Can You Play Online Poker In Michigan?
Yes, you can play poker online for real money in Michigan. PokerStars was the first to launch in the state in 2021!
Online Poker In Michigan
Michigan online poker was passed into law in December 2019 when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed several gambling expansion bills into law. Those in Michigan can now legally sports bet, wager on casino games, wager on daily fantasy sports, and play poker online.
Existing casino operators will be able to obtain gambling licenses to run these games, which is a similar setup to New Jersey.
Each casino operator will be allowed to have one online poker brand, and each license comes with a $50,000 application fee and a $100,000 initial licensing fee. In order to renew annually, it will cost the operator $50,000
The tax structure for online poker begins at 20% for an adjusted gross income of less than $4 million but can rise to 28% if it exceeds $12 million. Detroit commercial casinos will pay an additional 1.25% city tax, which tribal casinos are exempted from paying.
Will Michigan Join The Multi-State Internet Gaming Association?
Governor Gretchen Whitmer was hesitant about allowing Michigan to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) due to large casino slot jackpots getting too high. But lawmakers recently created an amendment to allow Michigan poker to join the player pools of New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. The expectation is that this will pass in 2021.
Michigan Online Poker Sites
PokerStars is officially the first poker site to launch in Michigan and is currently the only one available in the state.
Michigan Online Poker Signup Offers
There are several Michigan online poker signup offers you should be aware of.
No Deposit
When a poker site offers you a no deposit bonus, this means you get free money to play just for signing up. Most times, this comes as a site credit and may have certain terms and conditions that apply.
These conditions often come in the form of a wagering requirement that you will have to meet before withdrawing your winnings.
First Deposit
A first deposit offer is an offer that usually matches your first deposit up to a certain amount. You may deposit $100 at a poker site and as long as you reach the wagering requirements or the other conditions in place, then you would receive $100, likely in site credit, which you can use to play cash games and tournaments.
Bet and Get
A Bet and Get offer refers to a player making a bet and receiving a bonus after meeting the wagering requirement. For example, you may deposit, play a $30 tournament, and the poker site would reward you with $20 in free play.
How To Sign Up For Online Poker In Michigan
You must ensure you qualify when signing up to a poker site in Michigan, including:
- Being 21 years of age or over
- Having valid identification, including your social security number
You then can take the following steps when signing up:
- First, click on one of our “Get Bonus” links to activate the promotion. You will automatically be sent to the signup page of the poker site you chose.
- Create a username and password.
- Fill out proper information such as your legal name, email address, date of birth, home address, and other information.
- Because these are legal and regulated in the United States, you will need to have a social security number and perhaps even a credit card handy (if you are ready to deposit).
- Finally, you will likely create security questions and answers to protect your account. Then it will also be likely that you get contact via email or by phone.
How To Deposit From Your Poker Account
Depositing at a Michigan poker site is quick and simple:
- Log in to your account.
- Find the selection that says “Deposit Now” or “Cashier”
- Choose your deposit method from the available options
- Enroll or add your card, depending on the specific method.
- Choose the amount you wish to deposit.
- Follow any on-screen prompts.
- Deposit your funds.
Most deposits happen instantly, but in some cases, there may be a wait time.
How To Withdraw From An Online Poker Account
Withdrawing funds is also incredibly easy. There are times you can use the same payment method as you did with your deposit, but in other cases, you cannot do this. The poker site will let you know what is acceptable that the time of withdrawal, but here are the steps:
- Log in to your online casino account.
- Find the selection that says something such as “Withdraw”, “Cashier”, “Wallet”, or “Banking”.
- Choose the withdraw option and select a method that is available.
- Enroll or add your card, depending on the specific method.
- Choose the amount you wish to withdraw.
- Follow any on-screen prompts.
- Withdraw your funds.
Types of Poker Games
There are many variations of poker, but the most popular have become Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Within these two types of games, there are variations that involve how the betting works.
No Limit Hold’em
No Limit Hold’em has been poker’s most popular game since the early 2000’s, and even the 1990’s, though Stud was still quite popular.
The game is simple, but difficult to master. Players receive two cards in their hand (hole cards), which begins a round of betting. The action is pushed by forced betting of two players called the blinds. The remaining players decide if they want to remain in the hand by matching the biggest blind, or by calling or raising depending on the situation.
Once it is determined which players are in the hand, the dealer will place three cards facing up on the table. This is part of what is called the community board, or board. These cards are available for all in the hand to use to make the best five-card hand possible.
These three cards are referred to as the flop and is followed by another round of betting.
The players remaining in the hand will then see another card placed on the community board by the dealer, called the turn. This fourth card is again followed by another round of betting.
