-facing sweepstakes poker sites. Launched in 2016, Global Poker operates under the banner of VGW Holdings. This is the same company that introduced sweepstakes casino sites like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.
Global Poker’s popularity is backed by a prominent presence on Facebook and other social media platforms. That social media presence powers Global Poker’s status as one of the highest-traffic online poker sites in the US.
Players can access the full gamut of online poker options at Global Poker. Ring games, multi-table tournaments, Sit N Gos, and Jackpot Sit N Gos all run around the clock at the biggest sweepstakes poker site in the US.
With the sweepstakes model in place, Global Poker is a great alternative to real money online sites. Global Poker legally operates in 49 states. This gives US players in just about every jurisdiction the opportunity to compete in the online poker realm.
The games at Global Poker are separated into two categories: play money games and sweepstakes games. Play money games, played with “Gold Coins” as currency, run on the social poker side of the site.
Global Poker’s sweepstakes poker games allow players to compete for “Sweeps Coins,” which are redeemable for cash prizes.
Can I Win Real Money Playing Sweepstakes Online Poker?
How Does The Currency System Work At Sweepstakes Poker Sites?
Global Poker operates as both a social gaming site and a sweepstakes poker platform.
The games at Global Poker are divided into “Gold Coins” games and “Sweeps Coins” games. The Gold Coins side of the site offers play money games, using Gold Coins as currency.
Gold Coins packages are available for purchase. With the purchase of a Gold Coins package, Global Poker also awards an amount of Sweeps Coins as a gift.
The Sweeps Coins can be used to play in the sweepstakes games, aka Sweeps Coins games. Sweeps Coins are used as the currency on that side of the site and can be used to play in ring games and tournaments.
Sweeps Coins carry no cash value but can be redeemed for cash prizes. As such, the Sweeps Coins games at Global Poker operate legally as mini sweepstakes games and give players across the US a chance to play poker for cash prizes.
Do I Need To Deposit Money To Play?
Sweeps Coins can be acquired without making a Gold Coins package purchase. Global Poker offers free Sweeps Coins through mail-in and social media offers, and these promotions are open to anyone 18 or over.
Global Poker regularly runs Facebook promotions that give away Sweeps Coins for free. These offers can be found on Global Poker’s Facebook page.
Mail-In Offers At Global Poker
In addition to social media offers, Global Poker also extends the opportunity to obtain free Sweeps Coins through mail-in offers. Any player 18 or over, and with a valid Global Poker account, can redeem this mail-in offer.
To qualify, players must send an envelope with name, address, and the phrase “Sweepstakes Credits” on the front, to the VGW Holdings Sweepstakes Department.
Once Global Poker verifies the details, the Sweeps Coins appear on the player’s Global Poker account.
More information on Global Poker’s free Sweeps Coins offers is found by navigating to the “Sweeps Rules” link under the “Help Center” menu at the bottom of the Global Poker homepage.
This information is also found by clicking the ‘Get Coins” link from the main lobby, and then clicking on the “Play For Free Tab” and navigating to the “Sweeps Rules” link.
Using these free offers, players can win cash prizes at Global Poker without making any kind of deposit.
How Do I Purchase At A Sweepstakes Poker Sites?
Sweepstakes poker sites don’t legally operate the same way as a real money poker site. There’s no way for players to deposit a USD amount of their choosing and play poker with those funds.
Sweeps Coins are available, however, as a gift that comes along with the purchase of a Gold Coins play money package.
For example, players can purchase a $100 USD package that comes with 500,000 Gold Coins for use in the play money games. That package also gives the player SC 103 as a gift. The SC 103 can then be used as currency in the sweepstakes poker games.
Purchase Methods
Gold Coins packages can be purchased using online banking, with players able to use an account from virtually every bank in the US to make a purchase. Debit and credit cards issued by Visa, MasterCard, and American Express can also be used.
Other purchase options include Skrill eWallet and Instant ACH. Instant ACH purchases require a valid Skrill account.
How Do I Win Real Money At These Sites?
Sweeps Coins can be used as currency to play Global Poker’s sweepstakes poker games. After meeting the site’s playthrough requirement, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Cash-out methods include direct deposit into a valid bank account or Skrill account. Sweeps Coins can also be converted into a USD gift card.
