Expert View of 888 Poker
888 Poker appeals to new and recreational players alike has made them the 2nd most popular online poker site in the world. The company’s Gibraltar license, long history and entry into regulated markets signals this is one of the safest sites to play in the world.
More About 888 Poker
888 Poker Summary
888 Poker reivew shows they launched in 2002, 888 is one of the oldest online poker rooms and is now the second largest online poker room in the world. It averages over 1,600 players at any given time and there are over 3,000 players during peak hours. The software is top quality and stable, offering a number of features including a hand replayer, as well as a number of game play settings. These include restricting chat, favorite seat and the ability to top off a stack at no limit and pot limit tables.
888 started out as Pacific Poker. It later rebranded into 888, although the Pacific Poker site still operates. Casino-on-Net is another brand that eventually evolved into the 888 network of sites.
In addition to its worldwide reach, 888 is expanding into the US regulated market. While its main site does not accept US players, the company licenses its software to WSOP and operates the All American Poker Network. WSOP operates a skin on the 888 Network that is only available to UK players.
888 operate regulated sites in Delaware and New Jersey. The Delaware site has three skins that are racinos in the state: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway refer players to 888. That skin networks with WSOP.com in Nevada. The 888 New Jersey site shares player pools with WSOP.com.
A Personal Opinion of 888 Poker
What we like about 888
888 has proven that it knows how to market its site in a declining online poker market. It is one of the few rooms that have seen an uptick in traffic in the past few years. Its software is the proper balance of what expert players want and what keeps recreational players coming back. 888 has specialized in marketing to recreational players through social media. This keeps game quality high and a new influx of new players into the game, especially at lower limits.
What we do not like about 888
The support at 888 is terrible. It is among some of the worst in the industry. Sometimes it takes more than one email to get a response, much less something helpful. Players that like to play many tables at the same time will not like the four-table max policy at 888.
What 888 Players are Saying
Players are generally happy with 888 Poker. In addition to large game selection and availability of games, players like 888 for its above average software and player-friendly focus. Due to an above average number of recreation players, 888 players tend to be a bit weaker, making for more enjoyable and sustainable games.
888 is very involved with players and open for suggestions and hearing their concerns. It even has a sponsored support thread at 2+2 for players to contact the site. That is where players can suggest new features, report bugs or get general information about 888.
“People who say online poker is dead have not been to 888”
“The rake is probs the highest online with not much back in rewards, but the player pool is def pretty soft”
“888 is the best site for casual that dont know what even “rake” means.”– 2+2 User
Just because a poker room has a clean record, doesn’t mean there can’t be issues in the future. If you have a problem or know about a problem with 888 Poker, please let us know about it.
888 Poker Deposits and Withdrawals
As a large global online poker site, 888 makes sure that they offer players many convenient payment methods to make a deposit including some of the most popular methods available: Neteller, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, Wire Tranfer, Paypal and WebMoney, to name a few. They also offer a large selection of region-specific methods, so it’s wise to check the cashier after you sign-up to see what is available to you.
Withdrawals can be made to many of the same methods used to make a deposit. If a withdrawal is not possible with the service you used to deposit, you will be asked to select another method to make a withdrawal. Most ewallets (Neteller, Skrill etc) and bank transfers are among the options that can be can be used for withdrawals.
Deposit time frames are usually instant, although players making withdrawals can sometimes experience cashouts times 3-5 days, which is below average.
Download 888 Poker
888poker is one of the most popular online poker rooms available today. The 888 brand is one that is trusted and well-known to gamblers who enjoy poker, casino games and more. When visiting 888poker, the online poker gaming software can easily be downloaded.
Players can download the platform via PC or Mac, making it easy for everyone to play. A mobile application can also be downloaded to Android or iOS devices, allowing players to enjoy gameplay on the go. Below is a short guide to help you be able to download the software to your favorite device.
Why You Should Download the Software
Downloading the 888poker software gives you access to every aspect of the poker gaming options offered by the brand. You will have access to an icon on your desktop or mobile device, which is clicked on and then gaming can begin. With the download, you can play for real money, accessing tournament gaming, cash games and more! The download also offers everything you need in just one place. Use the download to deposit and withdraw cash, play cash games, tournaments, access promotions and more.
How to Download 888Poker
You can choose to play 888poker via PC, Mac or mobile device. Read the following category to learn how to download 888poker for the device you will be using. Downloading the software is easy to do and takes only a few minutes.
PC
If you are using a PC, click the download button at 888poker. The setup files will begin downloading and will take only a few minutes. Once completed, you will need to choose a folder on your computer for the download to be installed. 888 recommends that players choose the default destination.
