Online Poker > Online Poker Room Reviews > Betfair Poker Room Review
Betfair Poker was launched in 2004 and is currently one of the fastest growing poker sites on the Internet. The incredible popularity of its pioneering online sports betting exchange has helped significantly boost player numbers, and enabled Betfair to go solo, leaving the Cryptologic network in October 2006. Read More...
Our Ratings
Promotions/Bonuses
| Sign-up Bonus |
$1000 Bonus code BF1000 |
| Deposit Bonus |
100% |
| Referral Bonus |
$0 |
| Deposit free bonus |
$0 |
| Paid to play |
$0 per hour |
Graphics
Betfair is part of the Cryptologic network. and like other Cryptologic sites features fairly basic table graphics. There are no avatars. making the tables look a little monotonous. and the overall impression is not of the highest quality. On the other hand the simplicity is to a lot of people’s taste.
Playability
Table
The stand out feature of Betfair’s new software is the multi-table function, which allows players to play up to six tables simultaneously, something many regular online players had been crying out for. They have also added other useful features, such as a graphic that displays your folded cards until after the hand is over.
Lobby
The new Betfair lobby is good: it is simple but includes all the important information necessary for game selection, such as players per flop, average pot and hands per hour.
Player Numbers
Ring
Since Betfair left the Cryptologic network it has been difficult to get precise player numbers. Having a look around the site the player figures look ok, but clearly leaving Cryptologic will adversely affect player numbers in the short term.
Tournament
Game Variety
Texas Hold’em, Omaha. So far only these two games are available, though Betfair will add Stud and Omaha hi/lo versions shortly.
Rake
The industry average: 5 percent on any pot over £5/$5/€5 up to a max of £3/$3/€3. Just be aware that the total rake is higher in the sterling and euro games, as £3 is actually equivalent to $5.2.
Special Tournaments
Betfair’s has become a real player in the tournament market now, offering qualification to some of the world’s biggest tournaments, such as the WSOP, the BAPT, the EPT and the Aussie Millions, as well as some smaller events such as the Northern Ireland Poker Championship. Alongside these satellites Betfair also guarantees over $2.2 million every month in tournament .
Promotions / Bonuses
Sign-up
Exclusive $1000 bonus using the code BFP1000.
Loyalty
By playing regularly at Betfair you can earn points which will give you lower commission at the Betfair sports betting exchange.
Payment Options
Deposit
Credit Card. Debit Card. MasterCard. Visa. NETeller. Moneybookers. PayPal. Bank Transfer. Cheque. and Western Union.
Withdrawal
back to your card. Cheque. Bank Transfer. PayPal. Moneybookers. and NETeller.
About BetFair Poker
Betfair Poker is the poker arm of the Betfair Sports Betting Exchange, which is the trading name of The Sporting Exchange Limited.
Betfair was founded in 1999 by Andrew Black and Edward Wray and launched in June 2000; the concept of cutting out the bookmaker proved an instant hit with the punters.
Headquartered in London, Betfair’s worldwide operation has been a sensational success, quickly turning it into the largest sports betting exchange in the world.
The success of Betfair has and the innovative nature of its business model has also been recognised by the authorities, and in 2001 co-founders Andrew Black and Ed Wray won the Ernst and Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award. Then, more recently, Betfair was recognised by the Department of Trade & Industry, who gave Betfair a Queen's Award - the most prestigious business award in the UK.
Betfair’s online poker operation was set up in May 2004 as part of the Cryptologic poker network and moved to an independent platform in October 2006.
Betfair regularly hosts some of the highest stakes no-limit and fixed-limit Hold’em games on the Internet and is the preferred choice of well known young pros such as
Ben ‘the Milkybar Kid’ Grundy and the Swedish sensation Bengt Sonnert (ed note: see our poker player section on Whichpoker.co.uk for interviews with both players.)