Bet365 Poker

Bet365 Poker - Wide Variety of Games and Bonuses

Licensed in Gibraltar, Bet365 Poker employs the latest Playtech software to offer a downloadable poker room with access to the global iPoker Network. Players here can join in a game anytime, day or night, from ten different versions of cash-table poker to satellite qualifiers for major events and Sit'n'Go tournaments with progressive jackpots. As the 7th largest private company in the United Kingdom, the Bet365 Group Limited is a trusted name in gaming. It has created a "one-wallet system" for playing at its web sites for Games, Sports, Bingo, and Casino along with Bet365 Poker; it only takes a single username, password and payment method to access them all.

Games to Play

Variety is certainly the spice of life at Bet365 Poker. At any given time, more than 10,000 poker players can be found online, with hundreds of tables in action. There are limit, pot limit, and no limit games, as well as special Beginner's Tables for newcomers. Players have their choice of all the traditional favorites, plus the opportunity to try out several brand new card games.

The three most popular poker games in the world - Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo - are well represented at Bet365 Poker. Blinds start at as little as $0.50/$1 with average pots of $6-$8, and they run up to $5/$10 games that are worth ten times as much per deal. Ten-player seating is standard. Good old-fashioned Stud Poker can be found here, too, both the 5-card and 7-card varieties. And for those who prefer low-ball stud, Razz games are also available.

Exclusively for Texas Hold'em Poker, those who are new to the game, or who find the pace of online play a bit daunting, will appreciate a very useful function of the Playtech software called "View Hand Strength". Clicking on this button pops open a window that reveals the best possible hand that can be made with five cards from the flop to the river.

Another nifty Playtech function is the ability to select an avatar from the Options Panel. Ten different characters are available, from a baseball player in uniform to a hustler in suit and tie. Anyone who finds the avatars distracting can simply turn them off, as they are not compulsory for play.

Clicking on Game Stats allows players to view both personal and tournament statistics at a glance. A window opens showing every bit of information available, from flops seen and hands won to specific actions taken (fold, raise, etc.) and data for tournaments, such as chip count minimum, maximum, and average.

Four new games which Bet365 Poker has introduced are also available through the Lobby. These include 13-card Poker, Big 2, Super Big 2, and Fight the Landlord. The former originated in Asia and requires forming one 3-card and two 5-card poker hands to win, while the latter is designed especially for three players and includes jokers in a 54-card deck. The other two games are for 2-4 players and make the deuce the highest ranking card in play. Downloadable instructions are available.

Bonuses to Claim

To qualify for this welcome promotion (mentioned above) and be eligible to earn Merit Points, a new account must be opened and funded with at least $10 in poker chips. Merit Points are awarded based upon the rake per hand played. For example, a rake of $0.25-$0.50 is worth 1.6 points, while a rake of $1.76-$2.00 earns 7.6 points. Merit Points are also awarded for tournament entries at a rate of 15 points for every fee dollar spent.

Under a new VIP Scheme launched in 2009, Bet365 Poker now ranks its players in four levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The value of Merit Points increases at each higher level, so that 200 points equal $1 for Bronze newcomers, but just 33 points equal $1 at the highest Platinum tier of membership. Points can be redeemed for cash, tournament buy-ins, or special gift offers.