Our Methodology
How We Review Poker Sites
Every site on SemiPoker is tested with a real MYR account before we publish a single word. Here is exactly what we test, how we score it, and why it matters for Malaysian players.
Scoring Criteria
5 Criteria. Scored Out of 10.
Each poker site is evaluated across five areas that matter most to Malaysian players. Every criterion is weighted equally — no single factor can carry a poor site to a high overall score.
Our 6-Step Testing Process
Every site goes through the same structured process before we assign a score or publish a review. We never review a site we haven’t personally tested.
Register as a Regular Malaysian Player
We sign up using a local Malaysian IP address and email without identifying ourselves as reviewers. This ensures we receive the same onboarding experience as any regular player — including any geo-restrictions, verification steps, or welcome offers.
Test MYR Deposits via Local Payment Methods
We attempt deposits using FPX, Touch ‘n Go, GrabPay, and local bank transfer where available. We record exact processing times, any fees charged, minimum deposit thresholds, and whether the process is smooth from a Malaysian device.
Play Real Money Cash Games and Tournaments
We play a minimum of five cash game sessions and join at least one tournament. This lets us assess real player traffic at different stake levels, software quality, table speed, and whether the game selection matches what is advertised.
Test the Mobile Experience
We test the site or app on both Android and iOS devices, on both WiFi and mobile data connections. We check for crashes, lag, login issues, and whether the mobile game lobby is as complete as the desktop version.
Request a Real MYR Withdrawal
This is the most critical test. We initiate a real withdrawal and record the exact time from request to funds received in our Malaysian bank account or e-wallet. This is where many sites fail — and where we are most rigorous.
Contact Customer Support
We submit queries via live chat and email — one straightforward question and one more complex issue. We record response times, the quality and accuracy of the answer, and whether support is available in English or Bahasa Malaysia.
Criteria in Detail
Here is exactly what we look at within each of our five scoring criteria.
The single biggest pain point for Malaysian players. We check every available deposit and withdrawal method and verify each one works from Malaysia without errors.
We test withdrawals personally every time. A site that advertises “instant withdrawal” but takes 3 days will reflect that in our score, regardless of its other qualities.
A poker site with poor player traffic is unusable regardless of how good the software looks. We check real player numbers at different times of day, not just peak hours.
Most Malaysian players play on mobile. A desktop-first site with a poor mobile experience scores significantly lower, even if other areas are strong.
We contact support as a real player with real questions. We do not accept a site’s advertised response time as fact — we measure it ourselves.
What Our Scores Mean
Our final score is an average of the five criteria above, expressed as a number out of 10. Here is how to interpret each score range.
Sites scoring below 7 in any single criterion are reviewed carefully before listing, regardless of their overall average. A site that scores 9.5 overall but 4 on withdrawal speed will not appear on our recommended list.
How Often We Re-Test
Poker sites change their terms, payment methods, and quality over time. A site that was excellent in 2025 may have deteriorated by 2026. We re-test every listed site on the following schedule:
Every quarter (3 months) — We re-test payment methods and withdrawal speeds for all listed sites, as these change most frequently.
Every 6 months — Full re-test across all five criteria. Scores are updated and the review rewritten if significant changes are found.
Immediately — If we receive credible player reports of withdrawal delays, account issues, or policy changes, we investigate and update without waiting for the next scheduled re-test.
Every review page displays a “Last tested” date so you always know how current our information is.
Our Standards
What We Never Do
These are the practices common on other affiliate poker sites that we explicitly reject.
Review sites we haven’t tested
We never publish a review based on other sites’ findings, press releases, or operator-provided information alone.
Accept payment for rankings
No operator can pay to improve their ranking, score, or placement on any SemiPoker page.
Hide negative findings
If a site we earn commission from has a problem, we publish it. Our readers’ trust matters more than commission income.
Use outdated scores without disclosure
Every review displays the date it was last tested. We never present old scores as current without noting when they were gathered.
Copy reviews from other sites
Every word on SemiPoker is written by our team based on firsthand testing — never copied or rewritten from competitor sites.
List sites with unresolved player complaints
If a site has documented, unresolved withdrawal issues reported by multiple players, we remove or suspend it from our listings.
See Our Reviewed Sites
Now that you know how we review, see which Malaysian poker sites made the cut in 2026.