888 Poker Review

Why Choose 888poker?

888poker has built up its player base recently to become the second-biggest online poker room. It's no wonder: the software is superb, the range of games excellent and the promotions amazing.

If you're looking for lots of players, some cracking software, and interesting features like webcam poker, 888poker is for you. Plus, if you're into Hold'em cash, fishy tournaments, and SNGs running around the clock, there's plenty on offer.

Pros

• Established online poker site since 2005
• Excellent game lobby and software from Dragonfish
• Lots of friendly cash games and tournaments
• Plenty of big-money festivals and weekly tournaments
• Good innovations like PokerCam and 3D poker games
• Quick deposits and withdrawals for UK players
• Superb welcome bonus worth £230 plus £20 free money

Cons

• No-download client isn't as solid as the download app
• Not much traffic in the less popular cash game variants

Welcome Bonus

Currently, 888poker is running a welcome bonus for United Kingdom players worth 100% up to £400/£230. The bonus is paid out in £10 chunks, with a wagering requirement of 100 points per chunk. There is, however, a decent 90-day expiry date on the bonus.

New British players can also get £20 free without the need to deposit. The bonus includes £2 of real money plus £30 in tournament tokens for players.

New depositors also get entries into the £100,000 First Depositors' Challenge plus exclusive £1,000 and £500 freerolls. Additional seasonal promotions like the Christmas 'Gift Showers' offer adds £12,000 in gifts every day for fresh customers.

Software

888's poker games run on the firm's own Dragonfish platform. It's the only regulated poker platform to operate in the new regulated US states. In Europe, the site is licensed and regulated in Gibraltar and the UK, meaning that software is totally fair and RNGs are audited regularly.

What sets Dragonfish apart is its optimisation for mobile. As a result, 888poker boasts one of the best and most user-friendly poker apps for mobile smartphones and tablets.

888poker's games can be played instantly on Macs or PCs via the web browser, while the free download option is pretty solid and offers better reliability. You'll need Adobe Flash Player 10.3 or above to run the games.

Cash games and tournaments can be reached easily with the 'Quick Seat' function. Tick the game type, table type and stakes to filter the lobby in seconds. Beginners' games can be accessed via a quick-play function in the lobby as well.

Customer Support

Customer service is quick and friendly at 888. There is a chat form where subject categories can be easily pulled from a drop-down menu. You can also send documents as attachments with the on-site function. Alternatively, you can email or phone the site direct.

Cash Games

888 has over 200 cash game tables running at most times, with thousands of players online at peak times. Games come in a range of stakes, with the beginners' tables easy to access via the quick-play function.

Fast-fold, 'Snap' games are available in Hold'em and Omaha flavours, while 7-card Stud is also available though not popular. While popular, they're not quite as busy as the regular £0.05/£0.10 tables on most nights.

Tournaments and Sit 'N Go's

120-man MTTs are the big draw, while the nightly £5 tournaments offer the best chance to grab some easy chance.

Daily freerolls are popular with new customers, while satellites into 888's various live events have also proved popular over the months. If you're looking for a big regular weekly, the £100,000 'Mega Deep' runs every weekend and carries a £215 buy-in. Satellites are also available into the monthly 'Whale' tournament which carries a buy-in of £530.

Special tournaments are held regularly at 888poker and attract plenty of action. The Super XL series ran 34 events in 2015, with the main event carrying a £1,050 buy-in and a £1 million prizepool.

Promotions

As well as a generous welcome bonus, there is a host of ongoing promotions at 888poker. A 10-tier Rewards Program credits players with cash and tokens the more BP (Bonus Points) they earn.

'Invite Your Mates' is the site's own version of Refer-a-Friend. There's a £12 free bonus and entry into a £1,000 freeroll when your friends deposit and work through a bonus of their own.

Finally, weekly promos like the 'Monday Twins' offer gives players the chance to double their cash. All they have to do is finish in the money in special £22 £10,000 tournaments to earn free tickets to the following week's tourneys.