Suckout King
05-19-2006, 03:19 PM
<b>Guide to poker sites</b>
Here is a guide to a small number of the poker sites that are out there. I have included what I think are some of the best sites and also some of the sites that are offering the best bonuses. Sites are grouped by the poker network/ skin that they are part of and otherwise are in no particular order.
<a href="http://www.pokerstars.com?source=winningstart.com"><img src="http://www.pokerstars.com/bnrs/current/468x60.gif"></a>
<b> Poker Stars </b>
These guys are the biggest and at very least one of the best sites around. All there games represent good value with vigorish for the tournaments typically 10% regardless what buy in level with some small savings as the buy ins get high.
The lobby is easy to navigate and there are a wide variety of games on offer for every level. Many sites struggle to get regular 1$/2$ PLO games at any time - on stars you normally will get a choice. They have micro limit tournaments and sit and goes and satellites galore. What I particularly like about their satellites is that you can cash them in for tourney dollars if you want to. Often they bring out different forms of tourney such as the double shoot-outs. These guys are innovators and if you give them a try you will soon see why.
Their support is good and deals with disputes in a fair manner and whilst their bonuses are sporadic they are very good when offered and can be cleared without time constraints easily even through MTTs and SNGs as well as ring games
OK the down side. Not everyone will like their interface - there is nothing wrong with it but it lacks the simplicity of sites like Ultimate Bet, the glamour of some sites or the fun of say Party Poker. They have VERY few good freerolls and have no regular bonuses you can chose your own avatar from a jpeg of your choice which is a very popular feature
<b>I-poker Network</b>
<p></p>
<a href="http://banner.cdpoker.com/cgi-bin/redir.cgi?id=N&member=DEFAULT&profile=30free">
<img src="http://www.cpays-bfarm.com/new_tools/cdpoker/English/dollar/bnr/468x60/468x60_30.gif"></a>
Sites include: CD Poker, Bet Fred Poker and Titan Poker
NO USA PLAYERS ALLOWED
Despite incorporating several sites all with some games exclusive to themselves there only a moderate level of traffic on the I-poker network. It can be hard to get good action in ring games above low levels and there are not that many tournaments at any given time. If you want big tournaments regularly with $20+ buy ins and plenty of players then this network is not for you. If you like sngs and can cope with their slightly cluttered lobby and smaller - 100-500 player MTTs with reasonably low buy ins then it is worth giving some thought to trying. Both Titan and CD poker offer good sign up bonuses at the moment and Titan, CD poker and betfred all show some imagination with the games that they run independently. It is here that the site really scores. Titan are really accommodating for private tournaments and some represent good value if you visit the sites involved, bet fred have run some interesting games such as a valentines game with bounties and extra prizes of chocolates and flowers and are running a $1,000,000 guaranteed tournament in summer 2006.
This network is worth playing on for the bonuses and interesting games that come up from time to time. It is good for the small stacks ring and tournament player. I personally do not like the lobby interface which whilst looks quite good has no option to conceal games that are already underway. If you have a particular type of game you like 5$ 10 man games for instance there is a "next game" button in every tourney lobby. Even still it remains a draw back for me. If you like to multitable then this site is not particularly helpful for this and you will probably find yourself folding sometimes as a result.
This is a good network and ideal for any small stakes player. There will not be too many large tournaments or ring games to lure you into before you are ready.
<b>Prima Network</b>
<a href="http://www.riverbellepoker.com/Index.ASP?s=aff102529&b=sa253"> <img src="http://www.ClickedyClick.com/ads/rbp/sa253.gif"></a>
</p>
<!-- Affiliate Code Do NOT Modify--><a href="http://affiliate.dreampoker.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_520b_29"><img src="http://affiliate.dreampoker.com/processing/impressions.asp?btag=a_520b_29" alt="DreamPoker.com" border=0></a><!-- End affiliate Code-->
11 STATES IN USA CANNOT PLAY
There are loads of sites on the prima network including 32 Red Poker, Dream Poker, Royal Vegas Poker and Riverbelle Poker. Many casino sites seem to use prima for their poker side of their business.
Initially I was put off by the rather dull lobby, recently however I have grown to like it and the prima network in general. Prima looks a little like a computer directory with all sorts of menus etc. The games look more like files in cabinets than exciting poker games. However the ease of use outweighs the lack of glamour and you will come to appreciate the ease of finding whatever game you are looking for.
The table interface is good - I do not 100% like the way you slide the bet bar along to chose your bets. Most sites use some sort of exponential system for this which is what I am used to. If you move the bar a third of the way along you will wager 33% of your chips. There is nothing wrong with this though and once you get used to it you wont mind it at all.