To cash out, players must provide proof of identity, age, and location.
Sweepstakes Poker: Blocked And Allowed States
Global Poker is by far the most widely available legal online poker option in the US. The sweepstakes platform operates in 49 states, as well as Washington DC.
Players in these jurisdictions can access, play, and redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes 24 hours a day at Global Poker. This availability to US players makes Global Poker one of the highest traffic online poker sites in the US.
The exception to this availability is Washington state. By state law, sweepstakes gaming sites are outlawed in Washington. Players in the state are unable to purchase Gold Coins packages or redeem Sweeps Coins.
Comparing Sweepstakes Poker Sites To Traditional Poker Sites
What’s The Same?
Global Poker offers US players the full online poker experience. The sweepstakes poker games come in many of the same formats offered at other legal poker sites.
Cash games can be found at a variety of Sweeps Coins stakes. Both six-max and full ring games run around the clock, at stakes from SC .02/SC .04 up to SC 5/SC 10. Ring game variants include both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
Multi-Table Tournaments
Multi-table tournaments also run around the clock at Global Poker, giving players access to the biggest tournament player pool among US-facing poker sites.
Tournaments include both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha, and run from the micro stakes up to high buy-ins like SC 110 and SC 218.
The centerpiece tournament on the Global Poker schedule is the weekly Sunday Scrimmage. The Sunday Scrimmage offers a prize pool of at least SC 50,000, and at times that guarantee has gone all the way up to SC 500,000.
Global Poker also runs special tournament series like the annual Rattlesnake Open, which offers a total prize pool of SC 1,000,000 across numerous events.
Sit N Gos and Jackpot Sit N Gos are also on the menu of games at Global Poker.
What Sets Sweepstakes Poker Apart?
With a wide array of tournaments and cash game options, Global Poker’s game selection is on par with any US-facing online poker site.
The availability of Global Poker across virtually the entire US, however, puts the site in a category of its own. While legal online poker is only available in a few states, Global Poker’s ability to operate in so many jurisdictions makes it a viable option for poker players around the country.
Accessibility To US Players
Global Poker’s legal status as a sweepstakes gaming site makes it possible for the platform to operate just about anywhere in the US.
The future looks bright for state-regulated, legal online poker in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Those states, along with a handful of others, have legislation in place allowing state casinos to legally offer online poker.
Most of the US, however, has yet to legalize online poker. For the majority of US poker players, Global Poker is the best legal option to enjoy online poker for cash prizes.
Global Poker also offers the easiest barrier to entry of any US-facing online poker site. With no download required, players can register for an account and play the sweepstakes poker games within minutes.
How Sweepstakes Games Work
The sweepstakes games on the Sweeps Coins side of Global Poker run around the clock. Starting with the smallest limits at SC .05/SC .10., players can find games at a variety of stakes.
Cash games for both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha run from the micro stakes up to SC 5/SC 10. The No-Limit Hold’em games offer six-max and full ring formats.
Even during the slower traffic hours of the day, players can find multiple games running at all stakes. Like most poker sites, most of the full tables are micro and low stakes at and given time, but plenty of action awaits for mid-stakes players as well.
No-Limit Hold’em
There’s never a bad time to get into a No-Limit Hold’em cash game at Global Poker. Players looking for micro and low stakes game will always find plenty of games running.
Multiple tables for both six-max and full ring cash games run throughout the day at these stakes. From the micro stakes at SC .05/SC .10, up to SC .25/SC .50, No-Limit Hold’em players will have no trouble finding a seat.
The player pool at stakes from SC 1/SC 2 up to SC 2/SC 5 isn’t as large as the micro stakes pool, but players at those stakes can still find multiple games at most times. The highest-stakes cash games at Global Poker run at SC 5/SC 10, as well as short-stacked buy-in games at SC 10/SC 20.
Peak hours for traffic for Global Poker’s No-Limit Hold’em games occur from 5 pm to midnight eastern time on weekdays, and throughout most of the day on weekends.
