Head to Head comparison of Poker Rooms
Head to Head comparison and reviews of poker rooms with rating charts, comparison charts and more. Get the facts about each poker sites value, what they offer and the benefits of each.
Poker players have an enormous variety of online poker sites to select from and several offers a particularly exciting selection of high-standard of real money games, sit’n’go games and tournaments.
They also include a never-ending list of different poker variants, many are standard variants, but others are unique to the specific poker room, and that is where comparing poker rooms against each other has value.
The purpose of our comparison reviews is to provide you with an independent opinion of the best online poker sites.
Our team of experts do this through reviewing two equally valued sites, carry out extensive testing, comparing what each offers and how each aspect of the poker rooms in question compare to the other. This has particular value when you consider the number of online poker rooms one can choose from.
That not only applies to those new to online poker, but it helps those who are more seasoned players as it will help you to adjust where you play and determine if a particular poker room provides you more value as an individual player based on your likes/dislikes and skillset.
Apart from comparing the top online poker sites we also offer detailed, unbiased poker reviews of all the sites listed on our poker comparison page, while our comparisons focus on information imperative in educating you to make an informed decision.
How and what we consider in our comparison reviews
In comparing online poker sites, for many, it is often the reputation of a poker room that counts most in their favour or against. However, that can often be misguided as some poker sites are more aggressive with promoting themselves over others – a large marketing budget does not mean that they are top dog so to speak
Taking that into consideration, we look closely at the owners of the poker room, the number of years online and the jurisdiction they are licensed and regulated within. We then take into consideration their welcome bonuses, regular promotions, loyalty rewards, VIP services, software, poker game variety, traffic, deposit/withdrawal options and customer support.
Collectively, each part has an impact on the overall rating as you will see in our comparison reviews. To give you a better understanding of the depth we undertake, we go into greater details below.
Welcome Bonuses & Promotions
Online poker sites attract new members via welcome bonuses, and it is important to judge this offer on its real value. While some dish out bonuses and other points, which may appear the same in its overall value, one bonus could have a significantly higher value depending on the playthrough requirements and how it is released.
Hence, we value bonuses on the speed at which the poker points can be earned, the number of points required to clear the bonus, number of days before expiry as well as the increments at which the bonus is paid into the player’s account.
Tournaments
Some of the major poker sites offer more than a welcome bonus by adding in perks such as free poker tournament entrance, and these can offer significant prizes. Poker tournaments are one of the key attractions in deciding which one to join.
Most of the major poker rooms host huge tournaments enabling members to win massive amounts in exchange for small buy-ins. One of the ultimate attractions is the opportunity to win a seat at the world’s biggest poker tournaments, which includes tickets and previously prizes reached well over $63 million.
Loyalty Rewards & VIP Services
While welcome bonuses attract new members and promotions keeps players returning, it is loyalty rewards and VIP services that means you enjoy the ultimate benefits.
In comparing how much effort the poker room puts into creating an environment that makes it attractive for poker enthusiasts to remain loyal as well as taking into consideration the type of incentives we determine which of the sites offer the most lucrative rewards.
Software
Keen poker players play for long periods and prefer sites that maintain their focus and interest, so it is most important to select a poker site that offers a reliable system and exceptional quality graphics.
What heightens players attention is a site that is both aesthetically pleasing and smooth running, and therefore we take into consideration regular upgrades as well as how often new innovative features additions.
Poker Game Variety
There are an array of different poker variations, and while most poker rooms feature all the classic favourites, some websites focus on specific variations, and it is important to select a poker site that offers the variety you enjoy most.
Popularity
High player traffic means the site is home to many players and it is vital to select a poker room with reasonable player traffic levels. This guarantees a great choice in opponents as waiting for more participants to join the table can be frustrating.
Traffic at poker rooms also influence the size of the prize pools and often enable players to hit life-changing sums for a nominal investment.
Deposit/Withdrawal Options
While the most trustworthy banking options are available at major poker rooms, there are differences that need consideration. These include charges and limits on withdrawals. Therefore, we recommend checking both the deposit and withdrawal options, currencies accepted as well as the procedure to withdrawal winnings and the cashout periods.
Winning a tournament could mean you have the cash to burn and the last things you want to hear is that you’ll have to wait several days before the cash is available in your account. For instant payouts, Bitcoin and eWallets could be your best option to use for deposits as most online poker sites offer withdrawals via the same method used to fund the account.
Customer Support
Member support is one of the deciding factors and therefor 24 hours a day, via a variety of communication options are favoured.
Should you ever need advice, assistance or a question answered, it is convenient having communication offered via live chat, telephone or email. It allows you to relax knowing support is only a click away.