Full review of William Hill Poker

Summary
William Hill Poker is one of the more popular poker rooms in Europe, with its soft games and good bonuses. It is one of the few UK rooms also open for US players. They use CryptoLogic platform, with a shared player base. The games are among the very loosest today, so if you are looking for an easy-to-win game this is a good room. The player volume has more than four-doubled during 2004, as they have introduced no-limit and pot-limit games. The software is quite functional, however the graphics are not the nicest. William Hill has a very advantageous monthly bonus scheme in which you get £25 to play 5 hours each month (converted this equals over $40). There is also an open "proposition player" program, where you get paid to play in new and short-handed games. Real money player statistics - July game players at peak hours, 1500-2200 tournament players at peak hours.

Software and graphics
William Hill uses CryptoLogic software and network, with a shared player base with the other room operators, among other InterCasinoPoker. The software is not so visually appealing, but the functionality is quite good after several updates. The time clock requires the players to act quite quickly, which is good for players who appreciate fast games. The site has voice options, with an awesome posh English dealer voice.

Ring game traffic
The Cryptologic network has 1500-2000 real players at peak times, growing at a fast pace.

Tournament traffic
The traffic at the tournaments is quite good nowadays, with 1500-2200 players at peak times. This is a 1000% increase in the last 12 months!

Game variety
OK, with Texas Holdem, Omaha Hi and Hi-Lo and seven-card stud - besides fixed limit games, there are no-limit and pot-limit offered in Texas Holdem and pot-limit in both Omaha versions. Games can be played in dollar, pound or euro. There are super high limit tables with £100/£200 in fixed limit and £5/£10 in no-limit Texas Holdem. The $0.50/$1.00 games are the smallest limit.

Rake
The rake is slightly less attractive than the average of the industry for standard games. For the big bet tables the rake is relatively low. A rake of 5% is raked on every pot over £5/$5, up to a maximum of £3/$3. There is a "no flop - no drop" policy for hands not reaching the flop.

Soft competition
With the sports book and casino clientele at William Hills and Cryptologics network, there are a bit more players with less poker experience. There is a window of opportunity for the tight aggressive player to win a the tables. The view flop percentage at the most loose full tables at mid level stakes can often be up in the 40-ies and low 50-ies.

Sign up bonus
No pure sign-up bonus, but £25 awarded for 5 hours of real money play each month. (Equivalent of roughly $45) Each hour is paid £5 the following business day.

Loyalty bonus
Very attractive for the the smaller players getting the £25 each month after 5 hours of real money play.

Promotions
Quite a few. There is the open proposition player program for all real money players, where the player get $10-$30 pro rata (i.e. $1-$3 per six minutes) for any amount of time playing at specified table. Each specified table only pays the player for a maximum of two hours ($20-$60). There is more and more high value tournaments with guaranteed prize pools. Also a progressive bad beat jackpot and a royal flush jackpot.

Support
The support is good, with live online and telephone support, as well as email support.

Financial security
Should be very secure, as the mother company is a well-established player. Top score.

Deposit & withdrawal options
Deposit options:
Via Ecash Direct, you can deposit with VISA, MasterCard, debit card, EPC, check, certified check, wire transfer, money order, Citadel, NETeller, FirePay, TeleBuy, Basic 900pay.
Cash out options:
Credit card, debit card, EPC, check, Citadel, NETeller, FirePay, wire transfer.