UltimateBet.com online poker emerged in 2000, and has established itself as one of the more popular poker sites around. Their primary selling point is UltimateBet’s unique software “built by true poker professionals” with the intention of giving players the best online poker experience. Indeed, fully endorsed by several renowned professional poker players (such as Annie Duke and Antonio “the magician” Esfandiari), UltimateBet maintains an above-average flow of players. Personally, I’ve never been sold on their software being anything special, but it does have some unique characteristics.

I was more disappointed than impressed here considering this is one of the more touted parts of UltimateBet. I do like the “mini view” (should be obvious which picture it is above) table option, which works well for playing on multiple tables and/or sites. However, despite past discussions and intentions to have the mini view option available for 7-Stud games, they have yet to do so (and it just might not be possible). Another unappealing aspect is when you sit down at a regular table, your seat’s point of reference is automatically moved to bottom-center. So it the upper-right image above, you would be the yellow-highlighted (the yellow actually indicates turn to act) seat in the bottom-middle of the screen and table. It seems like a minor nuisance, but without an alternative option, it’s still a nuisance, especially when playing on multiple tables. One last thing, there are slight stalls in the software, especially when clicking between the main menu and your account page. The pauses are short, but consistent, another unique characteristic that’s really more of annoyance. (Software may work with Macs using Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac software.)

UltimateBet definitely gets credit for the variety of games offered. Besides the usual Hi, Low and 8’s/better variations of Omaha, Hold’em and Stud games, they also have Double Flop Texas Hold’em (Hold’em game with two rows of community cards, and you can only play one row); Triple Draw 2 to 7 (5-card draw low game with three rounds of drawing cards); Triple Draw A to 5 (also 5-card draw low game, but straights and flushes do not count against you, with Aces played as low); and Crazy Pineapple (weird hybrid of Hold’em and Omaha, where you are dealt three initial cards, one of which must be discarded after the flop). Some unique game stake types are also offered: Half Pot-Limit Hold’em games (which is self-explanatory), Kill and Half-Kill tables for Hold’em and Omaha games, where the stakes go up at a table after the same player wins two pots outright and back to back (there are more details to know, so check UltimateBet’s site if interested); and Mini Blind Hold’em games, where the betting limit doubles each round, allowing more players to see the flop for relatively cheap, thus more players may chase a hand to the river. Yes, the game variety is intriguing, but there’s not much substance to this characteristic when almost all but the regular Hold’em tables thin out at night. Quickly regarding tournaments: a good variety of multi-table, sit & go, satellite and free roll action.

A fairly decent balance in player types. I encountered a slightly above average number of loose players at times, which were manageable by playing smart, or by leaving the game, if necessary (during bad beats, especially!).

I think UltimateBet and GreenTie have the best all-around initial deposit bonus, because of an above-average 40% (up to $200) rate that is reasonably attained after playing money games and earning Ultimate Points. For every 10 Ultimate Points earned in raked games, your account will be credited with $1 from your bonus dollars. (Bonus dollars can also be earned back in increments of less than $1. So if you earn 8 points during a play session, your real money account will be credited with $.80) Also, there is no time limit to convert your bonus dollars. To check your bonus status, go to "My Account" and check "pending bonus dollars."
The UB Points can also be used for entry into regular freeroll tournaments, to purchase a variety of poker items, and can even be won or lost in Ultimate Point Ring Games! It's back: For a limited time, take advantage the exclusive 100% up to $500 initial deposit bonus before it ends!

UltimateBet ranked in the lower half of this bracket (but still scored 8 of 10) because of a slightly higher rake rate for middle limit table games. For rake policy details, go to the UlitmateBet site, go to the “Poker Rules” menu option at the top, click on “Play For Money,” and then on the left menu, click on “Rake.”