Sweepstakes Online Poker In Michigan

Visit: Global Poker

Michigan’s sweepstakes poker sites are a legal and legitimate way to win cash prizes while playing poker online. The most popular, Global Poker, boasts one of the largest player pools in the country, making it a viable place to play ring games, sit ‘n’ go, and tournaments close to 24 hours a day.

Michigan legalized real-money online poker in December 2019 along with online sportsbooks and online casino gaming. And while the COVID-19 pandemic could speed up the Michigan Gaming Control Board, online gambling may not be available until early 2021.

Further, online poker players in Michigan will not be able to play against folks in other states, limiting the pool of competition to those within MI state lines.

Michigan’s Best And Most Popular Sweepstakes Poker Site: Global Poker

Global Poker is the best sweepstakes poker site available to people in Michigan. And until legal online poker sites enter the state’s market, it’s the only legitimate place to win cash prizes by playing poker against other people online.

Sweepstakes poker sites are not “fun play” poker sites. And you do not win a “chance” at a cash prize. You play with Sweeps Coins that can be directly redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards.

When you first join Global Poker, you’re invited to receive 20 Sweeps Coins for free by verifying your identity. To do so, you need to create an account, upload your photo ID, and have it verified by the Global Poker team. You’ll then have 20 Sweeps Coins added to your account.

You can then play any of the different game types, which include:

• Ring Games
• Sit ‘n’ Go
• Jackpot Sit ‘n’ Go
• Tournaments

These are the same types of games that you’d find at the major real-money online casinos.

Guide To Playing Sweepstakes Poker In Michigan

How People In Michigan Can Play Sweepstakes Poker

The State of Washington and Quebec are the only US and Canadian territories that outlaw Global Poker. That means the potential player pool is in the hundreds of millions. No other online poker site, sweepstakes or real money, can compare.

Also, Michigan does not have a cap on the potential sweepstakes winnings. While New York limits Global Poker cash prizes to $5,000, Michigan players can redeem an unlimited amount of Sweeps Coins.

To play at Global Poker, you’ll simply need to create an account while you’re physically located in the state. You’ll need to be 18 or older and verify your identity by uploading your ID. You’ll receive free Sweeps Coins, and you have the option to purchase Gold Coin packages that include Sweeps Coins.

You then have access to all the different types of games. However, the buy-in ranges from high to micro, so you may need to purchase additional coins to participate in the bigger games.

How Do Cash Prizes Work At Sweepstakes Poker Sites?

Whatever Sweeps Coins you win at the table are redeemable for a cash prize. You can also play with Gold Coins to practice your skills and play for fun against other players, but Gold Coins can’t be redeemed for anything.

Sweeps Coins that you receive through the signup bonus or by purchasing Gold Coins are not redeemable. They need to be played at Global Poker at ring games at least once, or used as entry fees for Sit ‘n’ Go or multi-table tournaments.

However, the Sweeps Coins do not need to be used all at once. You can work your way through a bit at a time. As long as all of the initial Sweeps Coins are used, everything else is redeemable.

To redeem for a cash prize on Global Poker, you need at least 50 won Sweeps Coins.

For players in Michigan, there is no maximum on the amount of Sweeps Coins you can redeem for an equivalent cash prize.

How Can You Access Global Poker From Michigan?

Global Poker is only available via web browser. There is no app for Android or iOS.

A different poker app with the same name is listed in Google Play and the App Store. That is a completely different company that does not have a website, just a Facebook page. Notice how Global Poker Official has a blue checkmark while the unrelated app game does not.

The other Global Poker is not sweepstakes poker, it’s just a play-for-fun poker app with no cash prizes. If the real Global Poker offers an iOS or Android app, they’ll make it known on their website.

In the meantime, you can play the desktop version of Global Poker on any platform as long as you have a reliable network connection.

How People In Michigan Can Receive Sweeps Coins At Global Poker

When you first verify your account, you’ll receive 20 Sweeps Coins without the need to purchase. But if you want more Sweeps Coins beyond that, you’ll have to go beyond uploading your ID.

The easiest option is to purchase Gold Coins that include Sweeps Coins. For example, you can purchase millions of Gold Coins for a small payment, like $20, and receive the equivalent amount of Sweeps Coins.

However, some Gold Coin packages do not include Sweeps Coins, so make sure you’re getting one that does (unless you only want Gold Coins, in which case disregard).