Finally, players remaining in the hand will see the fifth card placed on the board by the dealer, which is called the river. Another round of betting ensues and the remaining players will reveal their cards (if necessary) to determine who has the best hand to win the pot.
Pot Limit Omaha
The great game of Pot Limit Omaha has grown over the last several years and is becoming a popular alternative to Hold’em.
The rounds of betting and community board are the same as in Hold’em, but with one significant difference, which is players receive four hole cards instead two. And with these four cards, players must use two in their hand, unlike Hold’em, where a player can even play the community board or use one hole card to make their hand.
To give you a greater understanding of how different this game can be from Hold’em, well, in the two-card game, there are 1,326 combinations of starting hands. In Omaha, there’s 270,725.
Other Games
There are many types of poker games. Some include:
- 5 Card Omaha
- 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo
- Courchevel
- Courchevel Hi/Lo
- Stud
- Stud Hi/Lo
- Razz
- Five Card Draw
- 2-7 Triple Draw
- 2-7 Single Draw
- HORSE
- 8-Game Mix
- Short Deck Hold’em
- Badugi
Cash Games
Michigan online poker cash games come in many variations.
- Full-Ring Game: This indicates a full-tabled game that may fit up to 10 players depending on the type of game.
- Short-Handed Ring Game: This usually refers to a six-person max table. This type of game usually leads to increased action, as players’ hand ranges tend to be wider in this format.
- Heads-Up: This format means you will be playing against another opponent, one-on-one. An example of this would be Doug Polk playing against Daniel Negreanu on WSOP. We do not advise most to play against Doug Polk in this format.
Tournaments
Michigan online poker tournaments also come in many variations and can give players big value in comparison to the money they invest. Here are a few to look out for:
- Rebuy: This is a tournament that allows players a limited time to re-enter after being eliminated from the event.
- Heads-up: A bracket-style tournament, players are paired off, facing each other in one-on-one competition, tournament style. Eliminate your player to move on to the next round until you are the last person standing.
- Shootout: In this event, you must be the last person remaining at your specific table. Once all the players are eliminated, you will then move onto another table until the field eventually shrinks to one.
- Sit And Go: A mini-tournament of sorts, you play a limited number of players, usually anywhere from six to 45.
- Satellite Tournaments: Satellite poker tournaments are quite popular. These events allow you to buy-in at a relatively low cost and if you win, you are rewarded with an entry into a bigger, more expensive event. Satellites are popular among players who are trying to enter the $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event.
- Turbo: Turbo tournaments are very fast-paced due to the manipulation of the blind structure. This usually involves short blind times, shorter stacks and even skipping common blind levels.
- Bounty: A cash prize is placed on a specific player. Eliminate that player from the tournament and win that prize.
- Knockout: A knockout tournament means each player has a price on their head. Eliminate them from the tournament and win the amount that is determined during the buy-in period. Every player you eliminate for the tourney is worth the same amount.
Poker Rooms In Michigan
- Bay Mills Resort and Casino: Four poker tables that are open 6pm to 2am on Tuesdays, Friday, and Saturdays.
- FireKeepers Casino Hotel: Recently renovated, FireKeepers has 26 tables and is involved in the Mid-States Poker Tour.
- Greektown Casino Hotel: Located in Detroit, this poker room has 12 tables and features both Hold’em and Omaha.
- Gun Lake Casino: A 14-table poker room that has low-stakes tournaments and bad beat jackpots.
- Kewadin Casino: This location has four poker tables open Wednesday through Sunday.
- MGM Grand Detroit: One of the bigger casinos in Detroit, this poker comes with 17 tables, both involving Hold’em and Omaha and tournaments.
- MotorCity Casino Hotel: Another Detroit casino, this 17-table poker room features Hold’em and Omaha and supplies plenty of tournaments throughout the year.
- Ojibwa Casino Baraga: This modest poker room in Baraga includes only one table and runs Firdays and Saturdays starting at 6pm.
- Ojibwa Casino Marquette: In Marquette, this poker room has three tables and is open 6pm to 4am on Friday and Saturday.
- Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort: A 14-table poker room that’s open 24/7. This poker room has tournaments six days a week and includes many different types of promotions and poker games including Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, Pineapple, and Razz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Online Poker Legal In Michigan?
Online poker is legal and now officially live in Michigan.
Which Online Poker Can I Play In Michigan?
PokerStars is currently the only online poker site in Michigan
Can You Play PokerStars In Michigan?
Yes, you can play PokerStars in Michigan.
Is 888 Poker Legal In Michigan?
888 Poker is expected to operate in Michigan once poker is officially launched in the state.