Whereas I usually start my poker site reviews with a little background information about each site, it’s probably wiser to skip the history lesson for my Juicy Stakes Poker review. Enough to say that the “old” Juicy Stakes was bailed out by Intertops Poker in 2013, and has since been run by one of the most credible teams in the industry.
The site now shares its database with other skins on the Horizon Poker Network and accepts players from most U.S. states, most European countries, and most of the Asia-Pacific region – ensuring there is always some action at the tables around the clock. Indeed, some tournaments are specifically scheduled for times that will appeal to European and Australian players.
The Juicy Stakes Poker Bonus for New Players
One of the reasons why the site has remained a popular destination for players is its great range of promotions and the way in which bonuses are cleared. The headline promotion is a 200% bonus on first deposits up to a maximum bonus of $1,000.
The bonus is applied immediately (provided you follow the instructions below) and is cleared in increments of $5 as you earn Frequent Player Points (FPPs).
FPPs are awarded using the “dealt rake” method. This method distributes an equal number of points to players dealt into a hand (from which rake is deducted) rather than according to each player’s contribution to the pot. What this means for new players is that you don´t have to get involved in more hands than you should in order to clear your bonus.
To claim the Juicy Stakes poker bonus for new players, you have to visit the site using one of our links. There is a single-page registration form to complete, after which you will receive an email welcoming you to the site and inviting you to make your first deposit. It is not necessary to download the poker client before making your first deposit as all transactions via the web cashier are secure and encrypted.
Funding Your Account for the First Time
After you have created your account, click on the banking icon at the top of the screen (it looks like two credit cards). This will open the web cashier where you can select your preferred method of deposit.
Please note the choice of deposit options may not be the same in every jurisdiction and you can find out more about each option by clicking on the black chevron to the right of the max deposit figure.
Once you have made your first deposit, you then have to visit “My Account” and click “Redeem Bonus”. You will be asked to enter a code to have the bonus applied, and the Juicy Stakes bonus code to use is “USAFRIENDLY”. However, you only have twenty-four hours from making your deposit to enter the code in order to be eligible for the bonus. So, resist the temptation to hit the tables immediately after funding your account, and get the administrative stuff out of the way first!
Clearing the Juicy Stakes Poker First Deposit Bonus
There is a fair range of cash “ring” games, Sit & Go games, and poker tournaments to choose from at Juicy Stakes poker – including some betting formats you may not be familiar with if you have played at other USA-friendly poker sites. The majority of the action takes place at the NL Texas Hold’em cash tables, but you can also play Texas Hold’em in Fixed Limit and Pot Limit formats.
You also have the options of playing Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo cash games in No Limit, Fixed Limit, and Pot Limit formats, and an interesting game called Telesina – which is a cross between 5 card Stud and 6+ Hold’em. Sit & Go games and poker tournaments are only available in NL Texas Hold´em and PL Omaha formats except for Heads-Up Fixed Limit Texas Hold’em Sit & Go games.
When you play any cash game you are awarded Frequent Players Points at the rate of one point per dollar raked. Under the dealt rake method explained above, if a dollar is raked from the pot, every player dealt into the hand receives 1 FPP. When you enter a Sit & Go game or poker tournament, you are awarded 7 FPPs per dollar paid in entry fees, and $5 of your pending bonus is released into your real money account every time you have collected 83.335 Frequent Player Points.
Playing at Juicy Stakes on a Mac or Mobile
Juicy Stakes doesn’t offer a Mac-compatible download option, but the web-based instant play platform is just as good as the PC download for Windows. I understand, although I’ve not experienced it myself, there is an issue with playing via a Chrome browser; so, if you want to play at Juicy Stakes on a Mac, use the Safari browser with the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in.
Mobile players can access the instant play platform from any Internet connected device. Simply visit the site from your mobile and log into your account in the same way as you would from a PC or Mac.
There are no apps to download and the platform is frequently updated for ease of use and better controls. It´s actually a very good platform for a mobile and I use it quite a lot.
Players using the web-based instant play platform have access to exactly the same range of games and features as the PC download. You can deposit into your account from your mobile, request withdrawals, and contact Juicy Stakes customer services department via the Live Chat feature. Basically, the instant play platform allows you to just as much as the downloadable client.
Juicy Stakes Promotions and VIP Program
Juicy Stakes offers a mix of permanent and seasonal promotions. The permanent promotions consist of the first deposit bonus, depositor freeroll tournaments, and a weekly Frequent Player Points Race in which the top one hundred players win a share of the $4,000 prize pool. Seasonal promotions change frequently – sometimes at very short notice – and often include online satellite routes into live poker events all over the world.
