Sweepstakes Poker Overview

Sweepstakes poker is quickly becoming a popular entertainment option for US gamers. There are plenty of sites to explore, each offering various formats and skill levels.

Legal Status	Sweepstakes poker is legal in select states with sweepstakes laws
States with Sweepstakes Poker	45-47 states
Minimum Age	18-21 (based on location)
Real Money Winnings	If you win Sweeps Coins while playing Sweepstakes poker, you can redeem them for gift cards or real money prizes
Best Sweepstakes Poker Site	ClubsPoker

Sweepstakes Poker vs. Real Money Poker

The difference between real money poker sites and sweepstakes poker sites is the currency used when gaming.

Real money poker sites require a deposit of funds to play. Sweepstakes sites do not. Once you join a sweepstakes poker brand, you earn free Gold and Sweeps Coins.

Play for free with Gold Coins and explore a variety of gaming options. Switch to Sweeps Coins mode, and your SCs will be eligible for real prizes.

Each poker site will require you to play SCs a certain number of times to redeem a prize.

Once you reach the operator’s threshold, you can then redeem a gift card or real prize via an online banking method.

Real-money sites require a deposit, while sweepstakes operators have no purchase-necessary rules.

This allows you to play for free without investment, which is a plus for all players!

Can You Win Real Money on Social Poker Sites?

Most social sites offer real prizes via Sweeps Coins or their equivalent. SCs are typically valued at 1 SC per $1.

You will need to play the SCs based on the amount set by the site, which is usually 1-5x.

Operators then require you to have 10-50 eligible SCs for a gift card and 50-100 for a real prize via the online banking method.

Gift card redemptions are generally provided within 24 hours to your email address on file with the social poker site.

With a real prize, you must use an online bank account or e-wallet like Skrill to complete the transaction.

Some sites, like Stake.us, utilize cryptocurrency, so you can use Bitcoin or Litecoin to receive your prize.

Based on the site, prizes in this category can take up to 10 days to receive.

Any taxes or fees you must pay on wins will be based on location.

If you earn a sizable win from a sweepstakes site, speak to support and a local tax professional to ensure you claim the win correctly.

Where Can You Play Social Poker?

Now that you know more about social poker sites, let’s look at the top picks. Below are the best sites you can utilize to explore free poker games in various formats.

Find one or more options that work for you, and sign up for free!

#1 ClubsPoker

One of my top picks for online social poker gaming is ClubsPoker. The platform offers Gold and Sweeps Coin play with a streamlined lobby and simple navigation.

Narrow your search for ring games, tournaments, SNGs, Spin n Gos, and All-in or Fold events with filtering options.

I like the option of playing with micro stakes, so I can easily spend less per session.

Pros:

• Several poker variants on offer, including Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud.
• Tournaments include turbos and freerolls.
• Play with GC or SC.
• Access daily log-in deals for more free coins.

Cons:

• Player traffic may be minimal during off-peak times.
• You need at least 100 eligible SCs to redeem prizes.

#2 Global Poker

Global Poker is another top pick for me, as the poker lobby is easy to navigate and has plenty of options to explore.

Whether you are searching for hold’em, Omaha, or Pineapple, the site offers a nice range of game types.

Micro, low, medium, and high stakes are perfect for players of all skill and coin levels. The tournament section finds regular, guaranteed, and satellite events in GC and SC mode.

Pros:

• Earn a growing log-in bonus for consecutive daily sign-ins.
• Compete in major events with guaranteed prize pools.
• Access the casino platform for more gaming options.
• Explore Jackpot Sit’n Gos for larger prize potential.

Cons:

• Medium and high-stakes options are minimal.
• There is no dedicated app for gaming.

#3 Stake.us

I was surprised to find that Stake.us has a poker lobby within its online sweepstakes gaming platform.

If you select Stake Poker, the lobby opens, and you can view ring games, tournaments, and sit-and-goes.

The site is not one I would seek out for poker, but as a member, it is nice to have the option to play poker if I wish to.

You can narrow down the selection of options via game type, stakes, type, average pot sites, and hands per hour.

Pros:

• Play poker while logged in to the casino platform.
• Explore tournaments and SNGs.
• Lower stakes in SC and GC mode.
• Easily find a table with active players.

Cons:

• Some tables require a higher minimum to play.
• No dedicated poker app for gaming.

#4 ClubWPT

Members of ClubWPT can access play money games upon signup, which is the perfect way to practice and hone poker skills.

You can choose to pay for a membership starting at $27.95, which gives you 500 TPs each day and a chance to compete in events for prizes.

Overall, the basic membership is restrictive but gives you an easy way to explore the brand without investment.

Having access to World Poker Tour events is a big driver for players to start a subscription after checking out the site for free.

Pros:

• Explore ring games with Omaha and Texas Hold’em formats.
• Play for free or upgrade to a subscription.
• Enjoy WPT-branded options in the poker lobby.
• Utilize the app for seamless gaming on the go.

Cons:

• Players can only win prizes with a subscription.
• Free play only includes ring games.

