Global Poker Review

Global Poker is an online poker site based in Australia, serving players in the USA and Canada since February 2016. Owned by VGW Holdings, which also owns Chumba Casino, it has licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority. Global Poker stands out as the only online poker provider available in most states in the United States, with Washington as the only exception due to strict laws. This popularity makes it a top choice for poker players, especially recreational ones. With an innovative business model, Global Poker has quickly become a significant player in the US online poker market. Let’s explore its pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Global Poker

Pros

  • Legal in 49 US states
  • Get a $20 bonus when you sign up with no strings attached
  • No fees for withdrawing your moneyGreat choice for new players
  • Access the site instantly from any browser
  • No need to download anything
  • No HUDs (Heads-Up Displays)
  • Withdraw money directly to a US bank account
  • Offers a good number of tournaments

Cons

  • Fewer players than other sites
  • No live customer support available
  • Does not support cryptocurrency

How Can Global Poker Operate in 49 States?

Global Poker says it offers 100% legal real money poker in 49 states. However, this isn’t completely true. While they operate in 49 states and Canada and players can legally play online poker, they cannot use real money. Global Poker uses a sweepstakes model instead of a real money model. Players buy play money and receive bonus Sweeps coins for free. They can then redeem these Sweeps Coins and play money for real cash prizes.

We might be nitpicking, but when you play on Global Poker, you’re using play money and Sweeps Coins, not real money. Still, their claim of being the only legal poker site in 49 states holds up, and you do receive real money once you redeem those Sweeps Coins.

This clever approach to online poker works because many US states have strict laws about online gambling. Global Poker’s license in Malta, granted by a respected European gaming authority, adds credibility to the brand as a legitimate online poker provider. The Malta regulator does not allow US gambling, which makes their sweepstakes model a smart way for US residents to play online poker.

However, the US online gambling industry is always changing, and we expect Global Poker to face tough competition soon. Larger brands like PokerStars and 888poker already operate in important states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and more states will likely follow.

How to Sign Up for Global Poker

Global Poker

It’s easy to create a new Global Poker account. You can even use your Facebook account to register. You won’t need a Global Poker promo code until you want to make a purchase, but that’s up to you.

To sign up, just fill out a simple form and confirm your email address. You will need to provide some basic information, like your name, address, and date of birth. You only need to verify your account when you first try to cash in your Sweeps Coins winnings.

Plus, you don’t have to download any poker software because you can play directly in your web browser. Overall, Global Poker’s unique legal status makes it one of the most accessible platforms for Americans today.

Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

Global Poker uses a special system with two tokens: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Players can buy Gold Coins from the site in different amounts. These coins allow players worldwide to enjoy the social gaming features of the site. Playing with Gold Coins helps new players practice their skills and improve their strategies.

Global Poker also lets players from the United States and Canada compete for Sweeps Coins. Sweeps Coins are tokens that players can use to enter extra tournaments. Sometimes, Global Poker gives players FREE Sweeps Coins when they buy Gold Coins. Players can also earn Sweeps Coins by participating in specific tournaments. The site keeps the two types of tokens separate, and they do not mix. However, winners can exchange Sweeps Coins for cash prizes. This system works like sweepstakes promotions offered by many companies around the world.

Game Selection

Global Poker offers four main games for players to enjoy:

  • No-limit Hold’em
  • Fixed limit Hold’em
  • Pot-limit Omaha
  • No-limit Crazy Pineapple

You can find games, Sit and Gos (SnGs), and tournaments to match your interests, skill level, and budget. For Sweeps Coins, entry fees range from SC1 to SC1000, and players must have between 25x and 100x the big blind amount. In Gold Coin play, the minimum entry fees at the highest tables can reach millions. However, the 25x to 100x entry ratio remains the same throughout the site.

Global Poker Jackpot Sit’n’Gos

Global Poker recently introduced Jackpot Sit’n’Gos (JPs). These are three-person hyper turbo games. Before each match starts, the site randomly selects the prize pool. The prize pools are multiples of the players’ entries, ranging from 2x to 2000x, with the 2000x prize known as the “jackpot level.” All JPs, except those at the jackpot level, follow a winner-takes-all format. In the jackpot level, players earn either 75%, 15%, or 10% of the pool based on their finishing position. It’s important to note that most random prize pools will be on the lower end. Only 2 out of every 100,000 games will reach the jackpot level. Still, it’s an affordable chance to win big. With blind levels lasting just 3 minutes, a player could significantly increase their bankroll in less than 10 minutes.

Global Poker Games

Global Poker Games

Global Poker’s software isn’t as polished as the software from popular poker rooms like PokerStars, 888, or PartyPoker. However, it works well, and the table interface is convenient. You can play multiple tables at once, but since the client runs in a browser, you can’t use professional tracking software like PokerTracker or Hold’em Manager.

Global Poker Ring Games

Ring games on Global Poker focus mainly on Hold’em and Omaha. The software also allows Crazy Pineapple poker, but you can only play it with play money (Gold Coins), not with Sweeps Coins.

