FullTilt Poker was started in June of 2004 by a number of private investors including several well-known professional poker players. One of the original owners is Howard Lederer. The list includes Jennifer Harman, and also several other well-known poker personalities like Chris Ferguson, Andy Block, Phil Ivey, and Mike Matusow. Full Tilt is based in Costa Rica, though the company goes to some trouble to keep information about itself out of public hands given the uncertain legal status of online gaming. It is the third largest poker site on the Web in terms of the number of online players. FullTilt is licensed by the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake.

Accepts U.S. Players?

Yes.

Software

Full Tilt's software is proprietary. Windows and MacOS versions are available. Using Wine, it will run under Linux. Play speed is fast. The software offers all the features found in other full-service online poker rooms: player chat, note-taking and labeling, multiple table play, customizable displays, and hand history text files with a poker hand converter for their display and analysis. A "buddy" feature allows a player to stay in touch with online friends. An optional "race track" view is a flat table graphic rather than the conventional 3D variety. Players can choose from 5 different backgrounds and mor than 40 avatars, which can change their expressions (plain, happy, sad, angy and surprised).

Audits and Certifications

Fulltilt's website declares that its software is fair, but no disclosures of certifications by testing agencies are mentioned. No information is available about audits, if any. Basically, the player needs to rely upon the watchdogs, who are constantly alert to any problems, and the endorsements of so many respected poker players. FullTilt poker receives high marks from most reviewing entities for security, financial safety, customer service, and general efficiency.

Traffic

FullTilt Poker has peakload traffic in ring games of over 10,000 players. Tournaments can attract up to 70,000 players.

Games Offered

Games offered are Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven-card Stud, Seven-card Stud Hi-Lo, Razz (Seven-card Stud Lo), and mixed games. Limit, Pot Limit and No Limit versions are available in virtually all of them. In an innovation, "cap limit" games are offered. They are played just like no limit or pot limit games; however a player is not permited to bet more in any given hand than 30 times the starting bet or big blind. That is the "cap" for the hand. The poker room is open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In ring games full table play is always available (6-9 players, depending on the game being spread). Heads-up play is widely available, as well as partial table and private table formats, traffic permitting. The rake is approximately 5% with minimum rakes for small pots, and a "no flop no drop" policy. Nevertheless, experts say that the FullTilt rake is about normal for online poker rooms.

Tournaments

FullTilt Poker schedules large tournaments frequently. SNG ("Sit 'n' Go") tournaments are available at virtually any hour of the day. They can include anywhere from one to twenty tables. Tournament tables seat 8 or 9 (according to the game). The Full Tilt Online Poker Series or FTOPS is the name for the large poker tournaments hosted by Fult Tilt Poker. A 2007 tournament innovation is the "Knockout Bounty" tournament, in which a player earns back a percentage of the buy-in for each player he or she knocks out of the tournament.

Player Benefits

Full Tilt Poker usually provides a 100% bonus (up to $600) for initial deposits. Playing bonuses are accumulated at the tables by earning points which are later converted into more money for the player's account. It is possible to earn up to three points per hand, depending on the size of the rake, and each point is worth about six cents. Loyalty bonus points are awarded periodically, which can be redeemed for merchandise or tournament play.

Spokespersons for FullTilt Poker

Prominent professional poker players are spokespersons for FullTilt Poker. The group is called "Team Full Tilt," and members regularly appear to play on the web site. Registered players are welcome to sit at those tables if there's room, or simply watch from a virtual rail. Team Full Tilt includes Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, John Juanda, Jennifer Harman, Phil Gordon, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Clonie Gowen, Andy Bloch, Mike Matusow, Gus Hansen, and Allen Cunningham. Over 50 other pros, though not members of "Team Full Tilt," are sponsored by the company and sometimes appear at tables on the web site. Jerry Yang, the winner of the Main Event in the 2007 WSOP is one of thoese. FullTilt Poker also sponsors Poker After Dark and other televised poker events.

An online newletter called Tips from the Pros is available to players. It provides advice from FullTilt's team professionals.

In 2007 Michael Craig published his Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide Tournament Edition, which uses the FullTilt poker room as a venue for learning how to play winning poker in tournaments. It is considered a "must read" for the intermediate and advanced tournament player.