The Sky´s the limit in new online poker venture

Sky's TV and Internet poker offering is reportedly pulling in the players, at least in the region, with a heady mix of hi-tech presentation, solid content and tournament action.

Sky Poker is available on television on channel 846 through satellite and cable services available from the broadcaster, with a highlight each evening of a spectacular "big" 3D graphics presentation with an almost holographic appearance of live online poker action and commentary.

Available as a web-based service at Sky Poker.com/poker/sky, the online poker action requires no downloading, with high profile poker, sport and other celebrities joining in the fun and player liquidity building apace. The service offers The Open tournament at 9pm every night in the form of a multi-table tournament with a featured TV table discussed live by the presenters for the evening. We're told that entry fields of up to 500 players are regularly entering these tournaments for cash or using Sky Poker Player Points for the buy-in. The points can also be accrued as a sign-up incentive.

Poker tuition is a feature on the site, education new players in the intricacies of the Texas Hold 'em - No Limit, Fixed Limit and Pot Limit games that Sky Poker offers.

Table stakes range from 2 to 4 new pence through to GBP10 - 20 on no limit games, and on the fixed limit games from 10 - 20 pence through to GBP20 - 40.

Navigation of the site is quick and logical, and the registration process fast and easily completed. Benefits offered by Sky include full online Support, a loyalty program, the poker school already mentioned, full hand histories, folded cards availability for reference and a whole raft of refreshingly innovative avatars to choose from. One feature novices will find useful is the optional Hot-o-Meter, which delivers advice on the quality of the hole cards received with comments like "On fire!", "Fold'em!" and "Rubbish!".