Founded back in 2002, 888 Poker is one of the first online poker platforms created, and it lives on to this day. But while the site has changed considerably, in order to remain relevant, does it make sense to use it in 2023?
888 Poker is still popular in 2023, especially if you’re looking to play soft tables, with most players betting pre-flop. The website also happens to be among the top five poker sites with the highest player traffic.
In this article, I will take an in-depth look at how 888 Poker operates and the kind of games you can expect. Lastly, I’ll answer a few FAQs.
Why 888 Poker Is Unique
In a climate saturated with online poker websites that offer multiple stakes, variants, games, and tourneys, you might be wondering why you would choose a site that’s been around for nearly two decades.
Surely the newer offerings will be better?
One could argue that its longevity is proof of its staying power and the loyalty of its users. And while 888 Poker isn’t one of the more new-age websites out there, it has plenty of advantages.
WSOP Satellite Tournaments
While most big websites today host satellite tournaments, some may not lead to the bigger games you’re looking for.
888 Poker hosts various satellites, their most famous being the ones that get you to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) final table. That’s right, if you’re on a small bankroll but have an expensive taste; you can use 888 Poker to get yourself a seat at the WSOP final table.
Just ask Chris Moneymaker, who managed to win a WSOP bracelet after a satellite tournament on 888 Poker. After qualifying at an online event, Chris made history as the first player to win a world championship.
His story is inspiring as you see the growth opportunities available to those who frequent the 888 Poker website. You never know how one of their satellites might change your life.
High Levels of Player Traffic
On March 29th, 2020, 888 Poker showed a total of 1046 cash game players per day, ranking 4th place for the highest number of average poker players in a day. While most of their revenue comes from their casino arm, poker players on the 888 websites are significantly rising.
While they are one of the oldest sites and their software is pretty old-fashioned (to say the least), the website offers promotions and bonuses that are rare in the world of online poker.
An advantage of having such high player traffic is that you’re sure to find a table that fits your bankroll and the stakes you want to play. So whether you’re strapped for cash or playing big, 888 Poker has a table for you.
Another advantage of having such high traffic is that much of their player traffic comprises casino players who have drifted over to the poker rooms from other games.
As a result, many of the poker players on the website are avid gamblers with little experience in poker. This demographic makes for much softer tables and a higher likelihood of scoring big, especially if you play the game well.
Quick-Game Formats
While most poker websites offer a range of games, including Seven-Card Stud and Three-Card Poker, 888 focuses on just a few variations. Here, you can play the traditional Holdem, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo.
However, 888 Poker has also created two new playing styles for those looking to play at a quicker pace and win more.
SNAP
SNAP is a fast-fold version of poker where you’re dealt new cards the instant you fold to reduce waiting time and help speed up the game. In SNAP, players are placed in a pool, and when someone folds, they are automatically reseated at another table.
If you preemptively fold, you will be reseated at a table where a hand is being dealt, so you won’t have to wait long to play the next hand. The only drawback is that HUDs (heads-up-displays) are not allowed in this format.
Note: The other players can’t see you’ve folded until it’s your turn, and you have the option of watching the entire hand instead of being reseated.
BLAST
BLAST is another exciting version of poker created by 888, where three players compete to win a predetermined prize pool. The prize pool is a direct multiplier of the buy-ins agreed upon by the three players.
What’s exciting is the variation in the prize pool, as it can be between two times and 10,000 times the amount used to buy-in.
In BLAST, there’s a time limit within which one player must emerge victoriously.
When the game begins, a timer starts the countdown, and players must try and knock each other out before the timer ends. If multiple players are still at the table when the timer runs out, they must keep going all-in until a single winner is left.
BLAST and SNAP are non-traditional forms of poker and attract many recreational players with their promise of quick action. So if you’re a pro looking to make fast money, one of these styles could be for you.
Luckily, 888 Poker is adept at catering to the traditional forms of poker, like Holdem and Omaha, so that you can take your pick.
Tournament Variations
888 Poker runs a variety of tournaments daily, including sit-and-go, multi-table tournaments, and even exciting freerolls with impressive payouts, so you can build your bankroll without having to invest anything.
It comes with no surprise that 888poker is one of the few poker sites that I have included in the best poker sites for freerolls list.
The best part about tournaments on 888 Poker is that you’ll find tables dedicated to different stakes and bankrolls. So whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your skills or a pro with a more significant bankroll, 888 Poker has a table for you.
They run the regular tournament games along with several satellites to bigger tournaments. Being a sponsor of the WSOP, the website also hosts a few satellites to help players qualify for the WSOP.
