Global Player has been on the scene for about 2 years now, earning a reputation as an organization taking a fresh approach to online gaming, and maintaining a focus on a superior product, friendly customer interaction and a down-to-earth attitude. I did play their software when they first launched, but I hadn't played since, so I decided to head back there this month to see if they had kept up with their initial reputation.
First Impressions
Global Player has never been one to blind the web visitor with a neon Vegas light show and exuberant marketing, always preferring to err on the side of honest communication and basic imagery. To this end, their site looks professional, if not mind-blowing. All the information you need is on the front page or at least clearly linked to right off the navigation bar, so it takes no time at all to have your questions answered and to find your way around the site. It is a refreshing change to not be continuously be barraged with download links and promotional popups!
Download and Installation
The download was very fast for me because I have a cable connection (which I couldn't live without now that I am used to it), but if you have a slower connection they offer various mirror sites across the world so that you can download from a server closer to your location.
Once downloaded the Installation was absolutely painless, two clicks, one choice, and the software was opening up accompanied by a booming voice welcoming me to the casino. Make sure you have your speakers turned off if you don't want people within a 1km radius knowing that you gamble :)
The only problem I had with the signup process was the fact that you have to leave the software and go to the site in order to get yourself a player account. Most software these days allows you to do everything from within the casino window, so it would be nice if Global Player would follow suit, or at least have you register on the site before you download the software. I just don't like switching from window to window.
The Games
A quick count of the games tells me that Global Player offers 59 total. This seems like a lot, but you'll find much better selections from bigger software providers. However, if it is original software you are looking for then Global Player takes the cake! They have developed their own software from scratch, and boast a phenomenal 26 Video poker games when all is said and done!
My biggest complaint is that you only get blackjack in the initial installation, and it is probably the least impressive of their games. You get to play multi-hand and multi-player, but the graphics certainly aren't the nicest on the market, and I really disliked the sounds. In order to get the slot machines, roulette, and Video Poker you have to connect up to the server and download the upgrades. This only took me 30 seconds, but those of you on a slower modem may experience hefty wait times. Still, when you're finished you will have:
7 Single player blackjack games
9 Multiplayer blackjack games
2 Progressive Jackpot slot machines
1 Regular slot machine (yes, only 1)
4 Multiplayer Roulette games
2 Single player Roulette games
26 Regular Video Poker machines
10 Progressive jackpot Video Poker machines
I found most of the games played well and fairly and each had interesting features you don't find elsewhere. The slot machine allows you to play 999 consecutive spins with one click, thus relieving the carpal tunnel effects of online gaming; the roulette section offers both French and American styles of the game, and a very realistic wheel, sure to please die hard rouletters; and the video poker machines are extremely well made, making them as good as the real thing!
To be honest, the only real gameplay issue I ran into was the fact that it told me that my login had expired after only 5 minutes of playing, and I was forced to login again. A bit of a pain, but it didn't ruin the overall experience!
Banking, comps, and payouts
Depositing and withdrawing money at Global Player is much the same as at any online casino. You can make your deposits right there in the software and be playing in no time, and I had no problem receiving my check when I made my withdrawal - I guess that's what you expect when the site is run by a Swiss banker!
The comp system is limited compared to some of the competition, but still worth looking at. If you are a high roller, then there are specific bonuses you can count on, and you can read about them at the site. For the rest of us, we can expect a $30 bonus after our initial deposit of $30, and don't have to make a lump deposit either; we can reach that total with three deposits of $10 and still get the bonus. They also offer a comp point program which involves you getting points for every $10 you wager, and then you get to redeem your points for credits when you have reached 2000. You get 300 points for signing up, and another 50 per day if you login every day. It's going to take about $1000 to $2000 of wagered money before you can expect your $20 comp, so not really that exciting. What is fun is the monthly tournaments they run with prizes of around $500 CASH for the winner, and lesser amounts for the also-rans. Good players could make some nice cash this way, only needing $50 to enter.
Global Player does post their payout percentages (% of payouts
compared to wagered amounts) on their site, but they do not have
them officially audited by a big bank or accounting firm. If they
were to become more official with their numbers, their April percentage
of 96.74% would have been enough to make them one of the best
casinos out there.
Conclusion
Global Player is a unique casino and this makes them refreshing.
I find their games to be fun and fair, their customer support
to be very helpful, and the entire experience to be a good one.
If they were to polish up their comp program, hire someone to
audit their numbers, and maybe add a few more types of games,
I believe they could really give some of the larger Casino houses
a run for their money.
