One of the main reasons for the rise in popularity of bitcoin poker is because of how safe it is.

Of course, you can’t just play at any old site which supports BTC and expect it to be safe. Every bitcoin poker room needs to go through the same checks and tests as any other top gambling site. That means only playing at licensed, regulated sites, like those approved by a regulator like the MGA, or Curacao-licensed sites.

Anonymity is a huge perk of crypto poker, even more so than at anonymous crypto casinos. Why is it even more important for poker? Because you’re playing against real-life opponents who can usually track your poker history. If you’re playing anonymously, you get a fresh start every time you sit at the table.

Bitcoin poker may raise legal question marks in most provinces, but the bottom line is to always play it safe by gambling at reputable poker sites licensed offshore. You’ll notice a lot of new crypto sites?are located offshore yet welcome Canadian players.

Sometimes the first step to playing bitcoin poker is also the hardest. If you’ve thought about trying it but always revert back to what’s familiar, you’re missing out on a new and exciting market with big bonuses and access to new player pools and liquidity.

Here’s how to play bitcoin poker:

1. Choose a site & sign up. Find a bitcoin poker site you like the look of and download its software, if required. Sign up with the usual details. If you get to choose a username, make it a good one, as you might not be able to change it later.

2. Deposit fiat funds. First, you need to stump up some CAD. At some poker rooms, you can do this directly. If not, you’ll need to do this through an exchange or app like Coinbase.

3. Convert CAD to crypto. With the CAD in your account, it’s time to swap it for the crypto you wish to play with. Again, you can do this at any crypto exchange.

4. Transfer your coins. Once you have your desired token, get your wallet address from the cashier section of the poker room and initiate the transfer.

5. Select a table & buy in. Browse the poker lobby to find a suitable tournament or cash game table. If it’s all new to you, start at a low-stakes Sit & Go. When you’ve found what you’re after, tap ‘Buy in’. If it’s a cash game table, choose how much you want to sit down with.

6. Play crypto poker. Start playing poker using your usual strategy – focus, take notes on opponents, and don’t get tilted.

There are tons of benefits to playing bitcoin poker when compared to more traditional methods. Here are some of the biggest perks and how they can be useful to you:

• Provably fair. Blockchain technology creates a more transparent environment where you can see that cards are dealt randomly.

• Anonymity. Play without anyone knowing your poker history, making it harder for them to figure you out.

• Faster transactions. Forget waiting weeks or even days for your winnings and receive them in minutes instead.

• Increased rakeback. Playing with certain poker crypto tokens such as CHIP can mean more money back.

• Bigger bonuses. The fluctuating nature of crypto can lead to some huge welcome bonuses.

• New players. Get access to a new player base rather than the same old players doing the rounds.

• Low fees. Avoid expensive bank and check fees by using crypto for next to nothing.

Bitcoin poker gives you a lot of opportunities to increase your bankroll, not just at the digital green felt, but through bonuses, offers and more.

Here’s how to get maximum value in bitcoin poker:

• Welcome bonuses. When you first sign up, consider maxing out on your bonus if it fits your budget.

• Deposit bonuses. Even as an existing player, you’ll still have opportunities to rack up additional bonuses.

• Free poker chips. Whether it’s a freeroll or a tournament ticket, use those freebies to earn real cash.

• Rakeback offers. Sniff around for the best-value rakeback offers, especially if you intend on playing a lot.

• VIP promos. Move up the VIP ladder to unlock extras like free tournament entry, boosted rakeback and more.