Online Poker Networks

Most Online Poker Rooms are Part of Networks: This is How They Work

Most online poker rooms are part of networks. This simply means that one or more brands share a pool of players. Whichever room you join, you might find opponents from completely different ones at your table.

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For every online poker network to be successful, the software quality of the gaming network needs to be top notch. The advent of poker networks has made software developing firms come up with innovative solutions to attract poker players of every skill level online. We introduce each network with a short description and analyze how they solved the rake back problem which has been one of the biggest obstacles in online poker history. You can see which big brands that are to be found on each network. In the world of online poker, networks are the key organizational framework. A poker network is made up of several rooms that are linked together so that the players from each site can play against each other at the same tables.

Poker networks make a lot of sense. With bigger pools of players, the rooms offer much more choice – and often bigger tournament guarantees and better promotions. This page takes you through everything you need to understand about both poker networks and stand-along rooms:

• How Poker Networks Operate: An overview of how both big and small networks are set up.
• Pros and Cons: A quick overview of the pros & cons of playing at poker networks.
• US Poker Networks: A look at the biggest networks of poker sites welcoming US players.
• International Poker Networks: The biggest brands around are often part of established networks.
• Poker Network FAQ: Your questions on deposits, multiple accounts and bonuses answered.

How Online Poker Networks Operate

To run a successful poker room, a lot of players are needed. Not only does a room need to offer a choice of games at different buy-in levels, the tournaments and poker variations need action too. Without enough games (and big enough tournament prize pools), players look elsewhere. In short, real money online poker rooms need a critical mass of players to become viable.

This is where networks come in. Many brands looking to open a poker room opt to join an existing pool of players.

There are many advantages. Not only can a new brand ‘hit the ground running’, with plenty of games on offer, they can use established software. Development costs can be high for new poker rooms who go it alone.

Sports betting sites often join poker networks. They want to offer these games for their players, without the overhead of starting their own software. Internationally, you’ll find brands like Bet365 and BetFair pooling players on the iPoker Network. For the offshore US brands, BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag are part of the Chico Poker Network.

Online Poker Networks Free

You will find some brands are big enough to offer exclusive tables within the network infrastructure. They still share tables with other sites – and ringfence certain games for their own brand only.

Pros and Cons of Playing at a Poker Network

From the players’ perspective, you have a choice between joining a network or sticking to a stand-alone poker room. Here are the pros of joining a network, compared to the benefits of a stand-alone brand?

Benefits of Poker Networks:

• Bigger Choice: You’ll find more games and bigger tournament guarantees compared to if that brand had created its own poker room.
• Switch Easily: If you enjoy the games, though find the service is not up to scratch at your site, then you can switch brands quickly. If you choose another room on the same network, you will still be able to play against the same opponents.
• Cross-Over Traffic: This applies to the poker networks linked to sports betting sites. These rooms often contain more players who are recreational gamblers compared to the number of poker pros. Networks linked to sports brands can be the softest poker games online.
• Multiple Bonuses: There is nothing to stop players clearing a bonus from multiple members of the same network. Note that security will stop you logging on to the same network more than once on a single device.

Drawbacks of Poker Networks:

• Slower Pace of Innovation: with the big stand-alone rooms, innovations and new developments may be easier to implement. On networks, up to 20 separate brands need to be involved in the decision making.
• Brands Incentivizing Grinders: If one ‘Skin’ on a poker network starts to reward high-volume play, the whole group can suffer from nitty games. This happened a few years ago with the iPoker Network. A split, then a ban on volume-based incentives eventually solved the problem.
• Older Software: Networks tend to have older, downloadable software clients. With the brands not in direct control, you’ll need to play on ‘plain yet functional’ clients to get the benefits of joining a network.

What Are the Biggest US Poker Networks?

All the major offshore sites are networks. This does include sites where the owners (or at least chain of companies involved) are linked.

PaiWangLuo: This network has a strange name, though is more popularly known as the Bodog (or Bovada) poker network. Here you will find players from the Canadian Bodog.eu, Bovada and Ignition Poker sharing a back end. This is the single largest US poker network by a huge margin.

Winning Poker Network: With brands like America’s Cardroom and Black Chip Poker combining forces, the WPN is large. They are known for their tournament events – including the popular ‘Online Super Series’ of big buy-in tournaments. WPN does incentivise higher volume players, making the games tighter than at the other big US networks.

