Bodog Poker

US PLAYERS ACCEPTED

The keyword for any review of Bodog Poker is ‘innovation.’ Since their launch in 1994 Bodog has maintained a commitment to fresh ideas combined with a thorough understanding of what turns visitors into satisfied, loyal customers. Players will find all the qualities that are essential in a good poker room, such as excellent customer service, site traffic that supports an adequate mix of games at convenient times, efficient banking functions, a varied selection of game offerings, and a busy, well-attended tournament schedule.

Bodog is demonstrating a commitment to beginning and recreational players (which is not only good for their business but good for online poker in general) while also providing hardcore enthusiasts a reason to find a home there. Those who believe that a site “can’t be all things to all people” may be surprised at how close Bodog is to proving that old saying wrong. Innovators don’t settle for the status quo.

All the most popular poker games are spread at Bodog with the widest limits (ranging from $.05/$.10 up to $30/$60) available in limit Hold’em. All other games have a wide array of games offered in the low to middle-limit ranges. Tournament offerings, both the multi-table standard and sit-and-go varieties, are extensive.

Beginning players will be rewarded with an always-available 10% deposit bonus. They will also appreciate the customer service at Bodog. The toll-free phone help is prompt, knowledgeable, and well versed in answering to the needs of new customers. E-mail support is of the same high quality. Gameplay is straightforward, and the software can be custom fit to a player’s taste. Intermediate players will enjoy the competition at Bodog because the players (many of them migrating from Bodog’s very successful sportsbook) are action-oriented. Hardcore players will value Bodog’s willingness to offer attractive tournament overlays (guaranteed purses that add value to the prize pool).

Bodog Poker is proving that there is more than one way to deliver excellence in a poker site. Bodog customers are fiercely loyal and a close inspection of their poker site will reveal plenty of justification for that loyalty.

Poker Software

One of the areas where Bodog’s spirit of innovation is most apparent is in their poker software. With an almost dizzying array of options and user-set preferences, Bodog’s poker client separates them from their competition. The player can choose to view a standard “lobby” or elect a “quickseat” feature that immediately brings them to an open seat at their favorite game/level.

Currently, the software limits a player to having 3 games open at once, and that multi-table feature is implemented with a unique “picture-in-picture” arrangement. Hardcore gamers--especially those who have invested in oversized monitors--who are used to the more standard multi-tabling scheme of having each game table appear in a separate window that can be arranged on screen to suit the player’s preference, may find adjusting to Bodog’s software difficult.

On the other hand, players for whom multi-tabling isn’t a primary concern will enjoy the gameplay experience immensely. The software is smooth, quick, and feature-packed; it rates highly in user-friendliness. No-limit players should note that there is a “raise to” button in the control panel that initiates a bet of the amount shown in a small area next to the bet slider. That number changes dynamically based on the actions of other players.

Bodog listens to their customers. The current Bodog poker client debuted in February 2006. Multi-tablers complained about the new system. Bodog’s response was to set their programmers to the task of allowing players to opt for the old-style multi-table system. That upgrade is in progress and is scheduled to be available in the near future

Maximum rake is $3. Bodog Poker uses a 'no flop, no drop' policy, meaning they do not take out any rake from pots where there was no flop. 

Bodog has a reputation for offering the some of the softest competition available online, especially at the lower limits. Higher limit tables typically have see flop % in the 30's, middle limit tables typically are in the 40's and 50's, and lower limit tables see 50-60% or higher taking the flop.