Other ways to receive Sweeps Coins from Michigan is by participating in their social media contests and by mailing a request to the Global Poker Sweepstakes Department in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

What Type Of Payment Options Does Global Poker Accept?

To purchase Gold Coin packages (that can include Sweeps Coins), Global Poker accepts the following payment methods:

• Direct bank deposit
• Credit or debit card
• Skrill (e-wallet)

Global Poker does not currently accept purchase or redemption requests through PayPal.

To redeem a cash prize, you can do so via direct bank deposit or skrill. Gift card codes will be sent directly to your email.

How To Request Sweeps Coins Through USPS

You can receive 5 Sweeps Coins by sending an entry by mail. You’ll send a postcard with legible handwritten information using the exact details that match your ID. Be sure to follow their instructions perfectly by going to:

Get Coins → Play For Free → And click on the “Sweeps Rules page” hyperlink.

Sweepstakes Poker Sites Vs. Online Poker Sites In Michigan

At online poker sites, you deposit money, play with that money, and withdraw any remaining money. At sweepstakes sites, you play with Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for cash prizes.

Fundamentally, that’s the only difference between Global Poker and the online poker sites.

From there, things get a bit more nuanced, and both versions of poker have their pros and cons.

Best Bonus Offers: Online Poker

Online poker sites have more traditional bonus offers, such as deposit bonus matching, reload bonuses, and lucrative loyalty programs.

The more you play at online poker sites, the better the bonuses become. At most sites, you can cash in your loyalty points for free tournament entries, some of which could qualify Michigan players for the annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Biggest Player Pool: Sweepstakes Poker

Because 49 of 50 states place Washington DC can play at Global Poker, the player pool is absolutely incredible. There’s not a time day or night where you can’t find a game at Global Poker. And because Michigan does not allow interstate player pools, Global Poker will have the biggest user base for the foreseeable future.

Win Potential: Online Poker

Global Poker has tournaments that can net you large cash prizes. Some players have made six figures playing at the site. But that doesn’t compare to the millionaire-level prize potential at real-money poker sites like WSOP.com, PartyPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker.

Ability To Play At The World Series Of Poker: Online Poker

The World Series Of Poker (WSOP) has its own online poker platform, and it has partnerships with other brands. From home, poker players in states where it’s legal can qualify for the WSOP, the biggest poker tournament in the world.

You can qualify through in-person satellite games in Michigan as well as through online poker sites. But you will never enter the WSOP by way of Global Poker.

When Can You Play Online Poker In Michigan?

When legal online poker sites launch is dependent on the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Right now, it’s looking like online poker won’t enter the market until 2021, and likely in March of that year. It is possible that online casinos in Michigan will launch in 2021, but it’s unclear if poker will launch at the same time.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, pressure was put on the MGCB to greenlight online sports betting and casino games to compensate for the shutdowns. The same pressure isn’t put on online poker for one simple and unfortunate reason: online poker doesn’t bring in nearly as much money as the other two forms of online gambling.

While tribal casinos were not under the same requirements as the commercial Detroit casinos to close their doors, they did anyway to help prevent the spread. Tribal casinos also reduced their capacity for the same reason.

The casinos are also concerned about ongoing flare-ups that necessitate further shutdowns for the foreseeable future. The thought of reopening only to shutter again raises understandable concerns, and Michigan casinos are ready to make their options available.

If you’re only waiting to play online poker, you have Global Poker to tide you over until February or March 2021. Once online poker launches in the state, you can join the legal sites remotely that very day and start playing.

But with the stiff competition, you may be tempted to return to Global Poker. A mix of both isn’t a bad idea either. The most serious online poker players join multiple sites to practice their skills against the most diverse range of players. For that reason alone, Global Poker will remain a worthy part of the repertoire.

If you’re the type of online bettor who enjoys different forms of gambling, you’ll almost certainly have Michigan online sports betting at your disposal before the end of 2020, and online casinos will be right behind them, followed closely by poker sites.

How Safe Is Playing Sweepstakes Poker Sites From Michigan?

Is Sweepstakes Poker Legal In Michigan?

Yes, sweepstakes poker is legal in Michigan. You’re not breaking the law by playing Global Poker in Michigan, and there’s almost zero chance that will ever change.

Despite online poker sites entering the Michigan market in the near future, they’re not worried about sweepstakes competition.

