888poker, one of the oldest platforms in the online poker market, opened its virtual doors in 2002 under the name Pacific Poker. In 2010, it joined the 888 Holdings family, expanding its offerings to include not just poker, but also casino games and sports betting. This diverse portfolio ensures a steady flow of players to the poker tables, creating a vibrant and dynamic gaming environment.
For over five years, 888poker held the prestigious position of World Series of Poker (WSOP) title sponsor. While it may not command the market dominance as it once did, 888poker remains a significant player in the online poker world. In this article, we'll dive deep into the 888 poker rake structure and 888 poker rakeback opportunities, two crucial factors that can significantly impact your bottom line.
What Kind of Poker Does 888poker Offer?
Peak hours on 888poker typically run from 7 PM to 1 AM GMT. During these prime-time hours, the tables are bustling with activity, and tournaments boast their highest guarantees. The site caters to fans of both Texas Holdem and Omaha variants, offering a wide range of stakes to suit players of all bankroll sizes.
New 888poker customers are greeted with a generous welcome offer: a 100% bonus on their first deposit, plus up to $88 without any deposit at all! For the grinders and regular players, there's potential to earn rakeback through the site's loyalty program, which we'll explore in more detail later.
The 888poker client is available for download on PC, Android, and iOS devices, ensuring players can enjoy their favorite games wherever they go. The platform takes a player-friendly stance on third-party software, allowing the use of tools such as statistics-gathering programs and Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), which can provide a significant edge to serious players.
888poker offers a diverse array of poker formats to cater to every player's preferences:
• Cash Games: Players can choose from 6-max and 9-max tables, with limits ranging from micro-stakes $0.01/$0.02 all the way up to high-stakes $25/$50. Full ring games (9-max) are more popular at lower stakes, as are Omaha games.
• Snap Poker: This is 888poker's fast-fold variant. After folding, players are instantly moved to a new table to start another hand, ensuring non-stop action. Snap Poker is available from NL2 to NL50 during peak hours.
• Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs): 888poker's tournament schedule is packed with options. Players can enjoy classic freezeouts, rebuys, knockouts, and the exciting Mystery Bounty format. The site also offers fast-paced turbo and hyper-turbo tournaments, as well as numerous freerolls and satellites. Regular tournament series like SuperStorm and XL add extra excitement to the MTT grind.
• Blast: This is 888poker's take on the popular Spin & Go format. Three players compete with short stacks, and blinds increase rapidly. The unique twist in Blast is that both the prize pool and the speed of blind increases are determined by a randomly drawn multiplier at the start of each game. Buy-ins range from $0.10 to $100.
888poker also offers home games, where you become the host of your own private matches.
888poker Rake Structure Explained
Understanding the rake structure is crucial for any serious poker player, as it directly impacts profitability. 888poker's rake is competitive with other major online poker sites, though it varies depending on the game type and stakes.
In cash games and home games, rake is taken from the pot before the flop. The percentage of rake and the maximum amount taken (known as the "cap") depend on the stakes and the number of players at the table:
| Rake | Limits | # of Opponents | CAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.25% | $0.01/0.02 | 2 | $1 |
| 3+ | $4 | ||
| 5.88% | $0.02/0.04 | 2 | $1 |
| $0.03/0.06 | 3+ | $4 | |
| 5% | $0.05/0.10 — $1/2 | 2 | $1 |
| 3-10 | $4 | ||
| $2/4 — $4/8 | 2 | $1 | |
| 3 | $2.5 | ||
| 4+ | $4 | ||
| $5/10 – $25/50 | 2-3 | $2.5 | |
| 4+ | $5 | ||
| 1% | $50/100 | $10 | |
| $100/200 | $20 | ||
| $250/500 | $30 | ||
| $500/1,000 | $50 | ||
| 5% | Jackpot Games | 2 | $1 |
| 3 | $2.5 | ||
| 4+ | $5 |
If you know the average pot size at your table, you can use a calculator to quickly find the rake. Multiply that by the number of hands you expect to play and you’ll have a general estimate of your hourly rake.
For tournaments, the rake structure is more straightforward. Typically, 888poker charges a 10% rake for low and medium buy-in tournaments. This drops to 5% for high-stakes events, making them more attractive for serious players.
888poker Rakeback Opportunities
Does 888 Poker have rakeback? The answer is not yes, but not fully a no, either.
While 888poker doesn't offer a direct rakeback program, players can still earn rewards equivalent to rakeback through various means. The primary method is through the 888 Poker Club loyalty program.
All players are automatically enrolled in the 888 Poker Club. By completing various tasks and challenges, players accumulate gold tokens, which can be exchanged for cash, tournament tickets, or free bets in the casino or sportsbook. It's important to note that these rewards must be used or wagered within 7 days, or they will expire. On average, the program offers approximately 10% cashback, though this can vary based on a player's activity level.
New players can also benefit from the welcome offer, which effectively acts as a form of rakeback. By using the promo code WELCOME100 when making their first deposit, players can receive a 100% match up to $1,000. This bonus is released in $10 increments for every $50 in rake generated, giving players 90 days to clear as much of the bonus as possible.
888poker also runs regular promotions that can boost a player's rakeback equivalent. Also, don’t forget about the many freerolls that you’ll have access to, especially the ones with $ 1,000 or more prize pools.
If you need help finding out more about your rakeback, contact us to check for promotions running right now – the consultation is free and we are online 24/7.
We’ll save you time and help you avoid using a calculator to check your potential rewards. Remember, understanding rake and rakeback is crucial for maximizing your profits in online poker. Choose a room that offers a balance of good games, reasonable rake, and generous rakeback opportunities. By doing so, you'll be well-positioned to build your bankroll and climb the stakes.
- Increased first deposit bonus
- Increased rakeback and reloads
- Help with deposits and cashouts
- Access to private freerolls
- Round-the-clock support