Poker Networks

Some online poker rooms share the same players and tables across what is called a poker network. This means that players sitting around the same table could be from different brands or "skins".

For example VC Poker and Titan Poker are skins on the iPoker Network.

VC Poker & Titan Poker are both "skins" on the iPoker Network from PlayTech

As can be seen from the above example each poker room on a network uses the same basic software. Because all of the players on a network are effectively pooled it increases the number of games it can offer and also the type of games offered.

The larger the player pool the greater "fluidity" there is said to be in the network. Fluidity is also increased when a greater number of fresh players or fish sign up to a network.

This is one of the advantages of a poker network in that they can offer very good sign up bonuses and also very large cash tournaments or entry into big land based tournaments such as the WSOP or EPT.

"Skins" on a network may use the same software but they are separate companies with their own identities and ideas about how to run a poker room. This can include having their own in-house customer support, or payment processing, even offering different sign up bonuses and player incentives.

Network Market Share

PokerStars Over 25%

PokerStars is an independent poker room. PokerStars is the largest poker room on the internet with more players than any other poker room or poker network. PokerStars also run the best tournaments; PokerStars Sunday Million is still the biggest weekly tournament in online poker.

Poker Rooms in Network:

PokerStars

Full Tilt Poker 15%

Full Tilt Poker is an independent poker room. Full Tilt Poker offers a wide range of games and sponsors some of the world's top players.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Full Tilt Poker

Party Gaming 10%

Party Poker was the first poker room to offer a million dollar tournament and created a lot of excitement and fluidity from this. Party Poker had the largest market share before it was forced to pull out of the USA due to the UIGEA.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Party Poker, Empire Poker

iPoker Network 10%

Titan Poker is the prominent skin on the iPoker network. The software is written by PlayTech and it looks and plays really well. The iPoker network is well known for its awesome online poker tournaments.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Titan Poker, VC Poker, CD Poker, Noble Poker, Bet Fred Poker, Blue Square Poker, Paddy Power Poker, Bet365 Poker, Tony G Poker

Ongame Network 9%

The Ongame Network was recently bought by Bwin. PokerRoom is the prominent poker room on this network; in fact PokerRoom was the first poker room on the network. The software uses avatars really well and has first class graphics, speed and design.

Poker Rooms in Network:

PokerRoom, Hollywood Poker, RedKings Poker, Mansion Poker, Bwin Poker

Everest 6%

Everest has really taken the poker market by storm. It is a very simple site in that it only offers Texas Holdem and Omaha. However, the software and game play are exceptional. Where Everest has really captivated the market is in its use of language. There are currently 15 languages on the site.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Everest Poker

International Poker Network (IPN) 3%

The IPN software is written by BOSS Media and offers a very sound poker product. There are no avatars but this leaves the game play clean and fast. There are multi currency options. Paradise Poker has recently moved to this network.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Poker Heaven, Virgin Poker, Paradise Poker

Absolute Poker 2.5%

Owned by the same company that own Ultimate Bet. Absolute Poker is well known for there Bad Beat Jackpots.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Absolute Poker

Ultimate Bet 2.5%

Ultimate Bet sponsors Phil Hellmuth. Ultimate Bet is well known for their High Limit games.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Ultimate Bet

Bodog 2.2%

Bodog, now called BodogLife.com, are one of the best overall gaming websites.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Bodog Poker

Microgaming 2%

Microgaming may seem one of the smaller networks but this is just because they don't accept US players. The software is awesome offering a very wide choice of games and tournaments and you are always guaranteed a game.

Poker Rooms in Network:

32Red Poker, Doyles Room Poker, Unibet Poker, GNUF Poker, InterTops Poker

Special Note: Ladbrokes Poker is a Microgaming poker room but they have there own players. They are not part of the network.

Cake Poker Network 2%

CakePoker are relatively new on the online poker scene having launched in 2006. They have built up a large player base very quickly.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Cake Poker, Player Only Poker, SportsBook Poker

PacificPoker Network < 2%

Pacific Poker is one of the original online poker rooms and has been around for many years. Pacific Poker has recently gone through a major software overhaul and the result is a very slick online poker room.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Pacific Poker, Luck Ace Poker

CryptoLogic Network < 2%

The Crypto Logic network has some of the UK's largest bookmaker's poker rooms on it. Crypto Logic has a strong UK presence, bring to that Inter Poker's large UK TV advertising campaign.

Poker Rooms in Network:

InterPoker, Littlewoods Poker, William Hill Poker, PlayBoy Poker

Betfair Poker < 2%

The Betfair software is based on the old Poker Champs software and takes some getting used to. However, they run some of the best tournaments to land based events and are the major sponsors of the WSOPE.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Betfair Poker

PKR Poker < 2%

PKR are the 3D online poker room. Created by the award winning President and Founder of PKR, Jez San, OBE..

Poker Rooms in Network:

PKR Poker

Merge Gaming Network < 1%

Carbon Poker is an up and coming poker room that are looking really good to clime the Market Share ladder.

Poker Rooms in Network:

Carbon Poker