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The No Download Online Poker Sites You Can Trust
BY JOSH H, OWNER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Once upon a time - as in when I first started playing online poker more than a decade ago - no download poker sites for real money were a pipe dream. The few intrepid poker room developers to try no download play crafted buggy half-baked Flash experiences.
Fast-forward to today and online poker players have grown up as the rest of the world has. Patience for downloads and installations? Gone. Who wants to load a 5-minute update when you just want to instantly play poker?
The difference these days? Poker sites without downloads actually know what they're doing.
You actually can:
- Play at no download real money poker sites instantly without downloading anything
- Use any OS or mobile device without downloads
- Have everything work smoothly and be browser-based
- Play both cash games and tournaments with instant play
- Enjoy a mostly bug-free experience that rivals the standalone software
Of course, that's if you avoid the fatal mistake of listening to outdated poker sites and affiliates. still trying to sell you on no download messes seemingly slapped together by toddlers with safety scissors and glue sticks.
I've actually played at and tested every no download online poker site listed here extensively.
Let's dive into the results.
Ignition Poker No Download
Ignition Poker is the largest option for US players looking for a no download poker site. No, you can't multi-table or play tournaments, but cash games play very well.
Their browser based site is targeted to mobile devices, but that's why it runs like butter on desktops.
It's a wasted marketing opportunity, but playing the Ignition Poker no download poker version on a computer is actually a hack I discovered. The poker room won't link you to it anywhere. So how do you use instant play?
You'll need to first visit Ignition here and complete the registration for an account. You can make a deposit from your browser as well. Then, manually type m.ignitioncasino.eu / poker into your browser and you'll immediately see the no download "mobile" version launch. It's lame, but, for now, that's the only play without the downloaded poker software.
The standout no download features I noticed:
- It's one of the only no download games in town for US players. Ignition Poker is one of two poker sites supporting US players to take no download-required play seriously for real money.
- It plays very well on mobile and even better on desktops. They only promote this as being for mobile, and it works fine in my tests on both iOS and Android devices. I still use the no download version at least a few times a week from my mobile. However, the games run even smoother from a desktop since they're so overpowered. The lack of old bug-fest Flash is another plus.
- Non-US players will still appreciate the loose tables. Even if you aren't from the US, Ignition Poker is one of the few US-facing no download poker sites you might consider thanks to the game quality. They're on my short list for having the loosest online poker games in the world, thanks in no small part to their ban on HUDs.
- You can register and use the cashier without downloading. Naturally, the poker site wants you to be able to deposit without hassle, hence the web-based cashier.
What needs to be improved for US no download play:
- No tournaments or Sit and Go's. This was a big oversight from Ignition and I don't really know why they made this decision. As it stands, players can only play Texas Holdem or Omaha cash games and Zone Poker (fast-fold) from the no download poker client. They're the only poker site in this list not to support tournaments.
- No multi-table support. Another strange decision that I hope is fixed at some point is that no download players are forced to only play at one real money poker table at a time.
No Download Bonus:
100% up to $1,000 for poker
plus
100% up to $1,000 for the casino
Tested and Working on:
All US players accepted
It looks a little out of place, but Ignition Poker instant play works without a download on Windows, Mac, or any custom OS along with mobile.
4/5 Stars
BetOnline Poker
The no download poker version of BetOnline Poker just launched and it's easily the best site in the USA market.
Unlike Ignition, every tournament is available and you can play on up to 4 tables at once. Use my hack below to play without downloading on a desktop. Checkmate.
Both US-facing no download poker sites don't actually advertise or directly encourage real money play from desktops. That's foolish in my opinion, but I found a way to play from either mobile or any desktop browser.
First, you'll need to visit BetOnline here and complete the registration for a new account if you don't have one already. The no download poker cashier is browser based so you can deposit right on the website.
Next, directly type poker.betonline.ag / mobilepoker / index.htm into your browser. It will load the no download poker assets and then ask you to log in again. Do so and voila - instant multi-table cash games and tournaments. You can do the same thing from a mobile browser.
The best no-download instant play online poker in the USA
- One of the best worldwide, not just in the USA. I'm a big fan of the BetOnline no download site UI. Flash isn't anywhere to be found, it has sharp graphics, and it's easy to navigate and play.
- All tournaments can be played without downloading. Both Sit and Go's and entire multi-table poker tournaments for Texas Hold'em or Omaha can be played from a browser.
- Excellent multi-table system. I really like the path BetOnline Poker took with multi-tabling. You can play up to 4 at once and, instead of launching in new Windows, every table is visible along a horizontal bar at the top of the screen.
What needs to be fixed:
- Must be manually typed in to use no download from desktops. It's a first-world problem certainly, but BetOnline doesn't like to show the no download poker site to desktop users. It isn't a big deal as you can just type in the direct URL and log in. Annoying, but just bookmark it and only have to type it in once per machine.
