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Bovada Poker Review
“Bovada has been a favorite among US players for 10 years. Good software, lots of tournaments, great support & fast cashouts.”
Jennifer Newell
Bovada Poker
Bovada, a prominent name in the American online poker landscape, stands out as one of the premier poker rooms in the US market. Renowned for its innovation and commitment to providing an exceptional player experience, it ranks among the finest real money poker sites.
Throughout this review, we guide you through an in-depth examination of what Bovada brings to the table, including insights into the level of competition, a breakdown of deposit and withdrawal options, bonus and promotional options, and details regarding the diverse range of poker games offered. This comprehensive analysis aims to equip you with the necessary information to determine if Bovada aligns with your online poker preferences.
Whether you’re a seasoned poker pro or a newcomer to the game, our review aims to provide you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about your online poker destination. So, join us as we navigate through the intricate world of Bovada Poker, uncovering its strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large Guarantee MTTs
- High Traffic
- Soft Games
Cons
- Maximum of 4 Tables Played at Once
- Limited Options for Mixed Games
- Little High Stakes Action
How Tough is the Competition at Bovada Poker?
The competition at Bovada Poker is generally softer compared to other online poker rooms catering to US players. This is attributed to several factors such as the presence of a casino, limited data availability on opponents, and fast transaction processing, which attract more casual players. Additionally, Bovada’s unique features like anonymous tables further contribute to a more recreational player-friendly environment, making it an attractive option for those looking to capitalize on softer competition.
There are a few unique aspects of Bovada that help to generate this weaker-than-average competition:
- Casino: It’s always a bonus for the United States online poker players when a room has a casino. Having more gamblers in a poker room will work out well for the skilled players in that room.
- No datamining: Serious online poker players like to have a lot of information on their opponents. Bovada makes it much harder than other rooms for players to acquire and apply data concerning their opponents, so a good percentage of serious players avoid the room altogether.
- Fast transactions: Casual players don’t want to jump through hoop after hoop to make a deposit, and they like to get their cash quickly when they withdraw. Bovada has over a decade of experience processing transactions under strict conditions, which shows in their industry-leading turnaround times for US players.
Bovada Traffic and Network
Bovada Poker has experienced significant growth in player traffic in recent years, bolstered by its sterling reputation in the US-friendly poker community and strategic decisions such as the implementation of anonymous tables.
Operating within the PaiWangLuo poker network alongside Ignition Poker, Bovada holds a prominent position as part of the largest offshore poker site network accessible to players from the USA.
However, assessing the precise player numbers at Bovada Poker proves to be a challenge as they have ceased displaying a list of cash games in the lobby, making it difficult to gauge the level of activity in terms of cash players and tables. Furthermore, Bovada does not disclose a total player count anywhere on the platform.
Breaking Down the Bovada Software
Bovada’s poker software boasts a robust and user-friendly interface, offering a seamless gaming experience for players. The design is sleek and modern, predominantly featuring a white, grey and red color scheme that enhances the overall aesthetics of the site.
Anonymous Tables
Anonymity is a standout feature offered by Bovada, setting it apart from other platforms. Every game hosted on Bovada is entirely anonymous, ensuring that players remain unidentified throughout gameplay. This anonymity prevents experienced players from targeting novice players across multiple tables. As a result, Bovada cultivates a more welcoming environment for recreational players, fostering a healthier and more balanced poker ecosystem.
Note Taking
Despite the anonymity of tables, players have the option to jot down notes on opponents, providing valuable insights into their playing style. Although these notes are not transferrable across tables, they serve as a useful tool during extended gaming sessions, enabling players to capture essential information about their adversaries and leverage it to their advantage at the table.
Rabbit Hunting
Here, players have the option to view the next card that would have been dealt if a hand concludes on the flop or turn. For those who prefer not to experience the frustration of discovering they would have completed their flush if they had called, this feature can be easily disabled from the settings menu.
Web Version vs. Poker Client
Web
Bovada offers a convenient feature where players can enjoy poker directly from their website without the need to download the dedicated poker client. This option is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking a quick gaming session on alternative devices, eliminating the wait time typically associated with downloading and installing the client software. By accessing the platform via a web browser, players retain full access to all available cash games, sit & gos, and tournaments, ensuring they don’t miss out on any action.
