Do you have to be an avid poker player to sign up for 888 online poker and enjoy the game? No. The very concept of playing poker online instead of at a table might seem less exciting, but it isn’t. The atmosphere may be a little bit more relaxed, but there’s just as much going in the game to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The 888 group have been operating for some time and 888 Poker is the official sponsor to the World Series of Poker. By sponsoring the WSOP, they’re putting their reputation on the line, so you can be sure they’ve put some thought into delivering a quality experience for the players.
And a quality experience they do deliver. For a start, the brand has made online poker more accessible, by providing it on apps for Android and iOS so that players can enjoy games while they’re on the move. If you’re new to the app, you can just download it, create an account and then you get a bonus of £20 free to play. You don’t have to pay a deposit either for this offer.
Besides the bonus, the other good news is that you don’t have to be an advanced player to start playing. 888 are quite happy for you to play in practice mode before you start putting real money on games, which gives you a nice little opportunity to build your skills first. Instead of playing for real money, you’ll play for virtual money and can still experience the thrill of winning.
What about the games themselves? There’s plenty of choice. You can play the ever-exciting Texas Hold’em, Omaha or 7 card stud. You can play cash games, sit-and-go games or tournaments. Tournaments are regular and offer superb prizes. In fact, if you know your stuff at the table, they can be highly lucrative. Some tournaments you can enter for as little as a penny and other tournaments can be a steal, since you’ll come across weaker players in them, which you can use to your advantage and play more aggressively.
There’s also a SNAP option which keeps games flowing, so if you like your games fast and furious, then this is the option for you. There are no questions or hesitations when a player folds. The cards just keep coming and the game rolls on.
If you have any concerns about your safety playing poker online with 888, you needn’t worry. The company takes the utmost care to protect its users and offers secure payment methods such as Visa and PayPal so that players can deposit money into their gaming accounts safely. 888 is also floating on the stock exchange, so if there are any problems, they’re answerable to their (angry) shareholders.
In terms of reliability as an operator, 888 have won several awards. From 2011 to 2013, they won the EGR Best Poker Operator of the Year. They’ve also won the EGR Best Gaming Product prize in 2012 and, in 2010, Socially Responsible Operator of the Year. Have no fears about this company. Some online have questioned whether the brand rig the games, but awards like this dispel such rumours instantly. 888 are highly reputable.
When it comes to gaming styles, you have multiple options: you can play face to face with real players, rather than stare at avatars all the time, if you prefer it. You have the option of whether to show your folded cards and to choose how the tables react when it’s your turn. If you’re a bit of a pro, you can also play up to four tables at the same time (although many experts would advise against this, purely because of the sheer pressure you’re placing on yourself by doing it). Then you have more standard features, such as pot amount displays, chats to other players and note-taking.
The graphics of the games are crisp and clear, which helps the player settle into the game easier. The speed of the games is generally faster online than live poker and when it comes to winning or losing, players should also consider the variance — that is the upswings and downswings in poker — before making snap judgements about the games or the site. Playing styles, the type of game itself and the type of bet — no limits versus limits poker, for instance — can all affect the variance and the perception of winning or losing.
One of the big positives about playing on the 888 site is the speed of the pay-outs. 888 don’t waste any time and, generally, pay out within one or two days of a win. In the case of bigger wins, they may t spread the payout across several months, depending on the size of the win. Either way, 888 are a trusted operator and don’t adopt the sneaky tactic that some do of taking a long time to payout so that the player will tire of waiting and gamble away their winnings.
888 online poker is a joy to play, not just because of the slick gameplay and visuals, but also because of the general integrity and trustworthiness of the brand itself. While running a profitable business, the operator takes immense care to provide the player with a secure but enjoyable gaming experience. This has been one of the secrets to its success in the online sphere.
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