Progressive Knockout
Aside from the regular knockout tournaments, 888 Poker hosts an engaging style known as ‘Progressive Knockouts.’ Here, each player is given a bounty amount along with their chips.
Every time you take out another player, their bounty gets added to yours, increasing your overall value in the game. Using this format, you can clinch a nice profit by knocking out a few players, even when you don’t have a deep run.
Progressive Knockout games also retain the excitement of poker throughout the tournament instead of only towards the end, when stacks are running deep. One advantage of competing in this tournament is that it attracts recreational players, so the payout is enormous if you play right.
Multi-Flight
Multi-flight tournaments are similar to regular games in that they involve the same style of play, with antes and blinds increasing over time.
The difference is that multi-flight tournaments have a ‘final phase’ that players must qualify to through a ‘starting phase’ tournament. The first phase is held multiple times over several days, and the players who are eligible during the initial phase make it to the final table.
Those who place in the initial phases will qualify for the final stage, even if they’re left with only one chip.
While multi-flight tournaments are standard, not all websites have the player traffic to pull off one successfully.
Deep Stack
888 caters to all types of players, even those cash game players too reluctant to try tournament play. And Deep Stack tournaments are the best way to transition smoothly from cash games to tournaments.
In Deep Stack tournaments, players start with a much higher number of chips than regular tournaments. The blinds go up slower than average (every 15-20 minutes), which reduces the game’s pace.
The advantage of playing deep stacks is that cash players hone their tournament skills as there is less chance and variance involved. Additionally, it’s the perfect tournament for cash game players as the pace and style of play is similar, allowing you to play more aggressively.
And if you play well in one of the deep stack MTT (multi-table) tournaments, the payout is significantly higher than what you’d receive in a cash game.
The drawback with deep stack tournaments is the time it takes to play one, as the blinds are lengthier. As such, these tournaments can go on for hours without a reprieve, especially if there’s a multiple buy-in option.
No-Deposit and $88 Bonus
888 Poker is currently running a promotional campaign giving $88 to new players who register without an initial deposit.
However, this sounds too good to be true. And while you are eligible for the entire amount, you won’t receive the $88 upfront. Instead, the website will give you a small portion of this bonus when you first sign up and release the balance as you complete challenges by playing more on their platform.
While this isn’t how it’s advertised on the website, it’s still a significant advantage to those who have the skill and patience to play and earn their bankroll without investing a single dollar.
888 Poker Club
888 Poker also gives its players the option of joining an exclusive club of members where you can compete to win prizes and be part of a much larger poker community.
Once you sign up, you will start to receive points based on the games you play. You can choose to complete specific challenges to earn more points or play as you are and receive points along the way.
The platform hosts tournaments specifically for its club members, and playing at these events can help you win gold tokens and prizes as you accumulate more tokens.
The 888 Poker Club is a way to gamify your poker experience to help you grow your skills in a fun and challenging environment. So if you’re on 888, consider signing up for the rewards program.
The Type of Players You’ll Find on 888 Poker
888 Poker is famous for hosting a variety of players from across the globe. They offer satellite tournaments to the WSOP, quick-deal games like SNAP and BLAST, and the more traditional approaches like Holdem and Omaha.
The choices on the site attract different kinds of players, giving you a wide range of tables to choose from.
Recently, 888 Poker has been characterized by softer tables, with an above-average percentage of players seeing the flop.
What this means is most players on the website are here for fun, and if you’re a pro looking to grind your way to fortune, 888 Poker is a great place to start.
The website has a popular casino (888 Casino) with slot machines and various casino games. Many casino players tend to drift into the poker rooms and join tables so that you can imagine the kind of people sitting across from you.
As most players are recreational, this is a great site to help build your bankroll, especially if you’re considering going pro.
However, you’re also sure to find a few tables with 888 Poker veterans who have developed an extremely tight playing style. Games at these tables can be a drag and if you find yourself stuck at one, consider reseating immediately.
The prime reason for playing on this website is the incredibly high traffic. 888 Poker was one of the first sites with online players, and they’ve managed to maintain their significant player database for over a decade now.
Thanks to the abundance of players, you’ll find consistent action at all tables, from blinds of 1c/2c up to higher stakes of $10/$20 and above. So whatever your desired buy-in, you can bet 888 Poker has a table for you.
How To Withdraw and Deposit Funds
Since I’m reviewing a poker website, let’s talk a little about why people play poker in the first place – money! 888 Poker is like a classic cashier, allowing you to select from the traditional payment options available on most poker platforms.