While the lobby may appear somewhat basic, its layout is well-organized and user-friendly. Everything is clearly presented and easily navigable, earning props for its user-friendly design. Notably, the inclusion of four icons at the top of the interface facilitates efficient tracking of player turns during gameplay.
Poker Client
When comparing the web lobby to the poker client, the latter stands out with its sleek dark theme and compact layout, providing a more visually appealing experience. While the overall design of the lobby and tables is commendable, there are certain aspects that could benefit from improvement in future updates.
One notable drawback of the poker lobby is the absence of a full-screen option, which may pose challenges for individuals with difficulty reading smaller text. Additionally, the layout of the selection tabs, with a vertical list of gaming options and filters positioned to the right-hand side, could be more intuitive with a completely vertical arrangement.
An inconvenience I found is the inability to auto-top-up during cash games, which can become bothersome over time. Additionally, there is no option to save the preferred table layout, requiring players to rearrange tables manually with each session.
Despite these minor issues, the overall gaming experience at Bovada remains great.
Bovada Poker Game Selection
Bovada Poker presents a selection of three poker variations available for both cash games and tournaments: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo. While this assortment may appear modest compared to other platforms, Bovada excels in other key aspects.
The caliber of the games stands out as exceptional, characterized by robust player traffic and favorable profitability. This advantage can be attributed, in part, to the aftermath of Black Friday, which isolated American operators from the global poker community, resulting in softer game dynamics compared to international counterparts.
Cash Games
Bovada’s cash game offerings encompass popular variants like Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo, available in various formats including No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, and Limit Omaha Hi-Lo.
These games cater to diverse preferences and are accommodated across three table sizes: heads-up, 6-max, and 9-handed games. Stakes range from $0.02/$0.05 to $10/20 for big-bet games such as NLHE and PLO, while fixed limit games extend up to $30/$60. While larger games can be arranged upon request, action typically peaks within these limits.
In contrast to conventional poker platforms, Bovada opts for a non-traditional poker lobby approach. Players simply select their preferred game, stakes, and table size, and are promptly seated via the “quick seat” feature.
Zone Poker
Bovada features its own rendition of fast-fold poker known as Zone Poker. In this format, players participate in a dynamic pool where they continuously transition between tables. Upon entering a Zone game, you are randomly assigned to a table alongside 5-8 other players and promptly dealt a hand.
After folding or reaching a showdown, whichever occurs first, you are swiftly relocated to another random table with a new set of players. This format facilitates rapid gameplay, enabling players to engage in upwards of 200 hands per hour, a significant increase compared to the 50-80 hands typically played at conventional tables. Action enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate this high-paced gaming experience!
Sit & Gos
At Bovada, you’ll find a variety of sit-and-go formats catering to different preferences and playing styles. These include Turbo, Heads-Up, Regular, 6-player, 18-player, Double-Ups, and Triple-Ups. While the majority of these games are centered around No-Limit Hold’em, there are also Omaha options available, albeit less frequently. Buy-in levels for sit-and-go tournaments range from as low as $1 to as high as $200.
Additionally, Bovada offers a unique sit-and-go variant known as Jackpot sit-and-gos. These tournaments consist of three players and feature a prize pool determined by a multiplier, which can range from 2 to 1200 times your buy-in. Buy-in levels for Jackpot sit-and-gos range from $0.50 to $100, offering players the chance to win potential payouts of up to $120,000 if they hit the highest multiplier. Given the enticing potential rewards for besting just two opponents, these games attract high volume participation.
Bovada Poker Tournaments
We have briefly mentioned the tournament offerings this poker room has, but the options for players are much more extensive and exciting than we initially presented them. Bovada’s poker tournaments are one of their strongest assets, as they offer over $2 million in weekly prizes. Entry fees range from $1 to $450, with payouts as large as $400,000. Bovada’s most popular tournaments run daily/weekly/and annually.
Some of the most popular tournaments they offer are:
- Lucky Sevens Tournament: $22 buy-in with $7,777 prize pool
- Crazy Eights Tournament: $16.50 buy-in with a $8,888 prize pool
- 6 Handed Tournament: $22 buy-in with an unknown prize pool
- Turbo Tournament: $55 buy-in with a $30,000 prize pool
- Knockout Tournament: $82 buy-in with a $10,000 prize pool
- High Roller Tournament: $325 buy-in with a $75,000 prize pool
The Golden Spade Poker Open
This popular poker tournament ran by Bovada is a series that runs annually between October and November. They have over 150 events with buy-ins ranging from $5 to $1055, including two main-events with prize pools of $150,000 and $400,000. In total, there are $10 million in guaranteed prizes over the course of the series.
