Bodog Poker Review

Bodog Poker Summary

Bodog is one of those rare brands that has managed to cross lines that other companies either didn’t want to or didn’t think of. The brand has been around since 1997, first starting out as a player in the burgeoning online gaming industry. After continued growth, the company later expanded in new directions, taking a bite out of the entertainment industry, and developing its Bodog Life brand. Their poker division has been one of their greatest successes, thanks to stellar marketing, great promotions and a unique style, all of which have set them apart from the norm. One of the first things you’ll notice about the software is that it ditches the standard graphical presentation of being at a poker table for a more streamlined and stylish approach. Owing to its unique vibe and style, Bodog is one of the more notable poker sites to check out. There are plenty of free rooms available to practice or get the feel of the site with, and Bodog should satisfy both casual and hardcore poker players equally.

Bodog Poker Bonus

The bonus offer is a 110% match bonus on deposits up to $500, of which you receive the first 10% immediately after your first deposit. The remaining 100% must be earned by collecting poker points over the next 30 days, with every 10 poker points unlocking an additional $1 of your bonus. Poker points earned are based on the rake amount of each pot played, and can pile up quickly. For tournaments, the amount of poker points earned is based on the entry fee of the tournament. After the 30 day period is up, your match bonus will be added to your account based on how many poker points you earned during that stretch. The reload option works in exactly the same manner, minus the 10% initial bonus.

Bodog Poker Banking Options

Deposit options for U.S players are somewhat restricted, with credit cards (which also require a verification process), and eWalletXpress. You can also use the Virtual Pin phone card service to instantly load your account, though purchasing one of these cards requires a VISA. Non-U.S players have a larger range of options available, with credit cards and eWalletXpress as above, as well as Moneybookers, Click2Pay, Neteller, Paysafecard, and Speedcard. As with deposits, withdrawals are also limited for U.S players, with the only currently available option being payment via check, which can take up to 10 business days to receive. Non-U.S players can be paid directly to their credit card or Paysafecard, or sent to their Neteller or Moneybookers accounts.

Bodog Poker Promotions

They also run some of the best promotions on the net, with weekly guaranteed tournaments, their Bodog points system, which rewards your gaming efforts win or lose with points that can be converted to cash or prizes, and weekly and monthly special events and qualifiers for world class poker tournaments.

Bodog Poker Games

On to the game selection, and Bodog excels here as well. There are a good number of game rooms available at all times, and the site has a good level of traffic, topping 5,000 users during peak hours. Game types include all the versions you would expect, as well as the usual array of betting options. You’ve got no-limit, limit, and fixed games, as well as rooms solely for duels, small tables, or full tables. In no-limit games, the minimum bet is the same as the big blind amount, which varies by room, with the lowest being $0.10 and the highest $40. You can of course go all-in at any time in these games. Texas Hold’em naturally draws the most traffic, but other games have a nice level of interest from users as well, including Omaha, Five Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud. Being a fairly mainstream site, and one that attracts a lot of new players to the game, the action is generally very loose in the lower limit rooms, a situation that skilled players should be able to take advantage of. The higher limit games are tighter as you might expect, with the majority of players in those games being skilled poker players, though there are always exceptions. Bodog is compatible with Hold’em Manager, a great tool that gives you up to the second statistical and analysis tools.

Bodog Poker Software

Your position is always the same at every table, further simplifying matters, not to mention you get a little spotlight shining on you so you can really focus. For players who play multiple games of poker, the unchanging positions make it infinitely easier to follow the action between tables. More casual players who simply play one table at a time may not be overly concerned with this addition. Personally, I like the graphical style, although I also enjoy the feeling of being at a poker table as presented by other sites. Your own personal preference will probably dictate whether it’s for you or not. Bodog certainly deserves praise for going in a different direction and trying something unique. The online poker market has some stiff competition, forcing companies to get creative with their offers and promotions, and Bodog is up near the top of the chip pile in this respect. Their match bonus upon signing up is much easier to reach than it is through other sites, and you even get the same bonus again on subsequent deposits, a rarity among poker sites.