Global Poker Indiana Review

Global Poker new player offer

Global Poker offers new players $20 in free sweeps cash.

After signing up and verifying their account via SMS new players will receive $20 in free sweeps cash.

Do I need a promo code at Global Poker?

There’s no need to use a bonus code in order to get your $20 in free sweeps cash – simply use our links.

Bonuses and Promotions at Global Poker

There have been deposit bonuses for Global Poker players in the past, though at the time of writing, they are no longer available. Those offers were on the smaller side, e.g., buy $5 in gold chips and get $10 worth of sweeps cash for free.

You can get free sweeps cash by sending a letter to a registered address, or by taking part in social media contests. There are also freeroll tournaments for new players, with a guaranteed prize pool of $1,000 (in sweeps cash).

The “Promotions” tab is on Global Poker’s homepage. Promos change all the time, depending on what events are running. The list below will give you an idea of the kind of promotions on offer:

• Global Poker championship: This promo features an online tournament event, which is subtitled the Rattlesnake Open II. This has a guaranteed combined prize pool of $1 million in sweeps cash. As well as the buy-in events, the festivities begin with a $5,000 freeroll.
• Kurt Busch Signature Series: Global Poker is tying its sponsorship of this NASCAR driver with some smaller tournament events.
• Jackpot SNG: These hyper-turbo tournament events start at $2, and can pay up to 2000x your buy-in. This means that the biggest games ($50 sweeps cash entry) have an amazing $100,000 max prize.
• New player freeroll: Details of how to join the $1,000 prize pool freerolls, which are available to all new players.
• Sunday scrimmage: This is the largest regular tournament with a $50,000 guarantee and $218 buy-in. It takes place at 5:30 p.m. every Sunday. Satellite qualifiers run throughout the week starting at just $2.20c.
• Gold Rush: This leaderboard contest is for the play-money chips only.
• Bonanza tournaments: These weekday games have $8,500 guaranteed prize pools and tiny buy-ins. It is a great way for smaller stakes players to break through.
• Daily Hundo: This tournament concept gives you a chance to win 100x your buy-in, with $500 guaranteed for first place.

Online Poker in Indiana: How “Sweeps Cash” Works

Global Poker uses a dual-currency system. There are “gold chips,” which are only for play-money games and have no redeemable value, and “sweeps cash,” which is given away when you purchase the chips.

You play with sweeps cash in cash games and tournaments. When you have 50 “units” or more, you can exchange it back into dollars and legally withdraw it.

Global Poker uses technology that turns every hand (or tournament) into a mini sweepstakes contest. Not to worry; this happens behind the scenes, so your poker play will remain the same.

Sweepstakes contests are legal in all states except for Washington state.

Some people have concerns that changes in the law could stop the sweeps cash system from working. Sweepstakes gambling laws are under state jurisdiction, which means acts would need to be passed in all 49 legal states to stop the games. With legislation going the other way (toward regulation), this seems unlikely.

Global Poker Software and Device Compatibility

Most poker rooms have a download option, which is often the best way to access the games. However, Global Poker does things differently, being 100% web-based.

You simply access the site via your web browser, and the options will adjust to your screen size automatically.

The layout features a single list of games, with a grid format/type options to narrow them down.

Here are the filters:

• Games: This gives you the main poker categories, with ring games, SNGs and tournaments listed.
• Format: This changes depending on what game you pick. For ring games, you’ll see hold ’em, Omaha and Crazy Pineapple here. For tournaments, there are regular, guaranteed and satellites. Note: For tournaments, the limits options become game formats instead.
• Limits: The type of betting used is covered here: No limit, pot limit and fixed limit.
• Buy-ins: The final filter lets you choose from four buy-in levels (from micro to high) and adds an option to hide full tables.

You’ll see the list change as you check and uncheck these options. The game types are color-coded on the left with no limit hold ’em is a hard-to-miss bright lilac.

You’ll see stats for each table which include hands/hour, average pot size and the number of players (on average) seeing each flop. This can help you to select the loosest, wildest games.

On the right-hand side of the main view are the latest promotions and big events. You can switch currency between gold chips and sweeps cash at the top right, where there is also access to the cashier.

Individual tables are clean and fast-moving. You can choose from a caricature avatar, and there are the usual options like resizing and a four-color deck.

