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
PokerStars Home Games — Most Polished Experience
PokerStars launched Home Games as a dedicated feature for private play, and it remains the most refined option on any major poker site. You create a private club, invite friends via a club ID and invite code, and schedule games or start them on demand.
What you can customize:
- Game type (Hold'em, Omaha, Stud, mixed games, and more)
- Stake level and buy-in range
- Table size (2 to 9 players)
- Tournament structure (blind levels, starting stacks, payout structure)
- Cash game or Sit & Go format
Availability: PokerStars Home Games are available in most jurisdictions where PokerStars operates. This includes the UK, much of Europe, Canada (Ontario), and licensed US states (NJ, MI, PA). Players in unlicensed US states cannot access PokerStars.
The main advantage of PokerStars Home Games is that everything runs on PokerStars' infrastructure — cards are dealt by a certified RNG, real money is handled through the site's cashier, and the software is the same polished client used for regular play.
GGPoker ClubGG and Private Clubs
GGPoker offers private clubs where groups of players can create their own community and run games. ClubGG is GGPoker's dedicated club platform, available as a separate app that uses a free-to-play model with optional real-money features depending on jurisdiction.
GGPoker's private clubs support:
- No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha
- Cash games and tournaments
- Club leaderboards and statistics
- Custom avatars and club branding
The player experience is strong, with GGPoker's modern interface and built-in tracking tools available within the private club environment. For groups of friends who already play on GGPoker, the private club feature adds private games without needing a separate app.
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.
Global Poker — Sweepstakes Alternative
Global Poker does not offer a dedicated private game feature, but it is worth mentioning for US-based friend groups looking for a legal way to play together. As a sweepstakes poker site, Global Poker operates in all US states (except Washington and Idaho). Friends can play at the same cash game tables or enter the same tournaments, though they cannot create a fully private table.
For friend groups where everyone is in the US and wants a legal, real-prize platform without the complexity of offshore sites, Global Poker is a practical option.
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 with a licensed operator? PokerStars Home Games or GGPoker private clubs.
- Playing with a global group and settling privately? PokerBROS or PPPoker.
- US-based and want sweepstakes play? Global Poker.
- Just want free play to practice? Many free poker sites support private tables.
Step 2: Create a Club or Game
On PokerStars, navigate to the Home Games tab, create a club, and set a club name and invite code. On PokerBROS or PPPoker, download the app, create a club, and configure your game settings.
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 and PPPoker are mobile-first apps designed specifically for phone and tablet play. PokerStars and GGPoker have full-featured mobile apps that include their private game modes.
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:
Licensed platforms (PokerStars, GGPoker): Games run within the operator's licensed framework. Legal in jurisdictions where the operator holds a license. This is the cleanest option legally.
Club-based apps (PokerBROS, PPPoker): The apps themselves do not handle money, which keeps them in a legal gray area. The legality of private financial settlements between players varies by jurisdiction.
US players: Offshore private games are in the same regulatory category as any offshore poker — technically unregulated but widely played. Sweepstakes platforms like Global Poker operate under US sweepstakes law. 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. PokerStars Home Games supports play-money tables where no real money is involved. ClubGG offers free-to-play club games. 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 groups that want a licensed, real-money experience, PokerStars Home Games is the most polished option. For mobile-first play with private settlement, PokerBROS offers the best combination of ease of use and game variety. For US groups wanting sweepstakes-based play, Global Poker is the simplest legal path.
How many players can join a private online poker game?
Most platforms support tables of 2 to 9 players. PokerStars Home Games allows up to 10 players at a single table and supports multiple simultaneous tables within a club. PokerBROS and PPPoker clubs can have hundreds of members, though individual tables seat 2-9 players.
Do private poker apps use real random card dealing?
Licensed platforms like PokerStars and GGPoker use certified random number generators (RNGs) that are independently audited. Club-based apps like PokerBROS and PPPoker also use RNG dealing, though their certification standards vary. None of these platforms use manual or predetermined dealing.
Can I run a private poker tournament online?
Yes. PokerStars Home Games, GGPoker clubs, PokerBROS, and PPPoker 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 licensed platforms (PokerStars, GGPoker), your funds are held by a regulated operator and protected by licensing requirements. 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.