The VIP program is one of the best in the industry. Once you have cleared the first deposit bonus, every 100 FPPs you earn is converted into a Gold Chip. Gold Chips can be used as a currency to enter special Gold Chip poker tournaments, or converted into no deposit bonuses at the rate of $25 per 100 Gold Chips. The no deposit bonuses are cleared in the same manner as the first deposit bonus; and, if your account needs further top-up, Juicy Stakes periodically offers VIP players substantial reload bonuses.
Why I think the VIP program is one of the best in the industry is because it doesn’t encourage new players to chase points by getting involved in too many hands or playing beyond their bankrolls. The dealt rake method of distributing FPPs promotes ABC poker and is good for online poker ecology. Naturally this has the impact of making some of the games a little boring, but it is definitely a good low-risk learning experience for new players.
Pros and Cons of Playing Here
As usual, I´m going to wrap up my Juicy Stakes poker review with a selection of pros and cons. What’s important to remember when reading my Juicy Stakes review is that the opinions are my own and they have been formed by playing at the site. Other players may have different opinions about the site depending on their location, skill level, and style of play. I’ll start with the cons.
- The low level of traffic is an obvious consideration because it affects the frequency at which tournaments start and at which Sit & Go games are filled.
- There are no fast-fold poker games or Jackpot Sit & Go games, and although the site has an online casino, there’s no sportsbook.
- There are limited withdrawal options, and fees are charged if you have to withdraw by check or wire transfer (although you are allowed one free withdrawal per month).
Most of these cons can be overcome by playing at more than one poker site. That would enable you to pick and choose what cash games or tournaments you wanted to play at Juicy Stakes, and play other games elsewhere while you are waiting. Having a second option would give you the opportunity to bet on sports, withdraw when you like, and still clear the Juicy Stakes poker bonus.
- The Juicy Stakes poker bonus is one of the biggest pros for playing at this site. It is generous and easy to clear within the ninety days allowed.
- Once you have cleared the initial bonus, the rewards keep on coming. I love the VIP program and its constant stream of no deposit poker bonuses.
- I also love the opportunities to qualify for live poker events for a few dollars. These opportunities come around fairly frequently, and you are assured of a good time if you qualify.
Juicy Stakes Poker Review: Conclusion
Although the pros and cons above just about sum up my Juicy Stakes poker review, I just wanted to add a few words about the standard of play at the site. Generally, it’s quite good, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from joining the site if you have little or no experience of playing online poker. Juicy Stakes is a great place to learn and improve your game; and, because of the bonuses and promotions, the likelihood is your bankroll will last longer here than it will on most other poker sites.
Similarly, although experienced players won’t find many “easy games”, it’s less likely you are going to develop bad habits at the poker tables. Sure, there will be times when things don’t go your way and you suffer a bad beat, but that can happen at any site. So, in conclusion, Juicy Stakes is a solid and well-managed online poker site – backed by excellent customer service – that gives players an opportunity to enjoy a potentially lucrative online experience. What to find out for yourself? Join Juicy Stakes today.
Juicy Stakes Poker FAQ
How do I contact Juicy Stakes customer support?
The best way to contact customer support is via live chat. You can access live chat by clicking on the icon at the poker tables or in the cashier, or via the website. If you want to talk to somebody, the Juicy Stakes customer service phone number is +1 877 833 1271; or, if you want to submit documents to verify your ID, the email address is support@juicystakes.eu.
How long do withdrawal requests take to process?
When I requested a Bitcoin withdrawal, it was processed within two days. The site claims it processes Skrill and Neteller withdrawal requests within 24 hours (Monday to Friday), and checks should arrive four to six days after being requested. According to one contributor to the 2+2 poker forum, his check arrived four days after being requested, and this generally seems to be the norm.
What are the tiers and levels in the VIP program?
In the Juicy Stakes VIP Program, there are fifty levels and within each level a varying number of tiers. Each tier has a target number of FPPs to earn and, every time you complete a tier, you get an extra reward depending on what level you are on. It´s quite a nice little extra to the Gold Coin exchanges because you can never fall below Level 10, so you will always be picking up something worthwhile.
Is there a play money option I can use to check out the software before making a deposit?
There is, but not a lot of players take advantage of it. If you want to check out the Juicy Stakes software before making a deposit, you are probably better off playing in a few freeroll tournaments to get familiar with the controls, the table features, and how to make notes on other players.