Current Winners on playersbest.com: Best Poker Provider
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Checking All Engines: What We Test to Find a Great Poker Site
Of course, helping you understand what makes a great betting operator is only part of why I’m breaking down our shuttle’s methods for testing betting sites. We also want to show off, ahum, I mean show you, just how much goes into our operator reviews and just how tough it is to get a coveted recommendation from me. That way, you know that when I say something is good, that effort and thought has gone into that decision, and you can utilise those recommendations as a baseline of quality.
Everything set? OK crew, let’s prepare for an entire rundown of operations.
Variety and Popularity
The reason I’ve placed both of these testing subjects together is that when it comes to poker sites, variety and popularity actually go together. Confused? Well, no need to worry, it’s only your first day at cyberspace school. Variety comes in a few different forms.
Firstly, there’s the variety of types of poker games, then the variety of limits available and finally, the variety of tournaments. Unlike most casino games, however, these all require a lot of people to fill up those tables, meaning that less people means less variety in a way it wouldn’t for something like slots. That popularity creates its own kind of versatility too in the sense that you want as broad a selection of abilities as possible to ensure that people of all different kinds of skill sets can find a game to their level and liking.
Testing this is a matter of seeing what options are available and then entering a wide variety of different games to see if indeed the site in question has the popularity to make good on their potential. Like water on a new planet, I’m very much of the opinion that more pretty much is always a good thing in terms of game variety and popularity.
Security and Reputation
The galaxies that make up betting in cyberspace may have plenty in common but can be very distinctive, and often have different things I need to consider when assessing their quality. There is, however, one constant in the cosmos – it’s like the need for sunshine to sustain life. This is that no matter how you prefer to bet, there’s never a more important consideration than your security.
Reputation is here because not only is it a really vital thing to check in its own right but it also makes up one of our first security checks. You see, testing security is overwhelmingly about research. We research for their licensing, history, encryption, privacy policy, responsible gaming policy, past incidents – oh yes, the space core has all of this on file – and their reputation. I’m obviously looking for positive responses all round here. Positive things from their customers, as free as possible from security problems, and so on.
The only other test I can reasonably conduct would be to use the site myself and to note any security problem I have. But this happening to a noticeable degree on one account is quite unlikely and not a thorough testing measure, which is why checking out other people’s experiences via their reputation is so important.
Software Quality (including mobile)
The quality of your experience using a poker site will depend massively on the quality of the software. Poker sites can be incredibly technically complicated and that means that any slowdown, lag, unpredictability, glitches, broken links etc, won’t only make you more annoyed than a martian on holiday in Venus, but can actually cost you money.
Part of my tests here have already been completed during my thorough look into their reputation: this will surely come up. However, I also need to push the site to its limit both on desktop and on mobile and note any kind of technical issues. The less, the better. How do I push it to its limit? Well, I try running as many things as I can before encountering problems, making a point of doing what must logically be the most technically demanding things on the site and heading over for these tests at peak times.
Useability
At one time – in what feels in a galaxy far, far away – poker was rather an elitist game. Sure, it could logically be played anywhere but it came to prominence in many private members clubs, where you needed a certain level of wealth, social status and power to get in. At least, that was the case on Pluto a few lightyears ago. Playing in cyberspace though, means that anyone can get involved, and that is a wonderful thing.
Useability can be tested in a few ways. One is in the design of the site. It’s not enough for an operator to work well: it needs to be simple enough to appeal to the mainstream. If it can balance that with great game depth, we’re onto a winner. Once again, playing on the site itself and backing my opinions up with feedback is the best way of assessing this.
Another important factor in usability is banking options, and as an extension of that, its available countries. Banking options must not just be varied, but most also have reasonable fees and transaction times. They must also deliver what they promise and be easy enough for anyone to use. The only way of testing this is by depositing and withdrawing funds myself and making notes of my experiences to pass onto you.
Other Products
Of course, I’ve met enough ambitious young astronauts to know that it’s pretty unlikely you’ll be content just to stay in one place. Well, some of you might. You may just like poker and nothing else. If so, that’s absolutely fine. However, many people like their gambling sites to be multifaceted, so I always take how well they do everything else into account when considering a site.
