Due to the high level of complaints we receive regarding 888's mobile poker software, we have removed them from our list of recommended apps.
The iPad poker app currently on the market is PartyPoker Mobile.
The iPad poker app currently on the market is PartyPoker Mobile.
888 iPAD POKER - $8 NO DEPOSIT BONUS
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BACKGROUND
888 have been a growing force within the gambling industry for a number of years now. It’s pretty safe to say that they are now one of the leading lights and part of their success has without doubt been down to their pursuit of innovation. The company comes from a casino and sportsbook background, but like all major brands these days, 888 have branched out into just about all types of gambling with poker being just another ranch to their ever expanding company.
One of their more recent additions has come in the form of mobile poker. They have done this by offering their poker room on a series of mobile devices and for the purpose of this review we will see how their iPad app performs compared to that of their competition. Whilst poker apps are still a growing market, the novelty factor is starting to wear off and players are now looking for reliable software of which they can play for an extended period of time. As 888 poker is now a well-established brand, we are expecting good things from their poker app and for it to be challenging with some of the bigger brands within the online poker industry.
One of their more recent additions has come in the form of mobile poker. They have done this by offering their poker room on a series of mobile devices and for the purpose of this review we will see how their iPad app performs compared to that of their competition. Whilst poker apps are still a growing market, the novelty factor is starting to wear off and players are now looking for reliable software of which they can play for an extended period of time. As 888 poker is now a well-established brand, we are expecting good things from their poker app and for it to be challenging with some of the bigger brands within the online poker industry.
OFFERS & PROMOTIONS
There are two promotions at 888 Poker which are both available to customers registering anew account. The first comes in the form of a free £12 to use in their poker room as you choose. This requires no deposit and should be credited to your account instantly. Please be aware that when we registered a new account the free money wasn’t actually in our account, but after a quick message to customer support it was added in a very timely manner. What we actually missed was that you need to check your email inbox that you registered with to opt in to your bonus; so make sure you enter a valid address.
The second part of the promotion comes as a 200% deposit match worth up to $400.To qualify for this you simply need to deposit between $10 and $200 before then clearing your bonus when playing at any real money poker table. The bonus is released in increments of $10 for every 100 points you earn at the table. On top of all that, all players will receive free entry into the $100,000 depositors freeroll, a ticket to the $1,000 depositors freeroll and seven $500 first depositors freeroll tickets.
The second part of the promotion comes as a 200% deposit match worth up to $400.To qualify for this you simply need to deposit between $10 and $200 before then clearing your bonus when playing at any real money poker table. The bonus is released in increments of $10 for every 100 points you earn at the table. On top of all that, all players will receive free entry into the $100,000 depositors freeroll, a ticket to the $1,000 depositors freeroll and seven $500 first depositors freeroll tickets.
FEATURES
Upon starting up any poker app we are always very conscious about first impressions and the overall aesthetics to the lobby section including navigation. In a word, the 888 poker app looks stunning! We love the neon blue colours on the black background and everything is set out in a manner where you can quickly find your game of choice. The lobby isn’t synced up with the retina displays in the new iPad’s, but that doesn’t take anything away from how good this app looks.
From the home screen you can choose from a number of different tabs including beginners, cash games, sit and go’s and practice area. There is also a ‘settings’ button but surprisingly all you seem to be able to do is simply change your avatar. Unfortunately the lack of settings and account information seems to be totally missing from app with there being no way to deposit, withdraw or simply change any account details. This is a massive negative in our opinion as we feel that now these sorts of poker apps should be able to stand alone from the computer based clients, rather than just be an extension. 888 are continually improving their mobile client so we would expect these features in the near future.
Back in the lobby you will first be greeted with the Beginners section where you can select between cash games and sit and go tournaments. These will vary depending on the seats that are available for each, but generally should give you a reasonable mix of games to sample before diving into the real money section of the app.
