Bovada Poker Review

Rating
“Bovada has so many game choices, plus Jackpot SNGs for that fast poker excitement. And anonymous tables are very cool to be able to play freely, no one knowing who I am if I make mistakes or random-sized bets.” ~ John McKain, TX
- Special 100% up to $500
- Offers anonymous tables
- Jackpot SNGs offer fast, exciting poker

- Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash free deposits
- Quick deposits with a minimum of $10
- Fast Bitcoin withdrawals







Playing Online Poker at Bovada
Bovada has catered to US-based players for more than six years, offering a top online poker experience with the liquidity that ensures many cash game tables, big tournaments, and sizeable guarantees. From the creators of Bodog, Bovada offers the same level of lucrative bonuses and promotions. Players know that their funds are safe and transferred in a timely manner, as the company’s reputation has never given them a reason to doubt its integrity.
Pros & Cons:
The traffic on Bovada that results from its network sharing with Bodog and Ignition is a huge benefit to players, as well as the lucrative bonuses and promotions. The anonymous tables, Zone Poker, and Jackpot SNGs are all unique to Bovada and its sister sites, and its rewards program can be profitable for regular and pro players. It is also one of the first poker sites to accept Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.
Bovada survives as a partner site to Bodog by only servicing US customers, but the drawback is that it is unable to earn a license in American states that offer regulated online poker.
Is Bovada Legal?
Bovada is comprised of players from nearly every part of the United States. While the site does not have a license to operate in New Jersey, Delaware, New York or Nevada, the other 46 states have yet to officially address the legality and licensing of online poker sites. Players in those states do compete for real-money poker online at Bovada in cash games and tournaments.
Bonuses and Promotions:
The normal deposit bonus for Bovada players is 100% up to $500. The referral bonus is also substantial, as Refer-a-Friend involves a reward of 200% of the friend’s deposit up to $100. There are other bonuses for the associated sports betting and casino sections of the site.
Regular promotions consist of big guarantees for poker tournaments and specials for the new Jackpot SNGs. In addition, there are frequent promotions surrounding holidays and special events, such as a SuperBowl LII tournament.
The Red Room is a special part of Bovada for VIP rewards. Players who qualify for the Red Room receive weekly deposit bonuses, expedited payouts, more deposit options, personalized customer service, and exclusive prizes and bonuses.
Deposits and Withdrawals:
Deposits are the easiest part of becoming a Bovada player, as they are fast whether using Visa or Mastercard, debit or credit, or Bitcoin. Even the new Bitcoin Cash is permitted with the help of a customer service representative. Traditional deposits can be as low as $20 or as high as $1,500, and there are no fees for first-time depositors. (Bitcoin is an exception with $10 and $5,000 limits, and there is a deposit fee.) Subsequent deposits by Visa and Mastercard users may take a fee of up to 6%, but it is best to check with a customer representative for details and advice.
Withdrawals are only allowed via Bitcoin (not Bitcoin Cash) and check by courier. Checks typically arrive within one to five business days, and they are dependable and faster than expected.
Game Selection:
Players will find a variety of real money poker games on Bovada, including variations of hold’em and Omaha, and stakes range from the micro level to medium stakes, with occasional high-stakes action requested as well. The most unique thing about the cash game tables is the anonymity, as it protects the identity of players and prevents the use of most tracking tools. Quick seating is another feature of Bovada cash action, as players simply choose the game they want to play, and they’re quickly placed in the first open seat. And Zone Poker is a fast-fold variant for NLHE and PLO players offering extremely fast play and table changes.
There are a range of hold’em and Omaha SNGs and tournaments that range from freerolls to $200-ish buy-ins. Many of the daily and weekly tournaments offer guarantees totaling well over $1 million weekly. Jackpot SNGs are also on the menu, which offer multipliers to enhance the prize pool in the three-player games for NLHE players.
Overall, traffic is good on Bovada, as it is shares network liquidity with Bodog for cash games and tournaments. It is one of the top ten poker networks in the world.
History:
Bovada launched in December 2011 as an alternative to Bovada, which left the United States market due to the tightening of online gambling regulations. Bovada is a part of the Bodog family, and the sites do share online poker traffic. Bovada offers online poker, sports betting, horse race betting, and casino games to US customers, along with numerous promotions and bonuses for its players.
Poker players have been familiar with the Bodog brand for nearly two decades. The operator has been sponsoring players in live tournaments since the early 2000s at the World Series of Poker and hosting online satellites for tournaments throughout the world.
- Has Bovada applied for licensing in New Jersey and other regulated states in America?
Regulators in New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada have not allowed Bovada to apply for an online poker license.
- If I have a Bodog account, do I need a separate account on Bovada?
Yes. The sites share the network for online poker cash games and tournaments, but player accounts and data remain separate on Bovada, Bodog, and Ignition Poker. Players must have unique accounts on all three sites.
- What exactly are anonymous poker tables?
Players choose screen names for Bovada and every other poker site, and those show when playing tournaments. But Bovada players do not show their names at cash game tables, rather they are seated as “Player 1,” “Player 2,” and so on. This is a benefit for recreational and non-pro players, as it prevents pros from using software to track players and take advantage of those with exploitable habits.
- Does my online poker account work on the sports betting and casino parts of the site?
Yes. One account on the Bovada site is all that is required to play poker, place a sports bet, wager on a horse race, or play slots at the online casino. All sections are connected through one account.
- What is the best way to contact Bovada customer support?
Representatives are always available at Bovada, and they respond in a timely manner to phone inquiries at 1-888-263-0000 or emails to service@bovada.lv. The fastest way to reach a customer representative, however, is to go to the site, go to the “Contact Us” page, and click on the live chat function to speak with someone right away.
- How do I download Bovada?
It can be done directly through the Bovada website, but by clicking on the bonus code we provide, players pick up an extra 10% in matching bonus money for making their first deposit.


