Paddy Power Poker Review:

Paddy Power brands itself as the care-free site where fun is as important as financial success and this ethos shines through its poker site. Founded in 2005 and part of a larger gaming network that includes casino, sports betting and bingo, Paddy Power Poker is undoubtedly a novice-friendly site. Instead of offering an imposing interface and deals that only suit high volume players, Paddy Power has worked to make its platform one that casuals can dip in and out of at their leisure. That, for us, is one of its biggest selling points. Of course, you may need a little more convincing. So, to help you understand what makes the UKGC regulated online poker site tick, here’s our Paddy Power Poker review.

All €5+ deposits at Paddy Power Poker are processed instantly and all the main bases are covered, including PayPal and Skrill. On the way out, €10 is the minimum withdrawal and eWallet options can be processed within four hours.

When you join Paddy Power Poker, there are two ways to get something extra. For first-time depositors on a tight budget, adding €5 to your account will get you €20 in bonus tokens. In the first instance, you’ll receive two Twister Tokens worth €5 each. On top of this, you’ll receive a €5 Mobile Only Heads-Up Tournament Token and a €5 No Lose Tournament Token. Finally, to ensure your transition from newbie is as light on your bankroll as possible, you’ll get 30 freeroll tickets to the daily New Player MTTs with €50 prizepools.

On the surface, this deal is impressive, but it’s worth noting that you’ll have to generate at least one Power Point before the tokens are credited to your account. Essentially, you’ll have to deposit and play before you receive your bonuses. Fortunately, to earn a 20 Power Points, you only need to generate €1 in rake. In real terms, this means a few pots in a cash game or a handful of microstakes tournaments in order to release your bonus tokens.

For those with a bit more to spend, the above tokens can be supplemented by a 100% match bonus when you deposit more than €5. Like the small stakes offer, you will have to generate some rake in order to receive something extra. This time, €5 of your bonus will be released after you earn 150 Power Points, the second €5 payment will be released after you earn 250 Power Points. Finally, the remaining amount you’re owed will be pushed into your account in €5 increments each time you generate 350 Power Points.

If we run the numbers on that, €1 in rake earns you 20 Power Points. In other words, you’ll have to rake €17.50 to unlock a standard €5 payment. Given that the tournament fees are 10% of the buy-in and the average rake in a No Limit cash game is 0.05%-0.06% per €5 in the pot, it won’t take long to earn points. Indeed, in a €0.50/€1 cash game where the rake is €0.01 for every €0.20 in the pot (capped at €1), you’d need to play just 18 pots worth €20+ to unlock a €5 bonus. Basically, during a standard session, you won’t have to work too hard to release some bonus payments.

For gaming on the go, Paddy Power Poker offers native iOS and Android apps. Like the desktop site, you’ll get access to a full roster of bonuses and VIP rewards. In fact, as we mentioned in the welcome bonus section, there is a specific token reserved especially for heads-up mobile games. This is obviously great for newbies as it gives them an affordable way to test out the software and win some cash in the process.

Another nice feature that casual players will appreciate is the quick search functions. Instead of forcing you to scroll through long lists of tables, you can swipe across to each different category (cash games options and tournaments) and then key-in the stakes you’d like play for etc. Once you’ve done that, you can click “show tables” and you’ll only see the games that match your search criteria. When you combine these easy access functions with a full roster of games, the Paddy Power Poker app should provide a positive experience for all players.

One thing that Paddy Power Poker does better than many of its rivals is satellites. Because it’s the headline sponsor of the annual Irish Poker Open, Paddy Power is able to offer exclusive qualifiers to its customers. Basically, if you’re willing to ante-up, there are plenty of cheap ways to win a package to the long-running live event. As well as Irish Open promos, you’ll find cash races that can help regular grinders boost their bankrolls. However, when it comes to the standout retention options, Paddy Power Poker gets its edge thanks to the live qualifiers it offers.