#5 WSOP

The freeplay version of WSOP is a great option for players without access to a real money poker app.

However, you can’t win real prizes, and the lobby vastly differs from the iGaming version. In the sweepstakes format, you play with free chips and can compete in quests or ring games.

There are options for video poker and additional challenges, but the lobby is just a bit too cluttered for my liking.

The WSOP option is worth checking out for the table play, but you may find other sites on our list that are better suited for your overall poker gaming goals.

Pros:

• Play Omaha or Hold’em ring games.
• Compete in challenges or side quests.
• Explore video poker and special promotions.
• Play via the iOS or Android app.

Cons:

• The freeplay version does not include prizes.
• The lobby is cluttered and hard to review.

How to Play Sweepstakes Poker

You can enjoy sweepstakes poker just as you would real money gaming.

Choose to play with Gold or Sweeps Coins, with the options for ring games, tournaments, and Sit ‘n’ Go.

You can play against others with ring games, typically 6-8 players per table.

Select an avatar and enjoy chatting with the other players at the table as you explore various game formats like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.

Tournaments allow players to enjoy different variants of no-limit, fixed-limit, and pot-limit gaming.

Guaranteed events are my top pick as they guarantee a set amount of prize coins you can win based on finish.

You can also find freerolls at several sites, making it easy to play with zero investment.

Sit ‘n’ Gos are another favorite of mine, particularly turbo options. With SNGs, you can play a quick tournament in minutes rather than spending hours at the poker table.

Plus, there are jackpot options where you can win extra prize money based on specific rules of the game.

I suggest you start with Gold Coins at a social poker site and learn the options.

Using GCs ensures you don’t lose any SCs unnecessarily testing ring games or events. Then, once you feel more comfortable, switch to SCs for a chance to win real prizes.

How to Get Sweeps Coins to Play for Free

Because sweepstakes sites are free to play, you will receive free Gold and Sweeps Coins upon signup and from other promotions.

Below, I will detail the various options and give you an idea of what you can earn as a new and existing player.

Take advantage of all the bonus options to ensure you have plenty of extra coins for gaming!

Signup Bonuses

A signup bonus is a welcome deal a sweepstakes poker site offers its new members.

Global Poker and ClubsPoker have the best deals for new members, in my opinion, and both help you get started with Gold Coins.

ClubsPoker also throws in SCs, so you can utilize the coin type for real prizes when logged in.

Rakeback

Rakeback is a term used to describe a portion of money paid back to players based on rake paid during gaming sessions.

Real money sites offer a Rakeback as a percentage with calculations including the rake a player posts during ring games or tournaments.

Social poker sites do not have a rake fee, so you will not see a Rakeback option on offer in the promo section.

Referral Bonuses

Refer your friends to your favorite poker sites to earn even more coins for ring games and tournament events.

ClubsPoker is a top pick in this category as the site offers up to 100,000,000 GC and 10,000 free SCs for referred friends!

Just send you a link, and you will receive a reward if your friends meet the site’s qualifications!

Tournaments

Each site we suggest for premium sweepstakes poker play offers some form of tournament action.

I prefer the options at Global Poker, as the play amounts range from low to high in the GC and SC format.

I can easily find an event to join, be it a guaranteed event, freeroll, or other option.

I love how Global Poker also includes search functions, so it’s easy to narrow down the tournament selection based on type, format, or buy-in.

No matter which site you choose, I suggest you consider utilizing the filters to find events that meet your playing requirements.

Sweepstakes Casinos with Video Poker Games

There are also alternatives for players who want to explore poker in a less social setting.

Several sweepstakes sites include video poker games, where you can play poker-themed gaming without the competition.

Take on the computer instead of trying to figure out how other players will play their poker hands, giving yourself better odds of winning.

Below are a few examples of sites you can join to play video poker games like Jacks or Better or Casino Hold’em.

• Zula Casino: Jacks or Better and Joker Poker
• Mega Bonanza: Texas Hold’em Bonus
• Chumba Casino: Jacks or Better
• Global Poker Casino: Caribbean Poker
• Spree Casino: Texas Hold’em Poker

FAQ

What is Sweepstakes poker?

Sweepstakes poker is a form of gaming where players use virtual currency instead of real money to play games. Typically, sites will implement Gold and Sweeps Coins for gaming. Gold Coins are freeplay, and Sweeps Coins are used to be eligible for real prizes. Once you have enough eligible SCs in your account, you can claim a real prize or gift card based on the operator.

What are the best Sweepstakes poker sites?

I prefer Global Poker, ClubsPoker, and WSOP for my gaming needs. Each site is easy to navigate and offers premium poker gaming options. I have found that the ring game tables are typically open with players no matter what time I log online, and game choices are vast, with plenty of formats on offer.

Is Sweepstakes poker legal in Texas?

Social poker sites like Global Poker and ClubWPT are legal in Texas. However, such gaming is restricted in a few states. Idaho, Michigan, and Washington do not accept sweepstakes gaming sites, including poker options.