Do you know Everything about Poker Networks?
Most online poker rooms you play at do not exist as stand alone websites. They are part of a larger network, along with any number of other online poker rooms. So, the answer to your question is, “Yes, you are playing with/against players who are members of other online poker rooms; they are not all necessarily playing at the same site as you.” There are, though, many advantages to both the poker site and the player of a partnership between an online poker site and an online poker or gaming site network.
First of all, belonging to an online poker network relieves the owners of individual poker sites from having to spend time and money developing new and cutting-edge software. They can simply join a network and use the network’s already tested, well-developed, and Internet-ready poker software application. By using the network’s software, the players also benefit from state-of-the-art software and secure online poker play, optimizing their online poker experience.
When a site puts their network’s software into use, they give it their own look, to make it more personalized to their site’s “web personality.” The new customized software, made from the network’s template, is called a “network skin.” In other words, it is the same internal structure wearing a different skin, or look. This is why, when you download a new online poker software application, it may seem familiar or look identical to another site’s software you’ve played at.
Another advantage of this, for players, is that they can create separate accounts for all of the websites within a network, allowing them to take advantage of all the bonuses available on the different sites and while having the luxury of using a software application that they are familiar with that offers the same features they are accustomed to.
While the online poker software application, which is what you download to play on, is the same from skin to skin, that is the only thing that is the same. The actual poker sites are not. The bonuses and promotions are unique to each individual website, unless it is a network promotion. The tournament and game schedule is redundant within the skin, as it is set-up through the software and is necessary to match players from different sites to the same tournaments and ring games.
Another good thing about playing on a site that belongs to a network, or running an online gaming site through a network, is that action and competition are always a sure thing. Because there is a larger pool of players to draw from, the online poker tables at these online poker rooms are always full. This benefit is especially important for newer sites that have to build up a player-base from scratch.
While the online poker software application, which is what you download to play on, is the same from skin to skin, that is essentially the only thing that is the same. The actual poker sites are not identical. The bonuses and promotions are unique to each individual website, unless it is a network promotion. The tournament and game schedule is redundant within the skin, as it is set-up through the software and is necessarily so in order to seat players from different sites at the same tournaments and ring games.
The tally of “total players online” that some sites indicate, usually on their homepages, however, is an accurate count of players playing from that site and that site alone. The actual networks have as many as 100,000+ (some have 400,000+) online players at any given time. Remember, though, that a lot of networks host online casino and online sports betting sites as well as online poker rooms.
When networks merge (like iPoker Network and Tain:Poker Network), sometimes they keep their original licensing and “cage” their websites under one license, like a network within a network. This allows players to have one account and choose which site they would prefer to play on within the cage.
Here’s a summary of the networks and the sites they support (not all sites are online poker rooms; some are online sports betting and online casino sites). Some sites that stand alone are not listed, as they do not technically define themselves as “networks.” They exist as independently from any other online poker rooms or networks.
Poker Networks
- Party Gaming Network
- Poker Stars
- Bodog Poker
- Full Tilt Poker
- PKR 3D Poker
- Absolute Poker Network
- World Poker Exchange
- Ongame Network
- ChanPoker.com
- Hollywood Poker
- FonBet Poker (Russian site)
- Interwetten
- Next Poker
- Poker Loco
- bet24
- Best Poker
- PokerRoom.com
- Prime Poker
- Red Kings
- Tower Gaming
- Mansion Poker
- iPoker Network
- Titan Poker
- CD Poker
- Playgate Poker
- Bet365
- VC Poker
- Diamond Club Poker
- Blue Square Poker
- Fair Poker
- Tain Poker
- Kiwi Poker
- Tony G. Poker
- Dafa Poker
- Betfred Poker
- Expekt Poker
- Poker Ocean
- Poker 770
- Paddy Power Poker (Irish-themed poker site)
- Noble Poker
- Microgaming Poker
- 32Red Poker
- 24Poker
- Code Poker
- Aztec Riches Poker
- Bet365 Poker
- Doyles Room
- Dream Poker
- Intertops Poker
- Poker Rewards/ Casino Rewards
- Purple Lounge Poker
- And many others
- International Poker Network
- Celeb Poker
- TGF Poker
- EuroSuper Poker
- RamblasPoker.ru
- PokerHour.net
- Bet Click Poker
- Poker Heaven
- VIP Poker Club
- Liberty Poker
- Total Poker
- OnlinePoker.ro
- Mermaid Poker
- Los Peleyos Poker
- Total Poker
- Landora Poker
- And Others
- UltimateBet
- Ultimate Bet
- Devilfish Poker
- Absolute Poker
- Big Chip Poker
- AP Lady.com
- Cryptologic Poker
- Interpoker.com/ Intercasino.com
- Playboy Poker/ Playboy Casino
- Littlewoods Poker
- William Hill Poker
- Sun Poker
- Poker Plex
- Ladbrokes Poker
- Ladbrokes Poker
- Poker Million
- 24h Poker
- 24h Poker
- Martins Poker
- Red Bet Poker
- i4 Poker
- And some sportsbook sites
- Cake Poker
- Cake Poker
- BetUs Poker
- Everybody Plays Poker
- King Midas Poker
- Players Only Poker
- Pokerbilly
- Straight Flush
- Red Star Poker
- City Poker
- And a bunch of sportsbook sites including Sportsbook.com, Superbook.com, and Linesmaker.com
- Merge Gaming
- CarbonPoker.com
- PokerNordica.com
- Golden Arch Poker
- Rumble Poker
- First Game Poker
- Spin32 Poker
- G2G Poker
- Jam Poker
- Poker City
- TexasHoldem.com
- IronDuke.com
- Walker Poker
- And others
- Action Poker
- Action Poker
- English Harbour Poker
- 3 Lions Poker
- Breakaway Poker
- Island Poker
- Lakeside Poker
- Superior Poker
- Tiger Gaming
- And others
Also Read: Online Poker vs Live Poker, Bodog Life Review, Can you See Hole Cards?, Ron Paul and Poker, How the UIGEA effects you, Current PokerStars Tournaments, Current FullTilt Tournaments, Who Regulates Online Poker, Bodog Rakeback, Using Prepaid Visas for Online Poker, Uk Poker Sites
NichePoker.net recommends playing poker at Players Only.