Last Page update: 13 May 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 - (no hassle download is required) Europe's biggest poker network $12.5 million USD in monthly guarantees.
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, EuroCard, Neteller, Asia365, 1-Pay, Stone-Pay, MoneyTT, Moneybookers, paysafecard, FirePay, EntroPay, Click2Pay, Ukash, Fast Bank Transfer, Bank Wire, FedEx, 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 players)
TOP 3 POKER SITES:
Our top recommended online poker rooms**:
**Where we make the most money & have the most hassle-free fun.
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.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Players from around the world including Americans from 39 States are welcome to play poker at Doyles Room.
Tonight we're fishing at Bodog 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.
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: Instant Check, NETeller*, Click2Pay*, Moneybookers*, Speedcard*, eWalletXpress, NUcharge, Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard), Checks, FirePay*, myCitadel*, CentralCoin*, Checks (* = non US players only)
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
Doyles Room Review
- Microgaming Poker Network
- Private Doyles Den card room
- Play Doyle Brunson & Mike Caro
Ladbrokes Poker Review
- UK's biggest company
- Amazing new 3D poker option
- Up to 30% rake back
POKER REVIEWS:
REVIEWS
Carbon Poker is owned by CarbonPoker.com NV (Netherlands Antilles) with it's ops team based out of Brisbane, Australia. An innovative, boutique style poker room with some very cool play features that the more hyped poker sites are only just getting onto. Instant withdrawals once you've got a play history.
AROUND SINCE: 2005
LICENCED: Kahnawake Gaming Authority, Canada
SOFTWARE: Proprietary to Carbon Poker, an easy Macromedia Flash Download. Carbon Poker is a member of the Merge Gaming Network so offers reasonable 7x24 traffic
COMMENTS: Top really free, Freeroll poker. Friendly and safe for beginners, a growing high roller membership too. Excellent software - very easy to follow and multitable. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Badugi, Razz, 7-Card Stud, 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo, 5-Card Stud, 5-Card Draw, Ace to Five Lowball (A-5 Lowball Triple Draw Poker), Deuce to Seven Lowball (2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Poker) HORSE tables & tournaments, plus great blackjack and side games too.
PAYMENT OPTIONS: Credit Cards (Visa & Mastercard), Moneybookers, ECO card, PINcard, Neteller, InstaCash, ePassporte, Citadel, Wirecard, WalletXpress, Click2Pay, Checks, Money Transfers, Fonelinx
CURRENCIES: Euros, Pounds, USD (Like most poker sites, play is in US Dollars)
JOIN BONUS: A 100% deposit match bonus up to $500 on your initial deposit. Code:100FIRST1K Earned at $1/300 points, 90 days to earn it. Re-up bonuses & giveaways. MayDay promo starts soon!
(Sorry, no Australians or Singaporeans)
FEATURED POKER ROOM:
Best HIGH STAKES poker:
HIGH STAKES POKER:
COMPARE POKER ROOMS:
Choose an online poker room | Play the best Internet poker | Up to date poker site reviews, comparisons and ratings