Many prima sites offer a no deposit 10$ free which makes them really a good place for beginners to start. They have loads of micro limits tournaments and ring games as well. They have a reasonable amount of ring game action although not the choice and variety of the likes of poker stars and Party Poker.
At the moment Winning Start is offering people an added incentive to people who sign up and deposit with Riverbelle Poker- click here to hear more. Dream Poker are also worth giving a try. They have a few interesting games such as the occasional 15,000 freeroll that are worth taking up.
<p><b>Party Poker</b></p>
USA PLAYERS NOT ALLOWED
These guys are one of the very biggest poker sites and they are quite possibly the biggest for ring games. They have lots of action with tournaments from buy ins of 5$ up (occasionally they have smaller tournaments but rarely) to 600$ with plenty of people often in the 20$, 30$ and 50$ games which many sites lack.
They have beginners tables that experienced players cannot play on which means that small stakes players who are new to the game need not worry about being fleaced by low stakes rounders. This is probably my favourite site overall. It has the action and the interfaces to make this a truely excellent site.
There is a downside though - their vigorish for 5$ tourneys is 1$ which is rather steep. Whilst the players are pretty loose here and these games are still quite easy to beat it is certainly a negative. Also 5$ is the cheapest you can buy in to a tourney for which is a lot higher than Poker Stars et al.
In short they are an excellent side for ring game players and tourney players who are happy to play at 10$ and higher.
<p><b>Full Tilt Poker</b><p></p>
If I had to tip 3 sites to grow exponentially in the next few years these guys would be in serious contention for one of the spots. They have ring game action in most games up to quite respectable levels (2/4 PLO is common) and they have a good range of tournaments. They have excellent sign up bonuses for ring games players who are happy playing at 1/2$ NL or Pot limit and there interface is pretty good. There lobby interface is easy to use and whilst the games interface is not quite up there with the very best it is certainly easy to use. They have plenty of pro endorcements and you will be able to find famous pros playing at low levels if you like the idea of rubbing up against some of the best players of the beautiful game.
I would strongly recommend this site for ring games players as they are often quite beatable tables. The tournaments are also well run.
They offer HORSE sngs and MTTs and they are one of the few sites that do this and probably the best of those that do. If you only play on one site in your life then you might not pick this one but if you play on a few then this one should certainly be on the list.
<p></p>
Here is a guide to a small number of the poker sites that are out there. I have included what I think are some of the best sites and also some of the sites that are offering the best bonuses. Sites are grouped by the poker network/ skin that they are part of and otherwise are in no particular order.
<a href="http://www.pokerstars.com?source=winningstart.com"><img src="http://www.pokerstars.com/bnrs/current/468x60.gif"></a>
<b> Poker Stars </b>
These guys are the biggest and at very least one of the best sites around. All there games represent good value with vigorish for the tournaments typically 10% regardless what buy in level with some small savings as the buy ins get high.
The lobby is easy to navigate and there are a wide variety of games on offer for every level. Many sites struggle to get regular 1$/2$ PLO games at any time - on stars you normally will get a choice. They have micro limit tournaments and sit and goes and satellites galore. What I particularly like about their satellites is that you can cash them in for tourney dollars if you want to. Often they bring out different forms of tourney such as the double shoot-outs. These guys are innovators and if you give them a try you will soon see why.
Their support is good and deals with disputes in a fair manner and whilst their bonuses are sporadic they are very good when offered and can be cleared without time constraints easily even through MTTs and SNGs as well as ring games
OK the down side. Not everyone will like their interface - there is nothing wrong with it but it lacks the simplicity of sites like Ultimate Bet, the glamour of some sites or the fun of say Party Poker. They have VERY few good freerolls and have no regular bonuses you can chose your own avatar from a jpeg of your choice which is a very popular feature
<b>I-poker Network</b>
<p></p>
<a href="http://banner.cdpoker.com/cgi-bin/redir.cgi?id=N&member=DEFAULT&profile=30free">
<img src="http://www.cpays-bfarm.com/new_tools/cdpoker/English/dollar/bnr/468x60/468x60_30.gif"></a>
Sites include: CD Poker, Bet Fred Poker and Titan Poker
NO USA PLAYERS ALLOWED
Despite incorporating several sites all with some games exclusive to themselves there only a moderate level of traffic on the I-poker network. It can be hard to get good action in ring games above low levels and there are not that many tournaments at any given time. If you want big tournaments regularly with $20+ buy ins and plenty of players then this network is not for you. If you like sngs and can cope with their slightly cluttered lobby and smaller - 100-500 player MTTs with reasonably low buy ins then it is worth giving some thought to trying. Both Titan and CD poker offer good sign up bonuses at the moment and Titan, CD poker and betfred all show some imagination with the games that they run independently. It is here that the site really scores. Titan are really accommodating for private tournaments and some represent good value if you visit the sites involved, bet fred have run some interesting games such as a valentines game with bounties and extra prizes of chocolates and flowers and are running a $1,000,000 guaranteed tournament in summer 2006.