Pot-Limit Omaha
Six-max cash games for Pot-Limit Omaha offer plenty of opportunity for PLO players at Global Poker. Games can usually be found running all day at stakes from SC .05/SC .10 up to SC 1/SC 2.
The highest-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha games at Global Poker run at SC 2/SC 5 up to SC 10/SC 20. Games at these stakes run multiple tables at peak hours, which are generally on weekday evenings and throughout the weekend.
How Sweepstakes Tournaments Work
The multi-table tournament schedule at Global Poker presents one of the largest selections of poker tournaments available to US players.
More than 100 different tournaments run daily. This includes traditional structure tournaments, as well as rebuy, bounty, and satellites. Deep stack, regular, turbo, and hyper-turbo tournaments can be found throughout the day.
From buy-ins as low as SC 1 up to the highest-stakes events at SC 218, the tournament menu at Global Poker offers plenty of options for players at a variety of levels. No-Limit Hold’em tournaments make up most of the schedule, with a few Pot Limit Omaha events offered as well.
All of Global Poker’s tournaments run with guaranteed prize pools. The biggest guarantee on the schedule is the weekly Sunday Scrimmage, with a guarantee of at least SC 50,000.
Global Poker often raises the guarantee on the Sunday Scrimmage, sometimes as high as SC 500,000. Special tournament series events, like the annual Rattlesnake Open, attract big player numbers as well.
How Do Bonuses Work At Sweepstakes Poker Sites?
Global Poker offers a free sign-up bonus for new players upon submission of verification documents. This free SC 20 is easy to collect and requires no purchase.
New players can register an account at Global Poker by simply signing in with an existing Facebook or Google account. If neither of these options is used, the sign-up process requires a simple fill out of first and last name details, and a valid email address.
Once registered, players can immediately begin the steps to earn the free sign-up bonus.
How To Get The Global Poker Sign-Up Bonus
To earn the SC 20 sign-up bonus, new players must provide documentation of age, address, and identity to the Global Poker support team. The verification process is rapid, and the SC 20 becomes available in the player’s account with 24 hours.
To verify a new account, players must click on the menu icon at the top left of the main lobby. From there, clicking on “Account” brings up the account verification menu.
The “Identity Verification” section of this menu needs to be completed to obtain the bonus. Clicking on that section will prompt the site to ask for an upload of a valid identification document, as well as a photo for facial recognition.
Once these documents are verified, the SC 20 bonus becomes available by clicking on the “Get Coins” button at the top right of the main lobby. The free SC 20 will appear in that menu.
How Does Rake Work At Sweepstakes Poker Sites?
The rake structure for cash games and tournaments at Global Poker is comparable to some of the world’s biggest legal online poker sites.
Multi-table tournaments are generally offered at around 10% rake per buy-in. For example, the SC 11 buy-in tournaments put SC 10 toward the prize pool and SC 1 toward rake. Rake as a percentage of buy-in goes down as the buy-ins increase.
Global Poker Cash Game Rake
The rake structure for cash games varies at different limits, becoming more player-friendly as the stakes go up. At all stakes, pots that go past the preflop betting round are raked at 5%.
Each stake level has a cap on the maximum amount of rake Global Poker takes in from the pot. The cap is based on the stake level and how many players are in the pot.
The rake structure for Global Poker’s cash games is as follows:
| Stakes | Rake Percentage | 2 Players Cap | 3+ Player Cap | 5+ Player Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC .05/SC .10 | 5% | SC 0.75 | SC 1.00 | SC 1.50 |
| SC .10/SC .20 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 1.50 | SC 2.00 |
| SC .20/SC .40 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 1.50 | SC 2.00 |
| SC .25/SC.50 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC .50/SC 1 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC .80/SC 1.60 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC 1/SC 2 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC 2.50/SC 5 | 5% | SC 1.25 | SC 2.25 | SC 3.50 |
| SC 4/SC 8 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.25 | SC 2.25 | SC 3.50 |
| SC 5/SC 10 | 5% | SC 1.50 | SC 2.50 | SC 3.50 |
| SC 10/SC 20 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.50 | SC 2.50 | SC 3.50 |
Online Sweepstakes Poker FAQ
No. PokerStars, the largest online poker site in the world, operates real money games around the world on its primary PokerStars.com client. PokerStars also operates legal, state-regulated platforms in select US states.
