1. Which online poker sites offer Mac / Macintosh compatible downloads?
Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars both offer fully-functional downloadable Mac clients. The Full Tilt Poker
Mac client has been around for over two years (released early 2006), so it's a highly tested and functioning client.
The PokerStars client was released in 2007, so it's a little newer, but PokerStars is one of the best online
poker sites, so you can be sure that they know what they're doing when they choose to release a Mac client.
You really can't go wrong with either Mac poker client!
Tip:
When signing up for PokerStars, use the Marketing Code TIGHTPOKER50 and the Bonus Code First2008 to get the best signup bonus possible.
2. What about Mac / Macintosh no download options?
While there are only two fully-downloadable Mac online poker clients in existence (as of May 2008), there are many sites with
"no download" online poker clients written in Java -- this means that you can play right in your web browser!
The only "no download" option for players in the United States is Absolute Poker.
For players outside of the United States, there are many additional options. Pacific Poker, Party Poker and PokerRoom
all offer "no download" online poker clients. I strongly recommend the Party Poker and PokerRoom no-download options
because the software is highly tested and both sites have a lot of players online at all times while also offering easy games at many levels.
Bonus Tips: If you sign up for Party Poker while on a Mac, you can use the new player bonus code of
POWERBOOK to get a $25 sign up bonus. Or, you can use the code IMAC to get a 30% deposit bonus up to $150.
On Full Tilt Poker, use the Mac only bonus code NANO to get a special deposit bonus.
3. I don't see a download option for Mac players on the PokerRoom web site?
Now, you can play online on PokerRoom right on your Mac without downloading any software! Instant Play is the latest craze sweeping Poker Room and is actually used by poker players with Macs, PC's, and mobile phones.
You'll need to sign up an account before playing on the Instant Play system. There's a giant Sign Up icon on the right hand side of the site. There is not a downloadable PokerRoom client for Mac players.
However, Poker Room does not accept U.S. players.
4. Can you give me more specifics on Boot Camp and Parallels?
Sure, Boot Camp and Parallels are ways for Mac owners to run Windows on their Macs. This means that all of the fully-downloadable clients will be available to you. You can play on otherwise incompatible sites such as Bodog, UltimateBet and Titan!
Boot Camp is pre-loaded with Leopard, the latest Mac Operating System. When running Windows using Bootcamp, programs running on your Mac should run at full speed. When you start up your computer, you'll be prompted to continue in Mac or Windows - you decide! Click here for additional information on Boot Camp.
You can also run Parallels, which doesn't require a restart every time you want to switch between Mac and PC modes, but your computer will run Windows a little slower than if you were running Windows using Boot Camp. Parallels will run you $99.
5. What is the Poker Room Promotion Code?
The Poker Room promotion code is usually a deposit or
sign-up bonus for new players at their site. Currently, if you use the promotion code MACBONUS, you get a 50%
deposit bonus (up to a total of $250). Clicking on the banner below also tags you with the same bonus as well.
6. What are some other good mac resources?
In general, the mac poker resources online are pretty lacking. There aren't any good/unbiased sites online that are devoted to the community of mac users who play poker. However, some of the best general mac/apple resources online are Mac Rumors, Apple.com and Wikipedia. In addition, there are countless mac blogs out there and you can find a ton of them just by searching in Google: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mac+blogs. Good luck!
If so, check out Poker News Daily, the internet's best poker news source. Written by professionals who monitor the poker news scene on a constant basis, you can be sure that Poker News Daily will always have the most current and up-to-date poker news information.
WARNING: Internet poker may or may not be illegal in your jurisdiction. Please check your local laws or consult with legal counsel before attempting to play poker online.
