Online Poker Rooms & Sites

Ultimate Bet was one of the first big sites to enter the online poker market, backed by WSOP record holder Phil Hellmuth. In 2007, a merger plan with Absolute Poker was signed, and in late 2008 the two rooms are expected to complete the shift to the new Cereus poker network, greatly increasing the player base and traffic volume. The action at Ultimate Bet is well-distributed along its great array of games and some of the best players in the world battle it out at their high-stakes tables. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $1,500 bonus at 150% match.

Ultimate Bet has always been somewhat of a pioneer when it comes to poker software, and even though players at times have complained the software is not as graphically appealing as some, it has always been on the forefront of security and stability. The software allows for many different table views and sizes, fast card dealing and many great features that make multi-table play easy and smooth. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 2,100 ring-game players and 14,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

Founded in 2004, Mansion Poker was one of few really serious stand-alone poker operators launched in recent years, and it did well to attract a lot of players with massive promotions and highly customizable software. Looking to expand their game variety and player volume, however, Mansion has switched over to the iPoker network, dramatically increasing their traffic volume and overall offerings. The unique high-value guaranteed tournaments they are known for, including weekly $150,000 and $110,000 events, continue though, providing excellent per-player value. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $600 bonus at 200% deposit match.

The iPoker network software is known for first-class graphics, speed and design and offers a great poker experience for low-stakes Hold’em players who want loose and juicy action. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 10,000 ring-game players and 55,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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PlayersOnly Poker is one of the newest additions to the poker world, opening for play in late 2006. The site is backed by Sportsbook.com and resides on the Cake Poker Network, meaning they only accept U.S. players and, more importantly, U.S. credit card deposits. PlayersOnly Poker offers good game variety, good graphics and playability and is growing quickly, although most of the action is still found at the lower limits. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $1,000 bonus at 125% deposit match.

The PlayersOnly Poker software offers great playability with clean and appealing graphics, although tables can be a little cluttered with information. The software runs quickly and reliably and updates take a minimal amount of time. Even though the higher-stakes games and tournaments still leave something to be desired, the games are super loose and quite a lucrative opportunity for a poker player with skill and experience. Aside from the nice sign-up bonus, players also get a good loyalty program, WSOP giveaways and some quality freerolls. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 1,700 ring-game players and 6,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

Online since 2004, ChiliPoker is a growing room in the iPoker network, offering access to all of the network's high-value promotions, satellites and freerolls - including the $4.15 million European Championship of Online Poker. Games are relatively loose, and network traffic is in the top five of the industry. The rake at ChiliPoker is also slightly better than average. The ChiliPoker pro team is headed by Liz Lieu. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $600 sign-up bonus at 200% match.

ChiliPoker and iPoker have quickly built a strong network with strategic backing from the world's second largest casino-software provider, Playtech. The games at ChiliPoker run smoothly, thanks to good software, although the game pace can be a little slow. Most of the traffic volume is still in the No-Limit Texas Hold'em games, where the viewed-flop percentage is normally in the 30s or 40s, making for profitable play for skilled players. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 10,000 ring-game players and 55,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

Paddy Power Poker is another of the poker sites in the iPoker network initiative by PlayTech, and is the one with the most gaming and entertainment options. Games are subsequently quite loose, with lots of players coming from the massive amount of non-poker entertainment available. Paddy Power Poker offers their players a multitude of options, with bingo, casino games, skill games, sports betting, auctions and mobile gaming all part of the PaddyPower portal. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $600 bonus at 150% deposit match.

Paddy Power Poker is a very popular poker room and gaming portal, primarily in the U.K. and Europe, and have been very successful in building a very popular network full of active and loose players. The games at Paddy Power Poker are generally loose and run smoothly, thanks to good software, and even though the game pace is a little slow the action is good at most levels. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 10,000 ring-game players and 55,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

Ladbrokes Poker is one of Europe's most popular poker rooms, offering great promotions and play. It offers a nice game variety, good graphics and playability. Ladbrokes Poker offers action at all games and limits, although the Texas Hold'em games are the most popular. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $1,000 bonus at 100% deposit match.

The Ladbrokes Poker software offers great functionality and playability and the graphics are relatively clean and appealing. The software also runs quickly and reliably. Aside from the nice promotions, there are a number of freerolls and guaranteed tournaments running daily and weekly. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 1,400 ring-game players and 5,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

Noble Poker is one of the new poker rooms on the iPoker network, with loose games filled with lots of casino players and new recruits. Noble Poker offers its players a very nice package of promotions, such as guaranteed tournaments, sign-up bonuses and a strong refer-a-friend bonus. The rake at Noble Poker is actually better than the online average, with very player-friendly caps at lower stakes. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $600 bonus at 100% deposit match.

Noble Poker and the iPoker network have, despite the introduction of new U.S. gaming regulations, still been very successful in building a very popular network full of active and loose players. The games at Noble Poker run smoothly, thanks to good software, although the game pace is a little slow due to the generous time allowance per hand given to players. Most of the volume is in the No-Limit Texas Hold'em games, where the viewed-flop percentage is normally in the 40s or 50s, making for profitable games for skilled players.

Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 10,000 ring-game players and 55,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

CelebPoker is one of the most popular poker rooms on the International Poker Network (formerly the Boss Poker Network) and runs on the Boss Media platform. CelebPoker boasts quite decent traffic and decent game variety, and also offers play with celebrities in weekly events and a poker school featuring Lou Diamond Phillips. Join now and take advantage of our exclusive $1,500 sign-up bonus at 200% deposit match.

The CelebPoker software is unique and the best in the Boss network, and the functionality is quite good. It is easy on the eyes and very user-friendly, but still not quite top class, as it's a little slow and does lack some of the more advanced functions most poker rooms offer. Overall, CelebPoker offers decent software with a good look and feel though. CelebPoker runs some nice promotions, and do offer multi-currency play. Real money player statistics as of November 2008 show 3,300 ring-game players, and 13,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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(Note: this poker room does not allow U.S. players).

RedKings Poker is part of the Ongame network - one of the largest poker networks in the world. The player base is widespread but mainly European, and offers slightly tougher competition than most poker sites. The software is very good and comes in both a download and a no-download version, making RedKings Poker available for players using either a PC or a Mac. Sign up through a PokerListings link and get an exclusive $5,000 bonus at 1,000% deposit match.

The download version is for PC only and offers good looking 3D graphics, nice looking avatars and many good functions. The software is stable (both the download and no-download version), clean, fast and in line with the better software on the market when it comes to functionality. RedKings Poker and the Ongame network are both growing quickly, offering plenty of guaranteed tournaments and satellites to live poker events, as well as highly active cash-games at any level. Real-money player statistics as of November 2008 show 9,000 ring-game players and 45,000 tournament players at peak hours.

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