None of PokerStars’ platforms operate as sweepstakes poker sites. PokerStars.net is a play money site open to most of the US, but is strictly a social gaming site. Players on PokerStars.net cannot win real money prizes.
The minimum age to redeem Sweeps Coins for real US dollars at Global Poker is 18. This age applies in all US states in which Global Poker legally operates.
To cash out on Global Poker, players must provide proof of age, identity, and location. Once these documents are verified, players can redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes.
Players unable to provide these documents will not be able to redeem cash prizes at Global Poker.
No. Global Poker is a poker-only platform, with no other casino games available to play on the site. The parent company to Global Poker, VGW Holdings, does operate a pair of sweepstakes casino sites separate from Global Poker.
Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots are sister sites to Global Poker, operated by VGW Holdings. These are both sweepstakes casino platforms, with a variety of slots and other casino games.
Yes. Global Poker’s software offers a simple, intuitive interface that online poker players will find familiar. New players will likely have no problems playing the games and following the action as well.
The software execution and presentation at Global Poker is comparable to other legal poker sites. Since debuting the product in 2016, Global Poker has continually updated the software to accommodate its growing player base.
Yes. Sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker operate legally in 49 US states. The sweepstakes gaming model behind Global Poker has been used in the US for many years by other companies and promotions.
Global Poker is owned by VGW Holdings. VGW Holdings is a public company with a vested interest in providing legitimate sweepstakes poker games to US players.
The sweepstakes games at Global Poker use Sweeps Coins as currency. Sweeps Coins function as entry credits to the sweepstakes poker games at Global Poker.
Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes at a redemption rate. Redemption options at Global Poker include direct deposit to a bank account, Skrill eWallet, and conversion of Sweeps Coins into a USD gift card.
Yes. Global Poker is legal in California, as well as a total of 49 US states. The only US state outlawing sweepstakes poker and casino sites is Washington state.
In California, as well as other states without state-regulated online poker, Global Poker is the best option for playing poker for real-money prizes.
So, you're interested in online poker, but you don't want to risk too much money just yet. Where's the best place to play small stakes online poker for real money?
Below is a table of what I think are the best sites for low limit online poker.
Best small stakes poker rooms.
| Rank | Room | Competition | Cash | SNG | Mac | Bonus | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen Poker | Weak | $20NL | $10+50c | - | Play Now | ||
| Ignition Poker | Weak | $2NL | $1+20c | $1,000 | Play Now | ||
| SwC Poker | Weak | $2NL | $1+20c | - | Play Now | ||
| Americas Cardroom | Tricky | $2NL | $1+10c | $1,000 | Play Now | ||
| 888 Poker | Average | $2NL | $0.50+5c | $400 | Play Now | ||
| Betsafe Poker | Average | $4NL | $0.10+1c | €2,000 | Play Now |
Note: The SNG column indicates the lowest stakes single-table (STT), non-turbo SNGs on offer.
How I've rated these sites.
These poker rooms have primarily been ranked based on players looking to play no limit Texas Hold'em poker online for small stakes, whether that be in cash games or tournaments (i.e. SNGs and MTTs).
Here are the 4 main factors I took in to account when ranking these sites:
- The lowest stakes games on offer.
- The number of players frequently active at these limits.
- How bad the players at these stakes are.
- The general overall quality of the poker room based on software, traffic and support.
Clearly the level of the absolute lowest stakes cash games and SNGs on offer at a poker room is one of the biggest factors. It's not much use signing up to a poker room that doesn't offer SNG games under $5, or cash games under $10NL if you have a $30 bankroll. Even if you intend on playing at slightly higher limits anyway, it's always good to have the flexibility there to move down if needs be.
I've also taken in to account the quality of the competition. The softer the competition, the more money you will win – it's as simple as that. Therefore, I've included my rating of the 'softness' of the poker sites in the table to help you make the best choice.
Lastly, player traffic and my rating of the poker room overall has been considered. I'm sure I don't need to explain why on those two counts.
