888poker has been a prominent player in the online poker industry for many years. While it previously ranked among the top 3-4 sites in traffic, recent changes have affected its position. The operator has exited several markets, leading to a significant decrease in player numbers. Currently, 888poker no longer features in the top 10 global rankings by user count but there is still plenty of action to go around. New software updates for its client also helped revitalize the games on 888.
Available Games and Formats
The 888poker lobby offers the following poker variants:
- No-Limit and Fixed-Limit Texas Hold'em
- Pot-Limit Omaha (Hi and Hi-Lo)
- Seven-Card Stud
Special cash game formats include:
- Snap: A fast-fold variant allowing quick discards of weak starting hands
- Push or Fold: Players can only go all-in or fold at any stage
Stakes range from micro ($0.01/$0.02) up to high stakes ($25/$50) for standard games except Stud, with Snap tables capped at $1/$2. New players can practice with play money in a separate lobby tab.
888poker Tournament Offerings
Freerolls
888poker is renowned for its frequent freeroll tournaments. These free-to-enter events run hourly, with many open to all players without password restrictions. Typical prize pools range from $25 to $50, with some special freerolls offering guarantees of up to $300.
For a comprehensive view of freeroll opportunities across various poker rooms, visit the dedicated section on GipsyTeam's website. You can filter tournaments by room, prize pool, and entry requirements there. You can also set up Telegram notifications to stay informed about upcoming freerolls.
Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs)
Buy-ins for MTTs at 888poker start as low as $0.01, with regular events capping at $525. Most tournaments use a 9-max table format. Standard events feature blind levels increasing every 8-10 minutes, while turbo tournaments see blinds rise every 4-5 minutes. Knockout tournaments, where players win bounties for eliminating opponents, are less prevalent on 888poker compared to other sites.
Sit & Go Tournaments
888poker offers two main types of single-table tournaments:
- Classic Sit & Go: Available in 6-max and 9-max formats, with blind levels lasting 5-10 minutes.
- Blast: A fast-paced, 4-player format where blinds increase every three minutes.
This diverse tournament schedule caters to players of all preferences and bankroll sizes, making 888poker a popular choice for tournament enthusiasts.
Prohibited Software: What Can Get You Banned on 888Poker
888Poker takes a relatively lenient stance on third-party software compared to other poker rooms. As of 2024, most popular tracking programs are allowed, enabling players to collect hand histories and display statistics on-screen. However, this functionality is not available for Snap fast-fold cash tables, where poker software is restricted.
888Poker's Ambiguous Software Policy
The poker room's policy regarding third-party software lacks transparency. There's no publicly available list of prohibited programs on the official website. Instead, this online poker room directs players to contact customer support for clarification. Unfortunately, the support team's competence in this area often falls short, making 888poker one of the less player-friendly rooms when it comes to software usage guidelines.
Strictly Prohibited Software
While the exact boundaries are unclear, certain types of software are universally banned:
- Automated decision-making programs (bots)
- Seating scripts
- Solvers
Using any of these during a poker session can result in a swift account ban, typically within hours, often accompanied by the confiscation of winnings.
Gray Areas in Software Usage
Auto-seating scripts, such as TableScan Turbo (TST), occupy a gray area. First-time offenders may receive a warning rather than an immediate ban.
Poker calculators like Equilab and PokerStove present another ambiguous case. While most rooms prohibit their use during active play, there are no documented cases of 888Poker banning accounts specifically for calculator usage.
The Banning Process
To illustrate 888poker's approach to rule violations, consider their handling of multi-accounting. In one case, a player using two accounts for over six months faced an abrupt ban without prior warnings. The player was locked out of the poker client, and support tickets via email went unanswered.
Given that using prohibited software is considered a more severe violation, a similar or harsher response can be expected. Bans are likely to be permanent and irrevocable, even after contacting support.
Staying Safe on 888poker
To avoid potential issues, it's advisable to refrain from running any third-party software while playing on 888poker, with the exception of approved tracking programs. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution to protect your account and winnings.
Useful Poker Software on GipsyTeam
Among the approved programs for use on 888poker is called 888caption. This software offers several helpful features:
- Customizable bet sizing and raise amounts
- Hotkey assignment for quick actions
- Real-time information display during play
888caption is designed to work in tandem with relatively new software called Hand2Note, which tracks hand histories. Both of these powerful tools are available for purchase through the GipsyTeam Store.
The GipsyTeam Store also offers a variety of other valuable poker software for download:
- Poker calculators and range analyzers to improve decision-making
- Simulators for practice and strategy refinement
- Solvers to help optimize your play in various situations
Additionally, players can purchase subscriptions to tournament player databases, providing valuable insights into opponents' tendencies. For those looking to enhance their skills, the store also offers a selection of training courses.