The most popular payment options on the site include:
- Debit/Credit Card
- Neteller
- PayPal
- Skrill
Including PayPal as an option has made 888 Poker accessible to most users across the globe.
Unfortunately, 888 Poker doesn’t accept bitcoin deposits, which seems to be the preferred mode of payment for most online poker players today. And it doesn’t look like they’ll be adding that option anytime soon either.
Luckily, aside from the deposit options mentioned above, 888 Poker also offers new payment options to choose from, including:
- ecoPayz
- Trustly
- iDebit
It’s important to mention that while 888 Poker allows a range of depositing options, you can only withdraw from a few accounts. In addition, not all payment options are eligible for withdrawals.
For example, you can deposit and withdraw money on 888 Poker through your PayPal account. However, if you’re using ApplePay, you can use this payment method only to deposit money. You will need another payment gateway to make the withdrawal.
Here I’ve provided a list of payment options you can use to deposit money on 888 Poker. I have divided the list into payment options that allow for deposits and withdrawals and those that only allow for deposits.
| Deposit methods that can receive withdrawals | Deposit methods that can’t receive withdrawals |
| Visa Cards | Apple Pay |
| MasterCard Cards | Sofort |
| PayPal | Paysafecard |
| Skrill | PurplePay |
| MuchBetter | Neosurf |
| NETELLER | AstroPay |
| ecoPayz | BoletoBancario |
| Trustly | INTERAC Online |
| Interac e-Transfer | Nordea |
| Pay4Fun | Online Bank Transfer |
| Rapid Transfer | Oh-Pohjola |
| iDebit | Oxxo |
| Wire Transfer | Todito Cash |
| Verkkopankki | |
| Pankkisiirto | |
| Transferencia Bancaria | |
| QR Code | |
| Instadebit |
So if you’re planning to play on 888 Poker, it’s best to select a payment method like PayPal or NETELLER so that you won’t face issues depositing and withdrawing funds.
A significant drawback with 888 Poker is that most withdrawals take up to 72 hours (three business days) to process, even if you use the more straightforward payment methods. And the rate of exchange may differ significantly depending on your payment method and the currency you deposit.
For those of you reluctant to invest your money in the website, 888 Poker guarantees 100% cashback on deposits up to $400. This way, you can get a feel for playing on the site without betting any of your own money.
Are HUDs Allowed on 888 Poker?
HUDs are allowed on most 888 Poker tables. This is because heads-up-displays are becoming increasingly popular in poker, and most professionals use them daily. Luckily, while some websites have entirely banned their use, 888 Poker allows players to use a HUD on almost all of their tables.
HUDs are allowed in Holdem and Omaha, but they aren’t allowed at SNAP tables, which is a different type of poker game found on 888 Poker. Though this may not be ideal, there’s software embedded in the site that removes HUDs when you sit at a SNAP table, so there’s nothing you need to do.
The best HUDs to use on 888 would be Holdem Manager and Poker Tracker, with PT4 being the optimal choice.
FAQs
Now that I’ve taken a look at most features on 888 Poker, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Do You Need Specific Software To Play on 888 Poker?
Players do not need to download specific software to play on 888 Poker. Instead of downloading an application, you can play on the website itself. Luckily, the website’s software is pretty versatile and can be used across various devices, including tablets and phones.
What Do I Need To Register for Real Money Games on 888 Poker?
To register for real money games on 88 Poker, you’ll need basic customer info, including identity documents. Most US citizens can register with their social security number, while citizens of other countries must register their passport information.
What Are the Different Payment Methods Available on 888 Poker?
The different payment methods available on 88 Poker include:
- NETELLER
- Credit/Debit Cards
- MasterCard Cards
- Skrill
- PayPal
- ecoPayz
- Trustly
- Pay4Fun
While 888 Poker offers a variety of payment methods, only some are eligible for both deposits and withdrawals. The payment gateways listed above are eligible for withdrawals as well.
However, 888 Poker also allows different payment methods to make deposits, through which you can’t withdraw funds. These include Apply Pay, Sofort, PurplePay, Nordea, and Neosurf.
What Are the Different Poker Games Available on 888 Poker?
The different poker games available on 88 Poker include cash games and tournaments. Players can choose from a variety of popular tables, such as Holdem, along with popular tournaments, like Progressive Knockouts, MultiFlights, and Deep Stack.
Cash Games
Traditional cash games like Holdem, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo are familiar. However, 888 also offers two non-traditional cash games – SNAP and BLAST. These are faster-paced poker games without the traditional approach to poker.
Tournaments
Tournament formats like “sit and go” and multi-table games are pretty popular on 888 Poker. Additionally, the platform offers various freerolls to their regular players, with impressive payouts to the winners.
