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Poker has grown immensely in popularity over the last 20 years, and one
reason it has done so is the social aspect of the game. For many people, poker
night has become the social event of choice for house parties and nights out on
the town. Playing poker with friends takes away a lot of the intimidation around
the game, which opens the door for many novice players to the game.

Of course, these days, people are busier than ever, so getting together in
person for poker isn’t as easy as it once was. Add in the fact that you need to
be in the same vicinity as the people you are going to play with live, and you
can start to see how online poker made playing with your friends easier.
However, when you sit at a table in a standard poker site, you are randomly
placed, so while you may be in the same event as your friends, you may not ever
get to play hands with them.

As the poker world evolved, the smartphone was introduced. Very quickly,
poker apps of all forms started appearing for download via the major operating
platforms. Not only did these apps allow players to access games in a much more
convenient manner, but some of them also made setting up a game for players and
their friends easy as well.

These apps are all slightly different, so we thought we would dedicate this
page to poker apps for playing with friends. Here, we can show you the
differences between the apps you may see in your app store and what you should
be looking for when searching for the perfect app for you and your friends.

The Best Poker Apps for Playing with Friends

There are many ways that we could look at what makes the best poker apps for
those of you wanting to play with your friends. In the end, our reviewers had to
look at the apps through a different lens than how they might rate a site for
the individual player.

What you will find below is a list of the poker apps we have rated the
highest for this group of players, and therefore the most recommended for
playing with friends. You may not recognize all the sites listed here, but that
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try them out. Our team has done all the research for
you, and in our opinion, these will all give you and your friends the best
experience, which is what matters the most to us!

What to Look for in a Poker with Friends App

As we mentioned, when our reviewers went back to look at all the reviews of
poker apps we had completed to come up with information for this page, they
needed to look at the reviews slightly differently. A player who is looking to
play poker with their friends may not be looking for the same things from an app
as someone out to try to win millions of dollars. While there are some common
themes between the two, we wanted to focus on what attributes we look for that
matter more to someone looking to use the poker app for social purposes. Here
are some of the criteria that we look at when coming up with lists like the one
above.

Game Selection

Game selection is still important for a poker app for playing with friends,
although it does take on a slightly different meaning here. Obviously, you want
to have a poker app that offers all the different types of poker games
available, like Texas hold’em, Omaha, and Stud. However, when looking at a site
where you can play with your friends, you also want to have some flexibility
when it comes to setting up games. Some sites will only allow you to set up
tournaments and not cash games, while others limit the stakes levels of the
private games allowed on their sites. The best apps are those that offer the
most flexibility when it comes to setting up a game for you and your friends.

Real or Play Money Options

This is another way that sites are very different when it comes to giving
players the ability to play with their friends. Many free play poker apps allow
you to set up games for you and whoever you invite, but no money changes hands
on the site. This is great for players who don’t want to spend money, and it is
also nice for players who don’t want to have to jump through the hoops of
setting up real money accounts and then making a deposit.

However, there are also real money poker apps that have a play money
component. In most cases, these apps won’t allow you to set up a private game
unless there is some money being exchanged, as it is not worth the site’s time
to allow all these play money players onto their platforms. When you are looking
for the right poker app for you and your friends, you need to ask yourself if
you are planning on using the site for real money purposes, and that will narrow
the field significantly.

Chat Functionality

Playing poker with your friends is more about the social side of the game
than anything else, so if you are planning to play via an app, then the chat
functionality at the tables becomes far more valuable. To be honest, this isn’t
something we even look at normally when we review a poker app, as it isn’t
nearly as important as other factors. However, we went back and looked at all
the apps that allowed for playing with friends and reviewed the chat boxes –
which ones allowed you to chat the most easily without encroaching on the table
itself. The most intuitive chat functions were given a higher mark than others.

Rakeback and Bonuses

Many of the top poker apps have grown as big as they have due to a heavy
emphasis on giving something back to players to entice them to play. This should
extend to those who are setting up private games for their friends. Typically,
the person who organizes the games would get some sort of kickback from the site
for inviting new players to the platform. These bonuses can be used for extra
prizing in tournaments that you run, providing even more value to your friends.
You should be looking for sites that offer the best refer-a-friend offers as
well as any that offer rakeback to players at all stakes levels. Every little
bit helps, and why not get as much back from a poker app as you can, right?

