Poker Ghetto

Betfair Poker

Betfair is perhaps better known for being the world’s largest sports exchange which is a good reason why their poker room is enjoying increasing traffic. Following aggressive acquisition activity for their core business, the poker room sees a steady stream of players coming from the ever-increasing sports betting base. As a result, play is relatively fast and loose so the seasoned player can stand to make a tidy sum.

Betfair Poker games

The busiest, and most profitable, games can be found in the low stakes and medium stake Limit and No-limit Texas Hold ‘Em. This is a symptom of the migration of the sports betting customers who are finding their feet in the Betfair Poker room. There are lots of low buy-in tournaments to be found and plenty of good value freerolls. Currently they’re running The Free Million Dollar Game which is a daily freeroll to gain entry to the WSOP Free Million Dollar Game final table. The top 18 players in each Daily Regional Freeroll win a seat in the Weekly Regional Qualifier, winners of which go through to the Live Regional Final to compete for their chance to represent their region at the WSOP Free Million Dollar Game final table.

Betfair Promotions and bonusing

Betfair host frequent deep promotions and their sign-up bonus is pretty generous at $500. While earning your points to claim your bonus, you also reduce the commission rate that you pay on the Betting Exchange – they integrate their services very well. You also have chance to boost your bankroll by finishing in the top 9 of any of the 5 daily freerolls. This qualifies you for the weekly $2,000 Bankroll Booster Final which pays to the top 150 finishers. Daily Added Value Tourneys see buy-ins from only 10c with up to $25 added to the prize pool to top up the coffers. The Leaderboard series is another exciting room wide promotion that puts $10,000 up for grabs every week. The aim is to find the best players at the Betfair tables across 11 different categories and stake levels covering cash games, sit n’ go’s and MTTs. Get yourself to the top of one of the 11 leaderboards to prove you’re the cream of the crop in the Betfair room.

Betfair Pro Team

In line with Betfair’s image, they have identified a ‘new breed’ of player, lending their support to the likes of new school players like Annette Obrestad who’s making waves at just 18yrs of age. Others include Sorel Mizzi, John Tabatabai and newest member Peter Jepsen, who was involved in one of the biggest online hands in history when he won $499k in under one minute. Betfair have chosen to sponsor the new ‘online’ breed of player that you’ve probably heard the pros at WSOP moaning about recently but they’ve got an eye on the future and online is where it’s at.

Betfair Software

Following an overhaul in 2007, the Betfair software runs really well so games are fast and smooth with support of up to 15 tables for multi-table play and improved graphics. Betfair don’t overcomplicate things so while there are good graphics, it’s more about the quality of play. The privately developed software is solid and reliable with good functionality; player statistics, player notes, mini-view and ‘player buddy’ functions (where players can analyse hand histories and replay a hand) are all seamless. If you like your poker unadulterated you’ll be happy here.

In summary

Betfair is a great poker room to make a quick killing in if you know something about poker. While there is a steady flow of traffic from new customers and migrated sports-base customers, play outside the peak hours can trail off so you may be waiting around to find a game in off-peak times. This room does not allow U.S players which obviously affects traffic levels, but it is becoming a stronger contender in Europe and is gaining momentum. Their current sponsorship of the World Series of Poker Europe is doing a good job of raising their profile further. Game play is quick and smooth and bonuses and prize pools are worth the effort. Once you’re in, they also do a lot to look after you with special promotions and integrated offers with their sports betting and other gaming contingents. In short – good value and well worth a punt.

Visit Betfair Poker today.