The Poker Blog

COOL HAND POKER ROOM

REASONS TO JOIN
• 100% deposit match up to $350
Cool Hand’s sign up offer gives you 100% matches on every single deposit until you’ve deposited a total of $350! This Means you could make 7 x $50 deposits and get 7 x 100% match bonuses.
• No sharks
Cool Hand Poker is tailor-made for the new and casual poker player. Table limits, bonus offers and promotions are geared towards the everyday poker player. This means your money lasts longer, the promotions and bonuses are achievable and you can relax with the peace of mind that you’re not about to be shark bait.

• Excellent support
An “exceptional player experience” is what Cool Hand’s support team is all about. The support staff are fast, friendly and professional, all while doing their best to make you feel like their number 1 player.
• Merchandise giveaways and Freerolls
Cool Hand knows that, for the casual poker player, earning tens of thousands of points for massive loyalty prizes is not always the best way to go. Regular freerolls offering mp3 players, digital cameras and online shopping vouchers as prizes are open exclusively to Cool Hand players.

SIGNING UP
• Downloading Cool Hand software is quick and simple. The install file is a tiny 384kb. Once opened, the software download and installation takes approximately 1 minute on a standard broadband connection
• The registration process should not take more than a minute either, capturing your vitals efficiently and allowing you the chance select either USD or EUR as your payment/withdrawal currency. Play can be carried out on tables in both Currencies- note that your balance in the software will always be reflected in USD.
• Cool Hand Registration allows swift and simple alias creation, with an availability checker to save time.
• After registering the alias, you are redirected to the ‘deposit’ banking page where a list of payment options is available to you -based on the country you selected on registering; offering you quick and easy initial deposit transactions.
• Your account number is clearly displayed several times during registration, allowing you the chance to make a note of this for future logins.
• ‘Help’ feature available in the software will assist you in learning the game, as well as understanding the terminology used within the software and in the game of poker as a whole.
• We offer a wide selection of free tables with 2000 play chips (refreshed every 20 minutes if you lose), for those that are still getting into the swing of things and are new to the world of online poker.
SOFTWARE
Cool Hand Poker is powered by Microgaming software, providing players with the best poker software money can buy. Cool Hand Poker’s software features include:
• Simple lobby layout, which makes for easy navigation through the software.
• “Playcheck” facility to view game history
• Resizable tables
• Table chat facility
• Promotions tab makes it easy to view the status of offers you are currently enrolled in
• 3 different lobby views to suit your table selection process
• Easy access to banking
• Play up to 10 tables at the same time.
• 1 click access to casino games
RING GAMES
• Game types
Cool Hand offers Texas Hold’em and Omaha ring game tables. Ring game tables are available as 6 or 10 seaters.
• Table limit types
Texas Hold’em is available in No Limit & Fixed Limit variations, whilst Omaha tables are available Pot Limit
• Beginner Tables
These tables are ideal for new poker players. Learning the ropes at stakes as low as 0.02/0.04 and a buy-in of only $0.80 is a great way to improve your game
• Max Limits
To help your bank roll last longer, Cool Hand’s maximum table limits are:
$10/$20 (or €) at Fixed Limit tables
$2/$4 (or €) at No Limit tables.
TOURNAMENTS
The tournaments at Cool Hand are designed to be enjoyed, the payout structures fair and the prizes worth all the work put in at the tables!
The following tournaments are available exclusively to Cool Hand’s players:
• New Roller Freeroll
An invite-only tournament held every 2 weeks to welcome new players to Cool Hand Poker
• $2500 Sunday Fun Day
Qualify for this tournament by playing the buy-in or freeroll feeders and satellites during the week or buy-in directly for $20+2 for your piece of $2500. Unlimited Re-buys and 1 Add-on for 1500 chips in first hour.
• $500 Added Cool Points Tournament
Use your Cool Points to buy-in to the $500 added tournament. (See “Loyalty Promotions” for more info on Cool Points)
• $300 added Cool Points Tournament
Buy-in is 100 Cool Points. 1000 starting chips. Unlimited Re-buys and 1 Add-on (1000 Chips) available for 50 Cool Points each hour. 6 minute levels. Values of cool points are added to the prize pool.
• $50 Daily Freeroll
Another tournament exclusive to Cool Hand players. Get your bankroll started for FREE.
• Survivor Freerolls
New tournaments where you do not need to get all the chips, just enough to STAY ALIVE! It’s free to enter.
• IPod Tournaments
$3.0 + 0.30 buy-in. Win your seat through feeders and satellites, or simply buy in.
SIT N GO’S
• Beginners tables
With buy-ins beginning as low as 12 cents (or Cool Points), you can get a lot of practice at these special tables. Play is fast and FUN! Levels are 2 minutes, and tables are easily recognizable in green.
• Single table
5 &10 seater Sit n Go’s available at a wide range of buy-ins. From as little as €0.50+€0.10 all the way up to €100+€9. When playing Sit n Go’s you’ll have the choice of playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 5 Card draw and Omaha Hi/Lo
• Multi-table Sit n Go’s
These are available as 18 or 20 seaters at buy-in ranging from $2.50+0.25 to $100+9. Currently, the Multi-table Sit ‘n Go’s are only available in Texas Hold’em format.
• Double Up
In these SnG’s, players who make it into the payouts have their buy-in doubled. Everyone else get’s nothing. Payouts in 6 seater tables are top 3 and top 5 at 10 seater tables.
• Extreme Sit n Go
These single table tournaments offer fast paced action with a 1500 chip starting stack and blinds increasing every 2 hands, you’re guaranteed plenty of poker thrills.
• Super Turbo
These single table tournaments offer 1500 chip starting stack and blinds increasing every 5 hands. Poker only for the brave!
• Rounders
Players compete in Rounders tournaments by playing Sit n Go’s at 5 levels. A player is able to play their way through the levels or simply buy in to the level they like. Finish well and you move up a level, place near the top and get another shot at the same level. Get knocked out and you’ll still get a shot at the final with the chance to re-enter at a lower level.
SUPPORT
Cool Hand Poker strives to provide a helpful support desk, which is clearly evident from the speedy replies to emails and informative responses. There is a high level of customer support that is quick to respond to any queries that you may have. The support staff is friendly and answers all queries as best they can. Players are able to contact support via live chat and email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
BANKING
There are many ways to fund your account. Bank cards, Neteller, Moneybookers, UKash, ClickandBuy and Click2Pay are just some of the options available depending on your region. All payment options available for deposit and withdrawal are safe, secure and well established in the online poker world.
STANDARD OF PLAYERS
Cool Hand is for the casual poker player, and that’s exactly who you’ll find at the tables. The competition ranges from college students to retirees who’ve played the game around kitchen tables for years. The safe, relaxed environment also attracts a number of newer players. For these players, Cool Hand made an extensive Poker School available and offer strategy and game play tips in its newsletters.