If anything, Global Poker is a good introductory site for real-money poker platforms. Someone who’s raking in the Sweeps Coins at Global Poker is likely to move on to stiffer competition – and the bigger prizes that come with it.

Also, despite the sweepstakes model being fairly simple, it can be confusing to those unfamiliar. Once online poker is available to folks in Michigan, it’s a low likelihood that Global Poker offers much competition in terms of attracting new players.

Does Global Poker Keep My Personal Information Safe And Secure?

Yes. Global Poker employs an extremely high level of safety and security.

However, this is a valid concern at any site that processes payments. And it’s an even bigger one when they require you to provide your photo ID.

That’s why Global Poker lists out a detailed description of their security protocols in the FAQ and Privacy Policy.

Global Poker has a huge incentive to keep user information safe and secure: staying under the radar. It stands to reason that if regulators chose to, they could easily block access to Global Poker from Michigan and other states. If they had a security breach, it’d likely be game over, literally.

Playing Global Poker In Michigan: The Types Of Games Explained

Ring Games

A ring game allows you to sit at a table at any time and leave at any time.

The ring games offered at Global Poker are available via the following formats:

• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha
• Crazy Pineapple

The most common game type is Texas Hold’em. Ring games feature a limited number of sweats, and buy-ins range from 0.01/0.05 Sweeps Coins to 10/20 Sweeps Coins. You can also play No Limit, Pot Limit, and Fixed Limit games.

To play the micro buy-ins, you’ll still need a minimum of 4 Sweeps Coins to sit at the table despite the big blind being 0.05.

You should be able to find a good number of Omaha games during peak hours. However, it’s difficult to find a Crazy Pineapple ring game, and if you start one yourself, you could find yourself waiting indefinitely for someone to join.

If you’re like the majority of sweepstakes poker players and strictly play Texas Hold’em, there will be a ring game with a seat open at every buy-in level almost every minute of the day.

Tournaments

Schedule multi-table tournaments occur about every 15 minutes day and night at Global Poker. They even have red-eye tournaments that kick off at 3:00 AM.

You may be in Central or Eastern Time depending on where you are in Michigan, and tournaments are displayed based on your local time.

The type of tournaments offered at Global Poker include:

• Regular
• Guaranteed
• Satellite
• Rebuy
• Bounty

Weeknights usually have the lower guaranteed prizes. For example, a high buy-in game of 200 Sweeps Coins can have 50,000 Sweeps Coins guaranteed. But on the weekend, you can find tournaments with over a million Sweeps Coins guaranteed.

A tournament is also your best chance to play Crazy Pineapple, as it’s a rare find outside of the scheduled tournaments.

To win a Global Poker tournament, you need to eliminate other players at each progressing table. The top few players win Sweeps Coins.

Sit ‘n’ Go

A Sit ‘n’ Go is a single-table, winner take all tournament where the goal is to simply eliminate all other players at the table.

A Sit ‘n’ Go tournament’s prize pool depends on the buy-in and the number of players that join. For example, a Sit ‘n’ Go tournament with a buy in of 100 Sweeps Coins that has six players will have 600 Sweeps Coins go to the last remaining player.

Sit ‘n’ Go at Global Poker is available as Texas Hold’em or Omaha. While Crazy Pineapple is another option, it’s a somewhat rare sight.

Jackpot Sit ‘n’ Go

A Jackpot Sit ‘n’ Go is the exact same as a regular Sit ‘n’ Go, except a jackpot is randomly generated rather than a set prize pool based on the number of players.

The higher the price of the Jackpot Sit ‘n’ Go, the higher the potential random jackpot.

The highest potential Jackpot Sit ‘n’ Go Top Prize is 200,000 Sweeps Coins, which is higher than most multi-table tournaments.

Casino Games

If you want a break from playing against other players, Global Poker also offers a handful of sweepstakes casino games.

At the time of writing this article, they offered Blackjack Classic, Blackjack Premium, and Caribbean Poker for card games as well as the slots Lightning Nudge Wild and Diamond Panther.

You can play these casino games using Sweeps Coins, win additional Sweeps Coins, and redeem them for a cash prize or take them back to the poker rooms, your choice.

The games are independently audited for randomness and fairness, just like at a real-money online casino.

Playing Sweepstakes Poker In Michigan: Common Questions