Betfair Poker

Betfair is the largest Internet betting exchange in the entire world. Founded in June 2000, they have made leaps and bounds over the last nine years to now claim 2,000,000 customers and a turnover in excess of £50,000,000 each week.

Overview

Betfair is a British independent online poker room and sports betting operation with a generous $500 Sign-Up Bonus and 30% rakeback. It is home to top European professionals such as Annette Obrestad and John Tabatabai. Betfair runs regular WSOPE Satellites as well as a Daily SnG $20,000 Jackpot.

Conclusion: A $500 sign-up bonus is a nice little earner and if you’re a Sit n Go player then you have the juicy daily jackpots up to $20,000 to win

Software

Betfair’s poker room is independent and therefore offers a unique experience. The software is plain and functional but is hardly anything to get excited about. Graphics could do with an update as it looks as if they were made on a programme off Windows 95 – but hey, whatever tickles your fancy right? Either way they offer most levels of stakes, from 5c/10c to $500/$1000, Limit, PL or NL, with players at each level, and the software will let you run as many tables as you like. It seems to be well designed for multitabling. Cashouts and deposits are fast and reliable with a wide array of methods permissible. Funnily enough, the software is not demanding of most PCs' resources. Tables can be resized or cascaded. One of the best features is probably the option that allows you to add players to a list and set it so that you are notified when and where they sit down. This is great for tracking the donks across cash games. Unfortunately, Betfair does not feature games other than Hold'em or PL Omaha, although their support team claims that they are "working on that". Also Betfair hand histories are not supported by PokerTracker and you cannot use a HUD with the software.

Conclusion: They offer some reliable, functional and simple software with cash games and tournaments at most stakes around the clock.

Traffic

Being one of the biggest sports betting exchanges on the Internet, Betfair can't help but have a sea of punters who want to try their luck at a game of cards. How hard can it be, right? Plus, they are bunched up with hoards of wannabe poker sharks hoping to snap up all that dead money. So there is no shortage of competition, whether you're a ring game specialist or into tournies or sit and go's. There's always a game, and at peak times the Omaha can be as popular as Hold'em.

Conclusion: With 2 million people a day logging on to bet on the sportsbook, you can be sure on the fact a fair few will have a flutter at the virtual felt too.

Donks or Not?

The competition here is softer than most sites. They're not aiming entirely at the poker market and are looking to entice gamblers. Their software has built-in Blackjack and Casino add-ons, which is often a sign they'll have customers who will be your customers too! OK so there will also be the odd shark who is after the gamblers' money, but the ratio is probably close to 2:1. You better get here and race them to it.

Conclusion: It’s not all donkeys at Betfair – the site is where Luke “__FullFlush1__” Schwartz built up his impressive reputation, bankroll and ego. Be wary!