LOYALTY PROMOTIONS
The $350 in deposit match bonuses is a pretty good reason to keep coming back for more. Now, add to that the “Cool Points” program and the “My Poker Challenge” and you’ve got even more reason to be a loyal Cool Hand Poker player.
Cool Points are earned simply by playing real money poker. Currently you’re able to use these points to buy in to most Cool Hand daily tournaments and the $500 Added Cool Points monthly tournament, but keep an eye out for the Cool Points store coming soon where you can use points to buy Cool Hand merchandise and other goods.

My Poker Challenge is not like most leader board promotions you see out there. It’s a personal challenge to see how much extra bonus cash you can earn at the end of each calendar month. The top prize in the My Poker Challenge is a cool $10,000 - and that’s on over and above your regular prize of up to $1250! It’s pretty clear that loyalty pays at Cool Hand.
SUMMARY
Cool Hand Poker is all about Poker for the People. Low to medium buy-ins means no sharks, pro’s or hustlers so a player is free to relax and enjoy some good poker.
With bonus offers, daily freerolls, outstanding customer support and special weekend promotions, Cool Hand Poker really does seem to cater for everyday people. And they do this, all while striving to offer the best player experience possible.
This is a poker room that’s going to be around for a long time. With none of the pressure of playing with the sharks and hustlers, while offering a decent game for intermediate players, Cool Hand Poker has found the balance that the casual poker player is looking for.

