Ultimate Bet Poker
One of top online poker sites, Ultimate Bet completed its merger with Absolute Poker in late 2008 to form the new Cereus Poker Network. The reveal introduced players to a new slick site with bolder graphics, interesting features, larger tournament and game selection, improved security and a significantly expanded player base. Ultimate Bet is also another US player friendly site.
Tournament play at Ultimate Bet is excellent and perhaps what it’s best known for. Players have access to a great selection of well run, seamless play tournament games– including anything from regular Sit-and-Go’s and Multi-Table Tournaments, to freeroll tournaments, where players can win real cash without any investment, and WSOP/WPT qualifiers.
Game Variety at Ultimate Bet is superb. You’ll find the usual Texas Holdem, Seven Card Stud and Omaha in all their variations, but those looking for something different can head to some of the more exotic games on offer like A-5 Triple Draw, Pineapple to real-money Rock, Paper, and Scissors. Table limits run the gamut from micro stakes ($0.01/$0.02) to ultra-high limits ($150/$300) for the high rollers and pro players.
Ultimate Bet’s updated software has much to offer its players. The lobby is much improved and graphics are sharp and clean throughout. Game play runs quickly and smoothly even during the larger high-traffic tournaments. Players will have fun checking out the exciting new customization options, such as resizable tables and alternative views, including rabbit cam and 3D options, mini-table functionality, and the ability to upload a personal avatar picture. Other outstanding features include a unique statistics function where players can view detailed table & hand statistics, and a buddy function so players can keep track of their friends and favorite players. The Ultimate Bet poker client is only PC compatible. Mac users will have to run a PC emulator, like Virtual PC, in order to play.
Player competition at Ultimate Bet is on average tighter than what you’ll find at most of the smaller poker rooms. However, it can range from super soft to extremely high depending on the game and limit level. Obviously, if you’re looking for fish stick to the lower limit tables, and if you think you’ve got the skills to take on the pros then take your pick of the high stakes tables. You might even find yourself facing 11 time WSOP Bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth, who can be found playing at the high limit tables almost daily.
Customer support at Ultimate Bet is only available via email, but is usually quite excellent and fast. Most queries are responded to within ten minutes! Some users have reported experiencing much longer response times of up to several days, but those cases seem to be few and far between.
Promotional offers at Ultimate Bet are some of the best amongst the big poker rooms. New players can receive a 111% bonus on their first deposit up to $1100, and plenty of reload bonuses throughout the year for existing players. Their refer-a-friend offer also gives players $75 for each friend they refer to the site (and makes a deposit). Ultimate Bet’s Loyalty Program is excellent and offers players unparalleled flexibility. Players earn points for all real-money hands, tournament fees and even time spent at the table, which they can then be used for tournament entry fees, currency to buy live tournament packages or to purchase merchandise.
While, Ultimate Bet has had some significant security issues and negative press in the past, it appears they have learned from their mistakes and have gone on to make the site better and more secure for their players than ever. These days Ultimate Bet is an excellent poker room with top notch tournaments, high quality games, and its excellent promotional offers make it a great place to start playing.
