Party Poker Anywhere Review

Party Poker Summary

This is our Party Poker review in a nutshell. Party Poker is one of the best choices at which to play poker online provided you don't live in the USA. The software is excellent, the games are soft, and there is plenty of action round the clock.

Party Poker AnywhereParty Poker is one of the most popular venues for online poker play -- if you don't live in America. Party Poker boasted a larger customer base than any other single online poker site until the end of 2006 when they stopped accepting money from American customers due to questions about the legality of online betting in the USA.

There may be some good news -- in January of 2010, Party Poker worked out a deal with the US government. Though the details of this deal haven't been released as of this writing, it is safe to say that some clarification of American's ability to bet via Party Poker is coming down the pipeline.

This is good news not just because Party Poker is one of the top tier online poker sites, but because American customers didn't really get a chance to play with Party Poker Anywhere -- the "no download" version of Party Poker that was released just as American customers were shut out of play.

Party Poker Anywhere

Instead of downloading a bunch of software or worrying about compatability issues, you can now use Party Poker Anywhere to play cash games or practice on directly in your browser. This means that players wanting to use a Mac or otherwise incompatible computer system to access Party Poker can do so without having to change their computer steup.

Party Poker Anywhere is the "big brother" of Party Poker's beta version of no-download play called NoDownload. The difference? Party Poker Anywhere allows you to play for real money, features a much faster play interface than NoDownload, better graphics and improved menu options, and a few other "under the hood" improvements that can only make your experience more fun and potentially more lucrative.

Party Poker Anywhere is still being tested and improved, so if American customers get a chance to play at Party Poker again, you can bet that new additions and options will be added to satisfy their desires.

The release of Poker Anywhere is great news for Mac users who can finally play at Party Poker without using a PC emulator. Party Poker Anywhere also works with Linux.

Party Poker Premier League

Party Pooker Premier LeagueIf you consider yourself a poker stud and think you have what it takes to belly up to the big boys (Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, JC Tran, etc.) then Party Poker Premier League is right up your alley. Party Poker sponsors a tournament known as the Premier League in which 11 of the world's greatest poker players (and one lucky Party Poker customer) compete for a total purse of $1.5 million.

Party Poker offers lots of different ways to qualify for the final spot at the table of 12 in the form of tournaments on their website.

Party Poker Premier League qualifier events are apparently extremely popular at Party Poker, with people paying hundreds of dollars for the chance to qualify for the tournament that will determine an amateur who will play against big names for big money.

Party Poker Software Client / Usability

Party Poker was one of the original online poker rooms, and their software helped set the standard for online poker software. They have added features over time, including table filters and the ability to "save" your favorite tables.

Party Poker's lobby uses a simple "tree" structure to make finding games easy. Players select game type and buy-in level, then the software displays a list of available tables meeting that criteria. Additional filters can be selected above the table list. The software displays the average pot size at the cash game tables, but not the percentage of people seeing the flop. Table selection at cash games is easier at other poker rooms which offer this latter information.

Party Poker's tables are easy to use. The action buttons are big, access to your hand history data is easily accessible, and the "slider" for setting your bet size at the no limit and pot limit tables is also easy to use. The tables can be resized using your mouse, and you can play multiple tables.

Party Poker Cash Games Selection

The cash game selection at Party Poker is great. There always seems to be a table available to match all player preferences -- no matter the game and buy-in. Cash games are available for No-Limit, Pot-Limit and Fixed Limit Holdem, Omaha (high only and hi-lo) and 7-Card Stud and hi-lo.

Buy-ins and blind levels vary depending on game type and start at just cents - for example 5c / 10c Fixed Limit Holdem, and 2c / 4c No-Limit Holdem with a $2 minimum buy-in amount. Stud and Omaha games have slightly higher starting levels.

For the higher stakes players the table limits go right up to $250 / $500 fixed limit and $25 / $50 No-Limit Holdem - with levels in between to suit a wide variety of players.

Party Poker offer new players the chance to play at 'beginner tables'. These lower buy-in games are restricted to players who have joined within the last 30 days and feature fast and loose action. Party Poker also offer a progressive 'Bad Beat Jackpot' which can run into several hundred thousand dollars. Getting beaten holding quad 8's or better while sitting at a designated 'bad beat jackpot' table qualifies for this prize. The rake (fee) is slightly higher at these tables - which is how the jackpot prize accumulates.

Party Poker Tournament and SNG Selection

There are a large number of tournaments at a variety of buy-in levels available at Party. These range from the beginners 'lucky dollar' tournaments to the featured Sunday event the '$300k Guaranteed'. Many satellite tournaments are also on offer, these give prizes of seats in special events such as the 'Party Poker Million' and can be entered for as little as $3. Re-buy tournaments and turbo blind structures are also available.

Sit and Go players will never have to wait long for a game. A great feature of Party Poker SNGs is that you can choose your seat at the table - great for getting position on known opponents! The buy-in levels range from $6 to $350 - the fee at the lowest level is prohibitively large but the $10 and above SNGs are at the industry standard rates. Multi-table, 6-handed, heads-up and 'speed' SNGs are also available.

Party Poker offer 2 innovative SNG games in addition to their standard range. 'steps' allow you to move up (and down) buy-ins for a $3 investment - climbing the ladder to Step 6 gives you a shot at a $2000 prize. 'Hellkat' SNGs have a fixed time limit, with the prizes distributed according to chip counts at 15 or 30 minutes.

PartyPoker Bonuses And Promotions

The welcome bonus for Party Poker comes in the form of a 100% match on your first deposit up to $100 in specific units. Deposit $25 and earn $25 . . . $50 will earn you $50, and $100 will earn you $100. You'll have 30 days to "clear" the bonus by collecting 4 points for each dollar in bonus money - which is then released in a lump sum.

Points are awarded per 20 'raked hands' and depend on the level at which you play. For example, 5 points at 50c / $1 No-Limit Holdem. 2 points are also awarded for each dollar in tournament fees - relating to a 50% reduction in tournament (or SNG) costs while you are clearing the bonus.

In addition to the welcome bonus, Party Poker offers re-load bonuses on a regular basis. These range in value but are usually worth around $100. The Party Points themselves can be used to enter freerolls, steps tournaments and even the $300k guaranteed. As you accumulate more points your VIP Level will increase, meaning you earn these even faster. Party Poker VIP club members will also be able to participate in monthly freeroll tournaments.

Party Poker Customer Service

Party Poker provide customer support via e-mail or telephone. They have 24/7 phone support and even offer toll-free numbers for their Canadian and European players. There are several e-mail addresses depending on the nature of your query. Mail support is not as fast as at some sites, however all mails are answered which is a big plus.

Party Poker Banking

Party Poker use a dedicated cashier system known as 'Pay Pro'. This is secure, fast and easy to use for both deposits and withdrawals - a definite plus for any site!

Where your bank supports this Debit and Credit Card deposits are by far the easiest method to use - Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa Electron are all supported. Other deposit methods available include Switch / Solo, PaySafeCard, ClickandBuy, Neteller, Entropay, Click2pay and Moneybookers. Party Poker also support some forms of direct bank wire transfer.

Conclusion And Final Thoughts

It is very hard not to like Party Poker -- and with the relase of Party Poker Anywhere and a potential deal with the US government to allow some kind of access for US customers, their customer base is about to broaden extensively.

While no single factor of the website (software, bonuses or game selection) make Party Poker stand out in the crowd, the way that the total package works together make this a great poker room. The famously loose opposition, reload bonuses on top of the $150 sign-up, and simple yet effective design make this a great choice for online poker players of all abilities.

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