Best Poker Software
The Best Poker Software Sites in 2011
**** Do you want to play online poker and you are a US citizen, click here to sign up at BetOnline Poker. They accept US credit cards & eChecks. ****
| Rank | Poker Site | Bonus Amount | Bonus Code |
 Start Playing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Party Poker | 100% up to $500 | PWNET | PartyPoker.net |
| 2 | 888 Poker | 100% up to $400 | *Use Link | 888.com |
| 3 | Bet365 | 200% up to $1000 | *Click Link | Bet365.com |
We rank the best poker software based on a number of factors. These include graphics, security of personal information, player options, fast deposit & withdrawal methods, and smooth operation. If a site is buggy or requires a huge download, it won't rank high on our list. We look for sites that offer good note-taking ability, downloadable hand-histories, and as many features as serious players can use to help them improve. We also prefer poker sites that offer native software downloads for Mac users.
The sites listed below have the best poker software for Windows and Mac players.
USANot Allowed
Bonus Code: PWNET
Traffic: 95,000 Players
Mac Friendly: Yes
New to Party Poker?
Party Poker Top Rated Poker Software Site
Party Poker is one of the few poker rooms that has both Windows and Mac compatible software downloads. The graphics are the best in the industry, and tons of player options are available. Party also offers browser-based Instant Play games for Linux users, and most cash games & tournaments can be accessed through it.
Both the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission of the UK license and approve the security and reliability of Party's poker software. Party uses random number generation in its software to ensure the fair play and unpredictable outcome of all real money games. Technical Systems Testing (TST) and Citgal, Inc. both certify Party Poker's games as fair & secure, with random outcome.
The key software features at Party Poker include:
- A choice of three lobby views
- Hand replayer
- Party Poker Academy training videos and practice games
- Cash game and tournament filters
- Favorites tab
- Customizable avatars
- Player search
- Hotkey options
- Changeable table background themes
- Seating placement or auto center seating
- Automatic blinds posting
- Folded hands display
- Stacking tables when multitabling
- Run It Twice outcome choice
- Auto top off option for chip stacks
- Player notes
- Downloadable hand history reports
100% up to $500 Sign Up Bonus Party Poker Review
USANot Allowed
Bonus Code: *Use Link
Traffic: 0 Players
Mac Friendly: Yes
New to 888 Poker?
888 Poker 2nd Best Software Poker Room
888 Poker offers free, downloadable software compatible with Windows operating systems. The 'Anywhere' version offers Mac and Linux users browser-based Instant Play capability. Players can access all free and real money cash games and tournaments from either version of the software. While the Anywhere version isn't quite as nice as the full download, it's still very good overall.
The 888Gaming System powers the 888 Poker software to provide fast, reliable poker games. 888 Poker submits its software to iTech labs for fair gaming and random outcome testing before licensing approval. For security of players' personal information, the 888 Poker software utilizes 128-bit encryption from Thawte Security and requires password access to player accounts. At times, identity verification for player's safety may be requested when processing deposits and cashouts on the secure PayPro cashier system.
888 Poker's main downloadable software features are:
- Marking favorite games or tournaments
- Adding private tables
- Multi-tabling options
- Tiling, cascading and resizing table views
- Quick seat selection
- Ring game and tournament filters by type and limits
- Player audio options
- Personal player statistics
- Hand histories
- Browse and List lobby views
- Buddy searches
- Player notes
- Chat or chat block
- Card color options
Not all of these customizable player features are available in the 888 Anywhere version. However, the Anywhere version is passed through the same testing and network guidelines as the full downloadable version.
100% up to $400 Sign Up Bonus 888 Poker Review
USANot Allowed
Bonus Code: *Click Link
Traffic: 24,000 Players
Mac Friendly: No
New to Bet365?
Bet365 3rd Best Software Poker Website
Bet365 has a downloadable poker client that is compatible with Windows. Mac and Linux users can access most Bodog games and features via the Bodog Instant Play version. Bet365 maintains its license under the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Calvin Ayre established the Bodog.com network to support secure &reliable online gaming. Bodog utilizes SSL encryption to protect players' personal identity and financial information. All Bodog player accounts are password protected.
The best software player features from Bet365 are the following:
- Customizable game details and chat windows
- Player cards and notes
- Player tools for tournaments showing progress and payout schedule
- Personal statistics
- Multi-tabling with resizable or tiled table views
- Changeable table felt color
- Spotlight feature to track several tables' action at once
- Sleek table views showing player avatars, chip stacks and moves
- Animations and sound options
- Customizable player avatars
- Display folded hands option
- Quick seating from lobby
200% up to $1000 Sign Up Bonus
Best Software for Real Money Poker Cash Games & Tournaments
The best poker software should give players smooth games that load quickly. It should also offer plenty of customizable player options, such as skin changes, note taking ability, downloadable hand history reports, sound effects, and lobby filters. Deposits and withdrawals should be simple and fast. Special features allow different types of players to customize their poker room experience in ways that make them want to keep playing at the site.
Beyond player experience, licensing commissions and independent software testing agencies establish industry standards for poker software. This ensures that the software is safe & secure. It also protects players from fraudulent games. Testing agencies such as eCogra, iTech labs and Technical Systems Testing (TST) are regulatory bodies that ensure that fair games are available on the poker software. Online poker rooms that are certified and accredited by these agencies demonstrate practices of safe and reliable gaming.
Additional Information on Top Poker Software
Most downloadable poker software is made for Windows based PCs. Mac, Linux and Ubuntu users frequently use Instant Play poker games, which offer limited features of the full download versions. A few poker rooms like Full Tilt Poker are starting to develop Mac poker clients that have the same software features as PC versions. Players running operating systems other than Windows also have the option of using Wine 1.1.2 as a PC emulator to access the full downloadable software from Windows based poker websites.
Reliable, fast games and secure services are trademarks of these poker rooms. Players also have numerous options for personal customization to enhance their poker gaming experience. To play on the best poker software, try Full Tilt Poker, Party Poker or Bodog Poker.
>> Click Here to Sign Up at Party Poker <<
