Bodog Poker Review
When it comes to poker brands, there are few with the history and reputation of Bodog. The site is the oldest online poker room in Canada, with the brand first opening its doors in 1994.
Bodog has long been a trusted brand in online poker and gambling, and the site offers a large player pool and plenty of packed tables.
However, a site doesn’t last this long off reputation alone. Bodog has shown it can consistently reinvent itself to keep up with the demands of modern players. Its contemporary product features an array of different gaming options, with the operator also embracing cryptocurrencies as it keeps one eye on the future.
Overview
Anyone familiar with the American online poker scene will know Bodog Poker–their reputation precedes it. My job, dear readers, is to dig deep into their games to see if it’s a site worth playing on.
To get a true sense of the platform, I created an account with Bodog, deposited my own money, and dove headfirst into the games. I tried everything, from cash games to tournaments to sit and gos, leaving no stone unturned in my quest to bring you the true state of Bodog’s games.
While the quality of games is important, we all know there’s more to an online poker site than that. So I also looked at other areas, such as bonuses and promotions, banking options, customer support options, and more that I’ll expand on later.
I’ve been playing poker seriously for nearly ten years, with over three of those as a professional, so I know what makes a good poker site. After looking at Bodog’s features, I collated them into this review, which I’d like to share with you now.
Pros and Cons
Bodog is one of the most established names in the online poker world. The site boasts some of the best traffic in the industry and provides players with plenty of tournaments and games to play. Whenever I logged on to play, I had no problem finding a game. Bodog has also emphasized the use of cryptocurrencies and encourages players to deposit using Bitcoin and Litecoin, which I found really easy to deposit and withdraw with. While it could do with a bit of work on its promotions for existing customers, it also offers a generous sign-up bonus for new players and a great referral bonus.
Pros
- Good Selection of Poker Games
- Plenty of Traffic
- Bitcoin & Other Cryptos Accepted
- Intuitive & Easy to Use Design
Cons
- Limited Promotions for Existing Customers
Poker Game Selection
Bodog Poker sees a lot of traffic and offers players a lot of tables to sit and play at. One reason the site is so popular is that it provides a vast, comprehensive list of poker games for players to choose from.
Tournaments
The site offers a selection of regular tournaments with great cash prizes for players of all capabilities and bankrolls.
Sit & Gos
Sit & go games are a constant on Bodog Poker. SNGs are perfect for those who want a tournament format without a lengthy time commitment. What’s more, these games were some of the softest I found on the site.
Zone Poker
If you prefer to avoid waiting around, Zone Poker could be your game. In Zone Poker, players are instantly moved to another table when they fold instead of waiting for the next hand to start. This is an exciting format that can see players playing 3x the standard amount of poker in an hour; perfect if you’re an action junkie like me!
Monthly Milly
One of the premier online poker tournaments available for players, the Monthly Milly has $1 million in guaranteed prizes up for grabs. In addition, players can qualify for a seat to the Monthly Milly for as low as $1.10.
Standard Cash Games
Of course, the site also offers a range of standard cash games. Texas Hold’Em is the most popular type of game played, but Omaha and other variations are also available here. I could always find a game whenever I logged in, which is frequent and at all hours.
Poker Tournaments
Those who are more competitive will find the tournament selection at Bodog to be solid, if somewhat limited. The site has a full schedule of knockout tournaments, including multi-table JKO tournaments, sit & go KO tournaments, and progressive KO tournaments.
There is also the chance to win some good cash prizes in the guaranteed tournaments section. Players can get their hands on guaranteed prizes of up to $100k. While these may be lower paying than some sites, Bodog does provide regular chances to land some serious cash prizes.
Bonus and Promotions
Bodog keeps things simple but effective with its selection of bonuses, although nothing here immediately jumps out. Still, a solid welcome bonus and loyalty program is always a good thing.
Sign-Up Bonus
The sign-up bonus gives you a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $1,000, but I found that it’s not given to you in one go. Instead, you will need to collect loyalty points in your first 30 days to unlock the bonus in increments. 30,000 points will get you the full bonus, which I found challenging but doable.
