Social and sweepstakes poker sites offer poker games where players can redeem winnings for cash prizes by beating other poker players. Essentially, players utilize virtual currency to participate in online poker games. That online currency can then be redeemed for cash prizes. This is available in virtually every US state. (Washington bans such sites, and Idaho restricts them – some specific sweepstakes poker sites exclude other states as well).
In this guide, we’ll review the best sweepstakes poker options, how it all works, and much more.
Best Sweepstakes Poker Platform in 2024
GOLD COINS for $10
How Does Sweepstakes Poker Work?
Sweepstakes poker sites offer free poker that allows players to redeem cash prizes by utilizing two virtual currencies—SC (Sweeps Coins) and GC (Gold Coins). We’ll discuss this more in-depth in a later section, but for now, all you need to know is that SC (Sweeps Coins) are always FREE and can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Essentially, you’ll have a variety of different poker tables at which you have the option to sit. The blinds will be displayed before joining (as well as other information) so that you can choose a poker table with blinds that suit your play. There are a variety of other options here aside from blind amounts, including the type of game, the format, limits, and buy-in amounts. Our “Types of Sweepstakes Poker Games” section will cover these options in more detail.
Once you’ve chosen a table you’d like to play at, you simply join the table and play poker, just as you would anywhere else. Once you reach a minimum amount of SC, you’ll have the option to redeem cash prizes. It’s as simple as that.
Sweepstakes Poker vs. Real Money Poker
Players will be happy to learn that there isn’t much that differentiates sweepstakes poker from real money poker. In fact, the only real difference is that sweepstakes poker utilizes virtual currencies (one of which can be redeemed for cash prizes), while real money poker utilizes real money in the games themselves. Other than that, you’ll find many of the same options, game types, and features as you’d find in real money poker at sweepstakes poker sites.
Sweeps Coins vs. Gold Coins Play
As mentioned above, sweepstakes poker operates using two virtual currencies. Gold Coins, or GC, may be purchased and can not be redeemed for cash prizes. Sweeps Coins, or SC, is always FREE and can be redeemed for cash prizes. Sweeps Coins are earned through a variety of methods, including social media giveaways, daily login bonuses, and even as a bonus when purchasing a Gold Coins package.
Other than the differences between purchasable vs. free and not redeemable vs. redeemable for cash prizes, there is no real difference between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins play.
Types of Sweepstakes Poker Games
Ring Games
Ring games are the baseline type of game available at sweepstakes poker sites. Put simply, ring games offer poker games that you can join or leave at any time. This means that you can hop in and play one hand or spend an entire evening – the choice is yours. There are plenty of other options within the ring games category, including format (Hold’Em, Omaha, Crazy Pineapple, etc.), limits (no limit, pot limit, fixed limit), and more.
Sit'n'Go
Sit’n’Go, also known as Sit and Go or SNG, are essentially unscheduled, shorter-than-standard tournaments. These tournaments will automatically begin once a pre-specified number of people have joined. They usually offer fixed prize pools and only last up to a couple of hours. The same options as ring games, such as format, limits, and more, can be found within this type of game as well.
Tournaments
Tournaments are longer-lasting options with pre-fixed prize pools. Some offer prizes that include a guaranteed amount of GC or SC, while others offer guaranteed seats to larger, potentially more lucrative tournaments. Unlike Sit’n’Go tournaments, these tournaments are scheduled to start at a certain time rather than once a certain number of people have joined. Within this category, there are the typical format choices and other options, but players can also choose which tournament type they’d like to participate in (regular, guaranteed, satellite, rebuy, bounty, etc.).
Jackpot Sit'n'Go
Jackpot Sit’n’Go is a unique type of sweepstakes poker that allows players to join Sit’n’Go tournaments with jackpot prize pools. Tournaments begin once three players have joined and establish a randomly determined jackpot prize pool as soon as they begin. This jackpot prize pool is essentially a multiplier of the buy-in pool amount and can stretch up to 200x. In the case of a 200x prize pool multiplier, players who paid an SC 10 entry stand a chance to win SC 2,000.
Poker Tournaments at Sweepstakes Casinos
While ring games and Sit’n’Go tournaments may be the baseline of sweepstakes poker, poker tournaments at sweepstakes casinos are the pinnacle. There are massive tournaments on offer at sweepstakes poker sites that hold even bigger winning potential. Below, we’ve compiled a table of some of the largest poker tournaments at sweepstakes casinos, both past and future, so you can see what’s typically on offer.
| Poker Tournament | Sweepstakes Casino | Dates | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Scrimmage | Global Poker | Weekly | SC 75,000 guaranteed. |
| Golden Scrimmage | Global Poker | Weekly | GC and physical prizes. |
| Grizzly Games | Global Poker | Jan. 29 - Feb. 18, 2024 | GC 953,500,000 and SC 2,130,000 guaranteed, plus physical prizes. |
| Rattlesnake Open | Global Poker | May 6 - May 26, 2024 | GC 965,000,000 and SC 2,220,000 guaranteed, plus physical prizes. |
| The Goat | Global Poker | Jul. 15 - Aug. 4, 2024 | GC 965,000,000 and SC 2,230,000 guaranteed, plus physical prizes. |
| Eagle Cup | Global Poker | Oct. 23 - Nov. 12, 2024 | GC 953,500,000 and SC 2,120,000 guaranteed, plus physical prizes. |
Of course, this table is just an overview. More tournaments are announced constantly, so make sure to keep an eye out for the latest and greatest options.