- Must click and hold to scroll. A very small nitpick, but you have to pretend you're using a touchscreen to scroll through the poker lobby. Click, hold, and drag up as if you were sliding a finger.
No Download Bonus
200% up to $2,500
plus
$135 in free bets
Tested and Working on:
All US players accepted
Here's what the BetOnline no download version looks on Windows with Chrome. Pretty decent, no?
4.75/5 Stars
My Pick for for No Download Poker Play
For my time, it's the only no download poker site I've actually mostly allowed replace my traditional desktop poker software. It's worked for me consistently, loads instantly, doesn't hog a lot of resources or use Flash, and has every poker game, including Texas Hold'em, you'd find in a download.
winner
Compatible with all browsers on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
No Download Bonus: 200% up to $2,500 and a total of $135 in no-risk free bets
No Download Poker Sites
| Rank | Poker Site | USA | Download Required | Cash Games | Instant Tournaments | Link to Play In-Browser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 888 Poker | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
| 2. | Unibet | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
| 3. | BetOnline | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
| 4. | PKR | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
| 5. | Ignition Poker | Yes | No | Yes | No | Launch in Browser |
| 6. | Titan Poker | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
Do poker sites offer games without downloading software?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, most online poker sites have gotten away from forcing players to download their software. You can play at a number of real-money poker sites on any desktop or mobile simply by logging in to your account on your browser. My current recommendation is Global Poker, which works entirely in your browser and even supports multiple tables.
Which poker site has the best instant play?
For me, it's between Global Poker for American players and 888 Poker for those in the rest of the world. Both of them have instant play on mobile without an app. You'll also play on the same cash tables and tournaments as software players.
Can you play online poker on mobile without downloading an app?
Yes, the better online poker sites now work on mobile browsers, eliminating the need for an app. Just log in to your poker account and you can play games instantly, without waiting for anything to download.
Do Mac browsers work with no-download poker software?
Safari, both on mobile or a desktop Mac, loads no-download poker software just fine. Mac poker software has also come a long way, with the largest poker sites like Bovada Poker now offering a native download version if you prefer to play outside of your browser.
More Examples of No-Download Poker
The BetOnline Poker no download lobby in browser mode. On mobile it will look identical.
Proof of the Ignition Poker instant play client on a desktop.
The only drawback of Ignition Poker's no download software is the lack of tournaments or multiple tables.
The simplistic Quick Seat function at Unibet instant play.
An example of a full-featured cashier that you'll find at no download poker sites. This one is from PKR.
The complete poker lobby is available on almost every site that offers instant play without a download.
Online Poker Without a Download FAQs
Do any sites offer no download poker play for real money?
Yes, every poker site listed allows real money play on their browser based software with no download required. Most allow both cash game and tournament play for Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
Are there any USA poker options without download?
Yes, and you'll find details on both poker sites above. Ignition Poker is of the smoothest no download options overall for USA players. Americans can make deposits, withdrawals, and play either cash games or fast-fold cash games on the no download poker client.
The other option is BetOnline Poker, which also accepts all US players for real money. The client is actually much better with multi-table play functionality and tournaments, but you'll have to type in the no download URL directly.
Do no download poker sites work from mobile phones and tablets?
Yes, every site I've tested on this page also played from my iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. In fact, no download poker was largely developed to target players on mobile who were averse to downloading a new app. Only outdated poker rooms running Flash won't on mobile.
How secure are the no download poker clients?
Poker sites with instant play use at least the same encryption as their downloadable software. Both gameplay data and banking will be covered. If an online poker room has a valid license it also covers their no download software.
Is there a free no download option?
Yes, absolutely. There is no payment or deposit necessary to try out no download poker or to launch the client. Every one of them offers play money free games in addition to real-money games so you can sample how the games actually run on your device before risking anything.
Are no download tournaments supported?
Yes. Most no download poker sites allow for tournament play at every event found in their standard poker software. Specialty tournaments like Sit and Go's or Snap are also supported. There are occasional exceptions, such as Ignition Poker, who only supports cash games from in-browser.
Can deposits and withdrawals be made from the browser?
Yes, and, in fact, most poker site software-based cashiers actually launch a separate browser window for banking anyway. You'll find a cashier link in just about every no download window.
Does Party Poker no download play exist?
Instant play Party Poker did used to exist for several years and was actually one of the better offerings out there. I believe they used Java, which was more stable than some of the awful old sites based on Flash.
Unfortunately, it seems that Party Poker (who teamed up with bwin) transitioned to a two-headed monster now: the very good mobile app and the traditional download for Windows or Mac play. No links on their site to the no download version work. It doesn't exist anymore.
Any poker site that still references it is just regurgitating outdated information.
Do any sites offer instant no download video poker?
Of course, video poker is a casino house game as opposed to the player vs. player poker rooms that the rest of this page is about. However, there are several online casinos that offer video poker without no download of any software. My top choices would be 888 Casino or Ignition Casino for US players.