Deposits and Withdrawals as Bovada
Bovada has modernized its deposit and withdrawal options by incorporating various cryptocurrencies, bringing transactions into the 21st century. Players now have the flexibility to conduct transactions using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, and Litecoin, alongside the conventional options of credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and player transfers.
Deposits made to the site are processed quickly, however withdrawal processing times vary significantly depending on the chosen method. While some methods facilitate withdrawals in as little as two hours, others may take up to two weeks to complete.
I observed that contemporary deposit methods such as cryptocurrency and e-wallets tend to offer expedited withdrawal times compared to traditional methods. I have compiled a couple of tables for your reference:
Deposit
| Method | Min Deposit | Max Deposit |
| Visa, Mastercard | $20 | $1500 |
| BTC, BCH, BSV, LTC | $10 | $5000 |
| ETH | $50 | $5000 |
| Player Transfer | $10 | $15000 |
| Direct Bank Transfer | $50 | $450 |
| MatchPay | $20 | $1000 |
When making deposits, it’s important to consider potential fees. While the initial deposit using one of Bovada’s approved credit cards is exempt from charges, subsequent deposits will be subject to a substantial fee of 15.9%. Furthermore, your bank may impose an International Service fee of up to 3% on transactions with international merchants. Notably, Bovada does not levy any fees for cryptocurrency deposits.
Withdrawals
| Method | Min Withdrawal | Max Withdrawal | Frequency | Time | |||||||
| BTC, BCH, LTC | $10 | No limit | 1 every 3 Days | 1-24 Hours | |||||||
| ETH | $50 | No Limit | 1 every 3 Days | 1-24 Hours | |||||||
| Check | $100 | $3000 | 1 every 7 Days | 10-15 Days | |||||||
| Voucher | $10 | $3000 | No Limit | 24-48 Hours | |||||||
| MatchPay | $20 | $1000 | Twice a Day | 24-48 Hours | |||||||
How Valuable are the Promotions and Bonuses at Bovada Poker?
The bonuses and promotions at Bovada Poker are worth less than the value you’d find at the average US-facing poker site. Bovada lacks a robust VIP program, and the standing promotions offered by the room return single-digit rakeback percentages to players. Here are the most prominent promotions and bonuses offered by Bovada:
- Welcome Bonus: At present, Bovada provides a 100% matched deposit bonus, capped at $500. This bonus is unlocked according to the rewards points accumulated during the initial 30 days following your deposit. To capitalize on this offer, ensure you make your deposit when you have ample time to play, as failing to do so could result in forfeiting the bonus.
- Bad Beat Bonus: One of the most frustrating aspects of poker is when you’re dealt a strong hand only to be beaten by an even stronger one. Fortunately, Bovada offers a consolation prize to ease the pain: if you suffer defeat with a hand as formidable as aces full of kings or better in a cash game, you stand to win 100 times the big blind, with a maximum payout of $1000.
- Refer-A-Friend: Bovada offers a generous referral bonus, providing you with a bonus worth 200% of your friend’s first deposit, up to $100. Moreover, if your friend chooses to deposit using cryptocurrency, you’ll receive an extra $75 bonus. What’s excellent about this offer is that there’s no cap on the number of referrals you can make.
- Royal Flush Bonus: Should fortune favor you with a royal flush during your time at the cash tables, Bovada extends a generous bonus equivalent to 50 times the big blind, capped at $200 in value. To qualify for this promotion, it’s essential to utilize both hole cards, and you must reach out to customer support to redeem the bonus.
- Casino Bonus: Bovada recently introduced a new feature whereby players can exchange their accumulated points from poker gameplay for casino bonuses. This means that once you’ve gathered a sufficient number of points, you have the option to redeem them for casino bonuses.
Don’t let this picture dissuade you from playing at Bovada, however. While the room may offer average promotional value, it makes up for that lack of value in other areas.
