What to Look For in Modern Poker Sites

modern poker sites

Whilst there are still the old and trusted brands around, there are numerous new sites popping up. They’re all competing for our time and money when we venture into the online poker world. But what are you looking for in modern poker sites?  Are you won over by marketing or sign up bonuses? Do you have a check list or priority order of what you want? Don’t worry, in this post I’m going to share the most important things to consider when choosing one of the modern poker sites to play on.

Regular Bonuses and Promotions

In the competitive online poker market, bonuses and promotions are essential for attracting and retaining players. Top-tier poker sites understand the importance of rewarding their loyal customer base and frequently offer enticing bonuses and promotional offers.

These can include welcome bonuses for new players, reload bonuses for existing players, and even special promotions tied to specific events or tournaments. Regular bonuses not only provide added value for players but also create a sense of excitement and encourage continued engagement with the site.

Latest Payment Methods

One of the most significant advantages of modern poker sites is the availability of various payment methods, catering to players’ diverse preferences. Many players will not even bother registering if they can see their preferred deposit method is not available to them. While traditional methods like credit cards and e-wallets are still widely accepted, many sites now embrace cryptocurrency as a secure and convenient payment option.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin offer several benefits for online poker players.  Sometimes you even get better promotions with crypto poker site sites. Transactions are fast, secure, and often anonymous, providing an added layer of privacy. Additionally, crypto payments are generally subject to lower fees compared to traditional methods, making them a cost-effective choice.

Rakeback Availability

Rakeback is a unique feature that many experienced poker players seek out. It essentially refers to a portion of the rake (the small fee taken from each pot) being returned to the player, either in the form of cash or site credits. Serious players won’t even bother playing on a platform that has no rakeback option available.

While not all poker sites offer rakeback programs, those that do provide a significant advantage to players, especially those who play frequently or at higher stakes. Rakeback can add up to substantial savings over time, making it a highly sought-after feature among savvy poker enthusiasts. With sites like mine providing free tips to boost bankrolls, seeking out sites with rakeback will only become more popular, even amongst recreational poker players.

Lucrative Prizepool Tournaments

One of the main draws of online poker is the opportunity to participate in large-scale tournaments with substantial prizepools. The allure of life changing money in the final table payouts is massive to tournament players. Modern poker sites understand the appeal of these events and strive to offer tournaments with lucrative prizepools on a regular basis, particularly on weekends when most people have free time to play. It’s worth pointing out that many of these are crapshoots!

These can range from daily or weekly tournaments with modest buy-ins but substantial guarantees, to major annual events with multi-million dollar prizepools. The ability to potentially earn massive sums of money is a significant draw for many players, and sites that consistently offer these opportunities tend to attract a loyal following.

Reliable Networks and Software

While flashy bonuses and massive prizepools may initially attract players, the long-term success of a poker site hinges on its reliability and the quality of its software and network. Modern poker sites should prioritize stable, user-friendly software that runs smoothly across various devices and platforms. It only takes one or two bad experiences for a poker player to shun a site and move elsewhere. Therefore, ensuring that servers are fast and reliable is a necessity for the best online poker sites.

Summing Up

In conclusion, the best modern poker sites offer a comprehensive package that caters to the evolving needs and preferences of online poker players. By embracing modern payment methods like cryptocurrency, offering regular bonuses and promotions, providing rakeback programs, hosting lucrative prizepool tournaments, and ensuring reliable software and networks, these sites are setting the standard for an exceptional online poker experience.

Narciso Baldo is the Director and Head Coach of Texas Hold'em Questions. He has been playing poker for over 16 years. After spending many years as a professional, he now runs UK poker training site Texas Hold'em Questions. Narciso regularly writes poker articles sharing tips, strategy, news and experience with gambling enthusiasts. Narciso also writes for reputable gambling portal Casino City Times, (bio here). Contact: [email protected]