Partypoker first appeared on the internet in 2001. Initially owned by partygaming, it was the most popular online card room in the world throughout the first half of the noughties.
When the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed in 2006, partygaming decided to withdraw from the American market, effectively losing the title to PokerStars. Nowadays, party poker is operated by GVC Holdings and is available in 14 different languages.
Early on, partypoker used to have some of the softest games in the industry. Along with a good cashback system, this attracted plenty of multi-tabling grinders, who raised the level of competition so high that the site started to bleed traffic. In February 2013, partypoker responded by scrapping the old rewards program, segregating their player pool by win rate, and introducing tables that were visible exclusively to fish.
Player segregation was rolled back in October 2013 following a public outcry, but many multi-tabling regulars never returned afterward. Consequently, the player pool started turning fishier again, making partypoker a fairly decent hunting ground for cash game players in 2020.
party poker promotions
In recent years, partypoker has moved back to the forefront of the industry with a concerted effort at reaching out to players. That’s including improving the product.
That has included a large marketing push, but also added value through major events online and in a live setting as well. Some of the company’s efforts include:
- Major online poker events with massive fields
- Great promotions
- Excellent live events such as the growing MILLIONS series
- Partnerships with major series like the World Poker Tour
- Numerous online qualifiers for major live events
- An enhanced mobile gaming and software experience
Partypoker software is easy to use and the company has made strides in recent years in meeting player needs. Getting started on the platform is simple and the game play is sophisticated and user friendly.
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How to sign up for partypoker
Setting up a partypoker account couldn’t be easier. Simply download the software client or use the instant-play option to initiate the account creation process. At this stage, just follow the on-screen instructions, pop in your name and address, and that’s pretty much it. Please note that partypoker reserves the right to ask you for satisfactory proof of age and to suspend your account until you produce it.
Partypoker doesn’t accept customers from the United States and any territory where it’s illegal to participate in online real-money games. You should also keep in mind that players from Spain and France aren’t currently able to access the global partypoker network. Instead, they have to play on local, fenced-off versions of the site, which tend to suffer from low traffic.
party poker sign-up bonus
Party poker knows how to look after their customers, and offers some of the most competitive bonuses in the industry. This includes the site’s Welcome Bonus offer, which awards new players with [geoip-content country=”GB”]£40[/geoip-content][geoip-content not-country=”GB”]$40[/geoip-content] when they make their first deposit at least [geoip-content country=”GB”]£10[/geoip-content][geoip-content not-country=”GB”]$20[/geoip-content]. This incredible free bundles package is for fastforward cash bonuses and SPINS tickets.
[geoip-content country=”CA”]Players in Canada will also see their first deposit matched, up to a maximum of $700.[/geoip-content]21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
SPINS Ticket offer
It’s possible that a player could win $1 million just for making their first deposit on partypoker. New depositors will receive a slew of SPINS tickets to cash in, tied to their first deposit.
Rakeback is back!
PartyPoker players can receive cash back in their accounts every week simply by playing real-money games. Rakeback was big back in the heyday of online poker, and partypoker brought it back in 2017 to reward its loyal players.
How does it work? It’s simple. Players earn 1 point for every $1 of rake generated in tournaments, sit-and-gos, and cash games.
If you earn at least 25 points during a given week, you qualify for cash back into your account. Real money will arrive in your account every Monday!
Here’s the breakdown of the different rakeback tiers:
- 25-149 points: 20% rakeback
- 150-599 points: 25% rakeback
- 600-1,199 points: 30% rakeback
- 1,200-plus points: 40% rakeback
Improving the partypoker mobile gaming experience
Using a mobile device has quickly become one of the most popular ways to play online poker. Or really any type of poker for that matter.
In recent years, partypoker has positioned itself at the front of a movement to tailor software for these types of players. That included a massive redesign for its mobile app in November 2019.
The new design is geared toward making the mobile experience better. A helpful new portrait layout makes seeing an entire table full of players a pleasant visual experience.
The layout isn’t busy, making it easy to focus on simple game play features.
The new SPINS three-person tournaments are a great example. Party’s version of the popular sit and go format features uncluttered, easy-to-use features.
