We no longer recommend the Sky Poker app for our readers. The latest versions Sky Poker for iOS and Android are full of bugs and security problems. Customer support is terrible also. PartyPoker is currently the best real money poker app.
SKY POKER - UK, IRELAND & FINLAND
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INTRODUCTION
Sky Poker is one of the industries most exciting companies, at least for users in the UK. The company have always been open to the fact that their poker room can only be accessed by players from within the UK. Whilst some find that this massively restricts the site, it does add a certain community feel to it, which is often lost in the modern day of mobile or even online poker.
That being said, they do offer a mobile version for their poker room and today we will be looking at the iPad app and seeing how it performs against the competition.
That being said, they do offer a mobile version for their poker room and today we will be looking at the iPad app and seeing how it performs against the competition.
SKY BET APP FEATURES
The first time you enter the app you are seeing much more of a mobile friendly landing page than a full-blown app ‘style’. But, this is actually handy as it helps you find out all you need to know about the app before being flung into the action. Also, you can see more on the welcome bonus as well, which is good if you really want to go over those terms and conditions with a fine toothcomb.
Once into the app itself you get that the fantastic Sky design that they apply to all their betting outlets. The subtle changes of blue and the pink highlights, whilst sounding crude, actually work very well together and the app does provide a pretty minimalist look for the lobby, which is a positive!
The Menu section found at the top left of the lobby is a really good starting point for the Sky iPad app. You can find out how your rewards are ticking along, live chat, help, feedback, casino games and also heir new strategy section. The strategy section brings us into your first negative for the app in that it loads outside the app, in your browser. We hate that they keep things like this separate from the app. When the app closes you then need to reopen which may mean that it restarts and you lose where you were on the site or even worse, you get removed from your table.
The lobby shows you how many players are online at any one time, so you can get a feel for how the games are going to play. Often the greater the number the more chance there is for softer competition. Having said that, as the app only allows players from the UK, the overall standard is probably slighter higher than most who offer players from around the world.
The cash games provide a really nice depth in its gameplay with Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo all on offer. The tables will include both 6 max and heads up, but no full ring, which for us at least, isn’t all that big a loss. Stakes will range from 2p/4p and go up to £10/£20, with everything in between. We must admit that the higher stakes games tend to be filled with quite a few regulars, so if you are looking to take a ‘shot’, then approach with caution.
The tournament exposure is excellent and with that you get a ton of games to choose from. Their stakes again include a nice mix ranging from freerolls, up to one off four figure buy ins.
Once into the app itself you get that the fantastic Sky design that they apply to all their betting outlets. The subtle changes of blue and the pink highlights, whilst sounding crude, actually work very well together and the app does provide a pretty minimalist look for the lobby, which is a positive!
The Menu section found at the top left of the lobby is a really good starting point for the Sky iPad app. You can find out how your rewards are ticking along, live chat, help, feedback, casino games and also heir new strategy section. The strategy section brings us into your first negative for the app in that it loads outside the app, in your browser. We hate that they keep things like this separate from the app. When the app closes you then need to reopen which may mean that it restarts and you lose where you were on the site or even worse, you get removed from your table.
The lobby shows you how many players are online at any one time, so you can get a feel for how the games are going to play. Often the greater the number the more chance there is for softer competition. Having said that, as the app only allows players from the UK, the overall standard is probably slighter higher than most who offer players from around the world.
The cash games provide a really nice depth in its gameplay with Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo all on offer. The tables will include both 6 max and heads up, but no full ring, which for us at least, isn’t all that big a loss. Stakes will range from 2p/4p and go up to £10/£20, with everything in between. We must admit that the higher stakes games tend to be filled with quite a few regulars, so if you are looking to take a ‘shot’, then approach with caution.
The tournament exposure is excellent and with that you get a ton of games to choose from. Their stakes again include a nice mix ranging from freerolls, up to one off four figure buy ins.
TABLE MODE & COMPETITION
The overall look of the table is again up to Sky Poker’s usual high standard. In fact, it might be as good as we have come across. The table has a very modern feel, but what’s probably the best feature for us is that it works so well on the iPad. By this, we mean that it gives you plenty of room and the ability to see how the action is taking place on the increased screens sizes, when compared with the smartphone app.
One of the most exciting features for us is that they are in the process of releasing a multi table option for the app. We aren’t sure how the tables or the layout will work for this design just yet, but it feels as though it should be a bit of a revelation for the app.
One of the most exciting features for us is that they are in the process of releasing a multi table option for the app. We aren’t sure how the tables or the layout will work for this design just yet, but it feels as though it should be a bit of a revelation for the app.
DOWNLOAD & BONUS
A great feature that the app does have is it’s - free - availability from the app store. It makes downloading very simple and you can be assured you aren’t getting just a mobile browser based version. It’s worth noting that there doesn’t seem to be a direct link from the Sky Poker website to download the app, so you will have to go direct to the app store for your download.
The welcome bonus is actually broken down into two sections. The first is £10 worth of tournament tickets when you open your account. The £10 ticket will actually be broken into four parts with two £2.20 tickets and two £3.30 tickets. It does state that you can combine tickets to enter higher tournaments if you choose, but if the combined sum is more than the tickets face value price, you wont get any change.
The second part is the most lucrative. Here you can get a 200% match on your first deposit giving you up to £500 in bonus money. The bonus will be applied to all deposit of £10 and upward, and to claim the full amount you must deposit £250 or more. The bonus will be released in increments of £10 for every 250 poker points that you acquire at any real money table. You must play through your bonus amount once before being able to withdraw this or any winnings.
The welcome bonus is actually broken down into two sections. The first is £10 worth of tournament tickets when you open your account. The £10 ticket will actually be broken into four parts with two £2.20 tickets and two £3.30 tickets. It does state that you can combine tickets to enter higher tournaments if you choose, but if the combined sum is more than the tickets face value price, you wont get any change.
The second part is the most lucrative. Here you can get a 200% match on your first deposit giving you up to £500 in bonus money. The bonus will be applied to all deposit of £10 and upward, and to claim the full amount you must deposit £250 or more. The bonus will be released in increments of £10 for every 250 poker points that you acquire at any real money table. You must play through your bonus amount once before being able to withdraw this or any winnings.
VERDICT
What you’re going to get from the Sky Poker app is one of the best looking options on the market. We really can’t stress enough about how well it fits into the iPad screen.
There are a few niggles though and the main one is that it only accepts players from the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar and Finland. A poker app the size of Sky Poker should really be an international brand and in turn it limits the number of players on offer, especially at off peak times. It could be argued that this isn’t a fault of the app itself, and whilst its not, it does limit how far we think this app can really go.
There are a few niggles though and the main one is that it only accepts players from the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar and Finland. A poker app the size of Sky Poker should really be an international brand and in turn it limits the number of players on offer, especially at off peak times. It could be argued that this isn’t a fault of the app itself, and whilst its not, it does limit how far we think this app can really go.
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