Choosing the right Android poker client might be a daunting task – trust me, I’ve been there. The number of apps is simply staggering and while most of them perform extremely well, each of them has a few advantages that most of the competition lacks. This doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to compare those apps when you know what you’re looking for and thus, I have created this list to help you in making the right pick when you know what your area of focus is. I will compare the most competitive sites in each category and provide you with some tips on which to choose.
TOURNAMENTS
WINNER: BEST SIT & GO TOURNAMENT APP: 888 (Read 888 Review)
WINNER: BEST ALL-ROUND TOURNAMENT APP: Terminal Poker (Read Terminal Review)
WINNER: BEST ALL-ROUND TOURNAMENT APP: Terminal Poker (Read Terminal Review)
Basically, this one is between Terminal Poker and 888, as very few other mobile apps offer any sort of tournament functionality. This contest isn’t really fair, as 888 offers Sit & Go tournaments, while Terminal Poker boasts something very close to desktop-based tournament functionality. While you obviously can enjoy mobile-optimized SnGs on 888, the somewhat clunky controls and lobby of Terminal Poker aren’t enough to bring it down in terms of a wide selection of tournament offerings, making this site a clear winner. Nevertheless, the 888 SnGs are bound to surprise you with the level of customization they offer. Keep in mind that the verdict is not final – it all boils down to your personal preferences. If you are only after Hold’em Sit and Go’s, pick 888 – otherwise, Terminal Poker has a wider selection of games.
COMPETITION
Both mFortune and 888 focus on the casino side of their business – which means that both poker rooms have a considerable number of players who treat poker just like another slot game and try their luck without bringing any experience to the table. How are those mobile-based players any different? Basically, they think that poker is just like another game they have on their phone – there is no incentive to learn, which makes them easy opponents. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that both sites are equal – in the end mFortune has significantly softer competition since the site doesn’t accept desktop-based users. What this means is that most players you’ll face against there are treating the mFortune client as nothing more but a way to kill time. Simply put, you won’t find a better hunting ground.
WINNER: BEST SOFT COMPETITION APP: mFortune Texas Holdem (Read Full Review)
WINNER: BEST SOFT COMPETITION APP: mFortune Texas Holdem (Read Full Review)
GAME SELECTION
Most poker rooms don’t offer much in terms of game selection. It’s Texas Hold’em and Texas Hold’em fast-fold or pot-limit, if anything. In the end, if you want a lot of variety it’s a contest between 888 and Terminal Poker once again. As mentioned above, 888 has a stranglehold on the best Sit and Go games in business, but on the other hand Terminal Poker offers interesting tournaments and pot-limit Omaha games. What’s more, the Terminal Poker games don’t suffer from being exclusively mobile-based. Basically, what you get there is desktop-based functionality on your mobile. On the other hand, 888 went a long way in terms of making SnGs accessible on a mobile device. I won’t declare a specific winner here, as in the end it’s all up to you and your taste – both sites are extremely strong picks in this regard.
WINNER: BEST GAME SELECTION: Terminal Poker (Read Full Review)
WINNER: BEST GAME SELECTION: Terminal Poker (Read Full Review)
SOFTWARE
When it comes to software, the rooms that require you to commit to a download have a significant edge over web browser based clients. That being said, it’s really hard to single out a room with the best downloadable software, as each of them has something going for its particular brand. After a lot of consideration, the mFortune’s app ends up winning the functionality award, while Bwin and 888 tie in terms of ease of use and general user-friendliness. Nevertheless, you have to keep in mind that most rooms offer comparable software packages, so you aren't going to cry if you end up using one of the other apps we've reviewed on this website.
BONUS
This contest is between mFortune and 888, as both sites offer extremely lucrative welcome bonuses. mFortune tempts the customers with a cool £5 Free welcome bonus and the unique instant £100 first deposit bonus. On the other hand, 888 offers a welcome bonus of $400 plus an $8 instant no deposit bonus. Although choosing a winner here is difficult – our vote goes to mFortune due to their excellent overall bonus package. Not only will you get a £5 Instant bonus and a £100 first deposit bonus, but they have a pretty generous loyalty scheme and you will also get an additional £5 for every friend you refer.
WINNER: BEST POKER BONUS: mFortune Texas Hold'em (Read Full mFortune Review)
WINNER: BEST POKER BONUS: mFortune Texas Hold'em (Read Full mFortune Review)
USER INTERFACE
Obviously, most mobile clients are optimized to, well, fit mobile devices. Nevertheless, there are some that excel in this regard. Obviously, browser-based apps fall behind when it comes to this category. All things considered though, it’s a match between Bwin and 888. Both apps come with large buttons that allow a mobile user to navigate his way through the menus and the games without any trouble. Which one is better? I’d place my money on Bwin, but only because the visuals provide more contrast between the buttons and the table. In the end, no company that requires you to make a download holds a significant edge when it comes to being user friendly, so you should use your own judgment if the decision comes down to interface issues.
WINNER: BEST INTERFACE: Bwin Mobile (Read Full Bwin Review)
WINNER: BEST INTERFACE: Bwin Mobile (Read Full Bwin Review)