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13th September & 11th October

Take your chance to play for massive guaranteed prize-pools of $1,000,000 as bet365 poker introduce their brand new Monthly Million tournaments. The player who comes out on top in each of these very special events will receive a guaranteed $200,000.

The first two Monthly Million tournaments take place on 13th September and 11th October. The action starts at 18:00 GMT, replacing the $250,000 Guaranteed on those days.Tournament Detai

• Compete for a massive guaranteed prize-pool of $1,000,000.

• Buy in for just $500+$35.

• Receive a starting stack of 10,000 chips.

• Enjoy 20 minute blind levels, providing a more skilful, slower paced structure.

Make sure you secure your seat to these great tournaments.

NO-PRESSURE POKER PROVIDES FUN, THRILLS & NON-STOP ACTION

Where good times roll and poker is played for pleasure.

Cool Hand Poker is the site to visit if you want to play a relaxed and enjoyable game of poker without any of the pressures and issues associated with most other online poker rooms.

New to Poker? The Cool Hand Poker School will take you through the rules, rankings and strategy and the software allows you to practice at freeplay tables first until you are more confident to play at a real table with real money. Playing at Cool Hand Poker will turn you into a poker enthusiast in no time and soon you’ll know your straight from your flush and bluff your way into the money!

With a range of Texas Hold’em game options including various Freeroll, Single and Multi-Table Tournaments, you’ll be sure to find the right table for the best experience.

Besides learning the lingo, getting top tips, competing for top honours on the leader board and boosting your bluffing skills in a fun and safe environment, you will also share in the bounty of promotional prizes and loyalty rewards that are up for grabs.

A one-of-a-kind sign-up bonus will give you a total of $350 free! This bonus is a 100% match on all purchases unlike other poker rooms who only match the first purchase. What better reason could you possibly need to join? Do it now!

Devilfish Poker is the online home of UK professional Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott. A publically listed company on the London Stock Exchange, Devilfish Poker operates on the Entraction network – the world’s fastest growing open poker network.Launched in 2008 Devilfish Poker has built upon the popularity of Dave Ulliott and grown due to a reputation for VIP Customer Service, reliable software, fast and secure transactions as well as creative and innovative promotions.

Traffic:

Traffic on the Entraction network peaks between the hours of 7pm – 12am (8pm – 1am CET) at which point there are plenty of games running at all levels.  A packed tournament schedule, with ever tournament featuring a guaranteed prizepool, keeps liquidity up around the clock.

Players:

Entraction is traditionally a Scandinavian network which makes for lively action at all levels.  As the network grows, the demographic is changing meaning that a lot of new styles now clash on the tables with the loose aggressive Scandinavian play.  This makes for a very interesting and exciting mix and players who can vary their game will find plenty of opportunities to pick up pots on these tables.

Software:

The Devilfish Poker software is clean, reliable and purely designed for playing poker.  The design is sharp and clutter free letting the player concentrate on the game.  The fully responsive betting slider and full range of betting options make it very easy to quickly size your bet.

Games:

Devilfish Poker offers many games unavailable elsewhere. Along with the full range of limits for Hold’em and Omaha, Devilfish Poker can also boast: 7 Card Stud, 5 Card Draw, 32 Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, Soko, Telesina, Americana as well as Caribbean Stud.

Deposit/Withdrawal/Transfer:

Players can deposit using VISA/Mastercard/Neteller/Neteller 1-Pay/Moneybookers/Paysafe Card/Web Money/Bank Transfer.  Player transfers are also possible.

Support: 

Customer Support is available 24/7 via email with an average response time of less than 1 hour.

Tower Gaming is the fastest growing online poker site on the Ongame Network. With their claim to fame being their popular Player’s Club and their one of a kind first time deposit bonuses. It’s what keeps players coming back for more!

