Poker networks are a group of poker rooms that share the same software and their player database. This way, players from different poker rooms can play against each other, generating more action at the tables. The poker software is the same, except for the customized design in terms of layout and colors. Being part of a poker network is a very big advantage for a newly established poker room. It is very hard to create a big database of players from zero, because nobody would join a poker room where nobody plays. This is why more and more poker rooms join these networks. A big poker network will always have plenty of action at any stake, and new players will be interested to join.

Are poker networks better than independent poker rooms?

Basically, there is not a big difference between independent poker rooms and poker rooms belonging to a network. All of them can create their unique bonuses, promotions or loyalty rewards. After the expansion of the poker networks, there are very few independent poker rooms left on the market, and those are usually the big names like Party Poker, Full Tilt Poker, PKR or Everest Poker. Some of them created new brands that share the players with the main brand, like in the case of Party Gaming where Party Poker is the leading brand and Empire Poker is a smaller brand owned by the same company. Although new poker rooms are moving towards poker networks, there are still new players on the market who want to succeed on their own. This is the case of Collegiate Series of Poker, a recently established independent poker room, with their unique software and player database. In terms of number of players, the big poker networks are large enough to compete with the big poker rooms. Poker networks tend to grow very fast, since new poker rooms join their ranks. All major sportsbooks are opening poker rooms, and they join the big networks adding new players to the already large poker network.

Poker networks are a very good choice for the skeptics who fear the possibility of the rigged games. When players from different poker rooms are playing against each other it is impossible for the game engine to favor somebody. However, as stated in other articles, we completely disagree with the theory of rigged games.

As a conclusion, poker networks are not better or worse than normal poker rooms. It is up to everybody to decide what the poker room that best suits his needs is.

Which are the best poker networks?

It is hard to say that a certain network is the best poker network. However, there are a few major poker networks that have a large player base. We will list the major poker networks and the most important poker rooms that are part of them.

iPoker Network (Playtech)

The iPoker network doesn’t accept players from the US and has around 21,000 players online at peak hours. Major poker rooms from the iPoker Network: Carlos Poker, Expekt Poker, Bet365 Poker, Fair Poker, Noble Poker, Windows Poker.

Ongame Poker Network

Ongame Poker Network does not accept players from the US and has around 24,000 players online at peak hours. Major poker rooms from Ongame Poker Network: Poker Room, Euro Poker, Betsson Poker, Bwin Poker, Prime Poker.

Microgaming Poker Network

Microgaming Poker Network accepts players from the US and has around 13,000 players online at peak hours. Major poker rooms from Microgaming Poker Network: Canbet Poker, Captain Cook’s Poker, Doyle’s Room, Unibet Poker, Poker Rewards, Golden Tiger Poker, Virtual City Poker.

Cake Poker Network

Cake Poker Network accepts players from the US and has around 4,000 players online at peak hours. The most important poker room in the Cake Poker Network is Cake Poker.

Merge Gaming

Merge Gaming accepts players from the US and has around 6,000 players online at peak hours. Major poker rooms from Merge Gaming: Carbon Poker, Iron Duke Poker.

888 Poker Network

Ongame Poker Network does not accept players from the US and has around 7,000 players online at peak hours. Major poker rooms from 888 Poker Network: Pacific Poker, Lucky Ace Poker.

Boss Media

Boss Media Poker Network does not accept players from the US and has around 8,000 players online at peak hours. The most representative brand from the Boss Media Poker Network is Bet-at-home Poker.

There are other poker networks as well, but with fewer players.