Party Poker Review - Your best source of poker information available online

Party Poker is a household name, and were once the nearly undisputed Kings of the online poker world. Since their decision to not accept players from the United States, things have changed. But not as much as you might think.
Party is still one of the three largest poker rooms, ahead of many rooms that have decided to continue accepting U.S. players.

They offer different welcome bonus options, that you can claim by using one of the following bonus codes:

$25 Free with your 1st deposit - Bonus Code: OPR25
20% up to $100 with your 1st deposit - Bonus Code: OPR100
Click Here to Visit Party Poker

In A Nutshell:
If you live outside of the U.S. - you should have an account at Party Poker.

Bonuses and Promotions
As I mentioned, there are a couple of different welcome bonus options that players have when signing up at PartyPoker. They have offered reload bonuses in the past, but their reloads don't keep up with rooms like Absolute and Ultimate Bet.

Besides the bonus, there are special tables and events aimed at new players.

Tournaments
Party is definitely one of the leaders in online tournament action. They developed the multi-table Sit and Go's before anyone else offered them. They were first to offer "Step" tournaments where players play their way through several tournaments until they hit the top "tier" where the cash prizes are awarded.

They've continued their tradition of tournament innovation by introducing "shootout" tournaments, where players play against their tablemates until the table is down to three players. Then they move on to the next round of the shootout. So, players in the tournament go from big table poker to short-handed and back again throughout the contest.

There is also a schedule of mutli-table events that is highlighted by the weekly $300,000 Guarantee that takes place every Sunday afternoon.

Software
I've always liked the software at Party Poker. They brought in resizeable tables before anyone else. The hand histories are easy to get at, and of course the room works wells with PokerTracker and the HUD.
The graphics are plain, and players do not get the chance to choose an icon or an avatar. But, the mechanics of the software work wonderfully, in my opinion. And, they are always tweaking the software, so more functionality is being added all the time.

Player Numbers and Skill
The drop off in player traffic when the room shut its doors to U.S. players was pretty dramatic. But, they still have more people playing at Party than almost any other room online.
Overall Grade - B+
I have to say that when the Sunday event was $1,000,000 and there were 70,000+ players in the room at peak times, things were even better. So, that's the reason for the slip from A status to B+.
Overall, if you aren't from the States, and want to play poker online, Party Poker is a great online poker room.



Party poker review


NOTE: This room does not accept US players.

Special: 100% up to $500 Visit Party Poker »
Bonus Code: PKC500


Summary

Party Poker is an exceptionally large online poker room, attracting one of the largest player bases in the industry today. Over time they have remained extremely popular among both novice and veteran online poker players.

The massive popularity of the poker room can be attributed to several factors. The software is not only fast and highly functional; supplies a downloadable version for Windows computers, and a separate in browser version for Mac and Linux users.


Software and Extra Features

Party Poker’s software has recently been updated, giving a nice facelift to the lobby area but unfortunately neglecting the actual playing table which is still a bit drab. The software itself however is fast and reliable, and supports up to four tables being played simultaneously.

They have also launched a no download version of their software, which means that Mac (aka Macintosh) and Linux players can also play at Party Poker now.

One special feature that sets Party Poker apart from other poker sites is the Deal Making facility. This comes into play whenever a tournament is down to the final table and is entirely optional. All players must agree to do a deal, which means that they can decide between them to stop the tournament and split the chips in an agreed way.

All players must agree to discuss a deal before it can go ahead, but by discussing the deal it does not commit any player to actually following through and accepting the terms of the deal. Any player can refuse the deal and the tournament carries on as before.


Player Traffic and Competition

Party Poker has been hit more than most sites by the new law banning US players from playing poker online. The position it once held as undisputed market leader in terms of player numbers has come under severe threat from the likes of Poker Stars and Ultimate Bet who both still accept US based players.

The new focus for Party Poker is towards Western Europe and Scandinavia as well as emerging poker markets like South America and the Far East. All of these have seen a big leap in the numbers of active players since the law was introduced and Party Poker increased their advertising in these areas. Right now they average about 7,000 ring game and 40,000 real money tournament players during peak hours.

Since the new law, Party Poker has become far easier to play at than before. Where previously there was fierce competition to register for a place at Sit and Go tournaments, it is now easy to just go along and sign up to any tournament that takes your fancy. There’s none of the old scrabbling for places, but this has led to an inevitable loss in excitement on the site.


The Welcome Bonus

Once the player has made a real money deposit he may immediately begin earning the bonus money simply by playing. As the player navigates any of the cash money games Party Points are earned based on the rake or the entry fee of the game. Party Points are integral to Party Poker's bonus system and their VIP ranking. When the player accumulates a set amount of Party Points the bonus money is released into the players bankroll in $5 increments.

