If you want to play online poker for real money then first thing you’ll need to do after joining a poker site is get some funds online. For the most part, this is a pretty straightforward process and typically doesn’t take very long. Most poker rooms have a wide range of deposit options available so you should be able to find a suitable method for getting money into your poker account. It is probably a good idea though, when choosing a poker site, to just check what options are available before signing up.
This is especially true if you live in the US, as it can sometimes be a little challenging to make deposits to a poker room because of legislation relating to certain financial transactions. The best US poker sites keep such problems to a minimum though, and are usually very good at getting deposits (and withdrawals) processed. Wherever you live, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the various options so you can determine which is the most suitable for you. We have provided some information below on the most popular deposit methods available at poker websites and how to use them.
Credit Card Deposits
Depositing by credit card is probably the most common method used by poker players. It is certainly one the easiest, particularly for US players, and is available at the vast majority of sites. To make a credit card deposit you simply have to enter your card details and input how much you wish to deposit. The deposit is usually processed instantly and the funds will show up immediately in your poker account. Some sites allow you to make withdrawals using a credit card too.
It is worth noting that some sites may add a small surcharge to credit card deposits, so you should look out for that. It is usually quite a small amount though, typically 2% or less. We should also point out that some banks do block transactions to poker sites. If you experience this then you can try using a different card or an alternative method. You might want to take a look at our list of the best credit card poker sites for some of the leading rooms where you can use this deposit method.
Debit Card Deposits
Using a debit card is another commonly used deposit method. It is very widely used at UK poker sites and is just as simple as using a credit card. Again, you simply have to enter the relevant details and choose how much you wish to deposit and you will usually have instant access to your funds online. Surcharges are less common with debit cards, although a few sites do add them on. Once you have made a deposit using your debit card, you will usually be able to withdraw any winnings straight back to that card.
Bank Wire/Transfer
A bank wire, or transfer, is when you give your bank an instruction to send funds to the bank of the online poker room. You can do this in person at your local branch, on the phone, or online. This is often a good solution if you want to deposit particularly large sums and is reasonably straightforward to do. You just need to get the bank details from the poker room and then instruct your bank accordingly. Once the poker room confirms receipt of the funds they will be added to your poker account. Most sites allow you to withdraw using this method too.
Money Transfer
Using a money transfer service, such as Western Union for example, is probably not the most convenient way to deposit to a poker site, but it is a reliable alternative if you can’t use some of the other options. You’ll need the relevant details from your poker room, and you then have to visit your local WU (or other service provider) and arrange the transfer.
E-wallet Services
E-wallet services have become a very popular way to deposit at online poker sites over the last few years. The best known e-wallet is Paypal, which can be used for all kinds of other online transactions too. It is essentially an online account where you can hold funds and then make transfers to pay for goods or services, or of course deposit to a poker room. There are several Paypal poker sites that accept this method, and you will usually be able to withdraw any winnings back to Paypal too.
There are quite a few other e-wallet services around too, such as Neteller and Skrill (previously known as Moneybookers). Depositing using these is a simple matter of entering the relevant details and choosing how much to deposit.
Prepaid/Virtual Cards & Vouchers
Using prepaid cards or vouchers is a great way to deposit if your bank blocks online transactions to poker rooms or if you simply don’t want to provide your banking details online. There are several different types of these cards and vouchers – such as Eco Card and Ukash – and they are all incredibly easy to use.