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It´s okay, we´ll help you build one!Party Poker Review - The Best for Non-US
PartyPoker.com - It was once one of the biggest name in online poker but after a U.S. federal law kicked in preventing U.S.-based banks from issuing transactions on online poker sites and ultimately making harder for U.S. citizens to play poker online, Party Poker saw its numbers of players shrink dramatically. Now, the site is trying to keep its players from drifting to other sites, like Full Tilt and Poker Stars (which are two sites that we recommend to players before Party Poker).
Software
The software download for Party Poker is pretty run of the mill.
But the sweet thing about Party Poker is that the site offers a "lite" non-download version of its software, which is extremely helpful if you can't download (or not allowed) to download poker software on your computer. The "lite" software is available to both Apple and Window users, but that is the only option for Apple users. The downloadable version is Windows only, a pretty common trait among online poker sites.
For Window users, requirements are pretty bare. To use the software, you will need XP or Vista, a measly 256MB of RAM to use the software, which weighs in at a light 9.9MB.
Once downloaded, the installation is pretty straightforward. The account sign up is routine. An email is required for free play, a bit more is needed for users wanting to use real money. More about that below.
Aesthetics
This is where I think Party Poker proves it's a first tier poker program. The gameplay design is clean, simple and straightforward. When at a table, your whole cards are easily distinguishable and there isn't too much clutter to distract you from the game. The initial download comes with one standard theme but more are available for download.
There are a ton of notable, exceptional features"Open Table" feature. For those who like to fill their computer screen with multiple screens of poker games, this feature helps out by cascading all screens evenly across your screen, helping in quick play and dismisses the hassle of tabbing through running cash games and tourneys you are in.
Another great feature is the Quick Seat featurebetting denomination buttons (2x, 3x, 4x and all in) that makes it easier to check raise when you have the nuts.
One disappointing aspect was that personalizing your online profile, like adding a photo, is limited only to real money players. It kind of shortchanges U.S. poker players since they don't have a choice (read more about that below).
Games
Stakes
For cash games, Party Poker has stakes ranging from $.02/.04 games all the way to the big-dog stakes of $25/50. For most Omaha games, the stakes range from $.05/1 to $30/60.
Tournaments
The tournaments offerings at Party Poker are pretty much identical to most poker sites with sit-and-goes, monthlies, qualifiers, events freerolls and shootouts. Stakes start as low as $6 and up to $700.
One of Party Poker's strength is sit-and-go tournaments. At even just a quick glance, the sit-and-go offers easily overshadow other tournament choices. Big fan of sit-and-goes flock to Party Poker because of all the site has to offer, which includes multi-table tournaments (apparently a rarity for poker sites) and HellKat tournaments, which are timed sit-and-goes and make it even easier to waste 15 minutes and some of your hard-earned cash.
Even the stakes show how serious Party Poker takes its sit-and-goes with tournaments with buy-ins as high at $5,000.
Bonus
Party Poker Bonus Codes page.
Cashier
Pokerstars, Aced or Carbon
Overall
There's no denying there are some good poker sites and some truly awful ones, just as there are great casinos in Vegas and some that you wouldn't bring your last dollar to.
Before the U.S. restrictions, Party Poker celebrated being one of the biggest sites out there but since then, the fanfare has tamed a bit. However, for players from Canada, Europe and elsewhere, the site is one of the better offerings. The gameplay stands against any of the bigger names in online poker (looking at you Full Tilt and Poker Stars). The lack of other poker games that have increased in popularity like Razz, lowball, etc., is something left to be desired from Party Poker.
Party Poker may not be the Bellagio of online poker sites but it definitely deserves a spot on the strip.
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