Aside from the regular formats, 888 Poker hosts several satellites, giving players with lower bankrolls the chance to qualify for bigger tournaments, like the WSOP.
Is 888 Poker Better Than Pokerstars?
888 Poker is better than Pokerstars for those players who prefer not to download apps or software. 888 Poker also has much softer tables and offers more significant bonuses to its players.
That said, the answer to this question largely depends on the player, the type of environment they prefer, and the level of competition they want to face. While Pokerstars is the leading poker platform with the highest traffic, there are advantages to playing on 888 Poker.
If you’re looking to steamroll the competition and build a significant bankroll out of nothing, 888 Poker would be ideal.
Is the Software Smooth and Glitch-Free?
888 Poker software is, unfortunately, outdated and glitchy compared to the other poker platforms out there, making it less smooth and glitch-free than other, more advanced sites. As a result, it can seem like the software is likely to crash in certain instances.
Additionally, customers have reported problems withdrawing funds from this platform, especially earnings won through freerolls. And even regular withdrawals on 888 can take around three to four business days to reflect in your bank account.
Is 888 Poker a Legit Platform?
888 Poker is a totally legit platform. While it can seem a little gamified, it is owned by one of the most financially secure companies in the world of online gaming, 888 Holdings.
In addition, the company has improved its software and gamer experience over time, adapting to the world of online poker as it changes with the times.
They also happen to be one of the only poker platforms that haven’t been involved in some kind of scandal (sad but true), and they only operate in jurisdictions where they can obtain an official license. So, they’re about as legit as it gets.
Other Online Poker Options
While this platform is the ideal option for most pros and new players out there, it isn’t the only one. In fact, a few other platforms offer a high-class gaming experience without the drawbacks of 888 Poker.
For example, Pokerstars and GG Poker are the two most viable alternatives to those looking for platforms with a range of players.
These platforms probably have much harder tables than 888 Poker, but their software and website designs are typically better for practical use.
These giants have different games to offer their players, with enormous payouts to boot. Let’s take a closer look at these and a couple of others you might want to consider.
Pokerstars
If you’re a poker enthusiast who loves to play the different variants, Pokerstars would be your go-to website.
While the platform is most famous for Holdem and Omaha, they offer a range of games you probably haven’t even heard of.
Some of these include
- Stud
- Stud Hi-Lo
- Courchevel
- Badugi
- HORSE
- Triple Stud
- 8 Game Mix
If you’re looking to improve your online poker skills, few websites can hope to compete with the range of players you’ll find on Pokerstars. The platform averages a whopping 15,000 players daily in cash games alone!
They also run a popular tournament known as the Sunday Million with a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million in exchange for a buy-in of just $215.
GG Poker
GG Poker is a great environment to hone your skills and try different playing styles, especially if you’re a tournament player.
The platform offers its players various tournament formats to choose from, including:
- Guaranteed Tournaments – with a fixed prize pool.
- Freezeout Tournaments – where new chips are not added to a player’s stack.
- N-Stack Tournaments – where players receive different stacks of chips and can use as many as required throughout the game.
- Progressive Bounty – where each player is rewarded for knocking other players out of the game.
- Rebuy tournaments – where players can purchase another chip stack if they lose their chips.
- Shootout Tournaments – where each table is played at till there’s a single winner who then moves to a new table where the pattern is repeated.
Of course, the platform also offers cash games, satellites, and other regular games found on any poker platform. Additionally, the software is optimized so you can play across a range of devices.
iPoker
iPoker can be likened to a Poker network rather than an individual website. Through iPoker you can choose to play on various poker clients, which offer different kinds of tournaments and cash games.
The platform’s most recent addition is a sort of gamification for players who enjoy performing side quests and receiving rewards along with playing poker.
You can choose from a range of casino-themed challenges, and the gamification process and reward systems can help dramatically improve your game.
PartyPoker
As the name suggests, PartyPoker is a platform that has turned poker into a more fun and engaging activity while retaining the competitive spirit.
This platform adds exciting animations and in-game challenges to complete, gamifying the play process. PartyPoker also allows players to get rich quickly with their unique SPINS game, which gives players the chance to turn a mere $5 into a fortune!
So if you aren’t too happy with the 888 platform and the games it offers, this would be a great place to try next.
Final Thoughts
That’s a rundown of the 888 Poker website, the types of games it offers, and the pros and cons of playing on this platform.
While 888 may have its drawbacks, it’s crucial to remember that they receive high traffic and have the softest tables in the online poker world, which are great odds for those looking to profit through poker.