Now, doing less doesn’t mean that an operator is bad. Indeed, there are some sites that are dedicated poker software. In this case, I wouldn’t consider them lesser than a jack-of-all-trades option. It’s just targeted at a different audience. This is important because my tests for the best poker providers are more than just saying whether an operator is good, but also who they’re good for. Speaking of which…
Bringing it Back Down to Earth: Finding the Right Poker Site For You
So, when it comes to finding the best online poker provider for you, what exactly should you be looking for? Well, I may as well begin where I started. The first thing you’ll want to decide is whether you want your online poker provider to do other things.
There are some sites which specialise in poker and nothing else, and for many people, that’ll be absolutely fine. They may only be interested in poker or they may actually already be signed up to a betting site which offers them everything else they want with regards to casino and sportsbook options. If that’s the case, then a poker exclusive option might be a perfect fit.
If not, things get a little bit more complicated. Now you’ll need to figure out what other things you want out of a betting site and ensure your poker site ticks all those boxes. Have a good think about what you want to bet on right now, as well as what you may want to bet on in the future.
In addition, you’ll also want to consider what poker specific qualities you might like. What level of player are you? Do you need site recommendations for beginners? How important are promotions to your final decision? Do you play on mobile or desktop? What banking options are suitable? What kind of stakes do you play and what kind of tournaments are you interested in? Once this is settled, you should have an overview of the type of thing you’re looking for.
This is where our reviews and recommendations come in. As our standards are so high, you can rest assured that if it’s gotten a positive review from us, they’ll have strong standards in all of the criteria previously mentioned. Military standards and all that. We also make a big effort as part of our write ups to make it clear who that poker site (or any other betting site) might be right for. You can then use what you’ve decided about your best online poker provider and with our help, find that betting match you’re cosmically aligned with.
1.
18+ bet365 Poker – Welcome Package of up to £365. £365 bonus is redeemed in instalments based on Status Points earned. Tickets and prize wheel spins expire after seven days. Time limits, exclusions and T&Cs apply. For more information about this offer please visit the website. Registration Required.
2.
Stake £10 & Get 50 Free Spins
Min. Deposit: 10
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terms and conditions apply.
www.gambleaware.org
3.
200% up to £200
Min. Deposit: £10
Editor’s Recommendations: The Universe’s Best Poker Provider
One principle I’ve tried to live with during all my missions, all my distant travels, is that I’m not here to push my beliefs onto anybody else. Freedom is what this battalion is all about, my fellow space soldiers. That also means I have no intention of telling you which site is right for you.
As I’ve made telescopically clear, this is about aiding you with all the information you need to make a decision on the best online poker provider. Of course, this includes helping separate the rest from the best, but in terms of what’s right for you at that top standard, the final decision is all yours.
That said, I do get requests over the intercom from time to time about best online poker recommendations. I get it, you look up to me and respect me. It’s only natural considering my many gallant achievements. Well, I’ve selected three that I think are not only excellent but will appeal to many of you. Of course, if something else happens to be the best online poker provider for you, that’s absolutely fine. But this should give you a good idea of what great options are out there.
1. 888Sport
One thing that will probably become clear in my three picks is that I’ve decided to go with those which do branch out into other areas. That’s because I think most people like their betting sites to do many things nowadays, and there’s plenty of jack-of-all-trades sites which have utterly fantastic poker products.
888Sport
though is a little bit different, providing the best of both universes in such a way that they take my top spot. You see, 888Sport isn’t really just one betting site. It’s more like three different dedicated sites: one for sports, one for casino and one for poker, all flying under the same banner of quality. There’s also a level of integration in terms of your account which means you get all the quality you’d expect from a dedicated poker option, while also being able to enjoy the versatility and variety of more of an all rounder.
If you know anything about 888Sport, you’ll know that everything here is absolutely world-class, with their poker product being a perfect example. The software is excellent, the user base broad and varied, with tournaments suitable for all skill levels and it’s every bit as good whether you’re betting as an expert, a newcomer or anywhere in between.
