Poker Sites Review and Rating Process

Poker Site Review Process

Our reviews follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure consistency and objectivity.

We use a structured 10-step methodology that examines every aspect of a poker site - from trust and security through to liquidity, game variety and player feedback.

This process keeps each review fair, reliable and genuinely useful to poker players.

1. Licensing & Security

The first step in every poker site review is to confirm that the operator is properly licensed and regulated. We only recommend rooms overseen by trusted authorities, ensuring legal, safe and accountable play. 

We also assess site security, checking for SSL encryption, secure payment systems and clear data protection policies, alongside compliance with international privacy standards such as GDPR.

2. Fair Play

Poker depends on fairness. We verify that anti-collusion and bot-detection measures are in place and that operators have a proven record of enforcing game integrity. 

We also look for certification from independent agencies such as eCOGRA, GLI or BMM Testlabs, which test and audit the software to confirm that shuffles are genuinely random.

3. Responsible Gambling

Player safety is a fundamental requirement. We review the responsible gambling tools available, such as deposit limits, table or stake caps, time-outs, reality checks and self-exclusion. 

Clear messaging and links to independent support organisations are also expected.

4. Banking

We create a real account and complete deposits and withdrawals to test how smooth and reliable the process is. 

Payment methods, withdrawal speeds, verification steps and transaction limits are all reviewed. 

5. Welcome Bonus

We claim the sign-up offer using our own funds. For poker, this may include matched deposits, free tournament tickets or rake-based deals. 

We then analyse the terms - expiry dates, eligibility rules and rake requirements - to judge whether the bonus represents genuine value.

6. Promotions & Rakeback

Ongoing value matters as much as the welcome bonus. We evaluate rakeback programs, freerolls, rake races and leaderboards aimed at regulars. 

Loyalty schemes and site-exclusive promotions carry more weight than generic network offers. As with bonuses, we analyse the small print to ensure promotions are transparent and fair.

7. Game Variety

Our poker pros play a range of formats to assess the depth of the offering. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud and mixed variants are tested, alongside tournament formats such as MTTs, Sit & Gos, progressive knockouts and satellites into bigger events.

We also review tournament structures in detail, including blind progressions, re-entry policies and headline events. Fast-fold formats such as Zoom or Rush are also evaluated.

8. Liquidity

A poker room’s strength lies in its traffic. We measure player volume at different stakes and times of day, the depth of tournament fields and the consistency with which guarantees are met. 

Regional restrictions, such as ring-fenced versus global player pools, are also factored in, as these directly affect liquidity and game availability.

9. Customer Support

We contact support channels directly to test how quickly issues are resolved and whether agents are knowledgeable about poker-specific questions. 

Live chat availability, response speed, complaint handling and the quality of FAQs all contribute to our evaluation.

10. User Feedback

Finally, we incorporate real player voices. This includes Gambling.com user reviews and ratings, as well as community sentiment from poker forums and independent sources. 

First-hand feedback allows us to cross-check our own testing and ensures that our reviews reflect genuine player experiences.

Poker Rating System

Our poker ratings give players a clear, at-a-glance view of how each site performs in the areas that matter most.

Every score is backed by thorough testing and expert evaluation, so ratings reflect genuine quality, not marketing claims.

Before scoring begins, we check licensing, security and fair play. These are non-negotiable standards - if a poker room fails them, it is not rated at all.

Sites that meet these requirements are then assessed across six weighted categories. The points are combined into a total out of 100, which is converted into a 1–10 rating for simplicity. 

For instance, a score of 91/100 produces a final rating of 9.1.

All ratings are earned on merit. Operators cannot buy higher scores and our team updates the ratings to reflect changes in traffic, promotions or player feedback.

Rating Categories & Weighting

Liquidity (30 points)
Measures overall traffic, cash-game availability, tournament field sizes and prize pool guarantees.

Game Variety (20 points)
Assesses the range of formats - from Hold’em and Omaha to mixed games - as well as tournament types like Sit & Gos, MTTs, progressive knockouts, satellites and fast-fold variants.

Responsible Gambling (20 points)
Evaluates the safeguards in place to help players stay in control, including deposit and table limits, time-outs, reality checks, self-exclusion and clear links to third-party support services.

Promotions & Rakeback (15 points)
Considers ongoing value for players, including rakeback programs, rake races, leaderboards, freerolls, satellites and loyalty rewards.

Banking (10 points)
Reviews payment methods, deposit and withdrawal speeds, verification requirements and transaction limits, ensuring players can access their funds without delay.

Customer Support (5 points)
Scores the quality and speed of support, availability of live chat and other channels, staff knowledge of poker issues and how well complaints are handled.

Choosing the Right Poker Site

Our ratings help players compare poker sites quickly, but the highest score isn’t always the best fit for every individual. Some may prioritize rakeback or loyalty rewards, others may prefer specific tournament formats or reliable cash-game liquidity.

The top-rated poker sites are those that deliver the strongest overall experience to the widest range of players. But our detailed reviews go further, so you can find the operator that best matches your own playing style and priorities.

Editorial Note

We continually refine our poker site review and rating methodology to keep it fair, relevant and focused on what matters most to poker players.