Online poker cash games (occasionally referred to as 'ring games') are huge. It's the most popular way to play online poker for real money in 2021, with the no limit Texas Hold'em variant getting the most action.

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So, where are the best places to play poker cash games online?

Games

Top 5 poker rooms for cash games 2021.

RankRoomRatingCompetitionLowestMultiBonus
Ignition PokerA+Weak$2NL4$1,000
SwC PokerAWeak$2NL4+-
Americas CardroomATricky$2NL16+$1,000
Betsafe PokerBAverage$4NL12€2,000
Nitrogen PokerBWeak$20NL8+-

Note: $2NL is just another way of writing 1c/2c no limit hold'em. The number in this '$2NL' format indicates the maximum 100bb buy in.

What makes for a good cash game poker room?

Every site offers cash games; the same format, and mostly the same stakes. So how can one online poker room be better than another for ring games? Here are the main factors that set sites apart in this field:

  1. Player traffic. More players = more action. Volume and variety is always a good thing in online poker, especially if you plan on multi-tabling.
  2. Level of competition. If you're playing poker, you want to play against the worst players possible – that's how you make money. Some poker sites are softer than others.
  3. Wide range of stakes. Although every site has a decent range, some sites do not offer the super-micro stakes of $5NL or lower, or high stakes games of $400NL+.
  4. Professional software. You want to play at a poker room that takes the game as seriously as you do. When you're playing for real money, the last thing you want to worry about is sluggish or buggy software. If you're a Mac user you'll want to check that your chosen poker room is Mac friendly as well.
  5. Multi-tabling. One of the best aspects of playing online poker cash games is the ability to sit down at multiple tables. The maximum number of open windows (tables) varies from site to site, so you want to be sure that the room you're playing at can accommodate your needs.
  6. Features. Not totally essential, but it's nice to have stuff like the 4 colour deck and general table customisation options.
  7. Low rake. This isn't an issue these days as the rake taken from cash games is virtually equal across all the major online poker sites. Used to be a consideration a few years ago, but 5% rake from each pot is now the standard.

That's all the essential stuff to look at when looking for the best cash game poker site.

It's also worth noting that I ranked these factors based on importance. Therefore, I wouldn't play at a poker room for its cool features if the player traffic is abysmal.

Why cash games are cool.

I love cash games. I really do.

I highly doubt that I need to convince you that ring games are awesome, because you're already looking for information on where's best to play them. However, here are three reasons why cash games are immense:

  1. Titanic Poker Scene – If Jack didn't win his Titanic ticket in a cash game, he never would have gotten on that boat, and this film would have been a lot less interesting.
  2. Judge's Game Scene in Rounders – A bit over the top, but that doesn't stop it from being as cool as eskimo pie. Unfortunately though, another scene from this film made it in to my top 5 misconceptions about poker in film.
  3. Cool Hand Luke Poker Scene – Proof that bluffing makes you awesome.

What do all these scenes have in common? Money. Real money. None of that tournament business with frilly pretend-money chips. Cash. Man cash.

Playing cash games will allow you to be that cool old man who tells stories to grandchildren about how you won crispy money in ruthless games of poker 'back in the day', whilst puffing away on your homemade tobacco pipe. That's why cash games are cool.

Full ring and 6max.

Full Ring and 6max are the two main variants of no limit Texas Hold'em cash games. So what's the difference?

  • Full Ring – 9 players max (occasionally 10, but usually it's 9)
  • 6max – 6 players max (bet you didn't see that coming)

Literally, the only difference between full ring and 6max is the number of players that can sit down at the table at a time.

The differences between full ring and 6max.

Even though 3 extra (or less) seats is the structural difference between these two cash games, it actually has a significant effect on the way these games play. Here's a summary.