Once the installation is complete, the poker lobby will open, and you can log in or join from there. You will then be able to look at poker games, tables, tournaments and more. Easily click on the desktop icon to begin game play anytime you get on your computer.
Mac
When using a Mac operating system, you will need to click the download button. After downloading you will need to change system preferences. Click on the Apple Menu and go to System Preferences. Choose Security & Privacy and then see that the General Tab is selected. Choose the Click the lock to make changes icon. You will then be asked to enter your username and password and then click the Unlock button.
You will then see it says ‘allow applications downloaded from. Choose the Anywhere option. When the prompt pops up, click Allow from Anywhere and then you can close your System Preferences. Now you are ready to go to the Downloads folder. Open the zip file for 888poker and click the icon. Click on the Introduction screen.
Agree to user license and click continue. The installation process will then begin, and you will soon be able to log in and play online. Log in once the installation is complete or sign up for a new player account if you do not have one yet.
888 Poker – Mobile Download
iOS Device
For an iOS device, players will need to visit 888poker and scan a barcode or click the download button from the software manual section for this device type. Confirm age and then the download will complete. The icon will then be available on your device, easily opened when you wish to play your favorite online poker games.
Android Device
For an Android device, you will first need to allow non-market apps for installation. To do this, open your phone settings and click the Security option. scroll down until you see Unknown Sources and check this box if it is not checked already.
Also, choose ‘Make Passwords Visible’ as well as ‘Verify Apps’. You will then be ready to download and install. You can click on the download from the software manual page for Android devices or scan a barcode that 888poker offers. Once downloaded, an icon will be placed on your device for easy access to poker gaming.
888 Poker Safety
Over time online poker players that don’t like poker room usually vote on that room by leaving. The fact that 888 has been around since 2002 and are as popular as they ever have been (relative to other poker rooms) suggests in itself that 888 Poker is safe. They are also one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world, expanding in tightly regulated, including the United States.
And when there is a problem, 888 has shown a willingness to listen to players and find an acceptable resolution. For these reasons, players should consider our 888 poker review and see it is one of the safest online poker sites in the world to play.
Is 888 Poker Legit?
In addition to being one of the oldest poker rooms online, 888poker is often one of the first regulated companies in a new regulated market – France and the United States (New Jersey) being a couple examples. Usually, when we see companies get the endorsement of a major country, we can feel pretty good about their legitimacy. Is 888 Poker safe and legit? If they aren’t, we don’t know what is.
888 Poker Bonuses and VIP Program
888 Deposit Bonus
888 offers a 200% up to $400 first deposit bonus. The bonus clears at a rate of 100 Bonus Points for every $10 in bonus, which is the equivalent of a 20% rakeback rate. Players have 90 days to clear the bonus.
888 No Deposit Bonus
As an alternative to the deposit bonus, 888 also offers an $88 no deposit bonus. To take advantage of this offer, all players have to do is verify their identity and email address. It’s not all technically free, but it’s a great way to start a new account if you don’t want to put any of your money at risk. It includes $2 in real money credited to your account and $6 in tournament tickets. This offer is not available in all countries so make sure your country is on the list of approved countries when taking advantage of this offer.
The remaining $80 is awarded to players as a pending bonus. This offer is an alternative to the regular 200% up to $400 sign-up bonus and is only recommended for those that don’t want to deposit for the full sign-up bonus.
888 VIP Program
888’s VIP program offers players the chance to convert VIP points into tournament entries. The lowest level receives entry into a $50 freeroll. Each level above it has access to all freerolls with smaller prize pools, too. Below is a list of all VIP tournaments available at 888.
- Level 5+: $50 freeroll
- Level 10+: $200 freeroll
- Level 20+: $500 freeroll
- Level 30+: $1,000 freeroll
- Level 40+: $2,000 freeroll
- Level 50+: $4,000 freeroll
- Level 60+: $6,000 freeroll
- Level 80+: $8,000 freeroll
- Level 100+: $10,000 freeroll
888 VIP Bonus Tip
There are weekly freerolls for players in the Iron tier and higher. Players in the top levels will enjoy up to $10,000 in freerolls each month.
888 Poker Promotions
888 Poker offers players a healthy dose of fresh, lucrative promotion, available at their poker room.
Welcome Package
In addition to the new player bonus options, 888 review shows that new players can also receive an entry into the $1,000 First Depositors tournament plus seven entries into $500 First Depositors Free tournaments as part of the welcome package These freerolls won’t appeal to an experienced, high stakes player – the VIP program is better for that — but it is a great way for recreational players to play tournaments with real money at stake.
Monday Twins
Each Monday night, 888 runs a Mondays Twins tournament challenge. With a $20+$2 buy-in in each tournament, play in both value-added tournaments with five extra ways to increase your prize.
