Ladbrokes

Rating:

Website: www.ladbrokes.com
Operated by: Gambling Empire, Ladbrokes PLC

Ladbrokes Backgammon is operated and owned by veteran British gambling empire, which insures you are in good hands. No software installation is required (flash player must be installed). The rake is very low compared to other rooms. Sadly their Backgammon tables haven't become very busy, despite Ladbrokes' reputation for other games (sports betting and poker). Normally only a couple of dozen players are online and all of them can be found in the "Cash Games" section, even though they have a "Free Play" section. As the conditions are really good for the players, I hope that the traffic will rise.

Ladbrokes Backgammon also offers players the opportunity to switch back and forth to their other gaming sections using one account. So with the same account you can go to the Casino, Poker and Sports betting.

Players who want to register to Ladbrokes after launching the lobby are not prompted to do so, which can be a little bit confusing for new players who are just getting used to the processes of registering online accounts. You find an "open account" button on the web site or s "register"-bottom in lobby. Those who have an account with Ladbrokes (either sports betting or poker) can simply login with their information.

Overall, it's really a decent Backgammon Room, though it does have its strong points and its areas where it would definitely benefit from some improvement.

Restricted Countries

For individuals resident in Australia, Italy, Turkey, USA, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands or United States Minor Outlying Islands - Ladbrokes will not open accounts. Residents of Italy however are able to use Ladbrokes.it. For individuals resident in Holland - Ladbrokes accepts only horse racing, greyhound racing and casino bets, and not lotto, or other games or sports bets. For individuals resident in Hong Kong - Ladbrokes does not take any bets from residents whilst they are in Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong residents can have an account and deposit money whilst in Hong Kong for use when out with the territory.

Software:

You just use your browser for the Flash-based game play, no need to download and install any backgammon software. You can even go directly to the lobby and watch games without registering an account. What you should do is allow pop-ups for *.ladbrokes.com, otherwise the games can not start.

The handling of the software is nice, once you get used to it. One thing to mention is: if you want to move the smaller of your numbers first, you have to hover over the checker and then click on the number you want to move. That took me some time to figure out, the first time this happened to me. The actual game tables themselves do have a realistic look and don't seem to be lacking everything, opposed to many other sides you can resize the board, a feature I like very much.

All important features are there, but the Game Lobby itself isn't anything special (see screenshot). There are two cash game sections above and below $5 and a match play section that is normally not very busy.

Commission - Rake

Ladbrokes has the lowest rake online!

Cash and Match Games:

Combined Wager	Commission %
$0 - $49	2.5%
$50 - $99	2%
$100 - $199	1.5%
$200 +	1.25%

Example: If you win a gammon game (2 points) with an initial sum involved of $5, then $9.50 will be added to your account and $10 will be deducted from your opponents balance. The commission is 2.5% * $20= $0.50

Match Games

Combined Wager	Commission %
$0 - $49	base commission (for 1 point): 2.5%, every additional point: +0.125%, max commission: 3.75%
$50 - $99	base commission (for 1 point): 2%, every additional point: +0.125%, max commission: 3.25%
$100 - $199	base commission (for 1 point): 1.5%, every additional point: +0.125%, max commission: 2.75%
$200 +	base commission (for 1 point): 1.25%, every additional point: +0.125%, max commission: 2.5%

When playing in a match, for each additional point after the initial point, a 0.125% rake will be added. This will be capped at 11 match points (1.25%).

Example: You play a Match up to 3 points with sum involved of $20. The rake for a 3-point match has a base commission of 2.5%+2*0.125%=2.75% The commission from each player is
$20*2.75%=$0.55 (the winner pays both their commissions, for a total of $1.10). $18.90 will be added to the winners balance and $20 will be deducted from the losers balance.

Tournament play

No rake will be taken from tournament play, instead you will pay a fee - normally 10% (for higher buy-ins, less) of the buy-in.

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last update: Friday, April 23, 2010