We specialise in online poker room reviews. Check out our detailed independent poker site reviews at PokerLabRat.com. Make informed decisions on where to play online poker.
Last Page update: 12 October 2008
POKER NEWS:
WELCOME to the PokerLabRat.com poker room test site.
We aim to help you to find the best and safest online poker room on the Internet for fun, profit and challenge.
As industry professionals we objectively evaluate poker sites (the good, the bad and the ugly high risk ones) against formal test critera.
We publish poker room reviews on only the top 15 poker sites so you don't have to lose your shirt to dodgy operators or waste your time playing endless mediocre poker.
Check out the latest poker room reviews or visit our top rated poker sites
INDEPENDENT POKER ROOM RATINGS
FEATURED POKER ROOM:
Bet365 Poker, also known as Poker365 is part of Bet365 Ltd, one of the UK's leading betting & gaming groups. A top European sports bookmaker, great online poker & top-of-the-line Playtech Casino via one account. A very professional 24X7 operation with a great reputation for fair play and quick payouts.
AROUND SINCE: 1974
LICENCED: Gibraltar
SOFTWARE: Playtech iPoker (a no-hassle download is required) Europe's biggest poker network now over $20 million USD in monthly guarantees and fantastic cash game action 24x7.
COMMENTS: Great 'no lose' tournaments (finish in the money or your buy-in back). Excellent poker school & play guides. Regular promotions & giveaways. Ultra safe with lots of cash game fish & good bankroll building play due to Sportsbook side of the business.
PAYMENT OPTIONS: Debit Cards (Maestro, Electron, Solo, Delta, Laser), Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Instadebit, Asia365, 1-Pay, Stone-Pay, MoneyTT, Moneybookers, paysafecard, EntroPay, Click2Pay, Ukash, Fast Bank Transfer, Bank Wire, FedEx, IMOS, Mail Deposits and Money Transfers, Cheque.
CURRENCIES: 27 accepted ARS, AUD, BRL, BRL, CAD, RMB, CZK, DKK, EUR, HKD, HUF, ISK, JPY, MYR, MXN, NZD, NOK, PLZ, RON, SEK, SGD, ZAR, CHF, TWD, THB, GBP, USD
JOIN BONUS: up to $600 as a 200% first deposit match (bonus released at $10 for every 365 poker merit points earned. You've 90 days to earn the full $600 bonus.
(Sorry, no US, Dutch or German players)
TOP 3 POKER SITES:
Our top recommended online poker rooms**:
**Where we make the most money & have the most hassle-free fun.
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Players from around the world including the USA can play for free or real money at Carbon Poker
Get ready for some trick or treating at CarbonPoker.com in October!
Tonight we're fishing at Carbon Poker - join us in a cash game!
There are rogue operators out there that you can not trust to manage your poker account, let alone have access to your credit card and other details!
All sites on PokerLabRat.com are assessed against specific criteria and come personally recommended.
Members of team LabRat play regularly at all sites we recommend.
>>Check out the criteria we apply to
determine good, safe poker sites
>>Read more about PokerLabRat.com
>>Visit our Poker blog
... or send us an email - we'd love to hear from you!
Remember not all online poker sites are "safe"!
FROM THE RAT:
POKER TIPS:
Bodog Poker, part of Bodog Entertainment, is based out of Antigua in the Caribbean although owner, billionaire Calvin Ayre, has strong links to Canada. Licenced in Kahnawake, Canada. Bodog also holds gambling licenses in Antigua and the UK.
AROUND SINCE: 1994 (They dealt their billionth poker hand late November 2007)
SOFTWARE: Proprietary to Bodog. Quick, safe & easy to download. Not networked, so just Bodog players. Good traffic, especially during peak US times and a wide range of buy-ins and stake ranges. New features just out: full screen mode, resizable tables, embedded chat & game details, on-demand player tools
COMMENTS: Popular especially with US players. $5 million guaranteed in prizes each month mainly for Texas Holdem tournaments. Fast and easy to play "no frills" poker. Not the prettiest poker software on the net but ultra popular, especially as you can place sports bets, watch mixed martial art fights, play casino games, download music - all from one account. Bodog is basically an online digital media and entertainment business.