The number of Party Points required for each increment is displayed on your account page. It takes six to nine times the deposit amount in Party Points to release the entire bonus depending on the currency used. Players have 60 days to release their Welcome Bonus through play. In addition there are frequent reload bonuses for established members matching 15 to 25% of up to $200 of there deposit. The reload bonuses follow the same rules and format for releasing the bonus money as the Welcome Bonus.


Game Variety and Promotions

There is a good variety of game play on Party Poker, with Omaha and & card stud being available as well as limit, pot limit and no limit Texas Holdem.

All tournament types are also well served with a wide range of buy-in options and single table tournament Sit & Gos available from only $3. Ring game tables where you can just go along and sit at an empty space are available at blinds of $0.02/$0.04 and upwards to $25/$50.

Party Poker’s main event is the Party Poker Million. They have also replaced the $1 million tournament with $300,000 guaranteed every Sunday. Player's club free-rolls are another attraction at party poker. Players accumulate party points while playing real money games and can redeem them to enter free-rolls or various other tournaments.


Party Points

Players earn two Party Points for every dollar they contribute to the rake. The points do not roll over and at the end of a thirty day period they are lost. These points determine the players VIP status and may be used for entry fees, access to invitational events or exchanged for cash or merchandise at the site's new online store. Some levels of VIP status allow you to earn Party Points at a better rate than the standard two to one ratio.


VIP Rewards & Reward Bonuses

The VIP system for Party Poker is exceptional. As players rise in the ranks of VIP they enjoy invitations to exclusive VIP games, better bonuses for many promotions, and earning Party Points at better rates. Once a player reaches the Elite VIP status they enjoy a number of exceptional benefits. Elite VIP's have access to concierge services and free entry into numerous contests for prizes such as travel, World Poker Tour seats or major sporting events.


Deposit/Withdrawal Methods

UK members may deposit cash using MasterCard, Visa, Paysafe, WebMoney, Bancontact Mister Cash, iDeal, Laser card, Click & Buy, Click2Pay, Giro pay, ukash, Przleway24, DirectPay24, my citadel wallet, Poli, eWire, ELV Germany/Austria), UsemyBank (Canada/U.K.), Switch/Solo/Maestro, Moneybookers, EntroPay, Neteller, wire transfer, and bank transfer. Party Poker has a minimum deposit of $25 and some deposit methods may require a higher minimum deposit or additional fees.

Players may opt to withdraw money from their account at any time, but there is a $50 minimum and a $3000 maximum on individual withdrawals. Party Poker has an excellent selection of withdrawal methods for players to choose from. However, in many cases the player may only withdraw funds if they have used that method previously to deposit cash.

The speed of the transaction varies from just six hours via WebMoney to 20 days for regular checks. Some methods may charge a fee such as Express Check or Western Union. Funds can be withdrawn using MasterCard, VISA WebMoney, Switch/Solo/Maestro, Neteller, Click2Pay, Moneybookers, wire transfer, my citadel wallet, bank transfer, checks by mail, and checks by courier.


Customer Service

Party Poker’s customer service is excellent, with 24 hour free phone support to US, Canada and Western Europe including UK. There is also email support available too for less urgent problems.

Party Poker Review and Bonus Code

Overall
88


Ease of Competition
88


Tournaments
95


Customer Service
80


Software
90




(Click photo to enlarge.)
Click here to visit Party Poker

Overview
Party Poker is one of the largest online poker rooms. During peak hours, there are usually around 10,000 real-money players logged in.

They offer plenty of ring games, single-table tournaments, and multi-table tournaments. Recently they've expanded their ring game offerings and now have micro-stakes available in no-limit betting.

Bonus
Party Poker recently made an exciting change to their first deposit bonus:

Use the bonus code TIPS500 to get 100% bonus up to $500.

The minimum deposit to receive this bonus is $25. This is one of the best first time deposit bonuses offered by an online poker room.

The bonus is released in five parts. For example, if one makes a $100 bonus, they will receive five installments of $20 bonuses. To clear this bonus, one must earn 5 PartyPoints for each bonus dollar.

Promotions
Since they are a large cardroom, Party Poker usually has some interesting promotions running. Most of their promotions revolve around some type of glorified form of rakeback. They also send players to major tournaments around the world including the WSOP.

Tournaments
Party Poker is among the best places on the internet to play poker tournaments. They offer something for everyone. Their scheduled tournaments strike a perfect balance between offering high buy-in freezeouts and small buy-in rebuy events.

The sit-n-gos at Party Poker are unrivaled compared to other poker rooms reviewed at this site. They used to offer various tiers of "Steps" tournaments that were once incredibly popular. Recently these tournaments were replaced in favor of more affordable games that seem to be generating some popularity.

