Private Online Poker Has Never Been Easier
You do not need to be at the same table — or even in the same country — to play poker with friends. Private poker games online let you create a custom table, set your own blinds and buy-in, invite specific players, and play just like a home game, except through your computer or phone.
The options range from full-featured private game modes on major poker sites to standalone club-based apps built specifically for private play. Some are real-money platforms. Others use a sweepstakes or play-money model. The right choice depends on where your friends are located, how much you want to play for, and how much control you want over the game format.
This guide covers every major way to run a private poker game online in 2026. For a step-by-step walkthrough of setting up your first private game, see how to play poker with friends online.
Best Platforms for Private Poker Games
PokerBROS — Best Standalone Club App
PokerBROS is a mobile-first poker app built entirely around the club model. Players join or create clubs, and all games run within those clubs. The app itself is free to download and does not handle real money directly — financial settlements between players happen outside the app.
Why players choose PokerBROS:
- Available worldwide on iOS and Android
- No geographic restrictions
- Simple club creation and management
- Supports Hold'em, Omaha, OFC (Open-Face Chinese), and short deck
- Club owners control game scheduling, stakes, and player access
The downside is that because PokerBROS does not handle money, you need a trusted group or club manager to handle settlements. This works well for friend groups with established trust but adds friction for playing with strangers.
PPPoker — Largest Club Ecosystem
PPPoker operates on the same club-based model as PokerBROS but has a larger global user base and more active clubs. The app supports private games in multiple formats and lets club owners customize rake structures, game types, and player permissions.
PPPoker is available on mobile and desktop. Like PokerBROS, financial transactions are handled outside the app. The platform has a strong presence in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
ClubGG — Free-to-Play Club Platform
ClubGG is a free-to-play club-based poker app built on professional-grade poker software. It uses play-money chips, making it a solid option for friend groups that want a polished poker experience without any real money changing hands. The app supports tournaments and cash games, and club owners get management tools for scheduling and player tracking.
Real-Money Private Games at Offshore Sites
For friend groups who want to play real-money poker together, offshore operators like BetOnline and Bovada allow friends to sit at the same cash game tables and enter the same tournaments. While these sites do not offer fully private table creation, coordinating schedules and joining the same public tables achieves a similar result for groups that want real stakes.
How to Set Up a Private Poker Game Online
Step 1: Choose Your Platform
Decide based on your group's needs:
- Playing for real money at a poker site? Join the same tables at BetOnline or Bovada.
- Playing with a global group and settling privately? PokerBROS or PPPoker.
- Just want free play to practice? ClubGG, Poker Now, or other free poker options support private tables.
Step 2: Create a Club or Game
On PokerBROS or PPPoker, download the app, create a club, and configure your game settings. On ClubGG, create a club and invite friends using the club ID system.
Step 3: Invite Your Friends
Share your club ID and invite code with your group. On most platforms, players search for the club ID, enter the code, and join. Approval from the club creator may be required.
Step 4: Configure the Game
Set the game type, blinds, buy-in range, and table size. For tournaments, configure the blind structure, starting stack, and payout percentages. Most platforms offer preset structures or let you build custom ones.
Step 5: Start Playing
Once enough players have joined, start the game. The software handles dealing, pot calculation, and chip management. Your group plays exactly like a home game — just online.
Private Poker on Mobile
All of the private poker platforms listed above work on mobile devices. PokerBROS, PPPoker, and ClubGG are mobile-first apps designed specifically for phone and tablet play. For more on mobile poker options, see the poker apps guide.
Mobile private poker is particularly convenient for casual home game groups that play weekly. Everyone pulls out their phone at the scheduled time, joins the club's table, and plays. No physical setup, no chip counting, no arguments about pot sizes.
Legal Considerations for Private Online Poker
Private poker games occupy a legal gray area in many jurisdictions. Key points:
Club-based apps (PokerBROS, PPPoker, ClubGG): The apps themselves do not handle real money, which keeps them in a legal gray area. The legality of private financial settlements between players varies by jurisdiction.
US players: Offshore poker sites like BetOnline and Bovada are in the same regulatory category as any offshore poker — technically unregulated but widely played. For a full breakdown of US poker legality by state, see the US poker guide.
International players: The UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand each have different frameworks. See the country-specific guides for UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play poker online with friends for free?
Yes. ClubGG offers free-to-play club games with full tournament and cash game support. Poker Now is browser-based and requires no download or account. Many free poker platforms also support private tables. These are good options for groups that want the social experience without financial stakes.
What is the best app for private poker with friends?
For mobile-first play with private settlement, PokerBROS offers the best combination of ease of use and game variety. For free club-based play, ClubGG provides a polished poker experience without any real money. For real-money games, friends can coordinate at the same tables on BetOnline or Bovada.
How many players can join a private online poker game?
Most platforms support tables of 2 to 9 players. PokerBROS and PPPoker clubs can have hundreds of members, though individual tables seat 2-9 players. Poker Now allows up to 10 players at a single table.
Do private poker apps use real random card dealing?
Club-based apps like PokerBROS, PPPoker, and ClubGG use random number generators (RNG) for dealing, though their certification standards vary. Licensed poker sites like BetOnline and Bovada use independently audited RNGs. None of these platforms use manual or predetermined dealing.
Can I run a private poker tournament online?
Yes. PokerBROS, PPPoker, and ClubGG all support private tournaments with customizable blind structures, starting stacks, and payout distributions. You set the buy-in, invite your players, and the software handles the rest.
Is it safe to play private poker on club apps?
On club apps (PokerBROS, PPPoker), the app itself does not hold your money — financial settlements depend on trust between club members. Play only in clubs where you know and trust the other members or the club manager. If you prefer a licensed operator handling your funds, play at established poker sites like BetOnline or Bovada where your balance is held by the operator.