Players can check, bet, raise, and fold while using a single hand. This approach also carries over to tournaments and cash games as well. Manipulating the on-screen action is also very simple for games with even a larger number of players.
That mobile experience is even enhanced for players who like to multi-table. The on-screen tiling allows players to easily toggle between games.
Along with making great strides in mobile poker, partypoker has adding elements players might find in social among platforms.
It’s all part of an effort to expand online poker and reach more casual social gaming players. Some of those might be more accustomed to playing free mobile poker
Whether that is successful remains to be seen, but these social aspects bring some interesting elements for players. Some of these additions include:
- bubble chat
- emojis and animations
- enhanced dialogues such as announcing tournament winners, aimed at generating greater excitement among players
- new hand re-player
- easier SPINS tournaments search tool
- a redesigned and more user-friendly lobby
- a redesigned multiplier animation
Partypoker games
Partypoker doesn’t have a massive player pool like PokerStars. Resultingly, their selection of games is rather limited in comparison. Their network is mostly about Texas Hold’em, with some low-key Omaha and Stud action happening on the side.
partypoker cash games
Partypoker doesn’t get as much traffic as PokerStars. Moreover, the players generally tend to be less skilled, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most cash game players stick to No-Limit Hold’em tables. It’s the most-popular poker format, and neither the limited player pool nor the skill deficiencies lend themselves to playing niche variants of the game. It is worth noting that some micro-stakes cash game tables are reserved for casual play, which makes them unavailable to multi-tabling players.
Hold’em
Theoretically speaking, No-Limit Hold’em stakes range from $0.01/$0.02 to $200/$400. In practice, most of the action happens at the micros. The cut-off point for both 6-max and 9-max full ring games is $2/$5. Anything beyond that is usually played heads-up.
For Fixed Limit Hold’em, available stakes start at $0.02/$0.04 then go all the way up to $30/$60. This format is essentially dead when it comes to full-ring play, but it is possible to find opponents willing to play heads-up, particularly when it comes to low and medium stakes.
Partypoker also offers a few Pot-Limit Hold’em tables, with blinds ranging from $0.02/$0.05 to $5/$10, but finding someone to play against borders on a miracle.
Omaha
Omaha is available exclusively in a pot-limit format, with stakes ranging from $0.01/$0.02 to $200/$400. When it comes to micros and low stakes, most tables can accommodate up to six players. However, it is worth noting that the site does operate a few 8-max tables. Much like in the case of Hold’em, the high-stakes action is limited to heads-up play.
7-Card Stud
Available in Fixed-Limit format only. Stakes range from $0.50/$1 to $30/$60, but you shouldn’t expect any activity beyond the occasional heads-up duel.
partypoker multi-table tournaments
All supported poker games are available for tournament play. Most of the action is centered around Texas Hold’em though. The tournament schedule is packed with interesting events that cater to different player demographics. Recurring contests are generally grouped into the following boxing-inspired categories:
- The Title Fight – hosted every Sunday, $215 buy-in, $250,000 guaranteed
- Featherweight – 170+ MTTs each week, $5.50-$11 buy-ins, over $200,000 guaranteed
- Middleweight – 230+ MTTs each week, $22-$55 buy-ins, over $850,000 guaranteed
- Heavyweight – 60+ MTTs each week, $109-$215 buy-ins, over $1,000,000 guaranteed
- The Main Event – hosted every Sunday, $109 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed
- High Rollers – 20+ MTTs each week, $530-$2,600 buy-ins, over $1,000,000 guaranteed
- Boot Camp – plenty of action on a daily basis, $0.22 – $.10 buy ins, $100,000 guaranteed every month
Additionally, partypoker customers can take part in monthly majors, with guaranteed prize pools often exceeding $1,000,000. It’s also worth noting that the site hosts plenty of satellites for both online and live events, with tickets available for as little as $1.10.