Hold’em

You can find both No-Limit and Fixed-Limit tables, with stakes from SC 0.02/SC 0.04 to SC 10/SC 20. While full-ring games are available, most players prefer the six-max tables because they offer faster action. The competition is generally soft, and players fill the tables quickly. You can easily find SC 10/SC 20 NLHE tables, which gives Global Poker an edge over local, state-regulated poker rooms like 888 NJ or WSOP NV. However, Fixed-Limit games have fewer active tables, rarely exceeding 10, even during busy hours.

Omaha

Global Poker only offers Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), but enough players participate to keep games running around the clock. The stakes also range from SC 0.02/SC 0.04 to SC 10/SC 20. You shouldn’t have trouble finding a table at peak times, especially on weekends. Many Omaha players prefer six-max tables, making it hard to find full nine-max games, especially beyond the micro stakes.

Global Poker Multi-Table Tournaments

Global Poker doesn’t run large tournament series all the time, but it hosts some big events throughout the year. These events usually have smaller entry fees, ranging from SC 0.11 to SC 33. For example, the Grizzly Games featured three entry levels, with guaranteed prize pools between SC 15,000 and SC 100,000. On weekends, you can join bigger events, like the SC 218 Sunday Scrimmage (SC 50,000 guaranteed) or the SC 110 Sunday Teaser (SC 20,000 guaranteed). You can qualify for these tournaments through satellite events, but the tickets cost between SC 22 and SC 33. Most tournament action on Global Poker revolves around No-Limit Hold’em, but fans of Pot-Limit Omaha and Fixed-Limit Omaha can also enjoy a few smaller events each week.

What are the Main Attractions of Global Poker?

Now that we know how Global Poker operates legally, let’s look at the benefits of playing on their site.

A Great No-Strings Bonus

Until recently, Global Poker didn’t offer any welcome bonuses for new players. It seemed strange to have a poker site without a welcome bonus, but they realized their mistake and now provide a fantastic $20 bonus. And you don’t even need to make a deposit!

They didn’t offer a deposit bonus before because they wanted to stay legal in the U.S. They have to consider many state laws, and avoiding any actions that might draw attention from state lawmakers helped them stay compliant. Their legal team now feels that this is no longer a major concern, which is great news for new players.

You might wonder what’s so special about a $20 bonus when sites like 888poker and PokerStars offer more. Here’s the deal: that $20 bonus is completely free. Just create a new account, verify it, and Global Poker will give you 20 Bonus Sweeps Coins and 100,000 Gold Coins. Each Sweeps Coin is worth $1, and you can use your Bonus Sweeps Coins to join any cash game on the site—no deposit needed. That’s a great offer!

Excellent Banking Options

Global Poker offers excellent banking options. Since they use a sweepstake model for online poker, they call your transactions “purchasing” and “redemption.” Regardless of the names, these options are very close to perfect.

Purchasing

They use WorldPay to handle all credit card payments, accepting major cards like Amex, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa, and Discover. This is important because WorldPay is top-notch for processing payments. In the U.S., some banks might refuse payments from gambling companies, but WorldPay helps avoid that issue, ensuring your payment goes through no matter your bank. Plus, Global Poker doesn’t charge extra fees for using these credit cards.

Other purchasing options include Skrill (which they promote on their FAQ page), Instant ACH (through Skrill), and online banking with your own bank. When making a purchase, you simply choose “online banking” and select your bank from the drop-down list.

Unfortunately, Global Poker no longer uses PayPal. However, since they switched to WorldPay, this change hasn’t caused any problems. In fact, the brand has grown significantly since dropping PayPal.

Redemption

Here’s the best part: you can get your winnings straight to your bank account. This is a feature that very few poker sites offer, making it a big deal. Global Poker says it can take up to seven business days to process, but most players report receiving their money in about 3-5 days.

That’s the main way to redeem real cash, but there’s also an option called Prizeout, which lets you get cash as vouchers for major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Target. Since this option doesn’t involve a financial transaction, it’s much faster than bank redemptions.

No Software to Download

It’s rare to find an online poker provider that lets you register and play without downloading software or an app. Global Poker stands out in this area. It’s incredibly easy to play online poker anywhere. Just visit their website, register or log in, and start playing.

Everything runs through your browser, and the software—originally developed by the Swedish company Cubeia—is lightweight and fast. You won’t have to wait for software updates, which is a huge plus!

While it may lack some advanced features that other providers have, it works perfectly if you just want to play poker. We even wonder why other providers haven’t adopted this simple approach.

While writing this review, we found the gameplay smooth with no glitches. It doesn’t seem to matter what browser or device you use—the site is always fast and responsive. You can even play multiple tables on a mobile device, which is impressive given that everything happens in the browser.

Just a tip: any website that asks you to download a Global Poker app is a scam. There is no app, so don’t be fooled!

Complete Ban on HUDs

Global Poker does not allow HUDs (heads-up displays), which are tools that help players track statistics and information about other players. While some think HUDs help improve skills, many believe they give an unfair advantage to those who use them. Global Poker operates as a browser-based poker room, making it hard to use HUDs. However, the site has banned them anyway. This ban attracts more casual players, as serious players who rely on HUDs often choose to play elsewhere. As a result, the games on Global Poker are generally easier, making it a great choice for beginner and intermediate players.

