Betway.com launched in April, 2006, and is currently one of the fastest growing poker rooms. It is licensed by the Malta Lottery and Gaming Authority (LGA), which translates into tax-free winnings for its players. Betway.com has launched in 19 European countries since its inception. Its total number of players is unknown, but it is certainly a very active poker room with tens of thousands of active players.
Betway uses good and reliable software developed by MicroGaming, which used to go by the name of Prima Poker. Betway offers an abundance of Cash games, as well as plenty of tournaments and satellites to choose from. Some of the satellites can also win seats to the EPT and WPT, for example. Betway offers bonus points in games and also in tournaments. For those who like freerolls, this is the right place to come to, as it features freerolls with more than $4,000 in the pot.
What separates Betway from its competitors are the high bonuses offered and a very advantageous loyalty scheme where every player is able to convert bonuspoints into cash. This is a strategy it has used since the beginning. It also offers good extra information about the different kinds of poker that can be played using the client, for example, it is possible to check the regulations for the different games offered. Betway also has information on limits, hand rankings and a poker glossary in addition to the aforementioned general information.
Betway.com offers not just online poker, it also offers sports betting and a casino with an attractive registration bonus. The registration bonus for its poker functionality is one of the best to be found. It will match 100% of your first deposit up to a limit of $1,000 – and you are free to cash it out whenever you wish within three months. Simply send an email to bonus@betway.com, stating your username and the amount you deposited. The bones should then be added to your account within 48 hours.
Software and graphics
As mentioned previously, Betway’s software was developed by MicroGaming, a company with years of experience with both online poker and casinos. Their clients are always high quality and enjoy a good reputation. The choice of games is rich and, among other things, there is also a flash version of the software which can be useful if you prefer not to download anything to your hard drive, as you can play directly in your browser, instead. A history of hands played is available and you are able to make notes about your opponents. Money is symbolized by dollars.
Games and numbers of players
Betway sees a lot of beginners at its tables. There are many English players, although a lot of Scandinavians also choose to play in the system. This means that there are always players around and it is very rare that the poker room is empty. Normal evenings see approximately 15,000 players logged in, but at peak times this figure can rise to more than 24,000.
The games offered through the Prima network are Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7-Card Stud and 5-Card Stud The limits vary to suit all tastes, from $0.05/$0.10 for both Fixed and No-Limit games, up to $100/$200 for Fixed and $200/$400 for No-Limit ones. Tables featuring heads-up games, that is, one on one games, are offered, as well as 6 player (shorthanded) and 10 player games. Betway also has a Turbo table for players who are looking for some fast action. The time limit for each player at this kind of table is only seven seconds.
Betway uses a fast rake table that is clearly visible on the site. Obviously, it varies according to number of players and table limit. It goes from $0.01 up to a maximum of $3 per table with more than six players and a minimum of $60 in the pot.
Tournaments
Betway has plenty of tournaments and there is something for everyone. Freezeout and Rebuy tournaments are offered, with buy ins varying from $1 to several hundred dollars. Currently, Omaha and 5-Card Stud are also offered in tournaments, in addition to Hold’em. Of course, there are a number of freerolls to choose from every day, with pots of $200 or $1,000. The Sit & Go part offers normal single table tournaments from $0.75 to $100, multi-table tournaments with 15 or 20 players, buy ins from $2 up till $50 and even heads up tables with buy ins ranging from $1 to $200. Every Saturday, there is also a freeroll with a pot of $5,000, as well as a VIP freeroll for those who have played more than 250 raked hands, with a pot of $30,000.
Technical support
Betway.com has no technical support line, but does offer a call-back service. Users’ first point of contact is via email, allowing Betway to control tasks and thus provide the best support possible.
Address
90/91 Psaila Street,
Birkirkara BKR 02,
Malta
Deposit and withdrawal options
Deposits: VISA, Mastercard, Neteller, Moneybookers, Click2Pay, ClickandBuy, Paysafecard and Bank transfers
Withdrawals: VISA, Mastercard, Neteller, Moneybookers, Click2Pay, ClickandBuy, Paysafecard and Bank transfers
Advantages
Great bonuses
Plenty of freerolls with decent prize money offered on a daily basis
Good, stable software
A good poker room for beginners
Disadvantages
Low good traffic at the medium and high limit tables
Limited statistics functions
Slightly boring, dated graphics