|
Chances are you’re playing for a bonus at some time in your online poker
pursuits. Some online poker players never play at a poker site unless they’re
clearing a bonus of some kind. These players are known as bonus chasers, and
dedicated bonus chasers know all about the monthly bonuses offered by the Cryptologic sites. This extensive FAQ gives you all you need to know about
getting started.
This article is broken down into three parts: Part One and Part Two are
essentially an FAQ. Part Three details the specific offerings of each site.
What is Crypto?
Crypto is shorthand for the Cryptologic Network. This is a series of online
gaming sites sharing the same software and player base. Although they are
primarily online casino sites, the Cryptos have an excellent interface for
poker, and are generally beatable at poker.
Why play poker at Crypto sites?
Simply put, bonuses! Taken as a group, the Crypto bonuses are the best on the
internet in an era when sites are requiring as many as ten hands played per
dollar of bonus.
Sounds good, what are the sites?
William Hill, Interpoker, and Littlewoods are probably the most commonly
played, but UK Betting, Poker Plex, Classic Poker, Caribbean Sun, Total Bet,
Ritz Club, and Betfair have similar bonuses and are equally open to all
players (with only two exceptions).
What’s the deal with Sunpoker.com?
It’s the same as Caribbean Sun. There are two URLs that can be used to access
the site.
Are all of the sites open to (insert country here) players?
The only reported restrictions are on US players (Ritz Club and Betfair) and
Australians (Ritz Club).
Can I join every site?
Yes, unless you are restricted by geography.
What games are offered?
All Crypto sites share the same software and player base, so game choices are
the same at all sites. Fixed Limit Holdem tables range from 0.25/0.50 to
150/300, although available games above 30/60 are rare. Pot-Limit games don’t
get a lot of action above 1./2. No-limit up to 25/50 blinds. Low-limit Stud,
Omaha, and Omaha High-Low usually have a few tables available. Single- and
multi-table tournaments are included as well.
How is the traffic?
The Crypto network, taken as a whole, ranks about average for numbers of
players online, with numbers similar to those found at Pacific Poker. Since
the sites are the poker room components of casino sites popular in Europe,
traffic increases significantly in the European evening hours (afternoon for
US players).
How soft are the games?
At full-ring, low-stakes, fixed-limit tables, the play is very tight,
especially during US evening hours. Play loosens up at these tables during
other times, including weekends. Shorthanded tables tend to be extra loose,
and are usually beatable. Guaranteed prize pool tournaments tend to have an
overlay (the contributed buy-ins do not reach the guaranteed amount).
What is an Ecash PIN?
Most Crypto sites use a very antiquated method of verifying identity: they
send you a PIN (personal identification number) via post (snail mail) to your
registered home address. You must use this PIN when initiating any cashout
from those sites. If your funds are tight, you might elect to make only a
small deposit at a site so your PIN will be sent. Currently, only Littlewoods,
Poker Plex, and Ritz Club are requiring PINs.
What is the withdrawal fee?
Most of the Cryptos (except William Hill) charge a $1 fee for cashing out. All
amounts used to be rounded up to the next dollar; so withdrawing $50.01 meant
you would receive $50. Withdrawing $51 meant you would also receive $50.
Unfortunately, this loophole has been closed; so try to make your withdrawals
as large as possible to reduce the impact of this fee.
How is the customer service?
Respectable. Email responses are accurate and timely. Cashouts to Neteller are
usually received within 48 hours.
These sites are generally European or British. What about currency conversion?
Most online gaming is denominated in US Dollars, so most players, even in
other countries, have US Dollar Neteller accounts. If this is your situation,
it is best to elect to have a USD account with each Crypto site. If you elect
to play a table denominated in £ (British Pounds) or € (Euros), the site will
perform a currency conversion (no fee) when you sit down at the table.
If you elect to have a £ or € account, or are required to by the poker site
(UK Betting and Total Bet only allow £), the sites will charge a 1.9% fee on
deposit and withdrawal to convert your funds. This is similar to Neteller or
credit card conversion fees, but this added cost of playing these sites means
you should restrict your deposits and withdrawals if you have ample funds
available (or just avoid those sites).
The FAQ is continued in
Part Two.
|
