888 Poker Ontario App Review and Sign-up
Disclaimer: 888 Poker is not yet licensed in Canada but is expected to launch as part of regulated online poker in Ontario soon. We will update this review when that happens.
888 Poker is a big brand in online poker internationally, and it may well soon be a key part of the legal and regulated online poker scene in Ontario and other provinces.
Not only does 888 have a near-flawless reputation in the industry, but its software is top-tier, and playing on the site is a smooth experience.
Keep reading to learn about the various features of 888 Poker — the games available, how the customer service stacks up, available banking options, and some of the main pros and cons.
- Easy-to-use software.
- Variety of banking options.
- Distinct and fun games to play.
888 Canada Poker sign-up code for November 2024
888 offers new players a safe place to play poker online in Ontario.
| Online Poker | 888 Poker Canada |
|---|---|
| 888 Sign Up Code | None |
| Deposit Methods | Credit cards, PayPal, Skill, MuchBetter, Neteller, Ecopayz |
| Last Updated | November 2024 |
How to sign up at 888 Poker
Signing up for a new account at 888 is simple. The main thing you need to remember is that you must be located within the borders of Ontario to play. Follow these directions to create an account:
- Go to the 888 Poker website.
- Click on the gold “Get started” button in the middle of the homepage toward the top. This will download the 888 Poker software onto your device.
- Once the software is ready, select the sign-up button and follow the prompts to create your account.
- 888 will ask for your birthday and verification that you are 19 or older to gamble online in Ontario.
- Select a fun username and a strong password to complete your registration.
- Log in with your new credentials and hit the felt.
888 Poker software
888’s poker software, however, is neither the most modern nor the prettiest to look at. That said, it is certainly serviceable and does the trick for what you need it to do. All of the table information is clear and convenient to look at. There are a few glitches, and the lobby has an intuitive layout. If you’ve played on other poker software, you’ll easily be able to navigate 888’s. Overall, while the graphics and interface feel slightly dated, that is not enough to detract from the functionality that 888 Poker offers.
Downloading 888 Poker
888 Poker offers its software as either a desktop program or an app. Both are functional and easy to install. For players who like to be on the go, we recommend the app. But if you like to play at several tables simultaneously, the desktop version is far, far superior. The software is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers as well as both Android and iOS mobile devices. Here is how to get the version of your choice:
Desktop version
- On the internet browser of your choice, head over to the 888 Poker homepage.
- Click the oval blue “Play Now” button in the top right corner.
- This will download the 888 Poker installation program.
- Locate where this installation program is (likely your “Downloads” folder) and run the program to begin installing the software.
- Continue to follow the prompts to finish installing the program.
Downloading 888 Poker on Android
- First thing is to make sure your Android device (smartphone or tablet) is updated to the latest version.
- Go to the 888 Poker website on your device.
- Look in the top corner of the homepage for a blue button with the words “Play Now.”
- Select this button to open the Google Play Store with the page for the 888 Poker software already pulled up and download it from there.
Downloading 888 Poker on iOS
- On your iPhone or iPad, head over to the 888 Poker website and select the blue button on the homepage that says “Play Now.”
- This launches the App Store on your device, with the 888 Poker page already there.
- Continue installing the app as you would any other.
- Click the new app button to launch the program and log in with your information.
What are the best features at 888 Poker?
- Functional software — The 888 software is not the flashiest around, but it is serviceable and easy to use. You can jump into poker cash games or tournaments within seconds of launching.
- Diversity of deposit/withdrawal options — There are myriad ways to get your money onto and off of the 888 Poker website. This makes it easy to play quickly and withdraw your money conveniently.
How could 888 Poker improve?
- Player pool — Even though 888 is a well-known brand, its player pool in Canada is still fairly small. Perhaps sharing a player pool with another online poker room could help with this issue.
- Customer support — There are a few ways to contact customer support if you ever have a problem, but we can’t help feeling as if some of 888’s competitors do a better job in this area.
Poker games at 888 Poker
888 offers a large number of poker games. Unfortunately, you may be waiting a while to get a full table at some of the less popular variants, especially during off-peak midweek hours. But if you are a no-limit hold’em player, you will never have trouble finding action. Besides cash games, you will find a lengthy list of tournaments running all hours of the day. Here is a rundown of the different types of games you will encounter at 888 Poker:
Cash games
Texas Hold’em is the predominant game at 888, as it is at nearly every other online poker platform. No matter the time of day, you’ll find games at stakes from micro to medium. There are even frequent high-stakes tables during peak weekend hours. The weekend hours are also best if you’re looking to get action with other poker options. Here is the full list at 888:
- Texas Hold’em (limit and no limit)
- Pot Limit Omaha
- High/Low PLO
- Seven Card Stud
- High/Low Seven Card Stud
Poker tournaments
Tournaments are a popular attraction at 888 Poker, offering a wide range of stakes any day of the week. Apart from daily guarantee tourneys, you’ll find larger weekly and monthly events where you can really make a splash:
- Multi-table tournaments — Large daily tournaments with a range of buy-ins from micro stakes to high stakes.
- Heads up tournaments — One-on-one tournaments with the winner taking all.
- Bounty tournaments — Knock out your opponents to earn their bounty, and keep competing for the top prize.
- Sit and go’s — Smaller single-table tourneys that you can find on-demand. Easiest to find a spot during peak weekend hours, and you can buy into these events for as little as $0.25.
Multi-tabling
Despite the fact that 888 Poker could use a facelift, it still does permit you to multi-table if you wish. This means you can play at two or more cash or tournament tables at the same time. There is even a useful feature where a window will pop up to notify you when it is your turn to act, so you never miss playing a premium hand. Multi-tabling is compatible with both the desktop software and the app, but we recommend using your computer for a larger screen.
Banking at 888 Poker
As we mentioned earlier, one of 888’s top features is the diversity of banking options that it supports. This makes it easy and convenient to get money onto your account, and also withdraw it.
Accepted deposit methods
- Visa/Mastercard
- PayPal
- Skrill
- MuchBetter
- Neteller
- EcoPayz
- Interac e-transfer
- iDebit
- Wire transfer
- Apple Pay
- PaySafeCard
Accepted withdrawal methods
- PayPal
- Skrill
- MuchBetter
- Neteller
- EcoPayz
- Interac e-transfer
- iDebit
- Wire transfer
There are various minimums for each withdrawal method, so make sure you check the fine print before you initiate. 888 will not charge a fee for depositing or withdrawing money from your account, but your chosen payment processor might.
888 Poker customer service
We touched on this above, but customer service is one area where 888 could stand to improve. If time is not of the essence, you’ll be able to get a resolution to your issue, but don’t expect a super-quick answer. At the moment, there is no live chat option, which would cut down on a lot of the wait time. Still, you will eventually be able to get help using any of the following methods:
- FAQ and help section on the website
- Customer support phone number
- Support email address
- “Contact us” web form
Is 888 Poker legal?
Not quite, but it should be soon in Ontario. Online gambling is regulated on the provincial level in Canada, and legal gambling sites are subject to oversight and regulation to ensure player safety.
Legal online poker is set to debut in Ontario on April 4, 2022. While we can’t say for sure whether 888 Poker will immediately be legally available, 888 itself already has received a license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. So, whenever 888 Poker debuts, it will be legal and regulated.
History of 888 Poker
888 Poker is a subsidiary of 888 Holdings, a publicly traded gambling company that launched in 1997. It initially began as “Pacific Poker” when it opened in the United States in 2002. It continued to use that name until 2006 when it left the US and focused its efforts elsewhere. Finally, once legal advances made it possible for 888 to return to the US, it reopened with a new brand in select states.