Full Tilt Poker Review

Full Tilt Poker is one of the larger online poker rooms that has some unique features. It recruits a lot of pros to play at the site, so players can have the experience of pitting their skill against a well-known professional. Their software is also much more cartoony than most sites, which some people may enjoy. When this site first went live, it had some of the tightest games on the internet. Now it appears they are doing a decent job of attracting fishy players to the network, so the games are getting easier.

Software

The software is definitely unique. People can choose among an array of cartoon characters as their avatar. You are also able to display various emotions with the avatar. This adds a level of enjoyment to the game and is attractive to recreational players. From a hands per hour standpoint, the software is a little on the slow side.

Bonuses and Promotions

They offer a 100% first-deposit bonus up to $600. This bonus is worked off at a decent rate for higher-stakes games, but very slowly at lower stakes games. The way it works is that you receive $.06 of your bonus for every dollar that is raked from the pot. Thus, people who play in higher stakes games (such as $5-$10 no-limit) end up working off the bonus very quickly, but people who play lower stakes (where the rake is generally not even a dollar) work it off VERY slowly. Most sites award you around $.10 per raked hand, so this deal is not so good for lower stakes players but it is great for higher stakes players.

They also have other promotions. For example, they hold satellites to various World Series of Poker tournaments.

Cashouts

Neteller cashouts should be received within 48 hours, but might possibly be received as quickly as a couple hours.

Competition
As Full Tilt's player base grows, it appears the competition is getting somewhat easier. When the site was newer and smaller, it had a reputation for being full of tight players. Now you find high-stakes games available and more money on the network. The smaller stakes games are about average.

Customer Service
Currently, they only have customer service via email. This is kind of annoying because it is nice to know that you can call and talk to someone in case a serious problem occurs. However, in my experience, they respond to their emails very quickly. Usually, I received a response within a couple of minutes.

Ring Games offered
Texas Holdem, Omaha, Omaha hi-lo, 7-Stud, Razz

Ring Games stakes
Fixed-Limit: $.25-.50 up to $1,000-2,000
Cap No-Limit (Maximum loss per hand, per player is 30 big blinds): $0.05-0.10 up to $500-1,000
No-Limit/Pot-Limit: $.05-$.10 up to $300-600

Tournaments Offered
Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha hi-lo, 7-Stud, Razz, H.O.R.S.E.

Tournament Buy-ins
Heads-up: From $5 up to $1,000
Single-Table: From $1 up to $1,000
Multi-Table: $1 up to $200

Minimum Deposit: $50