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independent online poker rooms
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the best independent poker rooms in 2010
Updated, 03/2010 - Before 2004, online poker networks dominated the industry. That all changed with when independent poker rooms (stand alone rooms) like Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker came on the scene. Independent online poker rooms don't have to deal with many of the problems networks face. In addition to the logistical problems networked skins face they also have a huge disadvantage in the software category. Let's face it, the software at an extremely successful independent poker room like Pokerstars is 100X better than what you will find at most of the networks listed on this site. The only exceptions are the Cereus and Merge networks.Independent Rooms In 2010
There have not been any promising new independent for quite a while. I have compiled a list of the best "stand alone" poker rooms in 2010. These rooms are well known, trusted and provide a much better experience than virtually every networked poker room listed on this site. I am offering special bonuses at each of the independent poker rooms listed below. At Pokerstars you will receive a 100% match bonus on your first 3 deposits. If you deposit $100 initially, $200 a few days later and $300 a week later your total bonus will be $600 (which is the maximum). This is the best bonus format available. Noone wants to make one huge initial deposit when they are just getting to know a room.
The bonus at Full Tilt Poker is also a 100% match up to $600 but this is only for your first deposit. To even things out we are including lifetime seats to our $1,000 bi-weekly freeroll tournaments to all players that sign-up using our referral code. Last but not least is PKR Poker. They offer a 100% match up to $800, the largest bonus of the three. To make this bonus even better we are including 6 tickets to our weekly $1,000 freerolls. Each of these bonuses requires you to enter in a special bonus code when you are signing up and/or depositing. You will find instructions for each bonus on the review page for each room.
Room TrafficBonusU.S.Room ReviewPokerstars 300,000100% up to $600YesFull Tilt Poker 175,000100% up to $600YesPKR Poker 16,000100% up to $800NoIndependent Rooms Vs Networked Rooms
The problem with most poker network is the fact that they will lease their software out to anyone. This leads to hundreds of rogue skins that rip people off. Most networks do not get involved in disputes between poker rooms and players. A good example is the Cardspike scandal of 2008. They were are skin on the Cake Poker Network and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from players and affiliates.The Cake Poker Network did not step in as most players expected. Both players and affiliates were on their own and got screwed in the end. Online poker networks aren't entirely evil though. Typically the network's flagship room is 100% trustworthy. I only list the top room on each network on this site.
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Poker Room Guide
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Best Network Rooms
Best Independent Rooms