Because of Tower Gaming’s tailored design and flexibility to meet each player needs – Tower Gaming has developed a strong reputation amongst players for being the best online poker site to date.

Software

Tower Gaming is apart of the Ongame Network, offering the best options for download and a Mac compatible no-download version; it will support all OS platforms – Windows, Mac and Linux. The program offers a secure, detail and reliable atmosphere, even in multi table play. As well as sharp graphics, a quick download time and a fresh look that is rarely found in other rooms. All of these details means a great choice for all players!

Customer Service

The Customer Service Department at Tower Gaming has been praised by players and is a major reason why players continue to come back – no question is too small for the Tower Support Team. Tower Gaming offers 24/7 online casino and poker support and one of their professional Support Team staff can be reached by email at anytime. Customer satisfaction is a high priority at Tower Gaming so their Support Team makes every effort to ensure that their players are happy.

Games

The games offered at Tower Gaming are Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7 Card Stud and 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo. The games vary between No-Limit, Pot-Limit and Fixed-Limit for both real money and play money.

Bonuses & Promotions

There is always a bonus that will meet your style. The poker bonus structure that Tower Gaming offers is the key to their success and it what draws so many players to them. Tower Gaming offers an extensive variety of the first time deposit bonuses ranging from $30 to $2,000 – which means making money is that much easier.

Keep your eyes open because there are always new promotions happening at Tower Gaming. With their renowned Player’s Club, Weekly $1000 Freerolls, weekend tournaments and Monthly Point Races – it won’t be hard to find something to suit you.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

No Fees! Tower Gaming does not charge players any deposit fees – meaning more money for players to take to the table. Tower Gaming accepts the following deposit methods; NETELLER, MoneyBookers, Click and Buy, Click2Pay, Web Money, Visa and MasterCard. Cashing out is as easy as choosing one of the withdrawal methods that Tower Gaming provides; NETELLER, MoneyBookers, Click2Pay, Web Money, Check and Courier Check.

Overall, Tower Gaming offers more opportunities to win then ever, some of the best promotions and great action. Become a Tower Gaming member and see why Tower Gaming players continue to come back!

RedKings offers players of all abilities a fantastic time playing Texas Holdem, Omaha , 7 Card Stud and 5 Card Draw. With over 6 different fist time deposit bonuses, hundreds of thousands of fellow players online, reliable software and over $16,000,000 in tournament guarantees a month there really is something to please everyone.

RedKings Bonuses and Promotions

RedKings is known throughout the industry for offering some of the best first deposit bonuses. You can choose between 6 First Deposit Bonuses which are either ‘fixed’ or ‘stepped’, these bonuses have been tailor made so that players of all levels can choose one that is just right for them. A fixed bonus pays out in full when you earn all the points required and Stepped means the bonus is paid out in increments:

Incremental Bonuses

HEARTS250 -  The Beginners Bonus

• For each 120 points you earn we’ll add $10 to your account up to a maximum of $250
• The Player Points must be earned within 90 days of first triggering the bonus.

Use Bonus Code HEARTS250 when depositing.

DIAMONDS500- The Intermediate Bonus

• For each 500 points you earn we’ll add $50 to your account up to a maximum of $500
• This number of Player Points must be earned within 55 days of first triggering the bonus.

 Use Bonus Code DIAMONDS500 when making your first deposit.

KINGS1000 – Our Biggest Incremental Bonus

• For each 900 points you earn we’ll add $100 to your account up to a maximum of $1000
• This number of Player Points must be earned within 40 days of first triggering the bonus.

Use Bonus Code KINGS1000 when making your first deposit.

Fixed Bonuses

KINGSIZE1250 - Our entry level into fixed bonuses.

• 100% bonus up to a maximum of $1250.
• All you need to do to release your bonus is earn 10x player points for every $1 of bonus received. You have 30 days to do this.
• Use Bonus Code KINGSIZE1250 when depositing.

KINGSIZE2000

• 100% bonus up to a maximum of $2000.
• All you need to do to release your bonus is earn 9x player points for every $1 of bonus received. You have 30 days to do this.
• Please note: If the required Player Points are not generated within 30 days then any pending bonus funds will be withdrawn..

