PartyPoker

PartyPoker - Coaching Beginners, Rewarding Experience

PartyPoker ranks among the world's leading online poker brands in terms of revenues and number of players participating. It is owned by PartyGaming Plc and integrated through a single player account or "e-wallet" with PartyCasino, PartyBingo, PartyBets, and PartyGammon. Powering the PartyPoker web site is PartyGaming software licensed in Gibraltar, which allows for wagering in Instant Play mode as well as by using the free download poker room application. The web site has given its tables a new, clean, modern look recently, designed to make the poker playing experience even more enjoyable.

Games to Play

Poker action at PartyPoker focuses on the "Big Five" games; Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7-Card Stud, and 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo. These are the versions featured in all of the site's play money and cash games, as well as in all of its tournaments. All tables have minimum buy-in amounts clearly posted in the Lobby, and a list of service fees (aka "the rake") is posted in an easily accessed chart.

Limit games, pot-limit games, and no-limit games are available. Beginners can also practice risk-free in the Play Money mode or by downloading the web site's special Poker Trainer. The latter is a separate application that offers Texas Hold'em against computer-generated opponents. The trainer evaluates play, maintains session stats, and advises on the percentages of success for various actions that can be taken.

In fact, PartyPoker is so committed to helping new players get started and ensuring that they enjoy their experience, it has created an entire web site section called PartyAcademy. This area contains some 70 poker articles, video tutorials, write-ups of rules and how to play the various games, and master classes from Poker Hall of Fame member Mike Sexton.

Those who are ready to leap into play for real money have plenty of options available. Fifteen PDF pages of regularly scheduled weekly tournaments can be downloaded. Sit & Go tournaments are also open 24/7 for those who prefer a bit of spontaneity. Cash games are ongoing, too. And if a break from the poker action is needed, there is a single-player Blackjack table just a click away, with table stakes of £1 to £200.

Bonuses to Claim

For example, those playing in U.S. and Canadian dollars must earn six times the bonus amount in PartyPoints to claim the free cash. In Euros, the requirement is eight times the bonus and in pounds Sterling it is nine times. PartyPoints are awarded for play on all real-money cash games, including jackpot games, at a rate of two points for every $1 contributed to the rake.

Earning PartyPoints allows players to move up in status through six "key levels" of membership from Bronze through Palladium Elite. Benefits increase with higher status, proportionate to play, including free tournament entries, cash rewards, invitations to events, and even luxury goods in the PartyPoker Store. Key levels are determined based upon monthly and quarterly play.

Among ongoing promotions at PartyPoker are Bankroll Builders for beginning players, a £1,500 Free Roll every Saturday, daily free rolls, £10 million a month in guaranteed tournaments, and a Bad Beat Jackpot for unfortunate losses on big hands. Seasonal and special are launched frequently, with top prizes ranging from huge cash giveaways to the chance to win an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe.