HighStakes – even in the context of online poker – is a relative newcomer, having being set up as recently as 2018 by poker pros Luke Schwartz of the UK and 2010 WSOP Main Event finalist Joseph Cheong.
Originally part of the GGNetwork, HighStakes moved to the Tonybet Network in their first year of operation and, like many others, has a license from the Curacao Gaming Commission. HighStakes operates under 180 Holdings N.V. (Company Nr 158200) Licence Nr 365/JAZ Sub-License GLH-OCCHKTW0707242017 and is licensed to organize and support all types of remote gaming activity. 180Holdings N.V. Address: Abraham de Veerstraat 9, Curacao. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3421, Curacao.
High Stakes by name…
It would be easy to assume that the ‘High Stakes’ moniker is an almost lazy, automatic choice when thinking up a name for a new poker room, but it is quite deliberate, albeit a little misleading when browsing the player pool and seeing at what stakes at which the vast majority of HighStakes players can be found. For the moment, the hitherto relatively modest level of traffic is engaged mainly in low(er) stakes games, but the idea is to provide high stakes action for anyone who wants it, and this is evidenced by the presence of such big money games.
Note that ‘anyone’ who wants to play for high stakes has a quite literal meaning in this case. We often say that this or that website caters for ‘all bankrolls’ and all kinds of player ‘from beginner to professional grinders’ and so on but, with HighStakes, these descriptions are not so simplistically defined. We tend to think of ‘beginners’, for example, as exclusively low stakes players, but of course someone quite new to the game is by no means obliged to stay away from high roller games. Anyone with a bankroll that affords them the luxury of playing at even the highest stakes has a right to do so, and this interesting, forward-thinking poker room facilitates just that. To facilitate this, HighStakes has in place some nice touches (see below) that really do justify their name. Indeed, this has the makings of carving out a reputation as a deservedly ‘different’ site that does indeed cater for all bankrolls.
Meanwhile, for those other players that make up the spectrum of online poker fans, HighStakes Poker certainly has the potential to be a good friend of recreational players who, of course, will ultimately form the large part of their customer base. Here, too, the foundations are in place to give both fun players and high-rollers what they want, as well as those in the middle who take the game sufficiently seriously to want to play at the stakes in between, with a view to one day moving up to nose-bleed levels.
HighStakes Promotions
There are a number of promotions on offer for those joining HighStakes Poker. This is a good time to remind you that signing up to one of our partner poker rooms via YourPokerDream means being able to take advantage of additional bonuses and goodies exclusive to YPD players!
Sign-up Bonus
HighStakes has a generous Welcome Bonus for new sign-ups that matches your first deposit by 100% – up to $2,000. Compared with most top online poker rooms, this is indeed a juicy and worthwhile bonus to make the most of.
The bonus is released as you play, paid out in chunks of $5 for every $25 in rake, which equates to a reasonable 20%. Lasting for 90 days, there’s plenty of time for this Welcome Bonus to be played through and cashed in.
Get $5 for free
Every little helps, as they say, and you’ll get $5 just for signing up via YourPokerDream. Just click to the button below.
Then simply email support@highstakes.com with the code YPD5 using the email address you used to register, and $5 will be added to your account within 72 hours.
Extra Deposit Bonus
Deposit $100 after signing up with YourPokerDream. Then email support@highstakes.com with the code YPDBIG100 (including the email address you used to register), and you’ll receive the following: $10 Cash Credit + $100 in MTT Tickets!
Rakeback at HighStakes Poker
As well as tournament tickets and entry to numerous Freerolls, new players joining HighStakes Poker enjoy 27% fixed Rakeback, with the cash going into your account every Monday.
Deposit Methods
In order to live up to its name, HighStakes Poker has made sure that players can enjoy maximum flexibility in money matters, with a nice personal touch that allows high rollers to negotiate terms such as maximum withdrawal limits, for example, depending on deposit levels. If you fall into this category, then you will be invited to sort out what best suits your bankroll and level of activity.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, HighStakes provides a roster of payment methods that, as we might expect, features cryptocurrencies. The list is impressive and ensures that players can manage their account however it fits their needs.
Accepted payment methods include many standard and even more specific options:
As well as Neteller, PaySafe, Paysafecard, PaySafe Cash, Skrill, Luxon, Visa, Visa Electron, Bitcoin, Ethereu, USDT, USDC, Dogecoin, Asian Banking, Dankorf, Carta Bleue, CartaSi and MasterCard you will also be able to sue Giropay, Epay Bulgaria, Direct Debit, Diners, Dankort, Maestro, Klarna, JCB, Direct idealA, NetPay, American Express, MuchBetter, Astropay Cash, Nordea Solo, and American Express. Meanwhile, Indian Banking, Trusly, AliPay, Resurs, Rapid Transfer, Przelewy and PostePay feature on this impressively extensive list of payment methods.
By providing a wide variety of payment methods, High Stakes Poker seeks to cover all bases and thus accommodate players from all corners of the poker world.
Depending on different factors, waiting times vary regarding making a withdrawal from High Stakes Poker. When withdrawing from eWallets, for instance, you might wait for up to 24 hours, and large withdrawals could take several days.