We've found the fishing great at Bodog, more competitive at higher stakes tables. Good table stats. Freerolls 10-15 each day - mainly requiring 30-1000 play points. New player freerolls.
PAYMENT OPTIONS: US members can deposit by VirtualPIN, eWalletXpress or Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard). Other options for non US residents include Neteller, PaySafeCard, Click2Pay, Moneybookers, eWalletXpress and Speedcard. Call them if stuck!
CURRENCIES: All play in USD. Deposit Euros, Pounds or US Dollars.
JOIN BONUS: All players can claim a 10% first deposit match bonus - upcapped. The more you deposit the more you get. (bonus is playable within 30 minutes of your deposit). Earn 3 Poker Points for every bonus dollar before you can withdraw.
-OR-
For a limited time, earn a 110% deposit match to $500. Just make a deposit for an immediate upfront cash bonus of 10%. Then for every 10 poker points you earn in the next 30 days, Bodog will give you an extra $1 bonus up to a 100 percent match of the first deposit to a maximum of $500.
(Sorry. no Canadian Players)
FEATURED POKER ROOM:
WANT TO LEARN POKER?
Try Bet365 No Lose Tournaments - finish in the money or get your buy-in back! Way better than freerolls. Prizes to $500 daily.
Bet365 Beginner Freerolls & Cash Tables - available for 90 days after you join. Learn the easy way!
>>Visit Bet365 Poker
POKER PROMOTIONS:
MOUSE OVER FOR SECOND POKER ROOM IMAGE
Best poker room
SIDE GAMES:
A BIT ON THE SIDE:
TIPS
This week we've updated the following poker room reviews:
Full Tilt Poker Review
- THE poker site if you're good
- High stakes cash games
- Play & chat to the professionals
Bet365 Poker Review
- Biggest European poker network
- Stylish sportsbook & casino too
- Ultra safe with lots of player
feedback & commendations
Carbon Poker Review
- Great-to-play Merge Network
- Hundreds of Free Freerolls (no
points required)
- US Friendly, lots of pay methods
Ladbrokes Poker Review
- UK's biggest company
- Amazing new 3D poker option
- Up to 30% rake back
POKER REVIEWS:
REVIEWS
Doyles Room is operated by the DBPN (Doyle Brunson Poker Network), and is the fastest growing member of the popular Microgaming Poker Network. Pros Doyle Brunson & Mike Caro endorse and stand behind this top rating online poker room.
AROUND SINCE: 2004
LICENCED: Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
SOFTWARE: Microgaming Poker Download
COMMENTS: Doyles Room offers good 7x24 cash game traffic at all levels. An innovative, stylish poker room with some very cool play features that the more hyped poker sites are only just getting onto. Doyles Room runs the best Bounty Tournaments on the net (get your buy-in back the first time you play in one). Really free freerolls too & lots of free poker educational stuff.
It's friendly & safe for beginners, a growing high roller membership too. Very popular poker software - very easy to follow & multitable with Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, and all the best poker games available including HORSE tables & tournaments, plus great blackjack and casino side games.
PAYMENT OPTIONS: VISA, MasterCard, GiroPay, ePassporte, eWalletExpress, PIC-Club (US-OK), Moneybookers, Neteller, Instadebit, InstaCash, electronic Check, Cash Transfer, bank wire/transfer. Also Debit cards: Maestro, Switch, Solo. Easy, reliable and safe. Just call toll free with any Qs.
CURRENCIES: All major currencies are accepted (Like most poker sites, play is in US Dollars)
JOIN BONUS: A 110% deposit match bonus up to $660 on your initial deposit. Code:GOG110b You get $1 bonus for every 90 Loyalty points you earn. Your 110% Bonus will be automatically deposited into your account as extra bankroll. Easy. Regular Re-up bonuses & giveaways too. (eg Entry to 8x$1000 Freerolls)
(Players from around the world welcome including US Players
from all States except Louisiana and Washington State)
FEATURED POKER ROOM:
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