On the first Sunday of each month, Party Poker holds a $1 million guaranteed tournament with a buy-in of $600+$40.

Software
While Party Poker's software is nothing earth-shattering, it is quite fast. It is also fairly easy to use, though players may experience some delays when loading the lobby screens and gameplay tables.

Table Statistics
One frustrating aspect of Party Poker is that they only display the average pot size in the ring games. All in all, they provide you with little information about the games. I recommend watching the game for a minute or two before joining to see how loose everyone is playing.

Competition Level
The competition at Party Poker is pretty soft for the small stakes no-limit games. The medium to high stakes no-limit games as well as many of the limit hold'em games are tougher than they used to be. Many of the thousands of players at this site are beginners or casual players, but some are seasoned professionals. Recently, some players have complained that the games at Party Poker have gotten more difficult.

Customer Service
For a cardroom of this size, their customer service leaves a little to be desired. They offer both email and phone support. Email support can sometimes take a frustratingly long time, and they don't always answer your question. The fact that they have phone support is nice, but some of the agents are not as helpful as you'd hope.

Ring Games Offered
Texas Hold'em, Omaha hi-lo, Omaha, 7-stud, 7-stud hi-lo

Fixed Limits: $.05-$.10 to $250-$500
NL & PL Blinds: $.02-$.04 to $25-$50


Tournaments Offered
Single- and Multi-table Fixed-limit Holdem, NL/PL Holdem, Fixed Omaha hi-lo, PL Omaha hi-lo, Fixed 7-stud (single-table only). They also have sit-n-go multi-table tournaments.

Single-Table: $3 to $350
Multi-Table: $1 to $1,000


Minimum Deposit
$25

PLAY NOW
Table
Lobby

Free Download | 13.5 MB

MacWindows*Tested Spyware Free
The Quick Summary

Party Poker is a monster among online poker sites. They are one of the biggest rooms with tremendous player action at any time of the day. They did suffer a costly hit to their player base when they decided to exclude US customers as a response to US legislation towards online gaming. Party Poker’s outstanding marketing efforts have resulted in a rebound of player traffic and they are once again on the rise.

Popularity: 9 of 10 – Excellent

No doubt about it: if you want action, you got it at Party Poker. They have more players than most any other poker site. Party Poker got a popularity boost when they acquired broadcasting rights for the World Poker Tour, an advantage they have taken care not to lose by constantly coming up with promotions that appeal to players around the world. You can expect to find action at any table stakes at all times of the day and night.

Security: 9 of 10 – Excellent

Even with such a massive volume of players, Party Poker has not faced any significant security or financial breaches. They are audited by ItechLabs and – since they are listed on the London Stock Exchange Market – all their financial information and security procedures are available for public inspection.

Player Competition: 8 of 10 – Excellent

The competition at Party Poker is soft. They have instituted a very friendly advertising campaign equating poker with a more light-hearted party approach rather than a hard core grinder mentality. Expect loose play if not a bit unorthodox thanks to the droves of new poker players brought in by Party Poker’s marketing programs. This is mostly true for the lower limit games but you can find soft games even at $2/$4 in No Limit and $5/$10 in Fixed Limit.

Site Software: 9 of 10 – Excellent

Party Poker uses proprietary software, meaning that it is not part of a network, but rather it has been independently developed to have unique features and great functionality.

Tables have a nice design, but the avatars and graphics are not extraordinary. The sound effects are crisp and appropriate but players who prefer it quiet can turn them off completely. Players can also choose from a selection of cartoon avatars which goes with the light-hearted party theme of the poker room. The software is fast and easy to use. The hand history feature is functional and useful, as is the note-taking feature. The lobby provides useful statistics such as average pot size and hands played by hour. On top of this, Party Poker’s software supports the automated import of tournament and ring-game data to Poker Tracker.

At Party Poker you can multi-table up to twelve tables at the same time, confident that the software will run smoothly and free of problems or disconnections. You also have the option to resize all tables save for Omaha and Seven-Card Stud games.

Customer Support: 8 of 10 – Very Good

Party Poker has great customer service support through either 24-hr toll free number or e-mail. The phone support is excellent: agents are knowledgeable and friendly, always reminding players of the latest promotions and perks. E-mail support has been known to occasionally take too long to respond, although replies are always accurate. A major letdown with Party Poker is their lack of live chat support, which is very convenient for today’s busy players.

Company Ethics: 9 of 10 – Excellent

Party Poker is committed to ensuring responsible gaming. They comply with all legislations and regulations. Party Poker also provides self-exclusion tools, customer deposit limits, as well as not allowing access to minors. As one of the biggest online poker sites, they are fully committed with GamCare, a foundation that develops policies and practices to target problem gambling in accordance with their Social Responsibility Code of Conduct.