Plenty of Tournaments Throughout the Day

Global Poker may have less traffic than larger sites, but you can still find about five tournaments happening each hour on average. The most popular tournament is the Sunday Scrimmage, which offers a prize pool of 50,000 SC (Sweep Coins). The buy-in is 218 SC, but players can join satellites throughout the week to qualify for a lower price. The site also hosts Gold Coin tournaments, but the SC tournaments are the most sought after.

In 2019, Global Poker launched the Kurt Busch Signature Tournament Series due to its sponsorship of Nascar’s Chip Ganassi Racing. This sponsorship made Global Poker the first online poker site to partner with a major American sport. The Kurt Busch Tournament took place on race days, with winners receiving Sweep Coins and some lucky players getting a piece of Kurt Busch’s race car!

The biggest event of the year is the Rattlesnake Tournament, which offered a guaranteed prize pool of 1.5 million SC in 2020. While these prizes may seem small compared to PokerStars’ Sunday Million, they offer one of the few ways for U.S. residents to join online tournaments. As we mentioned, the site mainly attracts recreational players, and the guaranteed prize pools are more than enough for them.

Softer Games

Global Poker is not a site for hardcore grinders or expert players like PokerStars. Instead, you will find players who are there to have fun and enjoy poker. Many of these players are new to the game or complete beginners. This is partly due to the site’s advertising on social media, which brings in people curious to try poker, especially to use their $20 no-purchase bonus. This makes Global Poker a perfect platform for those looking to improve their skills or just have some enjoyable poker fun.

The Main Drawbacks of Playing on Global Poker

We could almost say there are no drawbacks at all. Global Poker really has very few issues. The problems we did find are not likely to stop most players from signing up.

No Cryptocurrency Options

Global Poker works hard to make payments easy, so we’re surprised they don’t offer any cryptocurrency options. They partner with Skrill, which lets users trade with cryptocurrencies, but that’s not the same as playing poker with Bitcoin. They considered using BitPay when they stopped working with PayPal, but the deal with WorldPay and online banking seems to work for them now.

No Live Support

We find it puzzling that a company offering great service lacks live customer support. There’s no live chat, and the support page only gives an email address, promising a quick response. Today, not having live support is a significant drawback. However, their email service is excellent. You’ll get answers within about ten minutes, which is really fast for email. So while we wish they had a chat option, a ten-minute wait for a reply is impressive.

Lower Traffic at Off-Peak Times

Global Poker has grown a lot in recent years, but there are still times when traffic slows down, and so does the action. Some tournaments may have trouble getting players. If you play during peak times in the evening and on weekends, though, you’ll find the room buzzing with activity. You won’t have trouble finding a game; there are always players online. It’s just not as busy as other poker rooms on different platforms.

We did say it’s hard to find drawbacks on Global Poker, so please excuse us for mentioning lower traffic and the lack of crypto payment options.

Global Poker has done something unique by succeeding in the US online poker market. Despite initial challenges with a payment processor that hurt their reputation, their partnership with WorldPay turned things around. They currently focus on players in the US and Canada but aim to expand globally. Their success in a tough market suggests a bright future ahead. This Global Poker review strongly recommends the site for US and Canadian players. With a ban on HUDs and a focus on recreational players, it offers a welcoming experience for both new and experienced players. Global Poker is an excellent choice for your online poker journey.

FAQs

Does Global Poker really pay out?

You don’t use real money at Global Poker. You can play with virtual coins for fun or with sweepstakes coins. You get sweeps for free or by playing certain games. You can then exchange these for real prizes.

Is Global Poker a legit site?

Yes, Global Poker is a legitimate site in the US. You can play its sweepstakes in 48 out of 50 states. These social casino games do not involve real money.

How long does it take to get paid from Global Poker?

Usually, it takes less than 24 hours to process payments, but during busy times, it may take up to 48 hours. You can get your redemption much faster than waiting for a bank wire transfer.

Is Global Poker legal in the United States?

Yes, Global Poker is legal in most of the United States. Its sweepstakes model makes it accessible to almost all Americans.

Who is eligible to play on Global Poker?

Most residents of the US and Canada can play at Global Poker. Check their Terms & Conditions at the bottom of their website to see if your state or province is eligible.

What are the requirements for redeeming prizes at Global Poker?

To redeem cash prizes on Global Poker, you must first verify your identity.

Is Global Poker free to play?

Yes, you can play for free on Global Poker.

Can I play Global Poker in the UK?

No, you cannot play on Global Poker in the UK.

Can I play Global Poker in Washington?

No, Global Poker is not available in Washington State. It is accessible in every US state except Washington and Michigan. In Idaho, you can only play with Gold Coins.

Can I play Global Poker in Michigan?

No, you cannot play on Global Poker in Michigan. It is available in every US state except Washington and Michigan. In Idaho, you can only play with Gold Coins.

Can I play casino games at Global Poker?

Yes, Global Poker offers a selection of casino and table games.

Are there freerolls at Global Poker?

Yes, you can find information about freerolls in the client.