What's a good, straightforward Texas Hold'em game for my iPad that doesn't try to bleed me dry with in-app purchases every five minutes? I just want to play some cards without all the extra fluff.

I found Pokerist to be pretty decent. It's got enough free chips to keep you going for a while, and the interface is surprisingly intuitive, even for someone like me. My students showed me a few tricks, too!

Texas Hold'emiPadfree chipspoker gameonline pokerDavid Thompson
Now, I'm no expert on these fancy app games, but I do enjoy a good game of poker. Finding one that isn't constantly trying to get you to spend money is like finding a student who actually does their homework on time – rare! Pokerist, though, seems alright. It gives you a good chunk of free chips to start, and you can earn more without having to constantly shell out cash. It took me a few days to figure out all the features, and why do they hide the settings button there?, but once you get the hang of it, it's not bad at all. The graphics are clear, which is important for my aging eyes, and the gameplay is smooth. It's almost like having a teaching assistant in your pocket, but instead of grading papers, it's dealing cards. Just remember to take breaks – even poker games need to be played in moderation, just like everything else.

Key Features

Generous starting chips and ways to earn more.
Clear graphics, easy to see on a tablet.
Smooth gameplay, doesn't lag too much.

"Great game, lots of fun, not pushy about buying chips."

— 5★ User Review
IOSUpdated: 7/9/2025
Texas Hold'em Poker: Pokerist icon

Texas Hold'em Poker: Pokerist

by KamaGames

4.6
Get on App Store

Category

Casino Games

Platform

ios