| Absolute Poker | | TOTAL SITE RATING: |   6.9625 | | Ease Of Competition: | 6.9 | | Bonus/Promotions: | 7.2 | | Software Package: | 6 | | Rake/Cashouts/Cust.Service: | 7.75 |
|
Absolute Poker Review
Overview
In 2007, Absolute poker merged with UB Poker (formerly Ultimatebet), and then later formed the Cereus Poker Network in 2008. The Cereus advertising campaign is "Bigger. Badder. Better." Absolute Poker is a small poker room with limited variety outside of low stakes Texas Holdem. The site has a strong emphasis on micro-limit tables and shorthanded tables. The competition is fairly soft and the sign up bonus is competitive. Absolute Poker is home to the bad beat jackpot and some of the easiest to clear poker bonuses available online. The poker room provides a fully functional Mac compatible client, with is quite fast and has multiple features to customize your overall playing experience. The merger has proved fruitful as the site now offers top 10 player traffic and a greatly enhanced playing experience. Despite that, Absolute Poker is still experiencing the aftermath of the 2007/2008 Absolute Poker cheating scandal outlined below and took one of the biggest losses in customer base in 2009.
Absolute Poker Cheating Scandal
In 2007, it broke that there were players on Absolute Poker that could see other players hole cards. Following a $1,000 buy in tournament won by Potripper, an investigation began and it was confirmed that there were players with access to superuser accounts that could, in fact, see all other players hole cards. On January 16th, 2008, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) made their final ruling concerning the Absolute Poker cheating scandal fining Absolute Poker $500,000, and other charges. Absolute was also required to do random audits, at their own expense. Absolute Poker then released this statement: “After reviewing the published report, we recognize the completeness and accuracy of the KGC conclusions, and we accept without reservation the KGC’s findings and sanctions. Most importantly, we are pleased, after these many months, that Absolute Poker can finally put behind it a most distressing and regrettable experience for the Company, its employees, and its customers.”
US Player Public Statement
It is the belief of our legal and executive team that online poker is a game of skill and the prohibition signed into law on October 13th, 2006 by the President of the United States neither apply to online poker nor our business. All existing and new customers of Absolute poker can rest assured their funds are secure and that their online poker playing is entirely legal and can continue to enjoy playing poker uninterrupted at AbsolutePoker.com -- our business will continue to operate as normal.
Ease of Competition
In general, the competition is slightly above average at UB Poker than at most sites. Fewer tables reach the 50% seeing the flop range, which can be fairly common in on many other sites. The looser tables are available with a little more search. This site also boasts an above average big stakes player base.
Bonuses and Promotions
Absolute Poker has an excellent new player bonus giving new users a 150% bonus up to $500 (Deposit $200 to get full bonus). You have 60 days to clear the bonus.The bonus is issued in $100 increments and this bonus is difficult to clear. Bonus Code AOPS777.
As an AllOnlinePokerSites.com player you can expect to get re-load bonuses and additional freerolls on a regular basis. Just use our banners or downloads for your AllOnlinePokerSites.com bonus package.
Absolute Poker has a win-your-tuition tournament program and multiple free rolls. Overall, the sites promotional program is below the industry standard.
Refer a Friend Program: $25 per referral.
Poker Software
Absolute Poker graphics and funcionality are some of the best in the industry. The statistics function is advanced with all your personal statistical information including: Your personal viewed flop percentage, when you fold, and how often you check, bet, fold, call, raise, and reraise. The software also allows for you to take player notes. You also have the option of minimizing table size which works quite well if you are playing multiple tables. You can click to Direct Download the Absolute Poker software. Absolute Poker is a Mac Compatible poker room. Having said that, Cereus is one of our least favorite "random generators." Low stacks seemingly have an edge regardless of cards. This has nothing to do with the cheating scandal outlined above, but we just dont think, especially on the turn and river cards, the game properly simulates brick and mortar.
Multi-Table Capability: 3
Rake/Cashouts/Customer Support
The rake at Absolute Poker is average in the industry, taking out 5% of the rake up to $3. There is a "no flop - no drop" policy for hands not reaching the flop.
Payment Options: Credit Cards, MoneyGram, Western Union, eWalletXpress, Diners Card and Amex.
They have customer support available in many languages, which is nice. If you were to encounter a problem at Absolute Poker, they offer email customer services at support@absolutepoker.com. They provide lightening fast cashouts that had money in our hands four following our latest review.
Games Offered
Texas Holdem, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, Razz
Traffic and Table Stakes
Average Online Traffic: 4,000-5,000
Fixed Limit Stakes: $ 0.10/$0.25 to $15/$30
Pot Limit/No Limit Blinds Stakes: $0.10-$0.25 up to $10-$20
Types Offered: Both Single Table and Multi-Table Texas Holdem
Tournament Buy-Ins: From $0.50 to $100
Minimum Deposit: $50
Our Recommendation: This site has a very loyal customer base which tells us something.
|
