888poker: a look

Over the last few years there’s been a huge resurgence of interest in poker, largely fuelled by the high-profile poker sites that seem to spring up almost on a weekly basis. But, just like poker players themselves, some are destined to crash and burn while others are set to reach some pretty dizzy heights. And the one we’re going to tell you about here is definitely a key member of the winners’ table.

For the last 16 years 888poker has been steadily building on its reputation as one of the leading sites as its owners, the highly respected 888 Holdings, have continually invested

in making it truly leading edge in every respect. When it began life back in 2002 it was called Pacific Poker but in 2010 the true 888poker brand was born and today it numbers more than 10 million members globally with five new members signing up every minute of every day.

At least some of the brand’s success has come from the fact that there’s always been a crossover between its online presence and the real world of poker. For example, it’s a long-standing sponsor of the biggest tournament in the game’s calendar, the World Series of Poker, which takes place annually in Vegas. To give themselves even more relevance 888poker also hosts several of its own casino tournaments and has a number of high profile ambassadors including poker pros Jackie Glazier, Dominik Nitsche and Bruno Politano. So they’re definitely not just talking the talk, they’re the real thing in every respect.

But, back to the online world, 888poker’s success has also come from their great tech that creates a seamless playing experience. So, without further ado, here’s all you need to know.

How to start playing and claim your welcome bonus

There are two ways to start playing and this depends on whether you want to enjoy the downloaded version of the site or just to play it via your web browser with its super-convenient no-download option. If you go for the download option, you’ll simply need to register and load the software to play on your PC. Then, when you make a first deposit, you’ll qualify for your welcome bonus. This changes from time to time so check out the one that’s being made when you start to play.

Go for the no-download version, though, and it’ll be a straightforward $10 bonus as soon as you deposit $10 or more. Plus you’ll have all the access to all the games that everyone enjoys on 888poker as well as other features like live online poker chat and even the chance to get a look at your opponents at one of the Poker Cam tables that are so popular with players.

The games

When you’re all ready to kick off you’ll find that there’s a wealth of choice when it comes to the games themselves.  As you’d expect, Texas Hold’em is the favourite and there’s a great choice of tournaments, cash games or “Sit and Go” games. If you fancy something a little different, there’s also a good selection of Omaha and Stud games to put your skills to the test.

If you’re the kind of player who doesn’t want to hang around too long, then 888poker’s Snap games make a great choice. Play for cash or in tournaments and the action will come thick and fast as each time you fold you’ll be dealt into another game straight away. It’s a fantastic way to play many more hands in an hour than virtually any other poker variation.

It could be that you want to take the snap-fold option on a hand, and that’s fine if you do. This means you leave the game immediately and none of the other players will find out that you’ve gone until it’s your turn to bet. Plus, if you still want to keep an eye on the game you’ve just left there’s the option to “fold, watch and play”.

Blast’s a blast

This is a great example of just how 888poker is always looking to innovate and if you’re a fan of the new then the Blast Texas Hold’em game could be ideal.

It’s a non-stop game that offers a prize of up to 10,000 times the amount of your buy-in. At the very start of each round the prize pool is selected at random and this can range from a handy $200 right up to an awesome $1,000,000. As soon as the the first hand is dealt, this kicks off a countdown and when this ends it’s a dash to try and win the prize pool. At its very best it can be a real adrenalin rush with, hopefully, a fantastic conclusion for you.

Try your hand for free

If you’re a poker rookie, or just not used to playing online poker, then you’ll probably be best to have a practice in the free play area first. It’s a great way to develop confidence before risking any hard cash. Then, when you really know what you’re doing, it’s time to use your skills and knowledge to start playing for money.

Everything you’d expect – and more

888poker hasn’t become a leading poker site without looking amazing too. So, the design of the site is clean and simple and it’s navigation is intuitive too. And, unlike some sites whose graphics are, to say the least, basic on 888poker you’ll find they’re pin-sharp, especially when you’re playing on an iPad with its fantastic retina display.

If you ever find yourself needing help, then there’s a full FAQ section online as well as an online chat facility and email and phone contact that’s available round the clock. Another key element of any poker site is how easy it is to deposit and withdraw from it. Well the great news is that 888poker offers no less than 40 different ways ranging from credit and debit cards to NETELLER, PayPal and other methods. A withdrawal will come through in between 7 and 10 days – a lot quicker than some sites can manage it.

So, in conclusion, 888poker is first rate site for all levels of poker player. Everything is made as simple as possible with a great range of games as well as some exciting new game formats too. Plus, with the choice of gaming on both PC and mobile devices as well as no-download play, it’s something that you can play whenever and wherever you want – and what could be better than that?