Full review of AmericasCardroom

AmericasCardroom
www.americascardroom.com 
FREE DOWNLOAD!
Software size 3.35 MB

Special Features
No rakes for dedicated heads-up tables Membership referral scheme
Live hosts and toll-free number (US and Canadian clients)
Prop player program (combined with loyalty program)

Total score (out of 10) 4.25

Sign-up bonus in $ $100
Deposit bonus in % 25%
Referral bonus per friend $0
Deposit free bonus $0
Paid to play ($/hour) $0

Hits
Note taking and statistics support
Single- and multi-player tournaments
Lobby information is detailed


Misses
Limited traffic, especially off peak hours
High rake at low-limit tables
Summary
Americas Cardroom opened in October 2001. Has what it takes to make it, but is still challenged by low traffic. Did major upgrade in August 2003 where new features and a new frequent player program is introduced. The software is nice, as well as support and quite good promotions and prop player program. Real money player statistics - April 2005: 50-80 ring game players at peak hours, 100-120 tournament players at peak hours.

Software and graphics
The software went through a major improvement in the spring of 2003. The site has nice graphics and the software seem to be quick and reliable. The software is above par and has all standard features. There are some novelties, with players allowed to place a live straddle from under-the-gun, as well as chopping the blinds when six or more players with no one opening the pot.

Ring game traffic
Low, with around 50-80 ring game players at peak hours (April 2005).

Tournament traffic
Very low, with around 100-120 tournament players at peak hours (April 2005).

Game variety
The site offers the standard games, with hold'em, Omaha and seven-card stud, with pot- and no-limit games. There are also so called kill pot games at lower limits, from $4/$8 and down. Both single- and multi-table tournaments are offered. The tournaments often have re-buys and add-on (after re-buy period is over).

Rake
The rake structure is somewhat unusual, but is overall quite good. The rake for the high limit games is low, with $1 taken as the pot reaches $40, $70 and $100. For the low limit, however, the rake is taken with frequent intervals making the rake quite high. The pot- and no-limit games are raked at $5 intervals. Currently there is no fee charged for the tournaments with buy-ins up to $5.

Soft competition
We have to little experience to make an informed assessment, rather than to put it at par.

Sign up bonus
Up to $100 at 25% of deposit. Play 200 raked hands (where you see the flop) within any time limit to get $100 (equals 2 raked pots per dollar).

Loyalty bonus
Promo Bucks coming during August.

Promotions
Membership referral program where the referrer earns $1 for every 50 raked hand played by the recruited member during the first 60 days. There are popular daily free roll tournaments with cash prices, with lots of traffic. There is a prop player program in which the player commit to playing 20 hours per week between noon and 5 a.m. in which they make up to $12 an hour.

Support
There is live customer support from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. EST, beside the telephone and e-mail support. Good quality staff.

Financial security
Should be clearly secure, as one of the top 20 poker rooms in the world, with no earlier recorded problems. High score.

Deposit & withdrawal options
Deposit options:
VISA, MasterCard, NETeller, Western Union, wire transfer, pre-paid ATM, Navaho 900 service, cashier's check, international money order.
Cash out options:
Not clear at site, but at least deposit should be able to get to VISA card. Quick cash out is promised within 48 hours.