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Network Review: Merge Online Poker Network

This is the first in a series of articles that discuss in detail what each poker network or independent site has to offer, including the different games, promos, services that each offer so you can find one that fits YOU best. There are plenty of reasons to playing additional sites (not just the Big Two) and we will show you where their values lie. This includes keeping money at a few sites to give you flexibility.

You always see people post asking which sites are the best, or which they should play. The short answer is…”It depends.”

The first network we will cover is the Merge Gaming Network. They started as the independent site Poker.com in 2006, and have consistently pushed growth while becoming a large poker network and always remaining US-friendly. Merge has seen by far the largest growth in size of anywhere in 2010. Estimates are that its traffic has doubled or tripled since Jazette Enterprises moved its skins which include well known brands Sportsbook.com and PlayersOnly, from the CakePoker Network to Merge Gaming Network in April. The best part may be that now traffic no longer dies down too much to play cash games in the late night hours, and much better traffic for SNGs and Tournaments.

Quick links:
What rooms are on this network?
Cash Game info
Tournament / SNG Info
Other Games
Promotions and Bonuses
Rakeback
Banking
Software

Cash Games

No Limit Holdem has cash games running from 2c/4c up to $5/$10, and sometimes $25/$50, $50/$100. From 2c/4c all the way up to $2/$4 you should find all the tables and traffic you need. Higher then that and you will be playing short handed and getting tables going. Limit Holdem seems have keep a few tables at stakes from 2c/4c up to $3/$6. PLO (Pot Limit Omaha) keep a few tables running per stakes from 2c/4c up to $2/$4, with higher games occurring not as frequently. Omaha Hi/Lo runs a few tables from the 2c/4c to $1/$3 level. They also offer 7-Card Stud, Stud Hi/Lo, Razz, 5-Card Stud, Triple Draw, 5-Card Draw, Badugi or Mixed Games, although you are almost certainly starting the table on those games.

Players interested to learn and try some of the non-Holdem games can get great experience trying their hand at some of the 2c/4c or 5c/10c tables. This writer discovered a strong love and feel for the games of Razz and Triple Draw from trying mixed games, so never know until you sit down.

Tournaments & Sit N Go’s

Since the Jazette brands (Sportsbook.com, PlayersOnly, etc) joined Merge their tournament and Sit N Go traffic has also seen a huge increase. There are now a good selection of regular and Guaranteed multi-table tournaments for Holdem and Omaha. There is also good Sit N Go traffic at many levels for Holdem and Omaha.

Other

For the very adventurous they also offer Blackjack, Roulette, Backgammon, Euchre, and video poker.

Promotions and Bonuses

Sites on the Merge Network offer reload bonuses as often as any networks out there. Almost every other month, sometimes more often. They have great Monthly promos for regular play, that many times include cash prizes for low volume of play. These are always in addition to their well known VIP programs and Point Stores. Many months out of the year there are also Rake Races and/or Rake Chases from both the network and individual affiliates. Many times you can earn money in both.

Rakeback

The standard for rakeback on the Merge Network is 35%; bonuses are NOT deducted from your MGR. Rake is calculated with the contributed method, meaning rakeback is based on how much rake you actually paid. Rakeback players do earn VIP points at a reduced rate (35% slower), and you are eligible for points for cash exchanges but not the milestone point bonuses.

Get rakeback at Carbon Poker
Get rakeback at RPM Poker

Banking

This maybe one of their stronger areas. Most of the well known skins (Carbon, RPM, PDC, PokerNordica) all have the funds and payment processing controlled by the Merge Network, not the individual sites. There are some that use their own processing, mostly ones that also have sportsbooks.

They offer a selection of almost every US and European eWallet for use as well as credit cards and checks. For some time these have offered the most deposit and withdrawal methods of any poker network.

Software

Merge uses some of the most advanced software out there, and has been cutting edge in this department since their inception. Aside from the wonderful game selection discussed above, there are tons of customizable account and table options. All tables are resizable and there is also a great Mini-mode. The Mini-Mode is especially useful for laptops with smaller screens and older computers that experience slowness.

This is a network on the rise with exponential growth in players, round the clock traffic and player promotions. Nowadays few networks are taking as good of care of their existing customers as sites on the Merge Network. Part Time Poker offers high value deals at both CarbonPoker.com and RPMpoker.com which offer tremendous value for both new players and long-term players alike.

Related Links

Get rakeback at Carbon Poker
Get rakeback at RPM Poker
RPM Poker Staking Forums on PTP Staking

What rooms are on the Merge Network?

There are literally dozens.

The following skins all use the Network for payment processing:

365Bonitas.com
Aced.com
AllPro.com
BetED.com
BlackChipPoker.com
BluffRoom.com
Bulldog777.com
CarbonPoker.com
GoldenArchPoker.com
GR88.com
IronDuke.com
KingsClubPoker.com
LockPoker.com
OptimusPoker.com
PDCPoker.com
PokerBilly.com
PokerCity.com
PokerFan.com
PokerFantasy.com
PokerMVP.com
PokerNordica.com
Pokeropolis.com
ReeferPoker.com
RPMPoker.com
spin32poker.com
UltGameRoom.com
VIP.com
WalkerPoker.com

BigBetPoker.com and PokerHost.com each run their own private Cashiers.

The following are the Jazette/Domain Holdings skins (that moved from Cake), all use Jazette/Sportsbook.com’s private Cashier:
52Bet.com
AllStar.com
Belmont.com
BetUSA.com
BroburySports.com
Ebets.com
EverybodyPlaysPoker.com
EzSportsbook.com
GlobalSportsNetwork.com
HollywoodSportsbook.com
Linesmaker.com
Logans.com
MySportsbook.com
NYCSportsbook.com
PlayAces.com
PlayersOnly.com
Sport.com
Sports.com
Sportsbook.com
SportsFanatik.com
Superbook.com
SuperSportsbook.com

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