Use Bonus Code KINGSIZE2000 when depositing.

KINGSIZE2500 –  Monster Bonus

• All you need to do to release your bonus is earn 8x player points for every $1 of bonus received. You have 21 days to do this.

·         Use Bonus Code KINGSIZE2500 when depositing.

You even get a $10 bonus for getting pocket Red Kings and $50 bonus if you get beaten in a showdown with Pocket Red Kings.

RedKings Variety

RedKings offers all the most popular poker games; Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, and 5 Card Draw. If you are more of a tournament player you can buy in cheap and play against players from all over the world for a share of the $1,000,000 in tournament prizes that are available each week.

RedKings also has a live events team, Team RedKings. It contains a group of exciting young professional players from around Europe and they are currently looking for more young, enthusiastic poker players who have already shown their potential on the live circuit. Adding to Team RedKings will be those players who make it through the full and extensive program of online qualifiers. The RedKings team will benefit from being at every land based major with full support and on the ground representatives.

RedKings Traffic

RedKings is the fastest growing poker room on the Ongame network, the 5^th most popular poker network in the industry.

Overall traffic runs in the 15,000-25,000 player range throughout the week and peaks as high as the mid 30,000s during the weekend.

PayNoRake.com is a publicly-listed company in Norway (OTC).  All poker brands operated by Playsafe Holding AS are, and have always been licensed and regulated under the rules of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission—one of the most well-known and respected regulators in gaming.PayNoRake.com is the ONLY poker website dedicated to offering 100% rakeback to its players, and pays it daily right into the players’ accounts.  

The site also has a revolutionary new feature that we’ll explain in more detail later. First, have a look and you’ll see about 90% of all poker-sites are poorly-designed. Most rakeback sites are even worse! 

Refreshingly, PayNoRake.com combines detailed, yet clear content that’s easy for the user to grasp and presents it in a very clear executed-design (obviously done by skilled graphic artists).Like most popular poker games on the Net, PayNoRake.com offers players a superb gaming experience. But the newcomer also rewards them with real money back—up to 100% rakeback. 

This is paid daily, not monthly or weekly and no one else offers this.PayNoRake.com offers a wide variety of secure and fast deposit and payment options, so it’s for any poker player to start playing in minutes.  We’re sure that PayNoRake.com will be a hit with the pros all the way down to the beginners.

The one-of-a-kind Rake-o-Meter

Now let’s get to PayNoRake.com’s unique feature that has people talking.Aside from the 100% rakeback and daily payments, the Rake-O-Meter is the most outstanding feature on this hot new site, helping to set it apart from others in the category. It’s easily the most advanced, real-time rakeback calculator we’ve ever seen.  The daily stats, weekly stats and other useful functions are appealingly displayed and easy to understand.

You really have to see it to believe it.  I’d strongly suggest that you open an account now and check out this new, personalized Rake-O-Meter.  It’s a revolutionary new concept in poker rakeback.

PayNoRake.com offers a whole slew of exciting cash games and tournaments, such as:

Cash Games

• Texas Hold’em - No Limit and Pot Limit
• Omaha & Omaha Hi/Lo
• 7 Card Stud & 7 Hi/Lo
• Guts Poker
• Survivor Variation of Guts Poker
• Chinese Poker
• Big 2 Poker
• Pan (Panguingue)
• Blackjack

Tournaments

• Sit n Go
• Multi-Stage
• Pan
• Multitable

PayNoRake also offers all kinds of great games in its casinos.

More and more poker players are trying their hand at online casino games these days. So it’s no surprise that PayNoRake.com has an excellent casino built into the software.  It features casino games like Slots, Baccarat, Roulette, even Craps.

These terrific Vegas-style games offer great  bonuses, too. Give it a whirl.  Try out some of the casino games at the PayNoRake Online Virtual Casino. Who knows? You might get lucky and pocket a wad of cash!

Just open the software, click on “casino” and you’re ready to go.

Browse through the online casino games on PayNoRake and pick your favourite. You can practice for free (no money needed casino games) or play with real funds to make REAL money!  Just deposit your funds into your secure account using the 100% safe and secure Cashier.

