Nowadays, you’ll find that there are more poker sites on networks than not. There is good reason for it too. It’s much more cost effective in regards to actual dollars and time to launch a poker room if you do so under a network. This is because the network provides the operator with a turnkey solution. The software, promotions, affiliate program, processing, etc is ready to go out of the box.
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For players, this is both good and bad. It’s good in the sense that these sites have good looking, functional software, wide variety of games, features and promotions. On the downside, many operators quickly become complacent. They don’t do anything to distinguish themselves from the other 100+ skins online.
So, in order to find the best sites, let alone the best networks to play poker on, you need to know what to expect from sites on networks and weigh the pros and cons of each component.
Are the Network/Site Reputable?
Reputation is going to be one of the most important things to consider when it comes to playing on networks. Remember — anyone with $10,000 to $20,000 can buy a skin and start a poker site.
But many of these guys don’t last long. The problem tends to be that these operators fail to plan for the long term. The operators don’t offer anything different or market their site well. They just see starting a poker site as a way to print money. But 6-months later, the site ends up tanking.
The result is that they don’t have the money to pay players or affiliates. And there can be difficulty pulling your bankroll off the site. It’s a headache, that’s for sure.
So, you’ll really want to do your homework before signing up to a new site on a network. I would suggest staying away from sites that haven’t been online without issues for at least 6-months to a year.
Poker Network Traffic
Traffic is kind of a funny thing with networks.
On one hand, there is a substantial amount of traffic on any given network. With 5, 10, 20 or more sites in a network, there could easily be 100,000+ players playing at any given time.
However, the 100,000 players are spread over all the sites in the network. So when you do the math, that’s only 3 to 5 thousands players on any given site. That’s not a lot.
What you’ll find is that there are no more than 5 to 8k players on the most known sites in a network. The lesser known sites will have considerably less. The exception to this would be the Cereus Network where Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker host 15 to 25k players regularly.
Promotions at Sites on Networks
Promotions at sites on networks can be great, or they can be dull and boring.
How do you know a site is offering a great promotion? When they do something to distinguish themselves from others sites on the same network. They’ll offer a bigger bonus, frequent reload bonuses, maybe some satellites to large events or other things of that nature. They just don’t stick to the basics that everyone is able to provide their players.
The rooms that are dull and boring stick to whatever default marketing plan they’re given. In other words, they don’t offer any real incentive in the form of bonuses, a VIP program or different games. These sites aren’t worth your time. There are much better, more established sites out there willing to earn your business.
Poker Network Games
The big upside to networks is that many of them offer a wide variety of games. You’ll find all the non-holdem type poker games as well as several poker variations.
Many networks also have built in casinos and sportsbooks. So you can go play a couple hands of blackjack or bet on your favorite team if you burn out playing poker.
Also, consider the crossover traffic. If you’re playing poker at a site that has a casino and sportsbook, that site is going to be softer than usual. All the gamblers are going to be coming over to play cards. Taking advantage of these guys is like taking candy from a baby.
The downside to the game aspect of networks is that most of the poker games offered don’t get any traffic. You go to play at a site that has holdem, omaha, stud and mixed games and the only games that receive any traffic is holdem.
Poker Network Software
Software is an important consideration. You’ll find that it’s what separates one network from another.
The best networks are going to have features that no one else has. For example, the Merge Network came up with things like running it twice, show one card and their emoticons. While other sites or networks are just starting to implement this, Merge was one of the first.
Another sign of a site worth playing at is when they’re on a network, but don’t have the same run of the mill graphics/front end that the rest of the sites on the network do. This doesn’t make them the best or anything, but you got to give them credit for not sticking with the generic skin they were given.
Using Third Party Software on Sites on Networks
Something important to keep in mind when looking to play on a site on a network is that you may not be able to use third party programs like a heads up display (HUD) or hotkeys.
One reason is popularity. You’re not going to see Table Ninja for a small site on a network because the demand for such a product isn’t nearly as high as it is for a large independent site.
Another thing to consider is compatibility. Some poker sites/networks are constructed differently so 3rd party programs don’t work on their site.
And last, there are sites and/or networks that have rules that say you can’t use 3rd party programs. This isn’t nearly as common as the first two issues I mentioned.
This of course will vary from site to site. But if using software is important to you, you’ll definitely want to do your homework before signing up.