Why Play at ACR Poker?
ACR has become the home of big-money MTTs thanks to the $20 million+ Venom series. If you want to extract maximum value from this poker site, you’ll need to carefully choose between claiming loyalty rewards or rakeback. I’ll give you my take on which is best, as well as everything else ACR has to offer.
Ahead of my full ACR review, here are three things to keep in mind:
- ACR hosts the biggest poker tournaments online.
- The app has unique features, including staking for tournament players.
- You can choose from two rewards options: Elite Benefits or ACR Poker rakeback
- Massive daily tournament schedule
- Great deposit methods with local options
- Fast payouts within the hour
ACR Poker Information
- Official site: https://www.acrpoker.eu/
- Established: 2001
- Owned by: Winning Poker Network
- Gambling license: Curaçao Gaming Authority
- Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Payment methods: Credit/debit card, Luxon, USDT, BTC, ETH, LTC
- Poker network: Winning Poker Network
- Available in the US: Yes
ACR Poker Score
- Cash games: 9/10
- Tournaments: 10/10
- Bonuses: 8.5/10
- Game types: 8.5/10
- Player pool: 9.5/10
- Payment methods: 8.5/10
- Lobby & software: 9/10
- Mobile app: 8/10
- Security: 9/10
About ACR Poker
ACR, formerly known as Americas Cardroom, launched in 2001 and now offers some of the biggest poker tournaments online. These tournaments are backed by neat cash game features, including explosive bomb pot tables.
I joined ACR Poker in 2024 after years of watching from the rail. This ACR Poker review will explain what it’s like to play there, from somebody with firsthand experience.
Pros
- Mega-money MTTs with $1 million+ prizes
- Unique features, including tournament staking
- Loyalty rewards and rakeback
- Plenty of action around the clock
Cons
- Bots have been found on the network
- Software can be slow at times
ACR Poker Bonuses
Are the bonuses at ACR as big as the tournament guarantees? Not quite, but there are some interesting offers that are not only lucrative but go against the industry norm.
The ACR Poker bonus for new customers is worth up to $2,000. That puts it on par with leading opening offers from the likes of CoinPoker, so I’ve got no complaints in this regard.
- Bonus name: ACR Welcome Bonus
- Bonus amount: Up to $2,000
- Min. deposit: $25
- Max withdrawal: N/A
- ACR bonus code: CP1000
You’ll need to enter the ACR Poker bonus code CP1000 when you register to activate the welcome offer. After that, you’ll need to deposit at least $25 to claim the 100% match bonus. Finally, you’ll need to earn 27.5 Award Points to release $1 of your bonus (i.e., convert it to withdrawable cash).
I’m not a fan of the $25 minimum deposit simply because CoinPoker has a $10 minimum and a better multiplier. However, the minimum deposit isn’t so high that it excludes the majority of players.
The release rate for ACR Poker’s welcome bonus is 5:1. By that, I mean you’ll need to pay $5 worth of rake to release $1 of your bonus. This is based on the fact that you earn 5.5 points for every $1 of rake paid (5.5 points x $5 = 27.5 points = $1 released).
That’s an effective rakeback rate of 20%, which isn’t too bad for a welcome bonus. It’s not the best rate I’ve seen, and high-volume players might be better off canceling the bonus so they can claim a different rakeback reward instead (more on this later).
For the majority of players, the ACR Poker welcome bonus is worth claiming.
ACR Rakeback vs Elite Benefits
Dating back to when it was known as ACR Cardroom, the site has a unique loyalty program that allows you to earn extras in two ways: VIP rewards or rakeback. I’ve never come across an online poker site that lets you choose the way you earn rewards. Similar systems might exist, but certainly not at the biggest mainstream poker sites.
Everyone is enrolled in the Elite Benefits program by default. I stuck with the loyalty rewards program for about six months before switching to the ACR Poker rakeback. My reason for doing so was that I preferred the direct benefits of rakeback over bonuses.
There are unique merits to both ACR Poker bonus systems.
ACR Elite Benefits
ACR Poker’s loyalty program is made up of six tiers:
- Lieutenant (default level)
- Captain (earn at least 750 points per month)
- Major (earn at least 3,000 points per month)
- Colonel (earn at least 7,500 points per month)
- General (earn at least 100,000 points in a calendar year)
- 5-Star General (earn at least 1,000,000 points in a calendar year)
The number of points you earn and maintain each month/year determines your rank. As before, you’ll earn 5.5 points for every $1 you pay in rake. The higher you climb, the more Elite Benefits you’ll unlock.
In addition to free tournament tickets and special bonuses, Elite Benefits allows you to convert points to cash. This makes it similar to rakeback. However, there’s a tipping point where rakeback becomes slightly better.
ACR Rakeback
You can switch to ACR Poker rakeback at any time by emailing support@acrpoker.eu. A member of the team will review and process your request within 72 hours.
Once the switch is complete, you’ll receive 27% rakeback for all games played. For context, 27% is up there with the best rakeback deals right now – slightly behind CoinPoker’s 33%. We compare the two in the video below, plus GGPoker.
Should I Choose Elite Benefits or ACR Poker Rakeback?
