Dealing with BigBetPoker
By Stephen Nover
The Rx.com
May 13, 2003
The annual Binion's Horseshoe World Series of Poker is currently taking place in downtown Las Vegas.
But you don't have to be on Fremont Street to compete against poker players from around the world.
Live poker sites are springing up on the Internet and BigBetPoker.com is one of the latest. There already have been close to a quarter million hands dealt at BigBetPoker since the site went live in late January. Gamblers from Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all registered.
"We have players from every country you can think of," said Leonard, general manager at BigBetPoker, which operates out of Antigua.
Unlike other poker sites, though, BigBetPoker has the marketing savvy to target sports bettors despite just offering poker.
Some of the top poker players in the world, including Doyle Brunson, Billy Baxter and Chip Reese, are big-time sports bettors. The "Pokers" have been one of the most feared betting syndicates for years because of the large amounts they bet and their ability to take advantage of hot streaks.
Leonard realizes poker and sports wagering are a natural correlation. You don't have to bet big or be a 'wise' guy to enjoy both.
"We found that sports bettors like to play poker," Leonard said. "You're mixing gambling with your knowledge of odds. It's exciting. You're doing it with other people. There's sort of a sense of community that builds."
You can open an account at BigBetPoker for as little as $20, and enter a tournament for as low as $1. BigBetPoker offers seven card stud, seven card high/low, Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Omaha high/low.
Players compete against each other, not the house. There are tables for two to 10 players. The house makes its money by taking a fee out of each pot. The rake is determined by the number of participants, type of game and how high the stakes. Limits range from 50 cents/$1.00 to $20/$40.
Asked about the possibility of collusion occurring, Leonard said, "We monitor each game and we also designed the software where you can't sit down at the same table with the same IP address."
For about a year BigBetPoker worked on getting things perfect before launching. So far there haven't been any problems, Leonard said.
"This was built for poker players by poker players," he said. "The people who built the product are poker players with a technical background."
Leonard said BigBetPoker prides itself on having poker friendly software, which makes everything clear and easy as possible. He said there's no reason for anyone who hasn't tried poker online to be intimidated. BigBetPoker even has play money tables where potential players can practice and learn without using real money.
What makes BigBetPoker unique, Leonard said, is its multi-tournament format. The site is live and monitored 24 hours and tournaments begin as soon as there is enough seating. For instance, 72 players participated in a $1 tournament on Monday morning. BigBetPoker management added an extra $50, so the winner received $122.
BigBetPoker adds money each day to a morning and evening tournament. The company has a number of bonus programs, including a high hand of the day that can be worth up to $300.
They also have a loyalty program where every time you're involved in a hand where the rake is $1 or more, you earn a poker point. When you accumulate enough poker points you get a free roll in a $500 tournament.
In addition, BigBetPoker has a $500 bad-beat jackpot. To get this bonus, someone has to lose with at least a full house of three aces and two jacks, or better.
BigBetPoker also gives the winner $100 and everyone else at the table $20 every 5,000 and 10,000 hand.
By Stephen Nover
The Rx.com
May 13, 2003
The annual Binion's Horseshoe World Series of Poker is currently taking place in downtown Las Vegas.
But you don't have to be on Fremont Street to compete against poker players from around the world.
Live poker sites are springing up on the Internet and BigBetPoker.com is one of the latest. There already have been close to a quarter million hands dealt at BigBetPoker since the site went live in late January. Gamblers from Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all registered.
"We have players from every country you can think of," said Leonard, general manager at BigBetPoker, which operates out of Antigua.
Unlike other poker sites, though, BigBetPoker has the marketing savvy to target sports bettors despite just offering poker.
Some of the top poker players in the world, including Doyle Brunson, Billy Baxter and Chip Reese, are big-time sports bettors. The "Pokers" have been one of the most feared betting syndicates for years because of the large amounts they bet and their ability to take advantage of hot streaks.
Leonard realizes poker and sports wagering are a natural correlation. You don't have to bet big or be a 'wise' guy to enjoy both.
"We found that sports bettors like to play poker," Leonard said. "You're mixing gambling with your knowledge of odds. It's exciting. You're doing it with other people. There's sort of a sense of community that builds."
You can open an account at BigBetPoker for as little as $20, and enter a tournament for as low as $1. BigBetPoker offers seven card stud, seven card high/low, Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Omaha high/low.
Players compete against each other, not the house. There are tables for two to 10 players. The house makes its money by taking a fee out of each pot. The rake is determined by the number of participants, type of game and how high the stakes. Limits range from 50 cents/$1.00 to $20/$40.
Asked about the possibility of collusion occurring, Leonard said, "We monitor each game and we also designed the software where you can't sit down at the same table with the same IP address."
For about a year BigBetPoker worked on getting things perfect before launching. So far there haven't been any problems, Leonard said.
"This was built for poker players by poker players," he said. "The people who built the product are poker players with a technical background."
Leonard said BigBetPoker prides itself on having poker friendly software, which makes everything clear and easy as possible. He said there's no reason for anyone who hasn't tried poker online to be intimidated. BigBetPoker even has play money tables where potential players can practice and learn without using real money.
What makes BigBetPoker unique, Leonard said, is its multi-tournament format. The site is live and monitored 24 hours and tournaments begin as soon as there is enough seating. For instance, 72 players participated in a $1 tournament on Monday morning. BigBetPoker management added an extra $50, so the winner received $122.
BigBetPoker adds money each day to a morning and evening tournament. The company has a number of bonus programs, including a high hand of the day that can be worth up to $300.
They also have a loyalty program where every time you're involved in a hand where the rake is $1 or more, you earn a poker point. When you accumulate enough poker points you get a free roll in a $500 tournament.
In addition, BigBetPoker has a $500 bad-beat jackpot. To get this bonus, someone has to lose with at least a full house of three aces and two jacks, or better.
BigBetPoker also gives the winner $100 and everyone else at the table $20 every 5,000 and 10,000 hand.
