Party Poker was the online Poker industry's first big blow-up success. Boasting over 60,000 members online and playing at peak time and a membership of over 5 Million it is hard to believe just how big it used to be. A good way of explaining this is that Party Poker used to have more people online and playing at off-peak hours than most sites today have at peak times.

Though not the biggest site going anymore it is still hugely popular and a perfect place to go if you are looking for big tournaments that are regularly run, an array of different levels of competition, a big variety in stake sizes and good promotions. Party Poker currently give a 100% sign up bonus to new customers for all deposits up to $500. They also give each new customer a $25 bonus and regular players have the opportunity to take part in a loyalty scheme where they can earn points in exchange for Party Poker Merchandise.

On to the software, this is in need of a bit of an overhaul since rival sites do run better looking and more functional software suites. Then again the attraction of Party Poker has always been the other players, their number and their differing levels of ability. As it stands Party Poker's software is solid, average in look and sound, reliable and quite functional, with savable hand histories, multi-table gaming and a good selection of stats.

Texas Hold'em limit and no-limit, Omaha high and low, and 7 Card stud are all the games that are offered at Party Poker, so if you're looking for a slightly less popular variation we're afraid you'll have to look elsewhere.

Customer service is Party Poker's strong point. Email queries are dealt with exceptionally quickly and there is also a 24 hour toll free hotline.

There is also a quite comprehensive list of deposit and withdrawals to choose from. You can make deposits using all of the following methods: VISA, MasterCard, Paysafe card, eps (Australia), WebMoney, Bancontact Mister Cash, iDeal, Laser card, Click & Buy, Click2Pay, Giro pay, ukash, Przleway24, DirectPay24, my citadel wallet, Poli, eWire, ELV Germany/Austria), Electronic Transfer (Canada), UsemyBank (Canada/U.K.), Switch/Solo/Maestro, Moneybookers, EntroPay, Neteller, bank wire transfer, bank transfer. You can make withdrawals with all of these methods: VISA, Mastercard, WebMoney, Switch/Solo/Maestro, Electronic Transfer (Canada), Neteller, Click2Pay, Moneybookers, bank wire transfer, my citadel wallet, bank transfer, checks by mail, checks by courier.

All in all this is a site which ticks all the boxes. Yes, the software could be improved and there could be more poker varieties on offer, but Party Poker has always done what it does exceptionally well and this has been the key to its success.