| Party Poker | | TOTAL SITE RATING: |   7.15 | | Ease Of Competition: | 7 | | Bonus/Promotions: | 7.25 | | Software Package: | 8 | | Rake/Cashouts/Cust.Service: | 6.35 |
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Party Poker Review
Overview
Due to the recent US Legislation regarding online poker, Party Poker has lost its position as the leading volume online poker room in the industry. Despite that, Party Poker is extremely well respected by the serious players and still represents the biggest slice of a growing market. The competition is average and the poker rooms and lobby are simple to operate and designed to assist the newcomer. The new player bonuses are less than the industry standard and for low limit games, the rake is high. Software and customer service is top end in the industry.
Ease of Competition
The competition on Party Poker is average. Television advertising keeps a strong new customer base coming in so the limit games are easier than the average, while the site keeps a monster sized regular customer base so the no limit and high stakes games are a bit above the average.
Bonuses and Promotions
Party Poker has a solid two tier new player bonus:
The first gives new users a 20% bonus up to $100. To enjoy the full $100 bonus requires 500 raked hands, or 5 raked hands per bonus dollar. This is an easy bonus to bring to fruition. To get this bonus, use this link to Party Poker.
The second gives new users a flat $25 bonus by simply making the minimum deposit of $50. To get this bonus, use this link to Party Poker.
Exclusive to AllOnlinePokerSites.com players, you can expect to get re-load bonuses on a regular basis. While some freerolls are regularly provided on the site, additional freerolls will be awarded to AllOnlinePokerSites.com players. Simply download the software using this link to Party Poker or use any of the banners on this page to go to the site.
Party Poker is one of the leaders with a strong revolving promotional program. Currently, the site is hosting qualifiers to win a 2007 Cadillac, and qualifiers to the WSOP. The site consistently hosts large events including their own flagship annual event, Partypoker.com Million. The site also has some freerolls.
Refer a Friend Program: $50 for each referral.
Poker Software
You see the average pot size of the last 20 hands. The personal playing statistics function is somewhat rudimentary, but works well. Player notes function is included as well as instant hand histories. In the lobby, you can list tables by size of pot, which is a nice option.
Party Pokers game interface is among the best in the industry, such as right clicking on yourself and seeing your game history, or right clicking on your opponent and taking notes. A yellow sticky note is visible when you enter a room and you have notes on an opponent.
Multi-Table Cabability: 4
Rake/Cashouts/Customer Support
While the high limit game rake is quite attractive, the low limit rake is not good. The rake runs as high as 10% in $0.50/$1 and $1/$2 games, as 50 cents is raked when the pot reaches $5. This holds true also for the tournaments, where good value only is provided at the higher stakes. 20% fee in $5 games and 8% fee in $100 games.
Cashout Options: NETeller, Wire Transfer, Check, eCheck (via IGM-Pay).
Party poker customer service is among the best in the industry. If ever you were to encounter a problem at Party Poker, there is also a 24-hour phone assistance at 800-852-4719 and email customer services at info@partypoker.com.
Games Offered
Texas Holdem, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo
Ring Games
Peak Hour Traffic: 8,000-8,500
Fixed Limit Stakes: $.50-$1 to $30-$60
Pot Limit/No Limit Stakes: $.25-$.50 ($25 max) to $2-$4 ($200 max)
Tournaments
Peak Hour Traffic: 60,000-65,000
Types Offered: Single Table and Multi-table
Tournaments Buy-Ins: Single, $5 to $200; Multi-table, $1 up to $1,000
Minimum Deposit: $50
Our Recommendation: If you are a high limit or a committed player, you cannot go wrong here. Low stakes has some negatives, such as the rake, and some positives, strong influx of new players. Everyone plays here at one point or the other, so why wait?
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