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Linux Poker Sites
Browser Based Online Poker for Linux Machines
These days you can play online poker on a variety of devices – with the times when the only way to reach these games was via a software download long gone. Linux users can now access real money online poker games in two ways. First, many poker sites offer no-download games, using Flash or HTML5 technology. These work in your browser window and so are agnostic to which operating system you are using. Some Linux users prefer to use a Windows emulator such as WINE, which allows access via the old download model.
While this means that many poker sites (and especially the bigger ones) are Linux compatible, there are many factors which mean some rooms make a better choice than others. These factors include where you are located (US or outside), the bonuses on offer – and whether the games and stakes you want to play are both available and easy to beat.
The Linux compatible poker sites below offer the best balance between access, game selection and bonus deals.
- Location: Canada
- Established: 2015
- Ref. Code: n/a
- Traffic: 5,236 Players
- Mac Friendly: No
Ignition Poker are the single largest US poker site. They legally operate from their base in the Caribbean and welcome deposits using credit cards, money transfer services or Bitcoin.
You can access the games on a Linux device either via your browser window, or by downloading their software client using a Windows emulator. The download will allow you full access to the games, and the ability to play up to 4 tables at once. The mobile instant-play focuses on Zone poker, which is a fast-fold variation.
Ignition Poker use a recreational player model, which keeps many pros away from the tables. Instead of using a screen name, you will play anonymously at this site. 3rd party tracking tools are also banned. Whether you enjoy the small stakes or higher stakes poker games at Ignition, you will find the games are noticeably softer than at other legal US-friendly poker sites.
- Location: UK
- Established: 1999
- Bonus Code: n/a - use links
- Traffic: 32,864 Players
- Mac Friendly: Yes
888 Poker has led the way in device and operating system compatibility for more than 10 years. This site has apps for phones, downloads for Windows and Mac – and offer a non-download poker room for Linux users. While this is not as smooth as the full download version, the games are perfectly playable and the smart 888 software is easy to navigate.
As 888 has grown from a mid-table to big poker site, they have added a lot of games and tournaments to their roster. Tournaments are themed around different fish. The smallest stakes are known as the ‘Goldfish’ tournaments, with the biggest weekly events called ‘the Whale’. You can enjoy fast-fold poker via your Linux machine, in the form of SNAP! Poker. Innovative timed Sit N Go tournaments, called Blast! Poker, can see you win a jackpot prize.
This poker site is very confident that you will enjoy their games – whatever device you are using. They offer new players up to $88 (does depend on your location) with no deposit to try out the real money games. If you enjoy the games, then you can claim their 100% matched welcome bonus at any time down the line.
The sites listed above are the best poker sites for Linux users. Read on to learn more about playing Linux poker.
What to Look for in Linux Compatible Poker Sites?
In the past Linux users did not have too much choice between poker rooms. These days so many rooms offer games via Linux, that picking the right one can be difficult. Below are the factors which I check out before depositing at any poker site.
Trustworthiness: Sticking with the biggest brands is always a good policy when it comes to making sure that your money is safe. When this is not possible, for example for US players, you should ensure that a site is licensed, that their deal fairness has been certified and that there are no major payment issues surrounding them.
Bonuses and Promotions: Welcome bonuses give your bankroll an initial boost, though many players now realize that the longer-term bonuses and promotions are more important. If you enjoy the games at a site, loyalty schemes and extras will add a lot of money to your bankroll over time. Remember to check the terms of any bonus offer to ensure that clearing your bonus is possible within the time allowed. This is particularly important if you are playing at the smaller stakes.
Game Selection: There are a few high traffic poker sites, and then many smaller rooms. If you enjoy the big tournaments with million-dollar prize pools, then you are not likely to find these at the smaller sites. Big sites are able to run tournament events, and qualifiers to live tournaments around the world. If you play small stakes Texas Holdem then this is available at almost every poker room. If you prefer other variations it can be worthwhile checking out the games before you sign up.
About Linux Poker Sites
Linux is a great operating system but it has yet to catch on in a big way like Mac or Windows. Even so, the Linux user base is growing and several major online poker sites have made sure to offer Linux compatible solutions. The poker sites listed above are particularly adept at offering real money poker to all computer users.
We have yet to see a poker site design software specifically for the Linux OS. Instead, what we see are instant play solutions that use your web browser to display the poker lobby and host the tables. Technology has improved rapidly over the past couple of years and today’s instant-play poker is nearly indistinguishable from download poker.
As more and more Linux users try online poker, it is possible that we will see Linux-friendly applications developed by poker sites. As it stands now, there just aren’t enough Linux users to justify the expensive of developing new software.
Linux Poker with Wine
If you really want to experience full download poker on your Linux, there is another option: Wine. Wine is a free and open-source program that is designed to let you run Windows programs on your Linux. This program is used for a variety of purposes and it also works nicely for online poker.
You can visit WineHQ.com to learn more and get started with this option. Personally, we recommend instant play poker as it’s the fastest and most simple solution. But if you’re comfortable with computers and would like to download the software of any poker room, Wine is a great solution.
One of the long term benefits of Wine is that it is making Linux a more accessible operating system. People no longer have to give up all their Windows programs when they make the switch to Linux. As a result, it is very possible that enough people will be willing to try Linux that online poker sites will be willing to develop Linux poker software.