Safe and Secure Deposit Methods

PayNoRake.com offers a variety of easy-to-use methods for depositing money into players’ accounts.  Currently, real money deposits into players’ poker accounts are accepted in several ways that are listed below.  Most of these are free.  

NOTE: Players unfamiliar with any of these deposit methods can consult the detailed, step-by-step instructions which will assist them in depositing.  The PayNoRake.com cashier system processes funds in US Dollars only. However, we do accept all foreign currencies that can be converted into US Dollars by the player’s bank at the bank’s standard conversion rates.

• Moneybookers (free deposits)
• eWalletXpress (free deposits)
• EcoCard (free deposits)
• PAYSAFECARD (free deposits)
• Visa and MasterCard
• UseMyBank
• NETELLER
• myCitadelWallet (Canadian customers only)
• Wire Transfer 

Top Rakeback.  Exclusive Promotions.

As stated, PayNoRake.com offers 100% rakeback. (You can’t beat that!)  Plus, they pay it daily. But it doesn’t stop there. They also offer some of the most enjoyable – and rewarding - promotions around.  They’re specifically designed to help players “Make More Every Day” and have a great time while doing it!

It should be noted that PayNoRake offers a great sign-up bonus, access to major poker events, and the chance to win a million at a tournament every week!

Check out some of the promotions they’re offering players right now:

A $10,000 Guaranteed Tournament

What better way for a player to relax and unwind than playing for their share of a guaranteed $10k?  Hey, players are hitting the tables and taking their shots at that $10k right now!

Hanna Gabriels
You’ve got to check out Hanna Gabriels to see why all the players want to try to knock her out.  They’re all testing their skills and going up against this Champ because she’s never lost a fight.  She’s KNOCKED OUT numerous opponents in the boxing ring and now she’s got everyone trying to knock her out on the poker tables!

‘TheSheriff’
Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, players try to find TheSheriff and knock him off. And why not?  If they do, they get paid handsomely - 25 times the value of the big blind!   It’s as simple, and lucrative, as that! 

Plus All The Little Extras, 

While logged on, PayNoRake players receive convenient instant messages that keep them posted about upcoming tournaments and events. This provides a great ‘heads up’ so you don’t miss a thing.If you have any questions or concerns while you’re on the site, there are two informative and easy-to-understand FAQ sections: one for the general site and one that’s rakeback specific. You can also contact them through their well- trained, customer support representatives.PayNoRake’s Customer Support via email is provided in English, Spanish, Finnish, Russian, German, Polish and Portuguese. And their Live Support feature is available in both English and Spansh. 

PayNoRake.com System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

·         Microsoft© Windows™ 98/ME/NT/2000/XP ·         Pentium 300 MHz PC or faster ·         64MB RAM or more ·         Screen resolution of 800×600 pixels or higher ·         High Color (16 bit) color display or better ·         56k dial up Internet access or faster ·         At least 25MB free hard drive space

Recommended System Requirements

• Microsoft© Windows™ 2000
• Pentium III 1000 MHz PC
• 256MB RAM
• Screen resolution of 1024×768 pixels
• True Color (32 bit) color display
• Windows™ audio drivers and sound card with speakers
• Cable or ADSL Internet access
• At least 25MB free hard drive space

Bodog offers all the excitement of great multi–player poker, served up with typical Bodog flair and the best customer service in the poker world.

The Bodog Poker software features clean, stylish graphics, easy–to–use and reliable features. It’s even customizable – among other things you can choose between a dozen different felt colors! Multi–tabling has never been easier.

The Bodog Poker Room features daily tournaments with a monthly guaranteed prize pool of $5 million, including a $100,000 guaranteed tournament each Sunday. Stake your claim in Texas Holdem, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7–Card Stud, 7–Card Stud Hi/Lo, and 5–Card Stud.

Remember, Bodog is all about community. Bring yours to ours. For each friend you refer to Bodog, you instantly receive 20% of their initial deposit (up to $100). Plus, there are always opportunities to win prize packages for referring friends. Those gifts include a trip to the WSOP.