  • Game speed.
    • FR: 60 hands/hour
    • 6max: 85 hands/hour
  • Starting hand selection.
    • FR: Tighter. You can afford to wait for more premium hands as the blinds come around less frequently.
    • 6max: Looser. You have to be prepared to use skill advantage than card advantage to win money.
  • Difficulty.
    • FR: Lower. You can play the situation more than the player. It's less important to adjust to exploit specific players at the table.
    • 6max: Higher. Fewer players makes the action more personal, so you need to be able to understand your opponents more. This also means you have more opportunities to exploit bad players.
  • Variance.
    • FR: Lower. FR is less 'swingy' than 6max, which some players will prefer.
    • 6max: Higher. Looser action means that more money gets put in to the pot more often with varying hand strengths.
  • Profitability.
    • FR + 6max: The slight majority of players agree that 6max can be more profitable than FR. This is because bad players are more 'exposed' in 6max thanks to there being a fewer number of seats at the table. However, the tradeoff is that you need to have more skill to beat 6max and the variance is greater.

Which variant is best for me?

Loads of players ask this question. Do a Google search for full ring vs 6max and you'll be greeted with roughly one squillion forum thread results. It's a popular topic. Nonetheless, here's my basic recommendation:

Play full ring if you don't mind sitting back and being more selective with which hands you play. It's a slightly more relaxed game, and the variance is lower than on 6max tables.

Play 6max if you like to play more hands and your are comfortable with your postflop game. You have to be prepared to deal with a higher level of variance though.

I guess you can think of full ring as being slow and steady, and 6max as faster and more action-orientated. I definitely wouldn't say that one is better than the other though – both games are profitable if you know how to play them well. Just choose the format that you feel suits your playing style the best. Learn2Holdem.com has a nice comparison article on full ring and 6max.

Play money vs real money cash games.

The play money tables are hugely popular. They can also be a barrel of fun – if you're 12 years old or something.

There is a tremendous difference between playing for fun and playing in $2NL cash games. Sure, you might argue that playing $2NL is virtually playing for fun, but the reality is that the quality of play between these two games is unrecognizable.

If you've played in both micro stake cash games and on the play money tables you'll know exactly what I mean. If you haven't, you're missing out. Playing for real money is far more exciting, even if it is only for 1c/2c stakes.

If you truly want to experience online poker cash games, play them for real money.

High Stakes Poker (TV Show).

High Stakes Poker is a TV program on GSN. If you love ring games half as much as I do I'd give it a watch.

The show films professional poker players playing in a high stakes no limit Texas Hold'em cash game. It's immensely entertaining, and it's the best poker TV show out there by a long shot.

What I love about HSP is the fact that it's a real game of poker. It's not a fabricated tournament where players just put on a performance for the cameras – the players on HSP genuinely care about the money in front of them, which makes for a fantastic showcase of talent.

Famous cash players.

Here a few big-name poker players that are renowned for their ability (and winnings) in cash games. I'm sure you'll recognize a few of them:

  • Tom Dwan (Durrrr) – The epitome of high stakes online poker. Plays the highest stakes HU cash games around and has gone through some of the biggest swings ever witnessed in online poker ($3 million+ each way over a matter of days). Still a huge winner overall though.
  • Phil Ivey – One of the greatest all-round poker players ever. Has won over $15 million playing online poker alone.
  • Patrik Antonius – Highly respected HU NLHE player. First player to participate in the Durrrr challenge.
  • Viktor Blom (Isildur1) – Relatively new name in online poker, but won a ridiculous amount of money from top players like Durrrr and Phil Ivey throughout 2010, winning over $5 million in total at his peak.
  • Doyle Brunson – Even though he's most famous for his WSOP bracelets, cash games have always been his bread and butter.

Although all of these guys are exceptional NLHE players, they also tend to play a lot of PLO online. Still, they're both cash games, so it's all good.

A few quick tips.

I can't give a well-rounded strategy on how to beat online poker cash games in a few short sentences, but I can throw some essential tips in your direction.

  • Stick to good bankroll management. Always have at least 20 buy-ins for the stakes you want to play at. If you don't, you're setting yourself up for a fall.
  • Try multi-tabling. If you're already good at poker, this is the easiest way to increase your winrate.
  • Table select. Online poker gives you the fantastic opportunity to select which tables you play at, and the choice is plentiful to say the least. If you know that there are bad players at certain tables, sit at those and win more money.
  • Use stats to help you with decisions. Download and start using Poker Tracker before you play another hand of online poker. Stats (e.g. VPIP and PFR) give you a tremendous edge over your opponents, so why aren't you using them?