A chat window is on the bottom left, with tile and cascade options at the top left.

What Games Does Global Poker Offer?

You’ll find a lot of poker action at Global Poker.

There is always a long list of cash games, tournaments and jackpot sit-and-go (SNG) tournaments.

Here is an overview of what to expect:

Poker Cash Games

There are 100+ six-max tables and a smaller number of nine-max games at peak times, which are mostly no-limit hold ’em games.

Some pot limit Omaha does run, along with the hold ’em variant called Crazy Pineapple. Stakes start tiny, with 1c/2c blinds the lowest, games up to $2/$5 are common (all amounts are in sweeps cash).

Overall, the standard of play is on the soft side compared to the major international sites.

Poker Tournaments

The biggest game of the week is the $50,000 Guaranteed Sunday tournament, which has a buy-in of $218.

Tournaments run 24/7, which are freeze-outs (single buy-in only), rebuys and turbo-speed events. While you won’t find the more exotic variations like progressive knockouts, there is plenty enough action to keep smaller and mid-stakes tournament fans happy.

Again, the vast majority of the games feature no limit hold ’em.

Jackpot SNG Tournaments

Global Poker recently announced that more than $15 million (in sweeps cash) had been paid out via jackpot SNGs. These are undoubtedly popular games and are fast, too.

The idea here is you join a super-turbo, three-handed game where the prize pool is only announced when the game starts. The prize pool can be anywhere from 2x to 2000x your initial buy-in.

Other sites use these games to award entry to bigger buy-in tournaments, though at the time of writing, Global Poker only has cash awards.

How to Deposit and Withdraw from Global Poker

Although PayPal deposits and withdrawals are no longer possible at Global Poker, there are still some reliable options for transferring money.

Keep in mind, you will be buying gold coin packages and receiving sweeps cash for free.

Credit and debit cards are the easiest way to deposit.

Global Poker accepts cards from most major banks without any issues or delays. If you don’t have a credit card or prefer not to use it, then you could also buy a prepaid Visa card from your local convenience store. Though credit cards don’t accept withdrawals directly, you can get a wire sent back to your bank.

The other deposit method is Skrill, an electronic wallet that works in the same way as PayPal. It is an international option and has been a popular option at poker sites for many years. The difference is that you pay a small fee when you send money, not when you receive it like with PayPal.

What we like about Skrill is that it works for withdrawals and provides a secure third-party site between your bank and gambling sites.

ID verification is a crucial step to keep any legal gambling site clean. Global Poker will request ID documents and proof of address. Depending on your deposit method, additional backup information may be required.

Note: There is a minimum $50 requirement to convert sweeps cash into dollars for withdrawal. If you are a micro-stakes player, this could potentially prove difficult.

Game Fairness and Security at Global Poker

Global Poker is licensed by the respected Malta jurisdiction. This European licensing body is the home to many of the world’s biggest and most respected gambling brands. Game fairness, responsible gambling and sound financial management are all required by the Malta Gaming Authority.

In line with all reputable gambling sites, Global Poker has a detailed responsible gaming policy. You can find a link to this page in the footer of its website.

It includes advice on how to take a time-out from the site, set time and deposit limits and how to self-exclude.

There are also links to support organizations.

Customer Support at Global Poker

You have a few ways to get in touch with Global Poker’s support team.

You can connect via live chat, submit a request via the FAQ section (link at the top right) or send an email to support@globalpoker.com.

The FAQ is comprehensive with a lot of information explaining how the sweeps cash system works.

Wrapping up: Is Global Poker a Good Choice for Indiana Players?

There is a lot to like about Global Poker. Its novel use of state sweepstakes laws keeps the site legal in Indiana — and most other states.

You might find negative reviews on many websites. Keep in mind, those sites are pushing shady, offshore poker rooms (for financial reward), and won’t get paid if you play at this legal poker room instead.

The game selection is heavily biased toward no limit hold ’em with six-max, smaller buy-in cash games where most of the action is found. Crazy Pineapple makes for an interesting (and entertaining) twist on this format, and pot limit Omaha is also available.

There is a lot of action, which is considered on the softer side.

When you get used to playing for sweeps cash and using the check-box filter system to find your preferred games, you’ll soon be converting your sweeps cash into dollars and cashing it out.