Customer Service

It is likely that this app you choose will be the first that many of your
friends will download to play poker, so there are bound to be many questions
that need answering. Rather than making you the front-line customer support
agent (no one wants that), we look for sites that have the most comprehensive
set of frequently asked questions, as well as those with 24/7 live chat support
directly from the app itself. The quicker your friends can have their questions
answered, the sooner they can get to the table for you to try to take them down!

How to Use a Poker with Friends App

Using a poker app for playing with your friends is slightly more cumbersome
than a regular poker app. Here is an overview of all the steps to get
playing.

First, you are going to have to choose and download an app to your iOS or
Android device. Don’t worry; they are all connected to the same servers, so
regardless of what device your friends use, they will be able to access your
games. Once you have downloaded the app and set up an account, you will need to
find the section where you can set up a game. There, you will likely be given a
few options to choose from (stakes level, speed, number of players, etc.). Once
you select all the attributes of your game and give it a name, your table will
be ready but not visible in the lobby.

Now that you have the game set up, you need to invite people. As part of the
set-up process, you will have either been given or chosen a password for the
table and a link to the game. You can send this information to your friends, and
assuming they aren’t morons (see customer service above), then they are only a
few clicks away from having access to the tables. From there, you are all set!
You can set up cash games, tournaments, and sit and go’s that you and your
friends can enjoy whenever you want!

Conclusion

Without the home game and social aspect of the game of poker, it may not have
grown as quickly as it did back in the day. While players are less likely to get
together in groups to play poker as they get older, the introduction of the
poker app has allowed these games to continue. Now, with all this information we
have given you on this page, you can find the best poker app for playing with
your friends, set up a game, and invite them to play!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can My Friends and I Join Other Events on the Site or Just Our Private Events?

Yes! In fact, that is the hope of the apps that allow you to set up private
games. Many players won’t sign up for a poker site on their own, so using these
private games as a gateway to the rest of the site is an excellent way for poker
companies to add players to their databases.

What If Someone That I Don’t Want Joining the Game Gets a Hold of the Link to My Game?

It depends on the individual site, but if the tournament has already started,
and you have players that are seated that aren’t part of the group, then there
isn’t much you can do aside from canceling the tournament and starting again.
Each app will have a set of terms and conditions about setting up and canceling
events, so you should refer to the app before you begin. Also, you should make
sure your friends don’t post the passwords for private games on any social
media, as this is likely where someone uninvited found the information.

How Does Banking Work for These Poker with Friends Apps?

Assuming the app you choose is a real-money app, then you will find that the
banking is the same as it is for playing as an individual. All the payment
methods available to you and your friends will be listed in the cashier section
of the app, and all you need to do is enter some information, and your deposit
will be processed.

Poker is the ultimate social game. A huge part of the fun for most poker players is getting together with friends to throw some cards around and get into it with some animated table talk.

Poker For Real Money Sites

With the advancement of modern technology and online poker software, friends don’t have to meet at an actual table anymore. And those that can’t always meet up for their local home game now have several options for taking their weekly game online.

You can now set up easy and free online poker with friends on a poker site in just a few minutes.

Chat features and video conference software like Zoom can enhance the experience with that much-adored trash talk. You can even tailor your game to your specific preferences including poker variation (Hold’em, Omaha etc.), cash games, tournaments, or even a turbo Sit & Go.

There are a couple of really solid online poker sites you can use which let you play for real money or play money, depending on your location. Here’s all the info you need to play multiplayer poker online with friends.

Best Sites to Play Online Poker with Friends

Best Poker App to Play Online with Friends

Neither the PokerStars or 888poker apps have “play with friends” options yet. If you want to take advantage of PokerStars’ excellent Home Games feature to play with only your friends, you all need to download the desktop poker client.

Like the PokerStars app, 888poker doesn’t yet offer the play with friends feature on the poker app. An additional challenge with 888 is that players using a Mac won’t find this feature either. As of 2021, players needed to use a Windows-based system to play online poker with friends.

Play Poker Online with Friends in the US

Whether you’re separated from friends by geography or just looking to string together a quick event while your friends are at home, US players will find a couple of good options to play against friends online.

Here are the best to keep in mind when you’re ready to set a home game up:

Set Up a Home Game on PokerStars

The biggest name in poker offers its highly rated Home Games feature that lets you play poker online with friends remotely. Players in US states with access to PokerStars for regulated real money online poker, which include Pennsylvania,New Jersey and Michigan, can meet up with friends online to play poker in private cash games and tournaments.

Anyone in other states across the USA can use the Home Games feature at PokerStars.net to play for virtual currency. You can also, of course, use play money at the tables but exchange real money among your friends.

