Key points
- In peer-to-peer poker you play against other players, and the site takes a rake or tournament fee. In casino poker games you play against the house.
- Rake, liquidity (how many players are at your stakes) and security controls matter more than the coin you pay with.
- Check how the site handles collusion and bots, and how it treats balances held in crypto.
- Poker sites are licensed nationally. Crypto does not change that.
Two different things called "crypto poker"
| Peer-to-peer poker | Casino poker games | |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Other players | The house (dealer) |
| How the site earns | Rake from cash-game pots or a tournament fee | House edge built into the payout table |
| Skill element | Significant over many hands | Limited to optimal play against fixed rules |
| Examples | Hold'em cash games, tournaments, sit & go | Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, video poker |
Rake and fees
In cash games the site takes a percentage of each pot, usually up to a cap. In tournaments the fee is part of the buy-in, for example €10 + €1. A high rake at low stakes can turn a small winning edge into a loss, so compare rake terms before choosing a site.
Liquidity and formats
Crypto-only rooms often have fewer players than large licensed networks. Check that there are tables at your stakes when you want to play, and how often the tournaments you want actually run.
Security and fair play
- Does the site publish policies on collusion, chip dumping and bots, and does it act on them?
- Are random number generators certified by an independent test lab?
- How are balances held, and what happens to frozen accounts?
Paying in crypto
The coin determines deposit timing and volatility. See the guides for Bitcoin, Litecoin and USDT. If balances are held in a coin, your bankroll's euro value moves with the market, which complicates bankroll management.
Licensing
Some countries license online poker separately; in Germany, for example, online poker is a licensable product listed by the GGL. Other countries ring-fence their player pools. Check the rules for your country.
Sources
- Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland, Welches Online-Glücksspiel ist in Deutschland legal?. Licensable online products, including poker. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Bitcoin.org, Some things you need to know Checked 3 November 2026.
Limitations: rake structures and security policies differ by site and change over time.