Summary (Rated 8 out of 10)
Absolute Poker is a powerhouse on the Cereus Poker Network. With fast software, easy to use player interfaces, and tons of tables - it's easy to see why over 20,000 players can be found here daily for their poker needs! is one of these. Weak competition, generous bonuses, and an addicting rewards program make Absolute Poker a hard room to beat!
Players may only clear this bonus by playing in 'Ring Games' and earning Raked Hands
Game Selection (Rated 7 out of 10)
While perhaps not begin the very best out there, the game selection at Absolute offers some unique aspects and a generally sound base of options. Cash games are a good example of this, offering the usual basics of NL, Limit and PL Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha HI/LO, 7-card stud and 7-card stud HI/LO, though not extending to the more alternative games like 5-card draw, HORSE or Razz. The stakes also cater to the average player with plenty in the low to mid range but little for the truly high stakes player. This type of focus though will keep the vast majority of players satisfied with their options.
Tournament options, on the other hand, will appeal to a much broader range of player and in particular anyone who frequents the sit-and-goes. Not only are the buy-in and tournament size ranges second-to-none but there are also plenty of non-hold’em games and satellite sit-and-goes, both of which are rarities in online poker. Scheduled tournaments don’t have quite the same breadth but a few Omaha and 7-card stud games are still enough to stand out, while plenty of freeroll and low buy-in games will again appeal to the average player.
Quality of Players (Rated 7 out of 10)
One of the major effects of Absolute’s efforts to appeal to the middle range of players in most aspects is that they have attracted a lot of weak players and beginners. Usually sites with a slightly higher standard of all-round options for the genuine poker player, like Absolute, will be populated by an equally high standard of player. This is in some cases, such as further up the stakes ladder or at many of the higher buy-in tournament tables, true here too but not nearly as uniformly as at certain other sites where fish are much harder to come by.
There are most likely two major reasons for this, great bonuses and some low-stakes tables at which to spend them. It is possible here for quite inexperienced, or even novice players, to sign-up, hit the required raked hand targets and all the while never risk too much of their bankroll. On the other hand, because of equally impressive reload bonuses, many weak players stay long enough to venture out of micro-limits and onto at least the 50c/$1 tables where it is quite possible to part them from their money. As always though, a word of warning, wherever there are fish soon there will be sharks.
Software (Rated 8 out of 10)
As far as the software at Absolute is concerned the most important thing is that there is nothing about it which in any way lets down or spoils the experience of playing on this site in general. Whilst there is nothing overly exceptional about it everything is in place to maintain a smooth and untroubled environment to play poker. Another way in which this is a good place for people to try out their first online poker site is that there are extremely good basic guides to both the site and to the various games. The customer and internet support options are also pretty thorough and of a high standard.
This level of sufficient smoothness is carried through to the tables themselves where there are rarely any worries or annoyances regarding efficiency of actions. Tournament play seems in general to be very well structured in terms of blinds and payouts with several different structures available for the various levels of scheduled and sit-and-go games. Also, something which is indicative of Absolute’s intent is the frequent software updates, though the installation of these is quick and painless.
Graphics (Rated 7 out of 10)
The only possible disappointment about the Absolute experience is the largely uninspired graphics. This is not to say that there is a major problem and your time here will be seriously effected, rather it is just surprising that a site with so many other attributes hasn’t spent more time on this aspect. The main user interface is about as simple as they come but its usability is not impacted negatively with each of the user options as well as the cashier easily locatable. The tournament and table listings are also well enough organized and navigation around them is quick and easy.
Once at the table the graphics remain user-friendly but again are nothing out of the ordinary. There is though one quite unusual little extra, that is the ability to download your own avatar or ‘skin’ from a range which they have provided or upload one of your own choosing. This provides each player with a bit more character than they would otherwise have had, as well as the opportunity to play with your table image. Aside from this everything, in terms of cards, chips and décor is basic and average. One slight problem is the difficulty in seeing raise amounts, instead having to refer to the pre-select call button for that information.
Profitability (Rated 10 out of 10)
Undoubtedly Absolute’s strongest suit and the thing which will bring greater and greater player traffic here is the money which can be made. They have uniquely managed to combine superb bonuses, a weak standard of player, and plenty of tables at which to meet them. The initial sign-up bonus is particularly remarkable at a whopping 100% up to $500 and, what is even better, is that its clearance is really quite reasonable. They even follow this up with some pretty generous reload bonuses just in case that first $500 wasn’t enough.
The only minor drawback to these bonuses in terms of profitability is that at many of the tables, especially in the middle stakes range, many of the players will become extremely tight in the hope of risking as little as possible before they reach their raked hands target. This though simply requires a slight adaptation in playing style as some shrewd bullying tactics will usually pay off. Also, play loosens up quite a bit just a couple of rungs above this. Overall Absolute is a both a site at which to learn the game and then profit from it.