Bodog also offers many, many guaranteed seats to the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker. Who knows, the next member of Team Bodog could be you!

Join Team Bodog and be part of the team that brought home the 2006 WSOP Main Event gold bracelet – and the record $12 million victory. See Bodog Poker.

Call 1-866-909-2237 or go to Bodog Poker to open an account.

Founded in 1994, Bodog Entertainment, with its head office in the lovely island country of Antigua in the Caribbean, is one of the world’s fastest growing media and digital entertainment companies and has offices world wide. Bodog offers a host of entertainment services, including
online gaming, an international record label, a publishing division and, and an international television production division.

Unibet is the largest poker room in the Microgaming network (Prima Poker), one of the leading poker networks. Because of this, they contribute greatly to the high liquidity and wide range of table limits available. They are also the only company in the world to have closed ring games on a network. Unibet is already widely recognised in the online gaming world, thanks to receiving the European Sportsbook of the Year award 2006

Bonus info

Unibet Poker offers a variety of sign-up bonuses, from $50 to $500, depending on the market.

The bonuses are paid out in three steps, where you need to collect different amounts of VIP points for higher amounts of money.

They offer these bonuses without a minimum deposit.

Ring Game Traffic

Ring game traffic on average ranges between 2,500-3,500 real money players spread out between tables of limits as low as $0.02-$0.05 and as high as $100-$200.

Tournament traffic

Unibet Poker has high tournament traffic upwards of 15,000-19,000 real money players peaking at over 20,000 players when including freeroll tournaments; the largest tournaments available now are at 12,000 players. A large number of tournaments of all sizes and game varieties are offered, often with a minimum guaranteed prize pool regardless of how many players sign up.

Game variety

The game variety is good with all standard games offered in No-limit, Pot-limit, and Fixed-limit. The games offered include Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha H/L, 7-card stud, 5-card stud. The site also offers turbo tables for the quick acting players. The turbo tables generally make for looser games.

Soft competition

The players on Unibet Poker mainly come from their sportsbook and they often gamble too much. This leads to many loose tables. The short-handed (6 players max) tables and turbo games produce wild games with viewed flopped percentages of approximately 55%. The average viewed flop percentage for full 10 player tables is just under 40%.

Loyalty bonus

VIP points are earned by contributing to a raked pot, you get between 0,5 – 1,5 VIP points per raked hand, depending on the amount of rake taken from the pot. The bonus is paid out in levels, depending on how much you play each month. Through the first levels you get $1 per 100 VIP points and at the highest level you get $1 per 30 VIP points.

Deposit & withdrawal options

Deposit options: VISA, Mastercard, NETeller, Moneybookers, Bank Transfer, Telephone.

Withdrawal options: NETeller, Bank transfer, Moneybookers, Telephone.

Software & Graphics

Unibet Poker has a customized version of the Microgaming poker software on the Microgaming platform. Although they have closed Ring Games on most of their tables, the Unibet Software differs from other Microgaming clients since they have integrated both Live-betting and live results from ongoing sporting events in the Poker Client. The table options are extensive including 4 different table sizes. The software supports 10 tables of simultaneous play and if used with the mini table size option, up to 6 tables can be viewed at the same time. Your personal stats can be viewed at any table displaying analysis of your play to date including your personal viewed flop percentage, when you fold, and how often you check, bet, fold, call, raise, and re-raise. In the Lobby stats on table’s average pot size and players per flop are available. The software currently runs smoothly while supporting more than 20,000 players. There is also a function where you can download log files of your played hands for you to analyse your own style of play. Prima Poker also offers an integrated Casino in the Poker client where you can play several of the most popular Casino games, including Blackjack and Roulette.

Rake

The rake is set at 5% of the pot with a max rake of between $1 and $3, depending on the number of players at the table. Reduced rakes are offered for micro-limit tables. Tournaments take a fee of 10% of your buy-in.