Table Minimums at Sweepstakes Poker Sites
Table minimums vary depending on the type of game and other characteristics of the table you choose to play at. Of course, minimums also differ between GC and SC tables. Below, we’ve compiled a brief bulleted list so you can easily reference buy-in ranges.
- Ring Games
- SC: SC 4 to SC 800, depending on the blinds.
- GC: GC 400 to GC 20,000,000, depending on the blinds.
- Sit’n’Go
- SC: SC 0.25 to SC 160.50
- GC: GC 11 to GC 110,000
- Tournaments
- SC: SC 0 (Freerolls) to SC 33. Special tournament buy-ins may vary.
- GC: GC 0 (Freerolls) to GC 110,000. Special tournament buy-ins may vary.
- Jackpot Sit’n’Go
- SC: SC 0.50 to SC 10
- GC: GC 1,000 to GC 20,000
How to Get Free SC for Sweepstakes Poker
Sweeps Coins are always FREE, and there are a variety of methods you can utilize to get them. Some of the most popular options include daily login bonuses (may be fixed or may scale based on consecutive logins), social media giveaways and contests, and as bonuses for Gold Coin purchases. Of course, once you’ve obtained some FREE SC, winning more by playing sweepstakes poker is also free as you made no real money investment.
Our recommendation is to always check the promotions section for sweepstakes promo codes, daily login bonus section, and social media accounts of sweepstakes poker sites to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the most common methods to get free SC for sweepstakes poker.
How Does Rake Work At Social and Sweepstakes Poker Sites?
The rake structure for ring games and tournaments at Global Poker is comparable to some of the world’s biggest legal online poker sites.
Multi-table tournaments are generally offered at around 10% rake per buy-in. For example, the SC 11 buy-in tournaments put SC 10 toward the prize pool and SC 1 toward rake. Rake as a percentage of the buy-in goes down as the buy-ins increase.
Global Poker Ring Game Rake
The rake structure for Ring Games varies at different limits, becoming more player-friendly as the stakes go up. At all stakes, pots that go past the pre-flop betting round are raked at 5%.
Each stake level has a cap on the maximum amount of rake Global Poker takes in from the pot. The cap is based on the stake level and how many players are in the pot.
The rake structure for Global Poker’s ring games is as follows:
| Stakes | Rake Percentage | 2 Players Cap | 3+ Player Cap | 5+ Player Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC .05/SC .10 | 5% | SC 0.75 | SC 1.00 | SC 1.50 |
| SC .10/SC .20 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 1.50 | SC 2.00 |
| SC .20/SC .40 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 1.50 | SC 2.00 |
| SC .25/SC.50 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC .50/SC 1 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC .80/SC 1.60 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC 1/SC 2 | 5% | SC 1.00 | SC 2.00 | SC 3.00 |
| SC 2.50/SC 5 | 5% | SC 1.25 | SC 2.25 | SC 3.50 |
| SC 4/SC 8 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.25 | SC 2.25 | SC 3.50 |
| SC 5/SC 10 | 5% | SC 1.50 | SC 2.50 | SC 3.50 |
| SC 10/SC 20 (20BB) | 5% | SC 1.50 | SC 2.50 | SC 3.50 |
More Like Sweepstakes Poker
Online Social and Sweepstakes Poker FAQ
No. PokerStars, the largest online poker site in the world, operates real-money games around the world on its primary PokerStars.com client. PokerStars also operates legal, state-regulated platforms in select US states.
None of PokerStars’ platforms operate as sweepstakes poker sites. PokerStars.net is a play money site open to most of the US, but is strictly a social gaming site. Players on PokerStars.net cannot win cash prizes.
18 or older. The minimum age to redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes at Global Poker is 18 years old. This age applies in all US states in which Global Poker legally operates. To cash out on Global Poker, players must provide proof of age, identity, and location. Once these documents are verified, players can redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes.
Yes, Global Poker offers several casino-style games, including slots, blackjack, Casino Hold’em, and Caribbean poker. However, Global Poker’s sister sites, Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, offer a more robust selection of casino-style games, as well as other social/sweepstakes casino apps like Pulsz and Funzpoints.
Yes. Global Poker’s software offers a simple, no-download, intuitive interface that poker players will find familiar. New players will likely have no problems playing the games and following the action as well. And, since debuting the product in 2016, Global Poker has continually updated the software to accommodate its growing player base.
Yes. Games available at Global Poker are legit, legal options available to most of the US and Canada. Global Poker employs state-of-the-art protections to prevent cheating, fraud, money-laundering, identity theft, and other issues associated with sketchy poker sites.
Global Poker is owned by VGW Holdings, a publicly-traded company that offers other legit social casino sites.
Some games at Global Poker use Sweeps Coins. Sweeps Coins function as entry credits to mini sweepstakes contests. By beating other players, you win Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards. The redemption rate for Sweeps Coins to cash prizes is 1 to 1. Players can receive cash prizes via online bank transfer, prepaid card (Playsafecard), or e-wallet (Skrill). Players can also redeem for a gift card through the Prizeout service, which emails digital gift cards directly to a player’s registered email.
Yes. Global Poker is legal in California as well as Florida, Texas, New York, and almost all of the US.
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