Betonline Review

Previously known as the Action Poker Network, Chico acquired Action in October 2011, inheriting severe banking and regulatory issues. As a result slow payouts plagued the network for several years.

In 2013 new Chico management finally cleared the backlog in cashouts and since then the network has grown in size and credibility, becoming a trusted site to online poker players.

As such Rakeback.com now considers it a recommended networkto play on, for both RoW and US players. Especially as all 50 US states are accepted on the Chico skin BetOnline.

Software

The Chico Network isn’t renowned for its software. Other US poker clients- e.g. the Americas Cardroom software – are faster and more robust. Most players find Chico functional enough to grind on though as a primary or secondary site. Betonline has both a Windows and Mac compatible client.

As with low rakeback, lower quality software means easier games as less regulars want to mass table on the site.

Unlike Americas Cardroom and Black Chip, Chico skins don’t support tracking software or HUDs by default.

There are some online converters sold online however, that make Holdem Manager and PokerTracker compatible with Chico Network hand histories.

Payouts

Betonline withdrawal options include checks in the mail (1-4 weeks stated processing time), Western Union / Moneygram cash transfers (2 days), and Bitcoin (48 hours).

Often Betonline exceeds those stated times, delivering checks in under a week, cash transfers within the day and Bitcoin cashouts within hours (at zero fees).

Players outside the US should join Chico via the Tiger Gaming skin, not Betonline. Cashouts are faster for RoW players and more withdrawal options available (e.g. Bank Wire and Skrill).

Traffic

The Chico network has 2200+ active players with around a third of those in cash games at peak times.

According to Pokerscout traffic data that makes Chico the 3rd largest poker option for Americans (behind Bovada and Americas Cardroom) and the 2nd largest to accept both RoW and US.

Rake

Rake is 5.55% with a max cap of $3 per pot at 100NL stakes and higher. For the full rake structure see here.

Rakeback

Betonline does not offer flat rakeback. For more info on deposit bonuses and rake races see the BetOnline listing page. Reload bonuses are common.

Stakes

BetOnline has mostly No Limit Holdem action from $0.01/$0.02 up to $5/$10 stakes. Other game types include Omaha, O8 and Limit Holdem.

Regular tournaments include a monthly $20,000 GTD and weekly $3,000 GTD. SNGs are popular up to the $33 turbo level. Daily freerolls with prizepools of $50-$200 run around the clock.

Casino

BetOnline have a strong reputation in the casino, racebook and sportsbook industries dating back to the early 1990s. This helps to draw in recreational players to the poker tables.

If you’re interested in casino action yourself Betonline offers all the classic games you’d expect, Blackjack, Slots, Roulette, Craps, Video Poker, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, etc. Notable additions include:

• Skill Games: Dominoes, Gin Rummy, Yahtzee, Spades
• Live Dealer Casino: $25 Free Play
• 3D Slots

Alongside the usual 25% reload bonuses on every casino deposit, and 100% slots match bonuses. Players that lose >$100 in any week are eligible for a 10% rebate. High volume BetOnline casino grinders are eligible for extra bonuses.