Promotions

Unibet has one of the largest tournament offers in the world, with over 15 Unibet-only tournaments every day, ranging from a $1500 guarantee to several freerolls. The network also offers a wide range of freerolls and guarantee tournaments every day, not counting the big $250,000 guarantee every month, the $125,000 guarantee every week and a $25,000 guarantee each day. They also run lots of satellites to big live events like European Poker Tour and World Series of Poker, as well as lots of other tournaments with great prizes, for example Plasma TVs and Rolex watches.

Financial security

The site has high financial security, they have been in the business a long time and they have a separate auditor monitoring their every move.

Support

Unibet support can be contacted via a free and local phone number or email. The support staff is well trained to help with the poker site as well as the sports book, casino and deposit/withdrawal issues. Support is offered in local languages, both by phone and e-mail.

Highlights

• High stakes guaranteed tournaments
• Play up to 10 tables simultaneously
• Free Telephone and email support in local languages
• Micro-limit tables
• Closed Ring Games
• European Sportsbook of the Year 2006
• Online Poker School
• The Poker Million TV-show in Sweden
• Turbo tables available
• Live sports betting integrated in the poker client
• Live score from current sports events available in the poker client

Summary

The software is very versatile; it has four different table sizes and also provides very useful stats for the player. Thanks to the wide range of short-handed tables and turbo tables the playability is quick with over 120 hands played per hour. The software could use improvements, especially the lobby but overall the Microgaming network has proven fast and reliable. Ring game and tournament traffic ranges between 2,500-3,500 real money ring game players during peaks hours, for a total of 15,000-19,000 players. They have also got their own Poker TV-show in Sweden that is called the Poker Million.

FIVE REASONS TO PLAY POKER AT bet365

More Prize Money

bet365 give away more than $10,000,000 in Tournament prize money every month. They have a wide selection of Tournaments to choose from, and with buy-ins starting from as little as $0.50 they ensure no one is left out of the action. Not only that but they also offer four Progressive Jackpot Sit & Gos with Guaranteed Jackpots ranging from $2,000 to $250,000+.

bet365 also offer prize packages to some of the world’s most popular land based tournaments, such as the World Series of Poker and European Poker Tour. For all of these events a series of Satellite tournaments are usually on offer, allowing you to qualify for a fraction of the cost of the main buy-in.

More Games and Players Than Ever

At bet365 they offer all betting variations for Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 5 Card Stud and 7 Card Stud. There is a game for everyone, with blinds starting as low as $0.01/$0.02 and increasing to $100/$200. With over 20,000 people online during peak times, you will have no problem finding a table that will best suit your needs.

For those wanting to practise their skills they also have a wide range of free play tables, as well as several daily Freeroll Tournaments.

Secure Banking and the bet365 One-Wallet System

In addition to a Poker room, they also have first-class internet based Casino, Sportsbook and Games areas. bet365 operate a simple one-wallet system, meaning you have the same username, password and payment method to play at all of the above with the minimum of fuss.

The bet365 site uses Thawte SSL web server certificates to offer secure communications by encrypting all data to and from the site. SSL is used to protect the sensitive information that is sent and received including personal information and credit/debit card details.

Promotions

bet365 like to reward their poker players with some of the biggest and best promotions around. All new players will receive a massive 200% bonus on their first deposit up to $600! Simply deposit $10 or more and your bonus will be activated instantly.

You will also earn Merit Points for simply playing poker with bet365. The more poker you play at bet365’s tables the more Merit Points you’ll accumulate. What you then do with those points is up to you. You can decide to cash them out, or another great option is to use them to play in bet365’s amazing selection of tournaments, where your Merit Points can win you some fantastic cash prizes!

They will also give everyone the chance to enrol for the bet365 VIP programme. This rewards frequent players with a chance to increase their VIP level and receive a selection of benefits such as increased Merit Points accumulation, special tournaments and a number of exclusive monthly bonuses.

First Class Customer Support

You, the Customer, are very important to bet365 and that’s why they put a great deal of time and energy into customer service. They pride themselves on their speed, efficiency and friendliness when dealing with any questions or queries that may arise.

Their highly trained customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can be reached by telephone, email or live chat.