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| Bonus | up to €500 |
| Rakeback | up to 37,50% |
| Room type | Licensed |
| License | Curaçao |
| Payments | |
| Platforms |
- Ukrainian legal poker site
- Rakeback up to 35%
- Easy cashier
- Jackpot SnG and Fast poker
- Wide range of deposit options
| Reliability | 5.0 |
| Game selection | 4.6 |
| Bonuses and promotions | 4.7 |
| Casual players | 4.2 |
| Deposits and withdrawals | 4.9 |
| Convenience of the software | 4.6 |
PokerMatch Review
PokerMatch is a young Ukrainian poker room that serves as a great example of a private company from a post-Soviet country that can compete with Western rooms. Even though it was only launched in 2016, this room already ranks in the TOP-15 (as of the beginning of 2021) globally in terms of traffic and is the most popular room from Eastern Europe.
PokerMatch has many things to offer. Players can expect up to 50% rakeback, more than 60 tables of Hold'em, Omaha, and Pineapple at stakes up to $10, series with a guarantee of $480,000, bonuses for daily tasks, bad beats, rake races, and other cool features.
We should also mention their quick and responsive support service and the speed and variety of deposits and withdrawals. Many standard payment options, such as Skrill and Neteller, are accepted, and funds are withdrawn within an hour.
In this review, we tried to objectively compare the pros and cons of the PokerMatch and draw an honest conclusion:
- Is there a place for regulars at PokerMatch?
- Which poker formats are worth playing?
- Is the Poker Match as loyal to the players as they claim?
Bonuses and promotions
PokerMatch has one of the most active SMM departments, even when compared to huge rooms. This client stands out because the CEO of PokerMatch himself, Ruslan Bangert, actively communicates with players.
Players can choose from 12 options a welcome bonus that suits them, divided into instant and wagered. Depending on the amount deposited, different options are available.
To do this, you need to enter the corresponding bonus code when depositing.
PokerMatch: rake and rakeback
Rake is calculated according to the “no flop, no drop” principle. Meaning that the commission is taken only from those who have participated in the hand after reaching the flop.
The rake is 5% for No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha tables. Cap, or the maximum commission that can be taken from a player during one hand, depends on the number of participants rather than on the stake.
| Player Count | Cap |
|---|---|
| 2 | $1.85 |
| 3 and more | $4.60 |
MTTs have a rake of about 10-11 percent, which is exceptionally high (particularly with large buy-ins of more than $100). The commission at SNGs ranges from 5 to 10%, depending on the buy-in. The specific rake amounts for each format can be seen in the lobby.
The rake in the lottery Sit-and-Go is the same for all buy-ins - 7% (6 percent of the direct commission of the room and 1 percent to the jackpot fund). It's comparable to other low-cost poker sites, although it's 2% more than some competitors.
VIP-Program and rakeback
Rakeback starts at 5% and is available to all users, regardless of status. Active grinding might increase it by up to 45 - 50%.
PokerMatch has revamped its loyalty program. It currently has nine VIP levels. With each new one, the player increases the multiplier applied to each $1 in rake. As a result, each additional level adds 5% to the rakeback. You have three months to advance to the next level and avoid losing the current one.
| Level | Rakeback (%) | Points per 3 month | Points needed to hold | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 40 | 500 | 250 | x4 |
| 8 | 35 | 350 | 175 | x3.5 |
| 7 | 30 | 200 | 125 | x3 |
| 6 | 25 | 125 | 62,5 | x2.5 |
| 5 | 20 | 45 | 22,5 | x2 |
| 4 | 15 | 15 | 7,5 | x1.5 |
| 3 | 10 | 5 | 3,5 | x1 |
| 2 | 5 | 150 | 150 | x0.5 |
| 1 | 5 | Base level | - | x0.5 |
VIP points can be redeemed for cash. The rate for hryvnia accounts remains constant and is 10 points to ₴1. Dollars, euros, and rubles may fluctuate in value depending on the exchange rate.
Rake races
Poker Match also encourages active players by hosting classic rake races once a month. Leaderboards are divided not only by poker type but also by stake level, allowing all players to fight for a reward.
For those who do not enjoy the grind, promotions in the form of tasks with equally impressive prizes are offered. All of these promos may be seen in the "Promotions" section of the client's account.
Summing up
PokerMatch promotions and rakeback system are undeniably one of the room's benefits. This operator provides up to a 40% -50% commission return to regular players, a rarity in modern poker. The drawbacks include a high cap size at low stakes and insufficient online traffic to reach the VIP program's maximum level.
