Bovada Review

Cash Games

Bovada Poker caters to both casual and experienced players with a selection of popular formats. You can play No-Limit Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo at various stakes. Tables are available in full-ring (9 players) and short-handed (6 players) formats.

Zone Poker (Fast-Fold)

One standout offering is Zone Poker, Bovada’s fast-fold option. In Zone Poker, you’re moved to a new table with new opponents instantly after you fold a hand, speeding up the action. This format is great for beginners to see more hands in less time and avoid waiting around. Bovada was one of the first U.S. betting sites to introduce fast-fold poker, giving it an edge over competitors that lack this feature.

Sit & Go’s

For those who enjoy single-table tournaments, Bovada provides Sit & Go tournaments in different sizes (head-to-head, 6- or 9-player). You can jump into a Sit & Go anytime; they start as soon as the required number of players register. Buy-ins range from just a couple of dollars up to higher stakes, so beginners can practice without spending a lot.

Jackpot Sit & Go’s

Bovada offers a three-player hyper-turbo Sit & Go option where the prize pool is randomly determined at the start. The jackpot can be up to 1,000 times your starting stake, meaning a $5 entry could potentially win you $5,000. This lottery-style option is a fun, quick option that many other sites also have, but it’s a highlight for casual players looking for a big score.

Daily and Weekly Tournaments

Every day you’ll find low buy-in tournaments (from ~$1 up to $20) that attract a few dozen to a few hundred players. These daily events often have guaranteed pools, meaning Bovada adds money if not enough entries cover the pot. It’s a great way to potentially win a nice prize from a small entry fee.

Major Guaranteed Events

Each week, Bovada runs bigger tournaments with larger prizes. You’ll usually find a $50K or $100K Guaranteed event on the weekend, often on Sunday. These events have higher buy-ins (e.g. $55 or $109) but offer a chance at thousands in prize money.

Tournament Formats

Users will find Turbo tournaments with quick blind levels, Knockouts (Bounty) where your goal is eliminating players, Rebuy/Add-on events allow you to re-enter if you’re eliminated early and Freezeouts where you get only one life. Beginners often enjoy knockout tournaments since you can win something even if you don’t make the final table.

Sit & Go’s and Jackpot SNGs

SNGs are perfect for quick, on-demand play. This format is especially popular among casual players: three people, a randomly drawn prize pool and a ultra-fast structure – it’s poker meets lottery. These usually wrap up in just a few minutes, making them easy to play between sports bets or during halftime.

Freerolls and New Player Tournaments

Bovada occasionally offers freeroll tournaments (with free entry) for new sign-ups and through its rewards program. If you’re just starting, freerolls are a risk-free way to win real money and gain experience. Keep an eye on the promotions page or your email for any freeroll tickets. Also, the Bovada Rewards program lets you earn tournament tickets or bonus cash by accumulating points whenever you play.

What unique features does Bovada Poker have?

Anonymous Tables

When you sit down at a cash table at Bovada, you are identified only by a seat number – not by a username. Every session is a clean slate, so opponents can’t note your play style long-term. This feature is a rare one that protects casual players from being targeted by experts who use tracking software. It creates a more level playing field, which is ideal for beginners who just want to play for fun.

Zone Poker

These fast-fold games let you play many hands quickly. This is perfect for impatient players or anyone practicing their skills because you won’t get stuck at slow tables. Zone Poker is relatively unique; Bovada was a pioneer in bringing fast-fold style games to the U.S. market.

Mobile Poker

Bovada offers a mobile-optimized site that performs just like the desktop version. There’s no standalone poker app download required – you can play right on the mobile site or the all-in-one Bovada app. The user interface on the mobile site includes all the key features with intuitive touch controls. This flexibility means you can enjoy a few hands on the go, just like you might place a mobile sports bet.

Hand History & Tools

Bovada provides downloadable hand histories after a game session ends. This way, players can review hands for learning purposes. However, during play, HUDs and tracking software don’t work due to the anonymous format. For beginners, this is actually a plus – it ensures everyone is focusing on the game itself rather than stats. Bovada’s software also allows multi-tabling up to 15 tables simultaneously for when you gain experience and want to play more than one game at a time.

Integrated Casino & Sportsbook Features

There are some cross-over features that add convenience. For example, you can use your poker winnings to instantly place sports bets or play casino games (and vice versa). There are also occasional cross-promotions, where you can earn tournament tickets for betting on sports or earn sport bet credits from playing cards. This synergy is something pure poker sites don’t offer, and it can be a fun perk if you enjoy multiple forms of betting.