Bovada Rewards System
In early 2019, Bovada made some changes to how their rewards are handled. There are now tiers and instead of points, you earn “miles.” Basically, every poker point you earn now gives 5 Bovada miles. You can then use those miles in exchange for casino bonuses or tournament tickets.
| Reward Level | Redemption Rate |
| Steel | 2,500 Miles= $1 |
| Chrome | 2,250 Miles= $1 |
| Bronze | 2,000 Miles= $1 |
| Silver | 1,750 Miles= $1 |
| Gold | 1,500 Miles= $1 |
| Platinum | 1,250 Miles= $1 |
| Titanium | 1,000 Miles= $1 |
| Diamond | 1,000 Miles= $1 |
Other Products at Bovada
In addition to the Bovada online poker room, players can access a sportsbook, racebook, and a full-featured casino that houses dozens and dozens of games. All of these products are linked from a single Bovada wallet.
What is Missing from Bovada?
Although I consider Bovada to be a top-tier poker room offering numerous impressive features, there are certain elements it lacks that, in my opinion, could significantly enhance its overall quality as a site. Let’s delve deeper into what these missing features are.
Edit Bet Buttons
One observation I made while playing on Bovada was the inability to customize the preselected bet buttons for preflop or postflop actions. The predetermined buttons are fixed to specific bet sizes such as 3x, 5x, pot, and all-in for preflop, and ½ pot, ¾ pot, pot, and all-in for postflop play. Therefore, if you prefer a button that automatically bets ⅓ pot for you, unfortunately, you won’t find that option available.
No Hands At Showdown
I was taken aback by the fact that upon winning a hand at showdown, I couldn’t view my opponent’s cards, which I typically rely on for gaining insights into their gameplay. This feature, common on other platforms, significantly aids in understanding opponents’ strategies. Depending on one’s perspective, this could be perceived as either a lacking feature or another aspect catering to recreational players.
Absence of Features Catering to Serious Players
One might interpret this as Bovada’s deliberate focus on catering exclusively to casual players. However, I was surprised by the absence of convenient features typically appreciated by those grinding out long sessions. Elements such as the absence of auto-top-up functionality in cash games, inefficient table tiling, the lack of a “sit out and close table” option, and inconvenient tournament registration may seem minor individually, but collectively, they detract from the overall experience during extended play sessions.
Bovada Poker Network & License Information
A company called Harp Media B.V.. owns Ignition Poker, which is licensed by Curacao eGaming.Playing at Bovada, you’re up against a global player pool that offers a great variety of talent level and events.
Are 3rd Party Programs Supported?
No. The following programs are not supported:
- Hand trackers / HUDs
- Data mining
- Auto-Hotkey programs
Bovada doesn’t allow you to use this software because it would give grinders an edge, for one thing. Two, it’s not possible to use these programs anyway because they don’t label the players other than with a (temporary) number. You have no idea who your opponents are once you (or they) leave the table. You’re not even able to save notes longer than your current session.
You can download your hand histories to review your play. But you’re not able to track or label other players. This is in line with Bovada’s attempt to create a safe atmosphere for recreational players and improve the poker economy.
Customer Support
Renowned for their customer service, Bovada boasts some of the best support in the online poker industry. With a variety of points of contact, players can rest assured that they will have their issues resolved by an agent in a swift manner.
- Phone: 1-888-263-000
- Live Chat: Click the ‘Chat Now’ box on site
- Email: service@bovada.lv
Is Bovada Poker not for you? Here’s what other users recommended:
Conclusion
Bovada Poker stands as a prominent and enduring presence in the American online poker landscape. The platform has a very user-friendly platform, soft competition, and efficient banking methods. While its promotional offerings may not be as robust as some competitors, Bovada compensates with an attractive combination of tournament overlays and low banking fees.
Moreover, its unique features such as anonymous tables and fast transaction processing contribute to its appeal among players seeking a secure and enjoyable poker experience. With a decade of experience and a commitment to player satisfaction, Bovada Poker remains a reliable choice for online poker enthusiasts in the United States.
FAQs
It should not take any longer than 48 hours to completely verify your account.
As of November 2024, Bovada no longer accepts players from NV, NJ, NY, MD, DE, MI, CO, WV, DC, OH, CT, PA, KS, LA, MA, or TN.
Bovada does not offer any reload bonuses.
Unfortunately, Bovada no longer allows new players to get rakeback.
Absolutely! With over 10 years of experience, Bovada is one of the most reliable places to play online poker.
Bovada withdrawals are both fast and reliable. They offer a variety of different withdrawal options, including a few cryptocurrency options as well.