All things considered, partypoker doesn’t give you access to as many options as PokerStars does. You won’t find any HORSE or Fixed Limit Omaha events here. Nevertheless, the soft competition and the ultra-low buy-in MTTs are something that you won’t find on the Stars Group’s network, so choosing one over the other ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Other poker offerings on partypoker
Aside from traditional cash games and MTTs, partypoker also supports two types of Sit & Go tournaments and fast-fold play.
Sit & Go tournaments
No Limit Texas Hold’em only. Buy-ins range from $1.10 and go all the way up to $1,050. All the popular speeds and formats are available here: whether you want to play heads-up turbo, 6-max normal, or 9-max super turbo, partypoker has you covered.
Sit & Go HERO
Spin & Go HERO games are basically hyper-turbo 3-max and 4-max tournaments with a twist. In this format, the prize pool is determined randomly – in some rare cases, it may equal 10,000 times your buy-in. In addition, a random player will have a bounty placed on his head – taking him out will allow you to scoop an additional cash prize.
FastForward
FastForward is a fast-paced take on standard ring games, which was undoubtedly inspired by PokerStars’ Zoom tables. Each time you fold your cards, you move to a new table. This means that you won’t have to wait for the remaining players to complete their hand. The stakes range from $0.02/$0.05 to $2/$5 for No-Limit Hold’em and from $0.10/$0.25 for Pot-Limit Omaha.
Go from online qualifier to MILLIONS
Partypoker has become a leader in live poker tournaments around the world. That includes numerous chances to qualify online.
A player can literally have a shot at millions for qualifiers that may only cost a couple dollars. The partypoker MILLIONS stops may change year to year, but to give you an idea here’s what the original schedule for 2020 included:
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 2020 | MILLIONS Cyprus | Merit Casino |
| June 2020 | MILLIONS Vegas | Aria Resort and Casino |
| August 2020 | MILLIONS London | Park Lane Hilton |
| September 2020 | MILLIONS Online | NA |
| November 2020 | MILLIONS Caribbean Poker Party | Baha Mar, The Bahamas |
| 2021 (exact date TBA) | MILLIONS Prague | Hilton Prague |
MILLIONS Passport introduced in 2020
Along with a growing MILLIONS schedule, partypoker also announced a new MILLIONS Passport promotion in 2020. Players can win a Passport online, which can be used at MILLIONS events. A Passport includes a complete event entry and much more. Whether this promotion will run every year remains to be seen, but we’ll detail it here so you have an idea the times of promotions Party provides.
Each MILLIONS event is held at a luxury destination where MILLIONS Passport holders will experience true VIP treatment. They’ll enjoy luxury hotels and exclusive extras off the felt with a value of at least $11,000 per event.
Partypoker also introduced Passport for the World Series of Poker Circuit in 2020. A WSOPC Passport is a flexible satellite package, allowing winners to use them for selected international WSOPC events within 12 months of winning it.
Exclusive WSOPC Passport satellites will be held on partypoker with $16.50 Phase 1 events running daily into a weekly final every Sunday. Players will not be able to buy into the final on Sunday, meaning all $1,500 packages are won by the $16.50 Phase 1 players. WSOPC Passport events include:
| Event | Guarantee | Date | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | €1 million | June 11-21 | €1,100 |
| Russia (Sochi) | NA | July 16-26 | 77,000 RUB |
| Montreal (Playground Poker Club) | CAD$2 million | Aug. 27 – Sept. 7 | CAD$1,100 |
| Brazil | NA | Oct. 21-28 | $1,100 |
partypoker rewards program
As briefly touched on above, partypoker used to have a loyalty program that was basically a multi-tabling grinder’s dream come true. The site then replaced it with something so disappointing that we won’t even bother describing it in detail.
The good news is – the old days are back! In May of 2017, partypoker rolled out its new cashback program, which gives you an opportunity to reclaim up to 40 percent of what you paid in rake and tournament fees. As soon as you accumulate 25 partypoker points, which players earn at the rate of one point per dollar paid in rake, you get a 20 percent rakeback deal, which is downright ludicrous.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of this wonderful system:
- 25 points – $5 cashback – 20% rakeback
- 150 points – $37.5 cashback – 25% rakeback
- 600 points – $180 cashback – 30% rakeback
- 1200 points – $480 cashback – 40% rakeback
Please note that the list above is not all-inclusive. There are multiple milestones in between. For example, if you accumulate 100 points, you’re going to get $20 instead of $5.
