Online Poker Reviews

PARTY POKER REVIEW

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Overview:  4/5

Party Poker is known for being one of the largest poker rooms online and having some of the weakest competition out there. This site retains strong ratings despite being downgraded for disallowing U.S. players. What international players can appreciate at Party Poker is the ability to find no-limit ring games consistently busy at all levels. I mostly play during the wee hours of the night and there are always several active tables at most limits with a seat open.

Party Poker constantly offers promotions to new players in terms of beginner's tables and freerolls, while still catering to bigger players with big tournament satellites and guaranteed tournaments. The software has also been recently upgraded with a few new features and the site allows players to choose between 3 bonus packages. Overall, this is a solid choice and a well-rounded poker site for international players.    

Bonus (30% up to $150) and Promotions:   5/5

If you go directly through Party Poker to create your account you won't find a deposit bonus for new players. If you go through our site, you can choose your bonus package and receive up to $150 extra. Please note that you'll need to visit Party Poker through our site and/or use our bonus codes to receive a signup bonus. If you'd like to get a flat $25 extra on any deposit, visit Party Poker and use bonus code 25FREECASH at signup.

If you're depositing more than $100 it makes more sense to choose our 30% bonus, good up to $150. Use bonus code 30FREECASH at signup for the 30% offer. If you're a tournament player you also have the option of using bonus code FREEPPMSAT for a free entry into a Party Poker Million satellite qualifier. Their deposit bonuses are easily cashed out, which I appreciate. Besides the bonus, you'll have a chance to enter a private $5,000 freeroll as a new player - a respectable prize pool.

Another perennial Party Poker promotion is the satellite structure to get into the Party Poker Million, which used to be a stop on the WPT circuit and is still a massive live event. Finally, there are numerous promotions for regular players such as private freerolls and step tournaments. Overall, this is one of the model poker sites in terms of promotional opportunities.

Bonus code 25FREECASH will get you $25 extra on any deposit.

Bonus code 30FREECASH will get you 30% extra up to $150.

Bonus code FREEPPMSAT will get you a free satellite entry for the Party Poker Million.

Fish:   4/5

Party Poker has a reputation for hosting some of the worst players online. While I don't completely disagree, I don't want you to expect a cakewalk when you sit down at these tables. Yes, the players are largely inexperienced who have been sucked in by a Party Poker TV commercial. However, you can't put every player at your table in this category so I suggest that you observe the table for a couple of rounds before you assume anything. That being said, these player's aren't very good on the whole.

Many of your opponents will overvalue the bluff, and I find a much higher bluffing rate than at other sites. Also, many other opponents overvalue the continuation bet. They might have had a decent hand before the flop, but they don't understand that they need to connect it with the board in order to keep betting on the flop and beyond. On the whole, tight-aggressive and experienced players will almost always have the advantage at Party Poker tables.

Tournaments:   5/5

The large number of traffic means that Party Poker is able to host some great tournaments. Besides hosted tournaments, we're pleased to now offer all our new players huge private freerolls with prizes like free WSOP seats. Since their network hosts so many players, they can afford to hold huge events. It is truly remarkable how large online tournaments have gotten. It wasn't long ago that you wouldn't see a half million dollar prize pool for most live tourneys. Often, this site will draw a larger prize pool than that as a weekly event.

If you can't afford the direct buy-in to their largest events you can win a multi-table or single-table qualifier. Along with regular freerolls for frequent players, they host lots of satellites into live tournaments. Omaha and Stud players will appreciate that Party Poker hosts a few tournaments that draw considerable traffic to these alternatives. Limit hold 'em players even have their pick of quite of few fixed events.  In terms of tournament buy-in range, low-limit players will find a good number of $10 or less buy-ins. In fact, these are probably the most popular events. One perk from having so much tournament traffic is that Party Poker can offer multi-table Sit 'n Go tournaments, which is also a neat concept. 

Software:   4/5

The Party Poker software is basic, but offers what you need. The graphics are fine without being overly detailed, and the game speed is pretty quick. They've just launched a major update that has made some important improvements in terms of functionality. If you're playing with a decent resolution display you can resize, tile, or cascade windows to make multi-table play easier. The visuals for the lobby and cashier have also been somewhat streamlined. The tables now have actual names, the no-limit cash games are listed by blind levels, the hands/hour stat is visible from the lobby, and you can add certain games to a Favorites list.