After this it's all about playing your socks off and learning as much strategy as you can. My strategy articles and strategy videos are decent places to start. After that, look in to paid training – it's worth it.

Go back to the Texas Hold'em rooms.

  • This collection of games that pay real money gives you a complete overview of the best titles (and variants) available online.
  • Free games that pay real cash prizes are fun - but you should never forget that gambling isn't a way to get rich quick. Also, always check the terms and conditions of a casino before you start to play and not only when you want to cash out your winnings.
  • Pick a scratch-off to play quick games for real money or go to the blackjack table to challenge the dealers. The choice is yours!

Playing games online is not what it used to be — that's for sure.

I still remember the days I'd load a cassette (!) in the cassette player of my Philips MSX (yes, I am THAT old) and wait for minutes for a game to load. Eventually.

That frantic wait has now been replaced by the Fortnite, the Call of Duty and the Super Mario Kart that load in a snap and throw you in the middle of epic and fantastic adventure within seconds.

In 2020, games are everywhere.

We play on our mobile phones, on our desktops, on our gaming consoles, on our smart TVs…and sometimes even on our watches.

The gaming industry keeps growing one boom after the other, and the quality of the games we play is nothing like the games used to be.

And this isn't true only for the Pong or Tetris that rocked our childhood evenings on an Atari or a Nintendo Game Boy. The same also applies to online games for money.

The games where you can win real money in 2020 are nothing like those where you'd try to score some cash a decade ago.

The graphics are better and the gameplays are more sophisticated.

This list of games that pay money gives you direct access to some of the best titles to play online in 2020. All the sites we suggest offer a bonus on registration to all the players who want to play games for real money online.

Whether you're into games like online blackjack or you prefer to try your luck on slots, this list has something for you.

Best Online Games that Pay Real Money in 2020

Choosing the best casino games to play for real money is not easy.

With so many new Slots and new online casinos popping up all the time, it takes time and sweat to find the best games that pay real money online.

Unless you have a trustworthy source *cough* like CasinoSmash *cough* to help you.

RankGameTypeRTPMore infoPlay Game
1Jackpot SlotsSlot MachineN/AMore infoPLAY GAME
2Blood SuckersSlot Machine97.6%More infoPLAY GAME
3Turn Your FortuneSlot Machine96.24%More infoPLAY GAME
4Live BlackjackCard Game99.46%More infoPLAY GAME
5European RouletteTable Game97.3%More infoPLAY GAME
6Casino Hold'emCard Game99.18%More infoPLAY GAME
7Mad Max: Fury RoadScratch Off95.48%More infoPLAY GAME
8Luxor ScratchScratch Off92.3%More infoPLAY GAME
9Monopoly LiveGame Showup to 96.23More infoPLAY GAME
10CS:GOe-SportsN/AMore infoPLAY GAME

Casino Slots That Pay Real Money

Jackpot Slots

This is a slippery slope, I know. Of all the online casino games that pay real money, jackpot games aren't the one with the best odds — by a mile.

Playing jackpot slots is expensive and risky. The RTP of these games is below average, and since you always need to bet the maximum to hit the jackpot…these can become the most expensive online games that pay real cash. Easily.

Sites like 888casino and partycasino run daily jackpots where you can get decent winning odds. All the info are right on their sites, so don’t forget to look at volatility and RTP of each game before you play.

I am not a fan of progressive games because I cannot afford them. But if you are looking for online games that pay real money and you are OK with playing two spins instead of 100 — these might be up your alley.

Remember to play responsibly.

Blood Suckers

Table and card games tend to be everyone's first choice when looking for games that pay real cash to play online.

Why? Because they offer better RTP and so more chances to win. Or fewer to lose, you decide what's most appropriate here.

However, some online slots can also rival the best card games for real money available for online play.

The Blood Suckers video slot is one of those. Featuring an RTP of 98%, this game gives you a higher return than many of the table games offered by most online casinos.

Blood Suckers (a five-reel game by NetEnt) includes special features like free spins which are granted to you once you land three Vampire Brides as well as bonus round, where you get to slay vampires in a spooky tomb and are granted cash in the process.

Turn Your Fortune

Spin the reels and turn your fortune with this great NetEnt slot machine game!