Games and traffic
- Average daily players 300
- Best time for playing 15:00 to 20:00 GMT
PokerMatch has decent online traffic compared to its competitors. Throughout the first half of 2021, the room hosted around 900 players daily, with 550-600 gathering at cash tables. This is officially the world's 13th best result.
Cash Games: Hold’em, Omaha, Fast-Fold
The cash games section at PokerMatch is impressive in its variety. Jackpot tables, anonymous, Hold'em 9/10-max, several types of Omaha, Badugi, Razz, Stud, 32 Draw, Turkish and Chinese poker. Most exotic disciplines are not played actively, but the choice of formats at Poker Match is worth noting.
Since many semi-pros grind at PokerMatch, Texas Hold’em’ regular tables, as expected, do not collect traffic. The majority of players can be found on the stakes up to $0.20 / $0.40. In primetime, you can see 10-15 tables.
PLO fans won’t be disappointed. The room offers 5 and 6-card variants, as well as traditional and Hi/Lo formats. During the peak hours, the situation is identical to Hold'em, with up to 15 tables available.
Boost
The most popular cash game format at PokerMatch is Boost, which is a local adaptation of fast-fold poker. It is available at 6-max tables in both Texas Hold'em and Omaha. About 500 people participate in NLH and 300 in PLO between 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. GMT.
Chinese Poker OFC (Pineapple)
PokerMatch actively promotes Chinese Poker (Open Chinese Poker). It is played at three-max tables, with jackpots of up to ten dollars. There are many casual players here, as the format isn't especially appealing to professional players. There are around 30 tables available during peak hours.
Tournaments at PokerMatch (MTT)
The MTT grid is well thought out and balanced. It includes tournaments in classic Hold'em and Omaha H/L and Chinese Poker, with buy-ins ranging from $0.04 to $80. Satellites are held to the most expensive ones. The largest number of entries are collected at knockout (PKO) events.
- [Zodiac] Hold'em. Top tournament - Gemini, $925, buy-in $8.
- [OFC] Pineapple. Main - Great Wall, $740, buy-in $8.
- [Boom-Boom] Hold'em, Progressive Knockout. Main - Boxing, $925, buy-in $9.
In addition to the standard tournament grid, Poker Match regularly runs series with extended guarantees in the Main Event with up to $37,000.
Windfall Spins and SNG
Unfortunately, Sit & Go’s are not in demand. However, lottery SNGs, like other types of poker at Pokermatch, are diverse and affordable. Participation fees range from $0.20 to $37. The winnings cap is indicated in the Windfall lobby, which takes the distribution of the jackpot into account. Rake is 7% (6% to the room + 1% to the jackpot fund).
| Multiplier | Probability(%) |
|---|---|
| x100 | 0.05 |
| x50 | 0.2 |
| x10 | 2 |
| x3 | 48.5 |
| x2 | 49.25 |
Although the maximum multipliers are lower than those of many other operators, Windfalls have good value due to the high probability of getting x3.
Since the spring of 2021, the poker room has launched spins in Chinese poker format.
To summarize
PokerMatch strives to retain the range of classic disciplines and formats while also introducing new poker formats, which separates the room in the eyes of ordinary players from the larger rivals.
This room is worth considering due to its cheap MTTs, Hold'em with the lowest stakes on the market at 0.01/0.02 ($0.0003/$0.0006), anonymous tables, cash, and tournaments in Pineapple format, Boost Omaha, and soft field. However, there is little traffic at medium and high stakes.
Attitude towards professional players
- Tracking software - no.
- Pre-flop chart - no.
- Bumhunt - yes.
- Mining - no.
- Seating scripts - no.
PokerMatch's stance toward regulars may be defined as neutral. Even though professional software is prohibited in the room, it does provide the option to play with amateurs and get up to 50% rakeback.
Before starting a game, regulars should remember:
- Poker Tracker (PT), as well as Hand2Note (H2N) and Holdem Manager (HM2), are prohibited.
- Poker software running on your PC for another room may cause an account ban.
- Converters do not work at PokerMatch.
- It is impossible to get a complete hand history.
However, you can: check the tables, and therefore select the best ones, multi-tabling, and take notes.
The field softness
Even with 50% rakeback and a VIP system tailored for regulars, PokerMatch is a room for amateurs and semi-professionals. The operator's strategy aims at attracting newcomers and creating comfortable ecology for them. Trackers and professional software are prohibited here, which, according to the administration, should create a balanced field.