What made this my pick though – and keep in mind there’s a incredible amount of world-class competition out there – is that you don’t even need to put any money down to see what real money games are like. That’s right, you can get started with a £20 free bonus, and, get this, no deposit is needed. It’s absolutely ideal if you’re unsure of which betting site might be right for you because they’ve essentially provided a free trial.
Considering just how good their poker product is, I think many people will consider them the best choice for them, and end up staying exactly where they are long after the bonus has run out. There’s only one way to find out though.
2. Bet365
Quite honestly, seeing
Bet365
appear on the best of anything is never really a surprise. You could make a case for them being one of the operators in the known universe all round, not just the best online poker provider. In fact, the worst thing I can say about this industry giant is that it’s possible that you’ll simply enjoy another operator more, rather than having anything actively negative to say about them. They’re trustworthy, varied and of an incredibly high quality, and all this hits you like a meteorite when it comes to their poker offering.
Firstly, there’s arguably no technical challenge greater than running silky smooth poker games between real life players, especially when we’re talking about big tournaments. While others may struggle with this task, for a betting behemoth like Bet365, it’s just an opportunity to showcase their skills and they come out with one of the most enjoyable poker designs I’ve ever seen.
Speaking of tournaments, perhaps more than any other operator, Bet365 benefits from that massive pool of players. This allows them to provide games of all kinds, from straightforward cash games to Twister Sit & Gos. Combine all this with a €365 bonus for new players, a welcome prize spin wheel, amazing mobile integration and around the clock customer service and this is an absolute star, worthy of being your ideal poker site.
3. Betfair
It’s ironic, that of all the heavy hitters in the gambling galaxy,
Betfair
are perhaps the most unfairly pigeonholed. Really, they’re a victim of their own success. They’ve so firmly placed themselves as one of – arguably the, but there’s always room for disagreement – best betting exchange in the world, that people often forget about all the other things they do so very, very well.
Aside from a traditional sportsbook and casino site, they can also stake their claim to being the best online poker provider. Certainly, if you’re looking for a candidate which does it all, it very well may be perfect for you. No afterthought, their poker product provides hundreds of tournaments, a consistently solid pool of players, and technically excellent software that’s easy to understand but has enough depth for all kinds of experts. You can play instantly or download for the complete experience. There’s even an installation guide so no one gets lost.
Speaking of accessibility, one of the things I appreciate most about Betfair is how well they break up games across table limits and buy-ins, so players of different abilities can easily find the sweet spot for them. On top of that, they have arguably the most impressive bonus selection of any top poker site, combining a great 200% welcome bonus plus €500 in free tickets with great loyalty bonuses, daily prizes and more. Finally, there’s Betfair home game, custom built for private games with your friends.
Last Words Before Liftoff: A Brave New World for Everyone
Something that online betting really doesn’t get enough credit for is how it has opened up games to everyone. Not only do you not have to go out your way to a casino to play poker, but you can do so from anywhere and for pennies if you would like. If you’re a beginner, you can find a game that’s perfect for you or even just practise for free until you’re confident enough to play with cash. Even the more old-school ways of sitting around and having a game with friends has been made easier thanks to the move online.
When enjoying your best online poker provider, try not to take for granted the incredible rocket boost of accessibility this and so many other games have benefited from in the last few decades. I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey with me today, cadet, and that it has lit your way to your ideal betting destination.
1.
18+ bet365 Poker – Welcome Package of up to £365. £365 bonus is redeemed in instalments based on Status Points earned. Tickets and prize wheel spins expire after seven days. Time limits, exclusions and T&Cs apply. For more information about this offer please visit the website. Registration Required.
2.
Stake £10 & Get 50 Free Spins
Min. Deposit: 10
#Ad • 18+ • Play Safe • New customers using Promo code M50 only. Opt in required. 1x per customer. Mining Pots of Gold™ only. Min £10 stake. Max 50 Free Spins at 10p per spin. Free Spins expire 24 hours from issue. Max redeemable £30. Eligibility rules, game, location, currency, payment-method restrictions and
terms and conditions apply.
www.gambleaware.org
3.
200% up to £200
Min. Deposit: £10
4.