High Stakes Poker Software
After registering via YPD and downloading the HighStakes Poker software, you’re good to go. Note that this is the same client used by other Tonybet network online poker rooms, just with different colouring in the main Lobby and tables and so on. HighStakes ensures that customers experience fair play, using an RNG certified by GLI, iTech Labs and Quinel. The software is user-friendly and more easily navigated around than many, and features useful waiting lists, which isn’t always the case nowadays.
There’s a facility – across each platform – to customize bet sizes, and this can be done while actually at the table. The same goes for making alterations to the card/deck settings, which is another nice touch that isn’t universally available.
HighStakes provides real money games across all devices, and the software runs on Windows, Android and HTML5. Note that players are not allowed to use third-party tracking software.
Game Formats at HighStakes Poker
HighStakes offers the usual poker diet of Cash Games, MTTs and Sit & Go games. The vast majority of Cash Game tables are No Limit Hold’em 6-max low stakes games, typically ranging between NL10 to NL50. Having said that, stakes start at a few cents and go right up to $200/$400, and include Heads-up tables. High limits also feature in Pot Limit Omaha games, but these are fewer than NLH.
As we have mentioned, the aim of this poker room is to cater for everyone, including high rollers, and while such high stakes tables might not necessarily be found when randomly logging on, the idea is to accommodate high stakes players. Again, as this relatively young poker room starts to establish some kind of meaningful traction in terms of traffic, it wouldn’t be surprising to see all kinds of poker players finding what they’re looking for at HighStakes Poker.
Tournaments
The tournament schedule and what’s generally on offer at HighStakes Poker for tournament fans is a mixed bag. There isn’t a round-the-clock supply that some might want, and the tournaments that have the juicier prize pools tend to require heftier buy-ins than is the case with most other online poker rooms. Of course, this might appeal to those who prefer smaller fields rather than having to plough through literally thousands of rivals just to scrape into the money. Meanwhile, for small stakes players, not only are there low buy-in tournaments and Freerolls, but HighStakes again endeavours to give everyone a chance to experience big-time poker by setting up online qualification routes for major ‘live’ events that enable poker fans with even the most modest bankrolls to get their hands on great festival buy-ins and packages. Satellites for the Irish Open, for example, are typical HighStakes ventures, while you can also find your way to more exotic locations via qualifiers to the WSOPC Caribbean Event that will be held in the aptly named Casino Royale in St. Maarten.
HighStakes Leaderboards
Another player-friendly feature at HighStakes is their Leaderboard for Multi-Table Poker Tournaments – the more tournaments you play, and the more success you have, the more points you earn.
Spins
Completing the package, Spins fans will find games at HighStakes that mix affordability with decent payouts, with buy-ins starting at just $1, and thousands in juicy prizes up for grabs.
HighStakes Casino
It would be missing the point if there was not a healthy Casino platform at HighStakes, and there is indeed a great selection for casino fans.
If you like to take a break from poker with a visit to the virtual Roulette table, then Classic, European and Live Roulette Gold will keep you occupied. And in keeping with the High Stakes theme, as well as providing games with stakes as low as 1 cent, high rollers can play for up to $10,000.
The same stakes apply to Baccarat, with 15 game options and both virtual and live dealer formats (see below). Note that these games are available to enjoy with both desktop and mobile options.
The Slots platform at HighStakes features a good mix of games and, again, will appeal to the many poker fans who have a soft spot for relieving any poker tension with a session at the virtual reels. A Texas Hold’em theme will no doubt prove popular, especially when poker skills might come in handy in gunning for the juicy jackpots.
Live Casino
An often overlooked feature, ‘live’ casino games form a worthy part of an online casino, and the offering at HighStakes is impressive in bringing the traditional ‘bricks-and-mortar’ experience to your screen. Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Slots and Sic Bo can be enjoyed via an encrypted live feed exclusive to just the player and dealer.
And with a maximum transaction amount of $50,000, HighStakes provides its players with the opportunity to play at nosebleed stakes…
Crypto Games
That HighStakes is a forward-thinking operator with the future in mind is evidenced by the fact that even fans of so-called Crypto games are catered for as part of the multi-platform package. As cryptocurrencies increasingly – and irrevocably – find their way into mainstream, everyday life, games have cropped up that crypto fans have taken to in a big way, and they can be found at HighStakes. Again, these, too, can be enjoyed on mobile, tablet or desktop.
Conclusion
Time will tell whether HighStakes Poker ultimately achieves the numbers and recognition that many would say it deserves. Currently, it not only appears to be the natural choice for small stakes recreational players, but also has potential to be a favoured home for those at the other end of the bankroll spectrum – the special arrangements available to high rollers deserve credit.
Those looking to exploit any edge they might have over inexperienced hobbyists will find HighStakes a happy hunting ground because the games are among the softest around. More serious players whose preferred stakes are a level or two higher will no doubt more easily find games at other rooms, but that isn’t to say it’s not worth signing up via YPD and taking advantage of what’s on offer. (Indeed, we recommend players make the most of all such deals, promos and weak player pools at our partner rooms). Furthermore, when games at higher stakes do open up, it’s a good idea to be ready to jump in…
Meanwhile, as well as the freebies and offers at HighStakes, there’s a decent 27% Rakeback to add to the generous First Deposit Bonus.
All in all, HighStakes’ in some ways novel approach justifies the site being labelled as different, and therefore it is worth players investigating and, in so doing, furthering the cause. It’s an interesting place to try out already, and the more players at the tables, the more attractive a prospect it will become.
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