Some extra features include a Blackjack feature that will pop up in its own window. If you get bored at your poker table, you can use the same account money at Blackjack. Their new goal seems to be to link your single Party Poker cash account with their casino front. Personally, I'll stick to the skill games, however some players might enjoy this extra feature.

Also, players now have the ability to make side wagers on the color of the following hand's flop. All 3 cards have to be one color, and the odds of hitting this are extremely thin. I highly recommend staying away from this feature unless you're really bored and want to throw your money away. Overall, this is playable software without a lot of frills. 

Payouts:   4.5/5

Another positive about playing with such a huge company is the financial stability. They're only worth 153 bazillion dollars, so they aren't going to have a problem about cashing out your $100. Their cashout page is very extensive, and you generally receive your money within 12 hours to NETeller. You can also now link your checking account right to your Party Poker account, so you can make deposits and withdrawals directly to and from your checking account through the software.

Customer Service:   5/5

Party Poker provides telephone numbers for countries around the world. I always appreciate telephone support if I'm really impatient and just need to talk with someone about the issue. They also offer direct e-mail support, which is answered quickly.

On a personal note, I was recently particularly impressed with their e-mail support team. I saw an advertisement after cashing out to join the Poker Players Alliance, which is a coalition of players who advocate lessening legislative restrictions against poker in the U.S. According to the blip, I would receive an extra $25 in my Party Poker account in addition to my membership at a price of $20. However, I didn't receive the $25 after waiting several hours.

I e-mailed their customer support team and learned that the offer was expired (even though it was still posted on their cashier). Okay, no big deal. It sounded like a good cause, anyway. Then, the customer representative went on to tell me that they were giving me $50 instead as I had played a large amount of raked hands at the site. Wow. Customer support making things right in the 21st century? I was floored.

Player Traffic

Simply put - enormous. Party Poker battles between Poker Stars for the top ring game and tournament traffic and this is one of their biggest advantages. For Hold'em, you can find dozens of tables filled up at each limit, and they even have some busy Omaha and Stud tables for mixed-game players. Tournament traffic is also massive for both multi-table and single-table events. If you're looking for the most action in terms of traffic, here it is. Please note that the traffic at this site is suffering a major drawback due to their decision to pull out of the US market.

Best Features

Tons of traffic. This site holds an enormous share of the online poker market, so you'll never have to worry about empty tables or cancelled tournaments.

Strong player promotions. They do hold a good number of promotions for both new players and loyal returning players.

Good deposit bonuses. I give them credit for offering a couple of easy-to-earn deposit bonuses for new players with our bonus codes.

Big tournaments. Their $500,000 guaranteed event is huge, and they offer a lot of tournaments for serious players.  

Game Selection: Hold 'em, Omaha, Omaha H/L, 7 card stud, 7 card stud H/L

Limits: Limit: 50c/$1 up to $100/$200     No-Limit: 10c/25c up to $10/$20

Party Poker has recently added even smaller limits for new depositors. You're able to play at these tables for the first 45 days of your account.

Deposit Methods: NETeller, Firepay, checking accounts, major credit cards, and wire transfers. Their Cashier is pretty extensive, so even if you don't have a NETeller account you can deposit directly through your checking account.

Minimum Deposit: $50

Tips: As I mentioned in the Fish section, I usually find a lot more blind aggression on Party Poker than on other sites. Many of your opponents will raise a lot more hands than you would, and will continue to bet out regardless of if they hit their drawing hands. For a timid player, this can be a difficult situation. To improve your table image and winning percentage, I recommend that you call more often with more hands at an aggressive table.

For example, let's say that I play 5-6 suited from the button to mix it up, and 4 of us see a flop of 3-6-7. The first player bets about the size of the pot, and everyone else folds. About half of the time, I will probably fold as well. However, look at all the outs you have in this hand. You could hit the 4 for a straight, and even if you put him on pocket Aces (which isn't all that likely), another 5 or 6 will win you the pot. Since these players like to bluff, you might even have the best hand already. If you get checked to on the turn, consider tossing in a pot-sized bet yourself. Much of the time, you'll win it right there or improve on the river if you get called.

Don't always assume a big hand from a big bet on Party Poker, and consider staying with a hand with a lot of potential outs. At time same time, don't become a calling station and leak a good size of your stack with mediocre cards. Pick and choose your battles, but play aggressively when you do stay in.  

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