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Need assistance with PokerMates? Check out our frequently asked questions below, or reach out to our support team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PokerMates?
PokerMates is a companion app for organizing friendly poker games with friends. It helps you track games, manage buy-ins, create seating charts, predict winners, and calculate settlements - all without supporting real-money gambling or payments.
Is PokerMates free?
Yes! PokerMates is currently free for all users. All features are available at no cost. In the future, some features may become paid or require a subscription, but for now, enjoy everything for free.
Does PokerMates support real-money gambling?
No. PokerMates does not support real-money gambling, wagering, betting, or payments of any kind. The app is intended solely for social game organization and statistics tracking. Any settlements occur outside the app between users.
How do I sign in?
Sign in with Google, Apple, or Facebook, or create an account with your email and password. If you forget your password, use "Reset Password" for a link to set a new one, or "Magic Link" to sign in instantly. You can also tap "Demo Mode" to explore the app without an account.
How do I invite players to my group?
You can invite players by sharing the group invite link, adding them by email, or creating local guest users. Email invites include a magic link for instant account activation.
What are guest users?
Guest users are local accounts you can create for one-time players who don't need full app access. They can participate in games with limited features and don't require registration.
How do seating charts work?
The seating chart feature lets you visually arrange players around the table. You can drag and drop players to seats or use the randomize function. The seating chart is saved with each game.
What are predictions?
Before each game starts, players can predict who will finish in the top 3 positions. The app tracks prediction accuracy and displays a leaderboard showing who's best at forecasting winners.
How does settlement calculation work?
PokerMates automatically calculates settlements based on buy-ins, rebuys, and cash-outs. It optimizes payment flows to minimize the number of transactions needed to settle the game. All payments are handled entirely outside the app — PokerMates uses deep-linking to open your preferred payment app (such as Venmo or PayPal) with the correct amount and recipient pre-filled. No money is ever processed within PokerMates.
How do I keep track of who owes whom over time?
Every game's settlements roll up into a group Balances view showing all unpaid amounts across your games — who owes whom, how much, and how long it's been outstanding. Payments left open too long are flagged as "stalled," with gentle in-app reminders you can snooze. Settlements use two-way confirmation: the payer marks a payment sent, then the receiver confirms receipt.
Can I set house rules or a shot clock?
Yes. Choose from 25+ built-in Rules of Engagement across etiquette, showdown, betting, gameplay, and house rules — including a shot clock for slow players. Set a stance for each rule (like "Allowed" or "Not Allowed"), add your own custom rules, and let a game host override any rule for a specific game. Share the full rulebook with players via WhatsApp or email before the game.
Can I coordinate food for game night?
Yes. Set up a Food Order for any game — share a restaurant order link, have the host order for everyone, or let players pick their own. The app tracks who has ordered, surfaces everyone's dietary preferences, and lets the host send reminders to anyone who hasn't ordered yet.
Is my data secure?
Yes. We take data security seriously. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We never sell or share your personal information. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Which platforms are supported?
PokerMates is available on all platforms: Web App (any browser), iOS (App Store), macOS (Mac App Store), and Android (Google Play).
Can I export my game data?
Exporting game data and statistics to CSV or PDF format is available to all users while PokerMates is free.
I found a bug. How do I report it?
We appreciate bug reports! Please email us with details about the issue, including steps to reproduce it, screenshots if possible, and your device/browser information.
Contact Support
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Our support team is here to help.
Response Time
We typically respond within 24-48 hours. As PokerMates is currently free, all users receive the same level of support. If the app becomes paid in the future, support tiers may change.
Additional Resources
- How to Use Guide - Complete walkthrough of all features
- About Us - Learn about our mission and team
- Privacy Policy - How we handle your data
- Terms of Service - Usage terms and conditions
- Data Deletion - How to delete your account and data
Still Need Help?
We're committed to providing excellent support. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
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