888 is awarding players to place well in both tournaments 1) Finish in the money in both tournaments on the same day and get free entries the next week 2) Make the final table in both tournaments and receive access to Monday Twins for the next month 3) Receive $1,000 cash for winning one of the Monday Twins and the final table in the other 4) Earn $2,500 in cash by winning one tournament and finishing 2nd in the other and 5) earn $10,000 extra by winning both tournaments.
Scratchcards
Every time a player moves up five levels in the 888 VIP program, a scratchcard is awarded. Prizes include cash, tournament tickets, and bonuses.
888 Poker Game Selection
Cash games
888 Poker is one of the largest online poker rooms in the world, so their selection of games is above average. 888 specializes in No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. There is ample action up to 3/6 at both games. There is some action at Fixed Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha High/Low. It is rare to find more than a stud game or two, even during peak hours. 888 offers tables with 2, 6 and 9 seats, except at No Limit Texas Hold’em, where there are no heads-up cash game tables.
888’s Snap tables are quite popular on 888 with games available at No Limit Hold’em up to $2/3 or a Push or Fold option up to $5/$10. These tables allow you to play over 200 hands per hour at a single table by immediately moving you to another table after you fold or the completion of the hand.
Flopomania
Flopomania is exclusive to 888. The original version of the game removes the preflop betting round. Players ante instead of posting blinds. The game immediately proceeds to the flop, where the game continues as normal. Flopomania is available in Texas Hold’em.
Push or Fold Flopomania involves only one betting round. Players must bet or fold when the set bet gets to them. Once bets are made by two or more players, the community cards are shown and a winner is declared.
Tournaments
888 offers dozens of multi-table tournaments each day. Most of the tournament action is available at No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, with the occasional Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo tournament running. Many of these tournaments offer guaranteed prize pools ranging from $100 to nightly guaranteed tournaments up to $100,000.
The major events each week include a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool with a $90 buy-in and a “Mega” Deep Stack $150,000 guaranteed prize pool with a $215 buyin. The $200,000 Whale tournament held every other week can be bought into for $600, and attracts players looking for a big score. These top events offer deep structures with 10,000 starting chips and a reentry during the first three hours.
Sit and Gos
Sit and gos start with buyins of just a few pennies and run up to $1,000. These are spread 24 hours a day. Single and multi-table sit and gos are both offered. Most sit and gos offered at 888 are No Limit Texas Hold’em, although there are some Pot Limit Omaha sit and gos that run during peak hours. Heads up sit and gos are also popular, especially now that 888 does not spread heads up cash games for No Limit Texas Hold’em. Sit and Gos action is fairly well with tables running at many buy-in levels, although you may have to play heads-up if you want to play the higher buy-in tables above $50.
888 Sportsbook
888 is better known for its poker and casino games but still offers an impressive amount of sports betting action. 888 Sports specializes in football betting. Leagues throughout Europe and the Americas are on the boards at 888 Sports. Cricket, rugby, American football, hockey, basketball, baseball, boxing, mixed martial arts, auto racing, e-sports and many smaller sports are booked here.
888 Sports offers some exotic wagering. This includes WWE, politics, entertainment and random amateur winter sports. This means that there is always something to bet on at 888. The action can run nearly 24 hour a day during certain times of the year.
The bets available include straight, parlay and teasers. There are prop bets in many sports. Some sports leagues, politics and entertainment markets will offer futures. This is where the punter tries to pick the winner out of a field of possible teams or individuals.
888 Sports Promotions
While 888 offers generous poker and casino bonuses, it offers very little in the sportsbook in terms of promotions. The first deposit offer is only worth $10. Players making a first-time bet of $10 or less will receive triple the winnings if it hits. The winnings are paid in free play. Players also receive a $5 casino bet, win or lose.
There is no deposit bonus for new players. The ongoing promotions include raffles and contests where punters can win free bets in the sportsbook.
888 Poker FAQ
Has There Ever Been a Scandal at 888?
How to Deposit at 888
How to Withdraw at 888
What is 888’s first deposit bonus?
How is 888 first deposit bonus earned?
How long do I have to clear the 888 bonus?
How do I earn Bonus Points at 888?
Does 888 offer reload bonuses?
Does 888 accept U.S. players?
Does 888 accept players from Spain?
How many players are on 888?
Where do I sign up for 888 rakeback?
How many tables can I play at one time at 888?
Where is 888 licensed?
What skins are on the 888 Network?
Is tracking software allowed on 888?
Is there an 888 mobile app?
Does 888 offer a Mac platform?
How do I contact 888?
You can send an e-mail to support@888.com or use the contact form to submit your questions.