Essentials of a Good Poker Site Review
A review of a poker site should be interesting to read but also get to the point. It should provide enough information for a player to decide whether or not to try the site, and the person should feel comfortable in the reliability of the review.
There are some things that should be included in any good poker review:
- Bonus code: There should be a link to a site with a bonus code or special access if the person chooses that particular site on which to play.
- Games: The review should list the games and tournaments, stakes and buy-ins available, and any special offerings for that poker site, such as a fast-fold game or ongoing promotions.
- Traffic: Players should know if a site has very little traffic or a significant amount, as that often determines the number of games, tables, and tournaments that will be available.
- Support: Customer support should be rated, as players should be aware of the ways to contact a representative and how responsive they are likely to be.
- Payments: Every review must tell potential customers about the deposit and withdrawal methods accepted, along with fees or delays that might accompany those transactions.
- Software: A thorough review will discuss the software, any glitches, clarity of graphics, and ease of navigation.
- Licensing: The review should list the country in which the site is licensed and ensure that the online poker license is current and in good standing.
- Basics: It is helpful to list information like the year the site was first launched and anything significant in the operator’s history.
- Player programs: Most online poker sites offer some type of VIP or loyalty program, and a good review explains the perks of earning those points.
- Language: A good review will list the languages offered by the operator, as well as possibly the currencies accepted.
- US players: Since so many poker players hail from the United States, it is helpful if the review notes whether the site accepts US players or not.
Extra Information on Review Sites
Poker reviews are helpful in and of themselves, but a proper review site should offer more information to go with those reviews. Since there are so many choices when it comes to online poker, players deserve more information to use in their decision-making process.
Players need to know about the software they will be using and its compatibility. They should know what the online poker operator chooses for software, whether it is a proprietary platform or one from a developer like Playtech. And included in the software information should be its compatibility with various types of computers and mobile devices. Is the software compatible with Mac laptops, iPhones and iPads? What about Linux? Is the platform powered by Flash? These are important questions to answer for customers.
Most players should also know more about the regulations and laws for their part of the world. If they live in the United States, which sites are licensed and regulated there? If a player chooses a poker site while living in Australia, is there any shared poker liquidity that allowed them to compete against players in other countries like Spain or Italy? Laws and regulations have become more complicated than ever, especially in the US where 50 states can have vastly different poker laws.
In addition, poker review sites should also have an updated news section. Players who are investigating various online poker sites are likely interested in the happenings in their industry. Whether the news is about professional players, laws and regulations, or the latest tournament results, poker players want to stay informed. Information such as poker pros signing sponsorship deals with certain sites might influence their decision to play on that site, and news of a site earning a license in a particular country could also have an impact on those decisions.
A well-informed poker player makes the best decisions. This is not only the case on the tables but even deciding which tables are best for their action.
Poker is a game of information. Make sure you get your poker reviews from a site that cares about more than a bonus code but provides a plethora of information about the poker sites and the industry as a whole.
