Top 10 online poker networks (Part I)

Since online poker sites and online poker players currently conspire to remind that millions of dollars are waiting to be won at internet poker rooms, JackpotFinder has decided to count down the top 10 online poker networks.

With so many great (and not so great) poker rooms available, it can be hard to know where to play.  While some people want to play for fun and others want to play for money, nobody wishes to be eaten by a card shark.

JackpotFinder is here to help by informing readers which are the best internet poker rooms. While this is certainly subjective (depending what players enjoy and what motivates them to play), we use network size as a general (but not absolute) guide. Larger networks offer more action and certainly more variation in terms of games, skill levels, and table stakes.  Also, the ability to attract and maintain an immense player pool states something about either the quality of the games or the generosity of the hosts, often both.

Let’s start the showdown:

#10. Merge Gaming Network

Coming in strong with a high ace card is the Merge Gaming Network, owned by Merge Gaming and licensed out of Kahnawake, Canada.  Typically, the Merge Network has between 700 and 1,000 real money ring game players online at any given time. Players get excited about their rakebacks, reloads, and other great promotions. Apple users will be excited to learn that their beta software adds support for the Mac.

Not only does Merge Gaming Network offer well known poker games such as Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud, 5 Card Draw, but also some obscure ones such as Badugi, Horse/Heros, Razz, and Triple Draw Lowball A-5.  Their most active table, by far, is No Limit Texas Hold’em, often drawing about 85% of poker players at any time. The Merge Network is available to US players at Carbon Poker.

#9. Everest Poker Network

Holding a pair of kings is Everest Poker Network, owned by Everest Gaming and served out of Malta. Usually, the Everest Network sees between 900 and 1,764 real cash poker players, most of whom are Dutch, French, German, or Italian, of various skill levels. 

Everest Poker Network only offers Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Texas Hold’em is again the most popular, accounting for about 70% of the current players. While there isn’t much by way of variety, professional players seem especially keen on their fast payment processors.  Note, professionals also feel Everest is a good place to look for “fish”, so readers should decide whether they consider themselves sharks or minors before deciding to play at Everest Poker.

#8. Prima Poker Network

Revealing two pair is Microgaming Prima Poker Network, owned by Microgaming software, well known for their online casino software which won the 2010 JackpotFinder Award for Best Casino Software. Their online poker software is also of top quality, well liked and supports multi-tabling, so characteristically from 1,600 to 3,000 poker players are clashing over real money.  The Prima Poker Network isn’t just for gamblers though: including those who just play for fun, 15,000 are presently playing over the poker network.

Prima Poker Network offers both the usual poker games such as Omaha Hi/Lo, and 7 Card Stud, as well as a few of the more obscure, such as 5 Card Draw and Razz. Not surprisingly, No Limit Texas Hold’em accounts for about 66% of the traffic. Bonuses, rakebacks, and other promotions will vary depending which online poker rooms players play from. We recommend 32Red Poker and JackpotFinder vouches for their openhanded promotions.

#7. International Poker Network

Staying in the game with three of a kind is International Poker Network, owned by Boss Media AB and served out of Malta. Normally about 8,000 are online playing poker over the Internation Network, though only about 1,700 to 3,200 wager for real money.  Professional and skilled players should note that some obscure rules seem to reject poker players who win too often.  Less skillful or lucky players who wish to enjoy the game instead of find their retirement funds eaten by sharks may, however, consider this a plus.

Games on the International Poker Network include Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud, and several variations on 5 Card Stud.  No Limit Texas Holdem accounts for 90% of Internationals player pool. International Network is accessible at Poker Heaven, which (as mentioned earlier) is ready to share a quarter million Euros in merriment over their 2.5 billionth hand.

#6. Entraction Network

Taking the pot with a straight today is Entraction Network, owned by Entraction Holding AB and served out of Malta.  On average, about 1,700 to 3,000 people bet with real money on this network, while about 9,000 overall are enjoying the game, which tends to vary according to the European time clock. Players feel they have a good choice between enjoying games against regular players or chewing up mouthfuls of fish.  Moreover, players take generous bonuses and receive up to 60% rakeback. A pleasant Java client allows players to wager from directly from browers.

Entraction Network offers more variety than most internet poker networks. Player can not only choose from on many variations on classic games, such as 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, but play some fairly unusual games such as Americana, Soko, Telesina, and Triple Draw Lowball 2-7. Regardless of the choice, about 66% still come for the No Limit Texas Hold’em. The Entraction Network is available on Betsson Poker.

Come back tomorrow for the next hand, when we’ll conclude the top 10 online poker networks. In the meantime, please tell use where you like to play and why.

EDIT: The top 10 poker networks list has now been completed.