Up to $500 Free at Absolute Poker

Overall Rating (7)

Absolute Poker is not the largest poker room out there. But some players would list this as a benefit. There is a nice attention to detail. A good range of stakes are available for Ring games and tournaments.

Software look & feel (7)

The software is has a nice look but is let down at times by the quirky interface. There are gimmicks such as the ability to choose a cocktail or snack to be placed on your side table. While that may add fun to the game serious players would prefer to be able to view instant hand histories (these are emailed to you). Seems very stable though. No problems during testing.
You can use 'Hot keys' to play if you dslike using a mouse.

Tournaments (9)

There are the usual selection of Sit n' go, Multi table and Satallites to major On/offline events. The range of stakes is good with single table tournaments starting at $0.50 buy-in and going up to $200. Multi table start at $0.25 and again go up to $200. The entry fee is very high at the lower end of the buy-in scale. To enter a $0.50 Sit n' go you pay $0.10 which is 20%. The fee drops to 10% once the buy-in is $10 or more in all types of tournament.
There are Freerolls which are truely 'free' with $50 in prize money. These tend to attract over 1000 entrants each time though!
One interesting feature is that private tournaments groups can be created by VIP players and then tournaments set up to be played by invited members only.
There are 2500 tournament players at peak times

Ring games (7)

Not that much action at the higher stakes. But plenty at Middle to Micro-Limit. Limit games go as low as $0.02/0.04. No-Limit games start at a $0.25 Big Blind.
There are about 1500 ring game players at peak times

Game Selection (8)

Quite good with Holdem, Omaha, Omaha H/L, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud H/L.
Tournaments and Heads up play are Holdem only though

Rake (7)

High (about 20%) for low buy-in tournaments. Average (10%) once the buy in reaches $10.
The rake for the ring games is quite reasonable. It averages about 5% of the pot with the maximums set at various levels depending on the stakes and number of players. While some sites try to maximise the rake at micro-limits, Absolute Poker don't. Full rake information here.

Support (6)

No live support but the email support is quick to respond to any queries

MasterCard, VISA, NETeller, FirePay, CentralCoin, ePassporte, Pinbill, CLICK2PAY, Electronic check, Bank Draft, Wire Transfer
$25 minimum deposit ($15 if using NETeller)

Cashout speed and methods

Cashout are by Neteller, Firepay or postal check. There is 48 hour delay from the time of your last deposit. The minimum is $50.
For players from the UK and Europe NETeller is the most convenient method.

Sign up Bonus (9)

The Bonus is currently 35% of the initial deposit with a maximum of $350 or $500 dollars if you deposit with NETeller. The bonus is held as pending and $10 are released each time you have played 100 raked hands. The rake must have been $0.25 or more for the hand to qualify. In practice this means you need to be playing at least $0.50/$1 table to be work off the requirement.
Tournament players will earn 1 point for every dollar paid in tournament buy-in fees. For example, in a $50 + $5 fee tournament, a player will be awarded 5 points. For 1-on-1 tournaments with less than a $1 fee, players will still get 1 point.

Use bonus code AP35

Promotions (10_

Bad Beat Jackpot, Daily High Hand Bonus, Absolute Rewards Loyalty Program, Refer a Friend and $50 bonus if you can amass 15,000,000 play chips.

Player Level (7)

Some good players as Absolute has some very loyal long term members. Loose games can still be found though