The decision to stick with Elite Benefits or switch to ACR rakeback is entirely yours. Both options are great. However, I ran the numbers and found that rakeback was better for me.
The general premise for anyone who wants to be guided by the numbers is this:
- ACR Poker rakeback is better for players who rake less than $1,500 per month.
- Elite Benefits is better for players who pay more than $1,500 per month in ACR rake.
The tipping point can change over time depending on adjustments to ACR’s rake charges. However, as a general guide, $1,500 is the point to consider.
How to Download ACR Poker
Here’s how to download ACR Poker:
- Use our secure link to create your account. And make sure to use the ACR Poker bonus code CP1000 your claim the welcome offer.
- Tap to download the ACR app.
- Choose your device: Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android.
- Install the ACR Poker app, log in, and deposit $25+ to get your welcome bonus.
ACR Poker Games
I’m starting this section of my ACR Poker review with tournaments because the roster is packed with fantastic options. However, as impressive as ACR tournaments are, don’t sleep on the app’s cash games.
ACR Poker Variants
The ACR Poker lobby contains games covering six variants, which is more than most offshore poker sites. Mixed games are missing, which is a shame, but there’s enough variety to keep you active.
| Game Type | Availability |
| Texas Hold’em | ✅ |
| Omaha Hi | ✅ |
| Omaha Hi/Lo | ✅ |
| 5-Card Omaha | ✅ |
| Razz | ❌ |
| Seven Card Stud | ✅ |
| Seven-Card Stud 8 or Better (aka Hi/Lo) | ✅ |
| 2-7 Single Draw | ❌ |
| 2-7 Triple Draw | ❌ |
| H.O.R.S.E. | ❌ |
| 8-Game | ❌ |
| Six Plus | ❌ |
ACR Poker Series & Tournaments
I said earlier in this ACR Poker review that the weekly tournament schedule is bolstered by special events. Of all the special events ACR runs, the Venom is the biggest and the best.
The Venom
The Venom series holds a Guinness World Record; that’s how remarkable it is. The record it holds is the largest cryptocurrency payout at $1,050,559.50. The Bitcoin prize was won by TheBigKid after taking down the 2019 Venom main event.
As impressive as that payout is, Venom has paid out a lot more. With ACR upping the guarantee every year, Dominik Nitsche took home $1,818,044 after beating PushOrdie at the 2024 main event final table.
Other ACR Poker tournaments have been added over the years to create a Venom series, including Venom Fever and Venom Warmup.
However, the $2,650 buy-in main event remains the focus for every serious tournament player.
What I like the most about Venom, other than the fact that it pays multiple million-dollar prizes, is the fact that you can qualify for free. There are tons of freerolls and low-stakes satellites, so everyone has a chance of getting a seat in the main event.
Unique Events at ACR Poker
For me, Venom is the pinnacle of ACR Poker’s tournament schedule. However, there are plenty of other events worth looking out for, including:
- Satellites to live poker tournaments, such as the WSOP Main Event.
- MTTs that let you play with ACR Poker’s ambassadors.
ACR Ambassadors
ACR has plenty of respectable names on its roster, including Ana Marquez, Ebony Kenney, Nacho Barbero, and Chris Moorman. However, the man most worthy of a mention is Chris Moneymaker.
He might not be the most talented pro on ACR’s roster, but he’s the most important. Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP exploits paved the way for people like me.
The former accountant from Atlanta defied the odds after winning a seat in the $10,000 WSOP Main Event for $86. Moneymaker’s rise from online grinder to WSOP World Champion sparked a revolution and helped make the poker industry what it is today.
The biggest shake-up at ACR in recent years is its rebrand. Switching from Americas Cardroom to ACR brought a fresh look to the company’s website, as well as a new iOS app.
I’ve noticed some new games in the ACR Poker lobby in early 2025, including an innovation called Poker Races.
Poker Strategy for Playing at ACR
We’ve got tons of poker strategy articles to help you improve your game. However, the four tips below are ones I’ve had success with at ACR Poker specifically:
- Stick to your limits. You might have your sights set on becoming the next Phil Ivey, but poker is unpredictable. Even if you think you’re good enough to play at higher stakes, don’t move up until you’ve got a big enough bankroll. That means 50+ buy-ins for cash games and more than 100 buy-ins for ACR tournaments.
- Use the stats. The ACR lobby contains a wealth of useful stats, as does the in-game HUD. Look for games with a lot of players going to the flop with low aggression factors.
- Squeeze in position. I’ve had a lot of success with squeeze plays in ACR Poker tournaments. This is where you re-raise a 3-bettor. This puts pressure on the original raiser
- Improve your game using the CardPlayer Poker School. A good poker player never stops learning. It’s that simple.
Lobby & Software
If you read my CoinPoker review, you’ll notice that I criticized the lack of game data visible from the lobby.
ACR isn’t lacking in this department. In addition to the game type, format, and number of players, ACR’s cash game lobby shows you the average pot size, the percentage of players seeing a flop, and the number of hands played per hour.