Setting up a home poker game with friends online at PokerStars is pretty easy but requires some initial coordination and effort.

All players will need to register an account and download the software client to get started:

Setting up an account via any of our links ensures you a $30 free play bonus or an up to $600 deposit match bonus. After setting up an account, follow these steps:

• Log in and look to the right side of the lobby.
• Click on the image of three dots at the bottom offering more options.
• Once selected, click on “Home Games.” You can then click on the option to create a poker club.
• Give your poker club a name and set the invitation code for players who you plan on inviting. This is a password so your friends can get in the club.
• Once that’s complete, your new poker club is ready to go. Invite your friends with the name of the club and invitation code.

Here’s how it looks as you go through the sign-up process:

PokerStars will send you an email invitation you can forward to other players so they can easily find your club and join. As club manager, you’ll need to approve them to let them in the game.

At PokerStars Home Games, you can add specific colors and images to customize your club as well. When your players are approved and ready for action you can then schedule tournaments and cash games as you like.

In cash games, you can set the stakes for the tables. What’s also great about Home Games is that you can select any number of games beyond online Texas Holdem, from Seven Card Stud to Badugi to Eight-Game Mix.

For tournament players, all of those games are available and players can specify their own settings including:

• Buy-in
• Number of seats per table
• Game type (regular, rebuy, knockout)
• Blind levels
• Game speed

You can also:

• Make announcements on your club site
• Set up leaderboards
• Track event results

How to Set up a Play-Money Game with Real Money on the Side

As noted earlier, players can only buy in and play a private game online with friends for real money in a legal jurisdiction. So players would all need to be located within that jurisdiction – such as all in Pennsylvania, Michigan or New Jersey.

Play Poker With Friends Real Money Instantly

That doesn’t mean there can’t be a little skin in the game elsewhere, though. It’s easy to collect buy-ins for your online poker game with PayPal or an app like Venmo or Zelle. Players simply transfer a few bucks using their online accounts or mobile app.

One player can act as the banker just like in a home game, and then pay out winners at the end of the night. Online payment platforms make this an easy process just like in a live home game.

How to Play Free Online Poker with Friends on PokerStars

PokerStars Home Games is really set up for all types of players and, much like the process for playing a real-money home game, the steps for setting up private games in the play money software are easy to follow. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

• Install the desktop client software. (Remember, the app doesn’t offer this feature).
• Register an account with your name, email, and other details
• After downloading, open the software client and log in.
• Click on the three buttons at the bottom offering more options.
• Click on Home Games and the option to create a poker club.
• Give your club a name and set the invitation code.
• Set up a time for your tournament or cash game with details like stakes, number of players per table, etc.
• Once that’s completed, forward an invitation with poker club name and password to friends.
• Players can then join the club at the appointed time and get ready to play cards.

How to Set Up a Private Poker Game at 888poker

Live Poker Online Real Money

888poker currently offers legal real money online poker in New Jersey and Delaware, and friends can also meet up virtually to play for real money. Those outside NJ and DE can also set up an online poker game with just their friends using play money at the virtual tables.

The 888 software is user friendly and it’s easy to create your own poker game with friends. Here’s how to get started:

• Claim your bonus, create an account and download the 888poker software.
• Click on “Extra Games” from the middle top of the pull-down menu.
• Select “Play with Friends” to get started. This is also how players will join your “home game.”
• Click on “Create a New Game” to begin setting up your own game.

No Poker Club Required!

Unlike PokerStars, at 888 you can set up an individual cash game or tournament without creating a club. Players can easily create a game name and password to share with friends. You can then set the

• Start date
• Start time
• Number of seats
• Buy-in

Players will then simply provide that game name and password to join after you’ve emailed them the information. An easy 888 invitation option is provided. Simply email it to yourself and then forward that to friends.

When it’s time to play, those players simply join up using the name and password.

Which is better for poker with friends: PokerStars or 888poker?

For multiplayer poker online with friends, and especially for tournaments and different game variations, PokerStars Home Games is the best option available. Players have numerous options and it’s easy for all players to jump online and play.

That being said, the simplicity and ease which you can just set up a private table and jump in at 888poker is also great. 888poker also currently has a very good free no deposit bonus for opening a new poker account. Here’s a look at some aspects of the available sites mentioned here.

Advantages to Playing Poker Online with Friends

Obviously playing online offers a great way to keep the action going when you’re away from your friends.

