888 Poker

888 Poker is one of the world’s leading poker brands and is part of the 888 group that also has an online casino and sports book. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, the company has been in operation since 1997 and won Poker Operator of the Year in the eGaming Review Awards in 2011 – 2013. 888 Poker is accessible on desktop, mobile and tablet and offers a wide variety of cash games and tournaments 24/7, with thousands of players online at any one time and over 10 million users worldwide.

Welcome Bonus

For players new to 888 Poker, there are two Welcome Bonuses available. The first is an $88 no deposit bonus that you receive simply for downloading the free 888 Poker software and signing up for a new account with a valid email address, with no bonus codes are required. The second Welcome Bonus is a 100% match on your first deposit, up to $200, effectively doubling your bankroll from the outset. This introductory offer bonus is made in instalments – for every 100 Bonus Points you accumulate, you receive $10 of the bonus amount. Bonus points are earned when you play cash games or buy-in to tournaments (and can also be picked up when you play in the 888 online casino). A bonus meter that displays on your screen always lets you know how many bonus points you’ve earned and how far you are away from obtaining the next one, and you have 90 days in which to claim the full Welcome Bonus amount. Winnings earned with bonus money can be withdrawn when the wagering requirements of 2.5 Bonus Points per $1 of bonus have been met. New players at 888 Poker are also eligible for further rewards as part of the Welcome Bonus. These include free entry into a $1,000 Depositors’ Free tournament along with entry into a further seven $500 First Depositors’ Freeroll tournaments. You are eligible for free entry into the First Depositors' Challenge tournament on the Friday after you sign up for an account and make your first deposit, with the top 10 placegetters then having the opportunity to play in the Sunday Challenge tournament that same week. First Depositors’ Freeroll tournaments take place daily and new players are also eligible to enter seven of these for free, each with a $500 first prize.

Games

There is a wide range of games on offer at 888 Poker, all with different buy-in levels so that all players can be sure of finding a seat at a table that suits their bankroll. There are also free poker games and entry into a wide array of tournaments, all of which combine to make 888 Poker one of the world’s foremost poker sites. You can play at 888 Poker either via free software download or in Instant Play (Flash mode, no download required). You can choose to play your game of choice at 888 Poker as a cash game (also known as a ring game) or as a Sit & Go game, with both options offering games at all standards and buy-in levels, and you can also choose to play No limit, Limit and Pot Limit Games. The poker game variations available include:

• Texas Hold’em
• Seven Card Stud
• Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
• Omaha Hi
• Omaha Hi/Lo
• Snap Poker

In addition to the wide range of games on offer at 888 Poker, their innovative software means you can enjoy such features as PokerCam, 3D Poker and Teams Poker, as well as private games. You can also personalise your screen and avatar. 888 Poker use cutting-edge technology in their games and the fairness of the software and RNGs is certified by independent, third-party agencies.

Mobile

888 Poker has specialist apps for both Android and iOS where you can play Texas Hold’Em in both cash and Sit & Go games. There is also a practice play option. The app is free to download and is available directly from the 888 Poker site – if you have registered for an account a link is sent to you via email or SMS, or you can start downloading via QR code. It is possible to play at 888 Poker directly in your device’s browser, but players on a mobile will find the gaming experience on the app vastly superior. The app is extremely well designed and comes with a host of features. The graphics are clear and easy to read on any size of device and there are a range of game and buy-in sizes on offer, as at the main site. 888 Poker players can use the use the same username and log in details, and manage their account across all platforms and devices, making playing on the go easy and straightforward.

Promotions

888 Poker is very active in terms of promotions and offers for its existing and regular players. Players can earn frequent rewards through accumulating Status Points and Rewards Points and these points can be used to enter higher stake games and tournaments, or can be redeemed for prizes, including electronic goods, designer wear and luxury holidays. There are also regular invitations to a host of daily and weekly freeroll tournaments, along with Team Poker and Double or Nothing Tournaments. 888 Poker tournaments also provide players with the opportunity to qualify for major international poker events, including the WSOP Asia-Pacific Tournament Series, Aussie Millions and Asian Poker Tour.

Customer Support

• 24/7 customer support
• online help pages, detailing poker rules and strategy
• email from within site
• site available in 14 languages
• responsible gambling policy
• eCogra certified

Banking

Banking and online financial transactions at 888 Poker are protected through advanced security and privacy protocols, and they provide players with more than 20 different payment methods. These include Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards, EntroPay Virtual Visa Card, iDebit OBT system, POLi electronic fund transfers, Neteller and Skrill e-wallets, and direct bank transfer. If your deposit method is not able to be used for withdrawals, you will receive your funds via bank cheque instead.

Conclusion

888 Poker undoubtedly offers New Zealand players access to one of the best online poker rooms in the world. Players are extremely well looked after in terms of bonuses and promotions and the range of poker games and tournaments means there is always a seat at a table that is right for you, regardless of your experience, skill level or bankroll.