These stats are crucial for anyone wanting to find the juiciest games, so I recommend taking note of them before you ante up. Something else you should do is use ACR’s filters. Having the ability to filter out tables that don’t fit your needs makes it a lot easier to find the right games.
If I’ve got one criticism, it’s the off/on tabs. I like to open a tab and see all the games within that category. When you tap ACR’s tabs, you’re essentially turning them off and on. This means you can have multiple tabs activated at once. Some of you might find it useful to toggle the tabs off and on as required, but I find it a bit annoying.
ACR Poker Features
ACR is packed with unique features available at ACR, which really add to the experience at the tables.
ACR Poker tournament features
- Staking: Ask for financial backing or stake other players in ACR tournaments.
- Deal making: Another useful feature for tournament players is the ability to make final-table deals.
- In-game HUD: Track your opponent’s tendencies using ACR’s inbuilt HUD.
- Railbird tickets: This feature allows you to view up to three tournaments for five hours. Railbird tickets simultaneously give you a way to get reads on players while also reducing the advantage sharks can have over fish.
ACR Poker cash game features
- Run it twice: Play the river or entire boards twice to reduce variance when you’re all-in.
- Auto buy-in and top-up: Automatically buy in and top-up your balance to a pre-determined number of blinds.
- Hotkeys: Assign pre-determined actions to hotkeys of your choice to make multi-tabling easier.
ACR Poker App
You can download ACR Poker on all iOS and Android devices. The iOS app came out in late 2024, but its Android counterpart has been active for a while. Both ACR mobile poker apps are easy to use and offer a full range of games and features.
My one criticism is that they’re not available via the App Store or Google Play. You need to scan a QR code to install the ACR Poker app, which tells me that it hasn’t been verified by Apple or Google.
This isn’t necessarily a problem. The mobile apps will be as safe as the desktop platform. However, being listed in an official app store does mean various standards with regard to stability and quality have been met.
- Massive daily tournament schedule
- Great deposit methods with local options
- Fast payouts within the hour
Safety and Customer Support at ACR Poker
You’ll need to verify your identity to make a withdrawal. Know Your Customer (KYC) checks are necessary, even for cryptocurrency withdrawals. This is necessary to prevent fraud.
This is fairly standard, but it’s something to keep in mind, as it could delay your first withdrawal – especially as ACR Poker live chat isn’t available 24/7. Therefore, it might take a few emails to get things in order.
The customer support options at ACR Poker are:
- FAQ
- AI chatbot
- ACR Live chat
- Email (support@acrpoker.eu)
ACR Poker Payment Methods
ACR Poker is a hybrid poker platform, which means it accepts fiat (USD) and crypto deposits. Here’s an overview of how to make deposits and withdrawals at ACR:
ACR Deposits
| Deposit Method | Minimum Deposit | Deposit Fee | Processing Time |
| Credit/Debit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX) | $25 | No Fees | Instant |
| Luxon (eWallet) | $10 | No Fees | Instant |
| BTC | $10 | Only Standard Network Fees | Up to 1 hour (depends on network traffic) |
| ETH | $10 | Only Standard Network Fees | Instant |
| LTC | $10 | Only Standard Network Fees | Instant |
| USDT | $10 | Only Standard Network Fees | Instant |
ACR Withdrawals
| Withdrawal Method | Minimum Withdrawal | Withdrawal Fee | Processing Time |
| Credit/Debit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX) | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Luxon (eWallet) | $50 | No Fees | Within 8 hours |
| BTC | $50 | Only Standard Network Fees | Within 1 hour |
| ETH | $50 | Only Standard Network Fees | Within 1 hour |
| LTC | $50 | Only Standard Network Fees | Within 1 hour |
| USDT | $50 | Only Standard Network Fees | Within 1 hour |
| Check | $100 | One fee-free check every 30 days | 7-15 business days |
*Unforeseen issues can delay withdrawals by up to 15 days.
Is ACR Legit?
Yes, ACR has been a legit and reputable online poker room for more than a decade. As well as using the latest SSL encryption technology and its proprietary ACR reshuffle technology certified by iTech Labs, it’s licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Authority.
Is it Legal to Play at ACR in the US?
ACR holds an international online gaming license, which means it’s regulated and available in countries around the world, including the US.
ACR Bot Controversy
ACR has been around a while, and, like all popular poker sites, it has attracted its fair share of rogues. In this context, the rogues have used bots to get an unfair advantage over honest players.
The good news is that ACR’s security team has dealt with plenty of bots over the years, so their detection software has been finely tuned to catch them. The best example of this is the bot accounts that were detected and subsequently disqualified from the 2024 Venom main event.
ACR Poker Personal Review
I’m a fan of ACR Poker. The ACR tournament schedule is virtually unrivaled, particularly when you only focus on crypto poker sites. I also think the $12.5 million MTTs sometimes overshadow an impressive selection of cash games.
Bot issues in the past have been largely resolved, but the lingering concerns remain an issue. What I will say, however, is that the security team is incredibly proactive when it comes to these sorts of issues.
Overall, ACR is a world-class poker site with something to offer every type of player. MTT maestros will get the most out of this app, but I really enjoy ACR’s cash games.