Chico Network: This is a back-end poker network for Sports Betting giants like BetOnline and SportsBetting.ag. It is a smaller network, though the cross over traffic means that you will find recreational players at the tables.

Horizon Network: This is a small network, made up of Intertops Poker and Juicy Stakes poker. While the games here are relatively soft, it is currently too small to recommend. Things do change fast in the world of poker networks – so watch this space!

What are the Biggest International Poker Networks?

Outside of the US, online poker is dominated by 3 huge brands. These are PokerStars, 888 and Party Poker. While none of these are networks in the sense discussed here, PokerStars does share a player pool with Full Tilt Poker. They own this site, and only allow an individual to have an account at one site. The games reached through each site are exactly the same, with different graphics the only difference.

The biggest true network is known as ‘iPoker’. This uses back-end software powered by PlayTech. It allows many (mainly sports betting) brands to offer a pooled poker room for their users. These include Bet365 and BetFair. Many other high-street bookmakers have ‘skins’ on the iPoker Network.

MicroGaming (known as MPN) is one of the oldest poker networks. This also powers many sports betting brands. These include BetSafe and Red Kings. The MicroGaming has had scandals in the past, involving rogue ‘skins’ that disappeared without paying players. These were many years ago, and with many big named brands supporting this network – your money is safe these days.

Poker Network Frequently Asked Questions

#1 Is it Legal to Play at (US) Poker Networks?

Yes. Federal laws concerning online gambling apply only to banks and the site operators. The poker networks welcoming US players are legal in their own locations (Caribbean / Central American nations). State laws may vary, though even in the strictest states (Utah for example) nobody has even been indicted for enjoying real money online poker.

#2 How Can I Deposit at Online Poker Networks?

The methods available to you will depend on your location. US players can use Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Money Transfer services and sometimes bank wires. Outside of the US, many more deposit options are available. These include eWallets, voucher systems, virtual credit cards and local bank wire services.

#3 How Can I Withdraw from Poker Networks?

US players who deposited with credit card will be sent a paper check, usually by courier. Bitcoin can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. If you are international, the default is to return the money back to the method you deposited with. If this is not possible, a local bank transfer usually works.

#4 Can I Join Multiple Sites on a Network?

Yes. There is nothing to stop you having accounts at more than one site. What you will never be able to do is play on more than one account at the same time. This will be blocked if you try it on the same computer. With different computers, security will quickly spot that the log-ins come from the same location, any interaction / collusion like play between accounts will result in them being blocked – and possibly your money frozen.

The main reason people would join multiple sites on a network is to enjoy extra bonus offers. Note that networks which offer rakeback may restrict this to your first account.

#5 Which Poker Networks are Compatible with Mac / Linux Devices?

Mac users will find software to download on many of the major poker networks. For Linux users, there is no dedicated software. You’ll either need a Windows Emulator like WINE or stick to the ‘Instant-Play’ client instead. With a limited game selection, instant-play is not ideal – though it does allow you to access the games at the major networks on the go.

#6 Which Poker Networks Support Mobile Play?

Online Poker Networks List

For US players only Bovada / Ignition (the PaiWangLuo network) support mobile play. You will have access to Zone Poker via their instant-play mobile client. Outside of the US, you’ll have many more choices, including bigger sites with dedicated mobile apps for both iPhones and Android devices.

#7 Which US Networks have the Easiest Poker Games?

Bovada are considered the easiest place to enjoy poker games for US players. Their recreational player model keeps grinders and recreational players in balance. There is also a lot of sports betting traffic crossing over from the huge sportsbook.

#8 Which International Network has the Easiest Poker Games?

At the lower limits, you will find a lot of easy games on the big international sites. The PlayTech-powered iPoker Network has an additional advantage. Most of the sites on this network are the big high-street bookmakers. This means many new poker players find their way to the tables after placing a bet – keeping the games loose and lively.

#9 Where Can I Find Out More About the Individual Brands on Poker Networks?