Summary of the smallest stakes games on offer.
Here's a quick summary of the most common limits of micro stakes games available at the majority of online poker sites.
- 1c/2c (this is the absolutely lowest level available online)
- 2c/5c
- 5c/10c
- 10c/25c (you can occasionally find 10c/20c games at places like the iPoker network)
- 25c/50c
- $1 + 20c
- $2 + 25c
- $5 + 50c
- $10 + $1
Playing micro limit online poker for the first time?
We've all played low stakes online poker; even the best players had to start somewhere. It all starts with grinding it out in the micro stakes cash games or low level tournaments, building a bankroll and moving up to higher limits when you get the chance.
There are two key things to remember:
- Take your time and play within your limits.
- Keep playing and learning.
1) Take your time and play within your limits.
Good bankroll management is essential. And no, I don't mean that in the 'flossing is essential' or 'remembering your relatives' birthdays is essential' way. I mean it as in 'not turning the gas cooker off before you go to sleep is essential' and 'not starting fights with bears is essential'.
Seriously, treat your bankroll with ultimate respect. Without it, you can't play poker and you can't win money. Don't get careless and fritter your earnings away because you're on tilt.
Here are the basic rules of bankroll management that you should always stick to:
- Cash games - always have at least 20 buy-ins for the stakes you're playing at.
- SNGs - always have at least 40 buy-ins (including fees) for the level you want to play at.
If Chris ferguson can do it, so can you.
2) Keep playing and learning.
The more you play and the more you learn, the better you will get. The better you get, the more money you'll win. It's the cycle that every successful poker player has taken and continues to take.
Read strategy articles, read books, watch strategy videos, join a training site.
The information on how to win money from poker is out there, it's just up to you whether or not you take advantage of it.
Micro Stakes Online Poker Sites For Play Money
How the stakes of online poker are categorized.
Technically, $50NL cash games and lower are referred to as the 'micro stakes' and not 'small stakes'. Seems quite strange considering that I'd hardly call $50 (or even $10 for that matter) a micro amount of money. But that's just how it is.
I decided to go ahead and call this page a guide to the best 'small stakes sites' anyway as I know that's what most people are searching for when they use that phrase.
For the sake of education and being thorough, here's how the different levels/limits of NLHE cash games and SNGs are categorized:
Micro Stakes Online Poker Strategy
| Category | Cash Games | SNGs |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Stakes | $2NL to $50NL | $1 to $10 |
| Small Stakes | $100NL to $200NL | $11 to $50 |
| Mid Stakes | $400NL to $1,000NL | $51 to $200 |
| High Stakes | $2,000NL+ | $201+ |
Note: I've used shorthand for the cash game levels in the table above. Stakes written like $50NL indicate the standard maximum 100bb buy-in for that level. So for example, $50NL is the same as writing 25c/50c, and $400NL is the same as writing $2/$4.
This is a common way of writing the varying limits in NLHE cash games. The cool thing about this notation is that it saves you having to try and type that pesky forward slash.
You may also notice that the term 'low limit' or 'low stakes' poker hasn't been used here. That term is more commonly used when referring to playing live poker in casinos, with anything up to $3/$5 being considered low limit (crazy I know). It's just another one of those things in poker.
A few extra tips.
- Use good bankroll management. I've told you about this before, but it's so important it's worth mentioning at least one more time.
- Don't get too fancy against micro stakes players. You only need to think one level above a poker player to beat them, and small stakes Texas Hold'em players are thinking on a low level for the most part.
- Avoid paying more than 10% in tournament fees. Paying 20% in fees for SNGs is just going to kill your winrate. 10% fees are standard at most levels, but in the micro levels at some rooms the fees are bumped up. Either avoid these rooms, or play at a slightly higher level where the fees are more friendly.
- Take your time. It's not about doubling your bankroll in each session. Poker is a marathon, not a sprint. If you want quick and easy winnings, play roulette.
Micro Stakes Online Poker Sites Online
After that, it's all about time, effort and persistence. Just make sure you give me a shout out when you win your first WSOP main event.
Useful links.
William Hill Poker
Go back to the Texas Hold'em rooms.