The cash game section is a little more detailed, allowing you to choose between game type, table type and stakes. What you won’t find are any mixed games, with just Texas Holdem on offer but tables do range from heads up, 6 max to full ring. Stakes also range from 1c/2c up to $1/$2 which is a pretty good range on offer. Once you have selected your requirements you will then be taken to a table – of which you can’t choose between – before being seated. If there are no games that meet your requirements then you will be sat at a new table and wait for that to fill up before starting.
The sit and go section works much the same with you being able to choose how big the tables you want to play are before then selecting a buy in and being sat. Again, you will have to wait for tables to fill before starting which, at some of the higher levels can take some time to load. Games range from 50c buy in up to $26.
From the home screen you can choose from a number of different tabs including beginners, cash games, sit and go’s and practice area. There is also a ‘settings’ button but surprisingly all you seem to be able to do is simply change your avatar. Unfortunately the lack of settings and account information seems to be totally missing from app with there being no way to deposit, withdraw or simply change any account details. This is a massive negative in our opinion as we feel that now these sorts of poker apps should be able to stand alone from the computer based clients, rather than just be an extension. 888 are continually improving their mobile client so we would expect these features in the near future.
Back in the lobby you will first be greeted with the Beginners section where you can select between cash games and sit and go tournaments. These will vary depending on the seats that are available for each, but generally should give you a reasonable mix of games to sample before diving into the real money section of the app.
The cash game section is a little more detailed, allowing you to choose between game type, table type and stakes. What you won’t find are any mixed games, with just Texas Holdem on offer but tables do range from heads up, 6 max to full ring. Stakes also range from 1c/2c up to $1/$2 which is a pretty good range on offer. Once you have selected your requirements you will then be taken to a table – of which you can’t choose between – before being seated. If there are no games that meet your requirements then you will be sat at a new table and wait for that to fill up before starting.
The sit and go section works much the same with you being able to choose how big the tables you want to play are before then selecting a buy in and being sat. Again, you will have to wait for tables to fill before starting which, at some of the higher levels can take some time to load. Games range from 50c buy in up to $26.
TABLES
The table on the 888 poker app looks smart and very easy on the eye. Even the full ring (10 seater) tables don’t feel cramped in any way and there feels like there is plenty of space. What we liked on the table is the ability to tag players as certain type; so things like shark, fish, whale, TAG etc. You can’t make specific notes on players, but this is a function that most poker apps don’t have so 888 definitely get the check mark here.
Unfortunately that’s where the superlatives end for the 888 table and the negatives start to come into fruition. The first thing is the lack of a four coloured deck, which seems like such a simple and obvious feature to include. Now this wouldn’t be a massive problem but in all honesty the cards are by far the most crisp we have seen and often distinguishing between the clubs and spades, then hearts and diamonds is quite tricky. The lack of options such as sounds, switching off other peoples avatars and the banking issues we mentioned earlier sets the app back a fair bit from its competitors.
Unfortunately that’s where the superlatives end for the 888 table and the negatives start to come into fruition. The first thing is the lack of a four coloured deck, which seems like such a simple and obvious feature to include. Now this wouldn’t be a massive problem but in all honesty the cards are by far the most crisp we have seen and often distinguishing between the clubs and spades, then hearts and diamonds is quite tricky. The lack of options such as sounds, switching off other peoples avatars and the banking issues we mentioned earlier sets the app back a fair bit from its competitors.
OUR VERDICT
On the whole the 888 is a relatively good poker app. We can’t say any more than that because it has too many features that companies it should be competing with all have. The lack of banking is just mind blowing to be honest and then the options panel is pretty much none existence. Compare that to companies that 888 are trying to compete with and there is simply no comparison.
The 888 isn’t a ‘bad’ app, but there are without much better iPad poker apps on the market that would lead to the question as to why anyone would choose this app over those?
The 888 isn’t a ‘bad’ app, but there are without much better iPad poker apps on the market that would lead to the question as to why anyone would choose this app over those?
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Reviews of other top iPad poker sites.