This network is worth playing on for the bonuses and interesting games that come up from time to time. It is good for the small stacks ring and tournament player. I personally do not like the lobby interface which whilst looks quite good has no option to conceal games that are already underway. If you have a particular type of game you like 5$ 10 man games for instance there is a "next game" button in every tourney lobby. Even still it remains a draw back for me. If you like to multitable then this site is not particularly helpful for this and you will probably find yourself folding sometimes as a result.
This is a good network and ideal for any small stakes player. There will not be too many large tournaments or ring games to lure you into before you are ready.
<b>Prima Network</b>
<a href="http://www.riverbellepoker.com/Index.ASP?s=aff102529&b=sa253"> <img src="http://www.ClickedyClick.com/ads/rbp/sa253.gif"></a>
</p>
<!-- Affiliate Code Do NOT Modify--><a href="http://affiliate.dreampoker.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_520b_29"><img src="http://affiliate.dreampoker.com/processing/impressions.asp?btag=a_520b_29" alt="DreamPoker.com" border=0></a><!-- End affiliate Code-->
11 STATES IN USA CANNOT PLAY
There are loads of sites on the prima network including 32 Red Poker, Dream Poker, Royal Vegas Poker and Riverbelle Poker. Many casino sites seem to use prima for their poker side of their business.
Initially I was put off by the rather dull lobby, recently however I have grown to like it and the prima network in general. Prima looks a little like a computer directory with all sorts of menus etc. The games look more like files in cabinets than exciting poker games. However the ease of use outweighs the lack of glamour and you will come to appreciate the ease of finding whatever game you are looking for.
The table interface is good - I do not 100% like the way you slide the bet bar along to chose your bets. Most sites use some sort of exponential system for this which is what I am used to. If you move the bar a third of the way along you will wager 33% of your chips. There is nothing wrong with this though and once you get used to it you wont mind it at all.
Many prima sites offer a no deposit 10$ free which makes them really a good place for beginners to start. They have loads of micro limits tournaments and ring games as well. They have a reasonable amount of ring game action although not the choice and variety of the likes of poker stars and Party Poker.
At the moment Winning Start is offering people an added incentive to people who sign up and deposit with Riverbelle Poker- click here to hear more. Dream Poker are also worth giving a try. They have a few interesting games such as the occasional 15,000 freeroll that are worth taking up.
<p><b>Party Poker</b></p>
USA PLAYERS NOT ALLOWED
These guys are one of the very biggest poker sites and they are quite possibly the biggest for ring games. They have lots of action with tournaments from buy ins of 5$ up (occasionally they have smaller tournaments but rarely) to 600$ with plenty of people often in the 20$, 30$ and 50$ games which many sites lack.
They have beginners tables that experienced players cannot play on which means that small stakes players who are new to the game need not worry about being fleaced by low stakes rounders. This is probably my favourite site overall. It has the action and the interfaces to make this a truely excellent site.
There is a downside though - their vigorish for 5$ tourneys is 1$ which is rather steep. Whilst the players are pretty loose here and these games are still quite easy to beat it is certainly a negative. Also 5$ is the cheapest you can buy in to a tourney for which is a lot higher than Poker Stars et al.
In short they are an excellent side for ring game players and tourney players who are happy to play at 10$ and higher.
<p><b>Full Tilt Poker</b><p></p>
If I had to tip 3 sites to grow exponentially in the next few years these guys would be in serious contention for one of the spots. They have ring game action in most games up to quite respectable levels (2/4 PLO is common) and they have a good range of tournaments. They have excellent sign up bonuses for ring games players who are happy playing at 1/2$ NL or Pot limit and there interface is pretty good. There lobby interface is easy to use and whilst the games interface is not quite up there with the very best it is certainly easy to use. They have plenty of pro endorcements and you will be able to find famous pros playing at low levels if you like the idea of rubbing up against some of the best players of the beautiful game.
I would strongly recommend this site for ring games players as they are often quite beatable tables. The tournaments are also well run.
They offer HORSE sngs and MTTs and they are one of the few sites that do this and probably the best of those that do. If you only play on one site in your life then you might not pick this one but if you play on a few then this one should certainly be on the list.
<p></p>