The reviews section here at GambleOnline.co has detailed overviews of the biggest sites on both US and international poker networks. You’ll be able to compare the games, bonuses, deposit method and security of each site side-by-side,

Listing and Reviewing the Top Online Poker Networks

If there are two groups of online poker players that have a particularly hard time finding compatible poker sites, it would have to players from The United States, and poker players using Mac computers. It's easy to find poker sites that accept US players, and it is easy to find poker sites that offer Mac downloadable software.

The real challenge is finding online poker sites that fill both of these niches. If you have looked before without success, for a good poker room that offers Mac compatible software to US players, you have found the perfect resource for you.

Below Are All The Major Online Poker Networks Available

Accepts USA

Highly Creative Software Supported by Vector Graphics and Animation

Softest Cash Games and Tournaments Online

Merge Gaming offers an incredible software program featuring cutting-edge graphics, great animation and customized features. There are over thirty different poker sites using the Merge Gaming software and collectively as a group, the network generates up to 5000 real money players. Most notable features include; wide game selection, easy to beat cash games and super fast software.

Accepts USA

Offers Gold Card and Gold Chip Loyalty Program

Best Credit Card Acceptance Rates for US Players

The Cake Poker Network originated in 2006 and has since grown to more than 24 poker rooms. The Cake Network introduced the Gold Cards and Gold Chips loyalty rewards program, offers a unique and fully functional software client and continues to accept US players. Read our network review for the best poker rooms available on this network along with exclusive bonuses for our players.

Biggest International Poker Network

Unique Tournaments and Software Features

iPoker Does Not Accept US Players

The iPoker Network is the largest poker network within Europe and Canada. The network no longer accepts US players but nonetheless has continued to show strength in numbers and can attract as many as 30,000 players during peak hours. Read more about the iPoker Network in our review and receive the best bonus from the top iPoker sites. Games supported on the iPoker Network include; Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi & Hi Lo, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi Lo and Five Card Draw.

#1 European Poker Site

Offers Poker, Casino, Sports Betting, Bingo, Backgammon & Games

Party Poker Does Not Accept US Players

Party Gaming, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, owns the Party Poker Network. The Party Network is unique in that there are multiple sites to choose from however the original Party Poker site is a stand-alone poker room with proprietary software. Over the last few years, Party Gaming has made a number of acquisitions and as such more brands have been added to their existing network. For more information on poker sites owned by Party Gaming, please see our network review.

Lightening Fast Software & Rich Graphics

Huge Network Wide Tournaments + Private Games

OnGame Does Not Accept US Players

Established in 1999, the OnGame Network is one of the largest poker networks within Europe. Focusing on European venues, players within the network can compete for seats to most of the live events within the UK and surrounding regions. The OnGame Network has more than 2 million registered players, and generates up to 35,000 during peak hours. Their software, dubbed the 'P5 Poker Engine' is insanely swift, offers rich graphics and solid playability. OnGame poker sites offer Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo, Seven Card Stud, and Draw Poker.

Download and Instant Play Software

Built in Casino and VIP Programs

888 Poker Does Not Accept US Players

888 Poker is owned by Cassava Enterprises and offers a customized software program supported through a download and instant play client. The instant play version works on Macs, Window and Linux operating systems and features Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo, and Stud games. For more information on poker sites using the 888 poker client please see our network review.

Download and No Download Software Available

Award Winning Software Developer for Poker and Casino Sites

Microgaming Does Not Accept US Players

Online Poker Networks

Microgaming is one of the top software developers for online poker rooms and online casinos. The Microgaming network provides an extremely fast software program that is easy to use and supports multiple languages and currencies. The network averages 4500+ cash game players during peak hours with traffic hitting as high as 15,000 throughout all games. Microgaming poker sites offer Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo, 5 Card Stud, Draw Poker and Razz.

2nd Biggest Poker Network Online

Endorsed by Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson & Patrik Antonius

Full Tilt Poker Does Not Accept US Players

Online Poker Networks Online

Full Tilt Poker surpassed all expectations, as it is one of the youngest poker networks online. Launching in 2006, Full Tilt took the idea of a poker room built by poker players to the next level. They have single handedly created the second largest poker network online by offering players the opportunity to 'Learn, Chat and Play with the Pros'. The network offers the highest staked games available online in addition to a super slick software program, advanced features and wide selection of game variations. For more information about the Full Tilt Poker network or to receive a signup bonus please see our network review page.