Best No-Download Poker for May 2013
No-download poker is a form of online poker that allows you to play poker for real money without downloading any software to your computer. This technology is convenient for people who run operating systems that aren’t supported by all online poker sites. For example, Linux computer users often use no-download poker software to play online for real money.
Faster internet speeds and better technology have helped improve the quality of no download poker significantly. Early no download poker software was clumsy, slow and prone to sudden crashes. Some of the best no download poker software today works just as well as regular poker downloads.
If you would like to give no download poker a try, we recommend any of the poker sites listed on this page. The main thing we look for is a quality interface and fast-loading software. The best no download poker clients support multi-tabling and offer just as many features as the full poker download.
The following poker sites offer the best no-download poker clients:
Party Poker
Party Poker has a great no-download poker client that you can preview without having an account. Just visit the Party Poker website and click on the “instant play” button. The Party Poker no-download client supports multi-tabling, cash games and tournaments. If you’re new to Party Poker, you’ll also qualify for a 100% deposit bonus.
Special Offer:
- 100% up to $500 Free Cash
- Use Party Poker Bonus Code: PWNET when registering.
888 Poker
888 Poker has improved its poker software by leaps and bounds over the past couple years. The no-download poker client at 888 Poker functions just like the regular download client. Players who use the no-download poker room have access to the full range of cash games and tournaments hosted at 888 Poker.
Special Offer:
- 100% up to $400 Free Cash
- Use 888 Poker Bonus Code: Not Needed when registering.
Titan Poker
Titan Poker is one of the biggest online poker sites in the world. It has a large player base and games available around the clock. As one of the most successful poker rooms on the internet, Titan Poker has been able to devote a good chunk of money to its no-download software. If you're new to Titan Poker, use the bonus code PWNET to get a 100% bonus added to your first deposit there.
Special Offer:
- 100% up to $500 Free Cash
- Use Titan Poker Bonus Code: PWNET when registering.
We believe the above no-download poker sites offer the best no-download experience. Each poker site on the above list offers a fully functional no-download poker client. At these poker sites, you can view the lobby, play multiple tables and participate in the games just like you can with a regular poker download client.
How it Works
People use no-download poker when they can’t or don’t want to download a regular poker client. Instead of having to download and install a poker client, you can simply access the poker room’s website and click on the “no-download” option. The poker lobby and all tables will then be displayed from within your web browser.
Early forms of no-download poker were limited in their functionality, but web-based technology has improved drastically in recent years. No-download poker rooms today very closely resemble their full download brethren. When you play at a no-download poker client, you are given access to all the same tables and features as everyone else.
No-download poker uses Flash or Java technology to show the games in your web browser. This is the same technology that lets you watch videos and play free web games without downloading or saving anything to your computer. No-download poker clients are compatible with most browsers, including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Opera.
Most no-download poker rooms set the system up so that each poker tables opens in a new window. Each window is treated as a separate poker table. If you like to play at multiple tables, the no-download poker system makes it easy.
Best Instant Play Poker Sites
We ranked the best no-download poker sites by picking reputable poker sites and then looking at the no-download experience offered at each poker site. The best no-download poker rooms offer all the same features as their regular download clients. All the same options, settings and features are available when you play at high quality no-download poker rooms.
One of the main things we look at is the performance of each no-download poker site. The best no-download poker rooms move at a quick pace and do not suffer from slowdowns, disconnections or errors. In summary, we like no-download poker sites to function just as well as regular download poker rooms.
How to Play No-Download Poker
It’s pretty easy to get started at no-download poker rooms. The first thing you have to do is choose a poker site that offers no-download poker – not all poker sites have that capability. The poker rooms listed above all offer no-download poker.
Once you have a poker site in mind, you can then visit that site and look for the “play now” or “instant play” button on the front page of the site. Clicking on that button will take you to a screen that asks for your username and password. If you don’t already have a username, you can click on the “create new account” link somewhere on that page (usually beneath the password field).
Once you have an account, you can then visit the poker website again and click on the no-download button and log in. The next screen will load the poker lobby within your web browser. From there, you can browse the tables, manage your account and join tournaments. If you see a game you want to play in, just double click on that game/table.
A new window will open (you may need to disable any pop-up blockers that you have installed) with your table. Just click on any open seat and you’ll be able to join the action. If you’re new to the poker site, you may need to make a deposit. You’ll see a link somewhere in the poker lobby that says “cashier” or “deposit.” Click on that link and you’ll be taken to the deposit screen.
If you have any problems getting started with no-download poker, the first thing you should do is contact your poker room’s support team. The people there will guide you through any issues that you might be having getting the no-download poker room up and running.
Why Play No-Download Poker?
Poker players use no-download poker rooms for a variety of reasons. Some people are just skeptical about downloading and installing new software on their computers. These people feel more comfortable playing poker from within their browser. Full download poker clients are completely safe, but some people are just naturally cautious.
Another reason people play no-download poker is because they don’t have permission to install software on their computers. Certain work and school computers automatically restrict all downloads. The simple answer is to play at a no-download poker site.
Some people play no-download poker rooms when they are away from their regular computers. For example, you might want to use a no-download poker client when you’re staying at a friend’s house for the weekend. This allows you to play real money poker without downloading things to someone else’s computer.