Site Promotions: 8.5 of 10 – Excellent

Party Poker offers a good variety of promotions and bonuses: given their high player volume they can afford more generous bonuses than smaller sites. Another attractive Party Poker feature is their large number of exclusive tournaments, both online – such as the Sunday 300K Guaranteed – and live events, such as the lavish Party Poker Million tourney played every year on a cruise ship.

Overall Review: 8.9 of 10 – Excellent

Final Result: We give Party Poker a final overall score of 8.9 out of 10.

Visit Party Poker



Party Poker Review!
Party Poker is one of the first poker rooms which has made it possible to play poker online against real people. Party Poker is the most active poker room on the Internet and has managed to stay that way with original tournaments, cash giveaways and monthly freeroll tournaments that appeal to just about anyone. Party Poker has managed to stay on top of the industry because of the easy-to-use software, great game design, 24/7 customer support, and some of the most realistic poker action you'll find online.

If you're interested in Online Poker make sure to read through this site, check the bonuses, see what the reviews say. You can even give Party Poker a test run for as long as you'd like with the "play money" option. But above all, make sure to have fun!


PartyPoker.com review

Ronald Norris
PartyPoker short description

Established 2001
Rating 9,85/10
Deposit bonus 100% up to $500
Web site www.PartyPoker.com
Support info@partypoker.com
Size 13,5 MB
SIGN-UP WITH BONUS
Summary
PartyPoker is probably the most remarkable poker room in the industry, not just because of its exceptional size, but also because of long and interesting history, unique development ideas and innovations. The room has attracted one of the largest player bases and over time, it has remained very popular, even though they don’t accept deposits from US players anymore.
Such an exceptional popularity of this poker room can be attributed to numerous factors, but the general reasons for its popularity are reliability and high performance of software, outstanding poker tournaments and plenty of freerolls.
Screenshots:


Click to enlarge
Software and features
PartyPoker software is frequently updated to improve and perfect your experience with this poker room. The software is always fast and completely reliable (there were no proven facts of data losses). You can play at up to four tables simultaneously.
You can either download their software (for Windows), or use their no-download version, which means that you can play from Mac and Linux-based computers. Besides of this, one unique feature that is unavailable in other poker rooms is the Deal Making facility, which comes into play, whenever a poker tournament is down to the final table and is entirely optional. This feature allows players to stop the tournament and split the chips in the agreed way (all players at the table must agree to do a deal).
Player Traffic and Competition
PartyPoker was once an undisputed market leader, but then it was hit by the new law that banned US players from making real money deposits online. At present PartyPoker is 3rd after Ultimate Bet and Poker Stars that still accept deposits from US players. Currently there are about 10,000 ring game and 50,000 tournament players during peak hours.
Sign up Bonus
Party Poker is well known for its generous bonuses, which includes first deposit bonus as well. They offer instant $25 bonus, 30% up to $150 on your first deposit and the recently introduced 100% up to $500 bonuses.
Game Variety and Promotions
PartyPoker offers great variety of games: Texas Holdem, Omaha, Seven Card Stud including Limit, No-Limit, Pot-Limit, Hi/Lo and Hi variants of these poker games.
The tournaments are also well-served with a wide selection of buy-in options and STT’s available from as low as $3. Available ring games range from $0,02-$0,04 and up to $25-$50. The room’s main event is the well-known PartyPoker Million and the newly introduced $300,000 guaranteed tournament taking place every Sunday. Another attraction available for PartyPoker players is club freerolls. Players can earn PP’s (Party Points) and redeem them to enter numerous freerolls and other tournaments available in the room.
Deposit/Withdrawal Methods
You can make deposits with major credit and debit cards or use one of major online payment processors, such as Click2Pay, Moneybookers, FirePay and Click&Buy, bank transfer. Besides of this, there are several deposit methods specific to particular regions, such as BPAY for Australia.
You can withdraw money to your bank account (through Bank Wire Transfer), credit or debit card and through Click2Pay, NETeller, Moneybookers or FirePay. You can also request a check shipping by mail or FedEx.
Beginners Tables
Another unique feature offered by PartyPoker is Beginner Tables, which are reserved for newly registered real money players only. New players can use these tables within 45 days after making first deposit. This feature protects new players from the sharks fishing for inexperienced players. Note that Texas Holdem is the only game available at beginner tables. The stake ranges at the beginner tables are:
$0.5/$1, $1/$2, $2/$4 and $3/$6
Customer Service
PartyPoker offers excellent customer service with free phone support available 24×7. Besides of this, there is e-mail support for less urgent issues.