The Turn Your Fortune slot launched in 2019. Since then, this real money game online has proven to be a massive hit for the Malta-based gaming company.

Turn Your Fortune features five reels, four rows, and 40 fixed paylines. And it wouldn't be a NetEnt slot if it didn't have top-quality graphics, beautiful animations, and bonus features that pay well — of course.

Take the Fortune Respins feature, for example.

Not only you get a free respin after a win, but the winning symbols also increase the multiplier meter on the left of the screen.

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Each time it fills up, you move to another Fortune Wins level — getting the opportunity to trigger multipliers for up to x200.

* The Return to the Player (RTP) is the percentage of how much wagered money on the game theoretically goes back to the players.

If a slot has an RTP of 96 per cent and players spent €1,000 playing it, €960 will go back to the players in winnings while the House will keep the remaining €40.

Casino Table Games That Pay Real Money

Live Blackjack

Of all the games that pay real money, live casino blackjack is probably the most exciting and the one where your skills can help you with your winning chances.

Join players from anywhere in the world in an endless battle against a live blackjack dealer. Super HD cameras and incredible locations make live blackjack the king of all online games that pay real cash.

If you want to discover why everyone says live dealer games are great (and you should), this is the best site to play live blackjack games that payout real cash prizes.

European Roulette

It doesn't matter if you in it because you are a high-roller or you just want to play for fun. There's nothing like a game of roulette for real money.

You can learn how to play online roulette in minutes and you only need to use this roulette strategy to master the game like an expert.

The difference between American and European Roulette is all about your winning chances.

In short, you have more chances to play casino games and win money if you play European roulette.

Casino Hold'Em

Casino hold'em is easy to learn, fast to play, and it gives you better odds than most other casino games online.

No need to work on your bluffing skills, though. In this casino poker game, you always play against the dealer, not with other players.

In a game of casino hold 'em there three types of bets: the mandatory Ante bet, the Call bet and side a bet called AA.

  • You make Ante bet if you want to play,
  • Call bet if you think your hand is good enough to win,
  • AA bet if you feel like a pair of Aces (or better) combo will appear among your cards and the flop (first three community cards).

Tip: Never waste your money on AA bets. These real money wagers decrease the return to the player percentage to 93.74 per cent.

Casino Scratch Cards That Pay Real Money

Mad Max Scratch Cards

There's something almost wrong in calling Mad Max: Fury Road a 'scratch card' — because this game offers a lot more.

Licensed by Warner Bros this online game that pays real money features a random progressive jackpot and a scatter symbol that triggers 10 free games with real money prizes.

The player's percentage of theoretical expected return is 95.48%, which is one of the highest in its category of online casino games.

If you are up for the top prizes, keep in mind that the progressive jackpot needs to be north of $750 to trigger.

Luxor Scratch

With tickets starting at 0.10, Luxor Scratch is one of the cheapest free online games that pay cash that you can play online.

For it to be free, however, you need to use the welcome bonus at 888casino first.

Egypt-themed music and graphics make this a delightful game — too bad for the piss-poor 92.30% RTP!

Other Casino Games That Pay Real Money

Monopoly Live!

Did you know NetEnt found a way to turn everyone's favourite board game into one of the best games that pay real money in 2020?

Bringing together the best of game-shows like the DreamCatcher and all the elements that made Monopoly famous, Monopoly Live is an exciting adventure to discover.

This is for sure one of the most immersive casino games that pay out real money available online in 2020 and is also one of the most fun games to play. The gameplay brings together elements of the classic wheel of fortune games and Monopoly — and that's fun already.

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But wait until you see what the talented presenters chosen by NetEnt can do to entertain you! If you want to give Monopoly Live a go, this is where you need to register to access the game.

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CS:GO (or e-Sports Betting in General)

Ladies and gentlemen…e-Sports are finally included in the list of the best games that give you real money in prizes!

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Pioneered by Betway the world of real money e-sports and e-sports betting is a thriving new dimension of real money gaming online — one that most of you have yet to discover, I am sure.

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Watch people play (you need to register toped the live stream) and place your bets on popular games like CS:GO, DOTA 2, League of Legends, and more!

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Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That’s what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!

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