Earlier this year, Americas Cardroom – a flagship site for the popular Winning Poker Network – added browser-based functionality for Android users. Mobile and tablet players can now hit the felt by heading directly to the Americas Cardroom website.
Limited Game Choice
However, the bad news is that this browser-based poker client is extremely limited in its offerings. In fact, players can only choose from one game type: ACR’s Jackpot Poker. Compared to other US competitors like BetOnline and Bovada – who recently rolled out complete mobile support for their users, featuring all cash-games, sit & go’s and tournaments – it’s not a great provision from Americas Cardroom. ​

It’s Not All Bad, Though
That said, aside from the restrictions on game choice, the ACR Android experience is actually pretty good. Despite operating through the browser, load times are extremely fast and the client feels more like a downloadable product rather than a web-based one. One feature which emphasizes this is the multi-table support, giving mobile and tablet users the option to play up to four tables at once – something which major competitors Bovada/Ignition Casino/Bodog don’t offer. However, earlier this year Americas Cardroom withdrew from the Australian poker market, while poker fans in Australia can still play poker at Ignition Casino. Americas Cardroom continues to be one of the most popular USA friendly online poker rooms.
It also must be admitted that if there was to only be one available game type to choose from on the app, it should be this 3-max jackpot sit & go format. This fast-paced structure (with games typically lasting no longer than 10 minutes) is well-suited to Android users that want to fire up a quick game of poker without having to commit to a long session. Add in the allure of winning a huge amount of money in minutes – the maximum jackpot for Hold’em varieties is $100,000 for the $40 buy-in, with the PLO max sitting at $150,000 for a $60 buy-in – and it’s easy to understand the appeal.
Considering the wealth of games available at ACR (they are one of the few sites to now offer 6+/Short-Deck Hold’em), it is no doubt a little disappointing if you’re an Android player hoping to enjoy all of the tables that are going. However, the site has suggested that full functionality will be available in the future – it’s just a matter of time. With an online poker room of this size, it should be worth the wait.
Using Chrome Remote Desktop to Get Full Access Via Android
If you’re really desperate to get on your Americas Cardroom account via an Android device, there is one neat little workaround. Providing you own a PC, you can set up Chrome’s Remote Desktop app which lets you access your computer remotely via your mobile or tablet, which can then be used to access the full ACR client! Of course, some lag is to be expected, and the client wasn’t developed with this feature in mind – but if you’re willing to trade a lesser gameplay experience for better game selection, it might be worth thinking about.
Cryptocurrency Support
Many United States based poker players have switched to funding their accounts with cryptocurrencies as a means to sidestep any anti-gambling restrictions in the USA. While Americas Cardroom still invites it's players to use bank wires, cheques, Visa, MasterCard or American Express, they also now support dozens of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Dash, Litecoin, Ethereum and Monero.