Partypoker points reset at the end of each week The money credits to players’ accounts on Mondays. Leftover points don’t transfer over to the next week, so we definitely recommend grinding up to the next milestone whenever it’s feasible to do so.
partypoker deposit/withdrawal options
Partypoker supports all kind of cashiering methods, but the specifics always depend on the country in question. For example, most Europe-based players are free to use Neteller and Skrill. However, neither of these methods is available in Canada.
Deposits
All partypoker deposits are completely free. As mentioned above, the methods depend on your area of residence. However, in most cases, options will include some kind of e-wallet solution and a wire transfer.
Withdrawals
If you withdraw your money via an e-wallet, you receive your money as soon as partypoker staff processes the request.
Wire transfers tend to take between three and ten business days.
Please note that some withdrawal options might be available exclusively to customers who used them to deposit in the past. The site reserves the right to process every cash out request internally for up to three business days.
partypoker support
Customer support is available 24/7 via the following channels:
- Phone, toll-free in most countries
- E-mail, via [email protected]
- Live chat
At partypoker there is also an FAQ section, but it’s worth noting that important information is spread all over the website, so researching a specific subject can get tiresome at times.
All in all, it’s a good resource as long as you have the patience required to find what you’re looking for. If there’s one thing we’d recommend partypoker should improve on in terms of their support, it would probably be their FAQ.
E-mails are usually answered in less than eight hours but don’t be surprised if you receive a reply in an hour or less. In our brief communications with partypoker, we’ve found their e-mail support representatives to be professional, responsive, and attentive to details.
partypoker missions
partypoker has an interesting mission system, which allows you to earn additional bonuses for completing specific in-game tasks. These missions are grouped into three categories:
- Getting Started
- Cash Games
- Sit & Go
In order to take advantage of this system, you have to go to your Missions section, select the mission that you’re interested in, and click Start Mission. Objectives range from completing five casual cash game hands and winning one of them for ‘Getting Started I’ to playing five S&Gs per day for five days, winning a hand with 22, 55, 77, 88, and 99, and eliminating five players per day for five days straight for the ‘EXTREME Sit & Go Mission‘.
You also get standard limited-time promotions, which give you an opportunity to win free tournament tickets or small cash prizes. For example, the Play 10 Get One Free offer allows you to earn one free S&G ticket for completing ten tournaments of this kind.
Moving back into the US market
Black Friday ended most “legal” online poker in the US. in 2011. But partypoker had left the US market in 2006 after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
After online poker took hold again in the US on a state by state basis, partypoker began offering its game again in New Jersey. The site went live in 2013 through its partnership with the Borgata casino.
The Borgata is a hot spot for live poker in the eastern United States. The property runs several regular large poker series including major World Poker Tour events.
The property also partners with partypoker for its own skin – BorgataPoker.com. Partypoker began as the top poker site in New Jersey, but now is generally third behind WSOP.com, which has shared liquidity with Nevada, and PokerStars NJ.
In New Jersey, Borgata has a smaller number of cash game players but tournaments and series like the Garden State Series seem to attract nice fields.
There are some nice bonuses for those in the US looking to play at partypoker NJ. New players can earn $25 Free Play simply for signing up. There is also a sweet 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000.
That’s a lot of bang for the buck for American players. Partypoker can offer some nice action for online players.
Conclusion
In early 2017, partypoker used to be that newbie-friendly poker room that’s generally frowned upon by serious players. However, the recent changes to its cashback program turned the situation on its head.
If you’re looking for pure value, we believe partypoker’s offer is better than what you’ll find on PokerStars or 888poker. The site regularly sees traffic of over a few thousand players. With the site’s growing popularity and footprint in the poker world, that traffic should continue to climb.
Responsible Gaming
partypoker is committed to safe and responsible gaming. If you believe you or someone you know has a gambling problem, reach out for help from qualified professionals.
Please gamble responsibly.