The PokerMatch policy appears to be balanced with a soft field, intriguing formats, and a VIP program outweighing the inability of pros to using converters, trackers, and HUDs. Amateurs can enjoy poker while being sure that everyone has the same information.
PokerMatch ambassadors
The Ukrainian poker room has chosen two reputable professionals in the Russian-speaking community as ambassadors.
Eugene Katchalov. The legend of Ukrainian and world poker: WSOP bracelet winner, multiple champion of international live events with five-figure prize money. He has won more than $1,000,000 in tournaments twice. Eugene has earned $9,200,000 at offline events.
Alena Mironenko. Known online as "Alohahaloha.” A favorite among PokerMatch players. She specializes in online poker and often streams on Twitch sessions. She has repeatedly participated in offline events, blogs on popular poker forums, where you can talk to her in person.
PokerMatch software
The software for PokerMatch was developed by Connective Games, a large IT company specializing in gambling platforms. The desktop client is functional and features a simple appearance that adheres to the PokerMatch brand colors of black and orange.
The main tab bar is placed immediately above the center, the cash register is on the right, and the page with bonuses and chores is on the left. The filter for poker disciplines and formats is on the left. The service menu is located above it.
Mobile app
Another significant advantage of PokerMatch is that the poker room has separate applications for Android and iOS. You can download the current version on the official website. This client has a classic vertical layout with full functionality of the PC software.
Reliability and trustworthiness
- Launched – 2016.
- License – Curaçao.
- RNG verified – GamingLabs.
- Identity verification – necessary
- WPD guaranteed – no.
PokerMatch did a great job before the restart in 2016. The project team received formal permissions to launch a poker room and developed one of the best marketing strategies, thought out the tournament grid, and developed a stable client and applications for all mobile devices.
In addition, the brand actively supports poker championships and social projects. This room was among the first to submit a request for a national license when the law on the legalization of gambling in Ukraine was adopted.
The almost impeccable reputation of the parent company PariMatch, which has been working in the betting industry for 26 years, also indicates PokerMatch’s reliability.
Deposits and withdrawals
PokerMatch offers a wide variety of safe and quick payment methods. There are 10 options for depositing funds. Among them are dollar/euro/ruble and hryvnia Visa/MasterCard cards, Skrill, Webmoney, Neteller, ecoPayz, AdvCash. Ukrainians can also fund accounts with Privatbank and Monobank Mastercard cards.
| Payment method | Currency | DEPOSIT UAH | CASHOUT UAH | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | RUB, USD, EUR | 100-500.000 | 250-10.000 | 4%, 3%, 3% |
| Skrill | USD, EUR | 300-100.000 | 150-250.000 | 1% |
| Neteller | USD, EUR | 100-100.000 | 150-250.000 | 3% |
| Webmoney | USD | 100-50.000 | 250-150.000 | 2.5% |
| ecoPayz | USD, EUR, UAH | 100-500.000 | 250-150.000 | 2.5% |
Please note that the availability of payment methods may depend on the legal status of online poker in the country of registration.
Verification
Cashouts at PokerMatch are available only to verified users. To verify the account, copies of basic personal documents and, in some cases, a bank card are needed:
- Passport.
- A copy of your driver's license.
- A selfie with your passport / ID card.
- Photo of the credit/debit card if it was used for the deposit.
The support service can additionally request a photo/screenshot of the personal account in the payment service used for transactions.
After passing the account verification, the cashout option becomes available. Poker Match transaction processing time usually takes 2-3 hours. Withdrawing money from the room is subject to commission from 1.5% to 3%.
Pros and cons of playing at PokerMatch
- Well-known and reliable brand.
- Up to 40% rakeback.
- Several poker formats.
- Wide variety of payment methods.
- Responsive customer service.
The dark side of the room:
- HUD and tracking software prohibited.
- Cashout fee.
- Low traffic at medium and high stakes.
PokerMatch is a small cozy room with a soft field, an excellent selection of poker games, and the lowest stakes on the market. It is ideal for casual players whose goal is to have fun without risking a large amount of money.
The room will also be of interest to new regulars as a platform for gaining experience and acquaintance with new formats. Even considering the potential rakeback of 50%, pros may want to pass on this room due to low traffic at medium and high stakes.
Advantages of our affiliate service
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- Free layout.
- Private promotions and tournament tickets in our Telegram channel.
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