The way you play poker may be heavily influenced by the state you’re based in. This is because every state has some variations in regulations surrounding the popular game. If you want to make the most out of it, you have to be in the right place. With that said, you might be wondering – which state has the best poker state? Let’s answer this question and take a closer look at the poker scenes in the best locations for poker players in the US.
Florida
The Sunshine State is one of the top US states for poker players. They were limited to home games at senior centers up until not so long ago, but the regulations started receiving some changes at the end of the 20th century. The first changes weren’t that big but it didn’t take the game long to arrive at tribal casinos. However, the state’s betting limits and $100 maximum buy-ins still limited the players.
Native American casinos are still the only type of casinos that are legal in the state. They don’t only attract players but also host a number of poker events every year.
While there were some pushes to legalize online betting in Florida, they weren’t successful. Still, this doesn’t mean players in poker can’t go online and play their favorite game. Some of the top Florida poker sites are based abroad and they’re accessible to anyone who wants to play. These offshore sites are safe, secure, and legal to play in as you wish. Plus, if you want your identity to remain hidden, you can always register at an anonymous casino and play.
Nevada
Nevada isn’t just the capital of gambling in the US, but the capital of gambling in the entire world. It’s home to 265 casinos, about half of which are located in Las Vegas. Every year, it attracts over 50 million players from all across the globe. They come for various casino games, including poker.
The state has over 50 poker rooms and hosts some of the game’s biggest events. How can we not mention the World Series of Poker (WSOP), which was founded in 1970 and takes place annually in Nevada? The 2023 event saw Daniel Weinman take home a whopping prize of over $12 million. The winner in 2022 was Espen Jorstad who claimed over $10 million in earnings.
Las Vegas hosts numerous daily tournaments, all of which take place just a few miles from one another. Also, if you want to take a break from poker for a little bit, you can enjoy virtually any other casino game you want.
New Jersey
Another top state to be in if you’re a poker player is New Jersey. The state started adjusting its gambling laws at the end of the 1970s, transforming itself into a true gambling hub in the US. Over the years, more and more casinos started arriving in Atlantic City which began to rival Las Vegas.
In 2013, New Jersey also became the first state in the US to allow online gambling. It allowed Gaming operators to accept all players who are over the age of 21 and physically located in the state.
All this means that if you’re a fan of poker, New Jersey is one of the top places to be in. The state offers plenty of opportunities to play the game, not just in Atlantic City but in other cities too. Even if you want to play from the comfort of your own home, finding an online casino to play at is as easy as it gets.
If you need proof, just look at the fact that the state earned $5.2 billion in gambling revenue in 2022, with a significant portion of it coming from poker.
California
Last but not least, there’s California. The Golden State has a rich history of poker and is home to more poker rooms than Nevada. Its poker scene started rising way back in the 1930s and continued to evolve ever since.
It’s also important to mention that California is the largest tribal gambling state in the US, with 76 Native casinos and 5 mini-casinos.
The city of Los Angeles isn’t just home to the movie industry but is also known for its thriving poker community. It has three of the largest poker rooms in the entire world and it looks like its poker scene will only continue to evolve.
The famous LA Poker Classic (LAPC) takes place annually and is one of the largest poker tournaments on the West Coast.When it comes to online gambling, California still has restrictions as it only authorizes horse racing. However, poker fans can still play in offshore casinos without any restrictions.
Conclusion
If you’re a poker player, these are some of the best states to be in the US. They see the most action, both in-person and online, and host some of the game’s biggest events. The likes of New York and Connecticut almost made it to the list with their poker scenes evolving in recent years as well.