Players located in different parts of the world can reconnect and communicate. Here are some other positives:

• Complete control over the game
• Easy dealing, splitting pots, and game management
• Several game variations to choose from
• Tournaments are easy to set up and run
• Players can be located anywhere

Another great advantage is that you can play with any number of players. If you have a lot of friends, a multi-table tournament is possible with the promise of a nice payout for the winner.

Only have a handful of players looking for action? You can play three- or four-handed. It’s even possible to simply play some poker with just one friend to work on your heads-up skills.

What Games Can You Set Up for Online Poker with Friends?

What’s great about playing online with friends is the number of games possible online. It makes for a great way to add some new games to the mix in your home game. You don’t have to worry about the intricacies involved with dealing a new game yourself at the table. Some poker variations to choose from include:

• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha
• Seven Card Stud
• 5-Card Omaha
• 2-7 Lowball (Single or Triple Draw)
• HORSE
• 8-Game Mix
• Badugi

Cash Games vs. Tournaments – Pros and Cons

Setting up an online cash game or tournament among friends is easy. Here’s a look at a few things to keep in mind when getting started.

Tournaments

Pros

• Simple to set up and meet friends online.
• Easy for budgeting and paying out winners.
• Can be set up for any number of players.
• Players know exactly what to budget for an event.

Cons

• May need to be a bit more organized than a cash game.
• When playing with multiple tables, may not allow for as much interaction as a single table.

Cash Games

Pros

• Easy to set up with your own game and stakes.
• Several game options available.
• Players can come and go as they like.

Cons

• Players looking for real money play will have to settle up offline. This is pretty simple however.
• May not always produce a full table. Players could have a short-handed table on occasion, depending on turnout.

Online Poker with Friends at Global Poker

This option may not be quite as simple (and isn’t conducive to tournaments), but players spread across the country can still get together for some cards at Global Poker.

Global Poker is a sweepstakes poker and casino site that allows you to play for virtual currency, called Gold Coins, or a separate currency called Sweeps Coins. Sweeps Coin are accumulated when you buy Gold Coins or win them in Sweeps Coin poker games or tournaments. Sweeps Coins can then be redeemed for real money.

Real Money Video Poker

Setting up a real money poker game with friends on Global Poker isn’t quite as easy but it can be done. Just have everyone come to an agreement on the stakes and find an empty table. It may take a bit of coordination, but might be worth it.

Each table is named, which allows players to find where everyone will be at a certain time. Be aware that these tables won’t be exclusive, however, and other players may jump in if there are empty seats.

For example, a few friends may all be up for some SC0.25/SC0.50 No Limit Texas Hold’em. A Sweeps Coin table named “Naples” offers those stakes and no one is playing there at the moment. You and your friends will simply have to jump on the table and get started. There should be several six-handed and nine-handed tables at any one time.

Global Poker doesn’t offer a downloadable app yet but its quick-play browser-based platform makes it easy for players with a phone or tablet to jump on. The functionality is also surprisingly good. On your phone you’ll still find everything that the traditional desktop version offers – including the ability to meet up with friends at a poker table.

Poker with Friends Online FAQ

Are there any other apps for poker with friends online?

Some players make use of free social gaming poker apps to play with friends. There are numerous options that allow players to play for virtual money. Many players use these and settle up with real money via online transfers using PayPal, Venmo, or another option. Real money poker apps are available in legalized US states, although none currently have the built-in Home Games with Friends feature.

Can I play poker with friends on my iPhone/Android?

PokerStars and 888poker don’t offer an option to play with friends on their mobile apps. Players will need to use a traditional desktop computer or laptop.

Players using Global Poker to meet friends at a Gold Coin or Sweeps Coin table can easily use its browser-based poker option to play on a mobile phone or tablet.

Are online poker games with friends safe?

You can feel good about playing online games at PokerStars and 888poker. They are among the safest poker sites you can find online and use intricate and cutting edge security measures to keep player information and any online funds safe.

When playing for a bit of cash on the side, however, that requires all parties willing to pony up. Make sure your friends aren’t scofflaws if they plan on getting in on the action.

Do I need to deposit any money to play online with friends?

Only if all your players who are all located in a legal jurisdiction can play for real money online. Those poker games with players who may be located around the country will have to make use of play money features.

Global Poker players meeting for ring games can use Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins. GC is a virtual currency and SC is an alternate virtual currency on the site that players can redeem for real cash and prizes.

Can I play poker with friends online entirely free?

Players can indeed battle it out for play money with friends on PokerStars, 888poker and Global Poker without depositing any real money.