Game
Online poker
Poker is the most skill-demanding format in the catalogue: the decision really matters, and the result of a session reflects your choices as well as chance. It is also the format where the illusion of control is strongest, and where session limits matter most.
What changes with poker
Thinking time is not unlimited, but it exists: a considered decision is often better than a fast one, and the opposite is true of slots. A poker player also knows the return of results: wins and losses offset over a cycle, which is not a guarantee of a positive outcome.
Session limits
- Set a duration and an amount before the session, and stop on time.
- Do not play to recover an earlier loss: it is the most efficient mechanism for turning a bad day into a bad week.
- Raising stakes after a loss is the classic escalation mechanism.
- Keep a session journal: it is the only reliable way to see your own behaviour.
The effect on the bonus
With a contribution of roughly 2% of the required turnover, poker is the least compatible format with 200x bonuses. We flag it in the reviews concerned rather than letting it seem that a bonus is there to be taken.
Frequently asked questions
Is poker less risky than slots?
Financial risk exists in both cases, and it can be significant in both. Poker also demands discipline, which is not a given. We do not rank game formats.