PokerNow
¶
Summary
PokerNow has been called a poor almost comical substitute for Party Poker and this editor would have to agree. Riding the popularity of its sister site, PokerNow is a member of the largest poker network on the planet. It is the “sister” site to Party Poker, which means it has a similar look and feel, and shares the same ring game tables, however it does not share the multi-table tournaments. PokerNow has the industry standard signup bonus, but no where near the amount of perks like reload bonus, frequent player prizes, and added money tournaments, that Party Poker has. And the worst part is that due to the new tighter security resrictions on the Party Poker network, setting up an account with PokerNow makes it impossible to setup an account with Party Poker. It is this editors opinion to not waste your time with PokerNow and go right to the source PartyPoker.com. The ring games carry such a decent variety of action, and there is always more than enough tables available for any player type. PokerNow host quite a few of there own multi-table tournaments. There is action around the clock for all games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi and Lo, Seven Card Stud, etc.
Software & Graphics
PokerNow's software is decent. The graphics aren’t too involved, but the play and feel is ok. PokerNow is a much faster pace than most online sites. Many players say that after they get used to playing at PokerNow its hard to feel comfortable playing at other, slower, online poker sites. Each table is labeled with an average pot size, this number is derived from the last 20 hands played. Players can make notes on other players quick and easily using a locally stored function. Overall, PokerNow's software is good. It provides an efficient and comfortable way for players to adapt to online play.
Traffic
PokerNow's “sister site” Party Poker became the world's largest site in ring game traffic already by 2002 after one of the largest site launch campaigns to date. Games include no-limit and limit Texas Hold’em, 7-card stud and Omaha. They carry the largest variety of variations including: multi, single table, three table, step tournaments, and qualifiers that could lead to upwards of a 7.5 million dollar prize pool. PokerNow's traffic continues to increase, ring game traffic peaks at around 80,000 players (including skins), while tournament traffic could reach levels of 13,000 players.
Sign Up Bonus
PokerNow.com has two standard sign up bonuses: 20% up to $100, or %50 up to $25.
Promotions
PokerNow's promotions are considerably weak. They have the industry standard bonus. But no mention of any type of reload bonuses, or added money tournaments, or frequent player prizes. Promotions at Party Poker or Empire Poker are quite a bit better.
Financial Security
Although PokerNow is a member of the largest online poker network in the world they are still very new. At this time its, buyer beware.