Rewards Program
Bodog Poker offers an excellent rewards program; it was definitely one of my favorite parts of the site. You’re given different bonus points depending on which type of game you play, so you can earn more by playing your favorite game. These points will contribute to your player ranking on a tiered rewards program. Each tier gives you bigger and better benefits.
Refer a Friend
You can also refer a friend to play at Bodog Poker and receive several perks. Not only will your friend be given a $1,800 deposit bonus as opposed to the standard $1,000, but your account’s funds will also receive a 200% bonus up to $100. There is also an extra 25% for anyone who refers a friend that uses Bitcoin.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Bodog Poker wants to encourage players to use different deposit methods, focusing on cryptocurrencies. At the time of writing, players can deposit using Bitcoin and Litecoin. Still, they will likely expand on this in the future.
Of course, suppose you are not used to cryptocurrencies or want to stick with the good, old-fashioned methods. In that case, there are plenty of options available. Players can use a Visa or Mastercard to deposit funds, as well as using Interac e-transfer or a direct bank transfer. Those who want to keep things even more old-school can even withdraw from the site using cheques.
Method | Minimum/Maximum Deposit | Withdrawal Limit |
Bitcoin/Bitcoin Cash/Litecoin | $10/$5,000 | $10/No Limit |
Ethereum | $60/$5,000 | $60/No Limit |
Visa/Mastercard | $20/$1,000 | N/A |
Bank Transfer | $20/$1,500 | $20/$3,000 |
Interac E-Transfer | $20/$500 | $20/$3,000 |
Cheque by Courier | N/A | $20/$3,000 |
Mobile Gaming
If you want to try your luck on the felt while you’re out and about, you’re in luck–Bodog Poker can be accessed on mobile devices. It’s worth noting that there is no mobile application; all of the action takes place within a browser. I never found it an issue, but browser play tends to be slower. You are also limited to playing at just one table on mobile devices.
Customer Service Options
Getting through to the Bodog support team is a painless process. The operator provides several ways to contact them. The most encouraged, and the fastest of these, is through the live chat option. This was the method I used the most often, as you’re connected to a helpful staff member within minutes. There is also the option of reaching through e-mail, but this will require a longer wait time.
Players can also support one another through the Bodog Forum, a charming community. Finally, if you have encountered a common problem, using the FAQ page can be very useful and time-effective.
What Makes this Poker Site Unique
Bodog’s traffic is one of its strongest selling points. The site attracts top-quality poker players daily, and there is always a supply of players for tournaments and games. The Poker Zone option best highlights this, which allows players to cycle through tables rapidly. Those who want to be fully immersed in online poker should consider trying their luck on the felt at Bodog Poker.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Bodog Poker is one of the best poker sites on the internet right now. It offers an extensive collection of poker games and plays host to regular tournaments with cash prizes. The Poker Zone game is also perfect for players like me who want to play at breakneck speeds. I could quickly find a seat for whichever poker game I wanted to play, and the software was straightforward. I never had any issues getting my money on and off the site, often receiving my money within a few minutes when withdrawing with specific deposit methods. Overall, this site has everything a player could want.
In my opinion, Bodog Poker is one of the best poker sites on the internet right now. It offers an extensive collection of poker games, as well as playing host to regular tournaments with cash prizes. The Poker Zone game is also perfect for players like me who want to play at breakneck speeds. Whichever poker game I wanted to play, I found I was able to quickly find a seat, and the software was really easy to use.
On top of this, the site has one eye on the future, putting a focus on the use of cryptocurrencies and actively encouraging players to consider them as banking options. I never had any issues getting my money on and off the site, often receiving my money within a few minutes when withdrawing with cryptocurrency. Overall, this site has everything a player could want, so why not sign up today to check out the fun for yourself?
Bodog Poker FAQs
Yes! Bodog allows players to deposit using a range of different cryptocurrencies. This includes Bitcoin, Litecoin, and more.
No, you do not need to have an active sport betting account to play at Bodog. That said, sports betting and casino options are also available on the site for those who are interested.
Bodog is very safe. The site is licensed and regulated by the Antigua and Barbuda Financial Services Regulatory Commission. This keeps the operator accountable and ensures it upholds the industry standard.
There is a selection of great tournaments available at Bodog. The site has a whole calendar dedicated to the upcoming tournament schedule. Players can regularly win guaranteed prizes of up to $100,000.
