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Microgaming Poker Network

The Microgaming Poker Network, sometimes called the PrimaPoker Network, is made up of 42 online poker rooms. It is not one of the largest networks, currently ranked 12th in the industry in terms of traffic. The Microgaming software that the network runs on was founded in 1994, giving it a pretty long reputation in terms of online poker software. Some of the rooms on the Microgaming network are big hitters in online poker, like Ladbrokes Poker, Unibet, and Betway. Since the Microgaming network includes lots of online casinos and sports books, there’s a regular flow of less-than-stellar poker players–casino and sports book fans willing to test their skills at online poker.

Microgaming Poker Websites: Traffic and Competition

The Microgaming network has lost some of their big names in the past five years or so, which is why even though it is one of the oldest networks it isn’t really burning up the charts in terms of traffic and other positive features.

Like any poker network that’s full of easy picking, Microgaming network has its share of poker sharks, so don’t think you’re going to waltz in and wipe out the competition. Traffic is decent at pretty much every levels and game variety, though of course holdem is the most popular game. The Microgaming software is known for being fast and easy to use, with just enough features to keep poker players happy but nothing too flashy.

The competition at Microgaming is that maddening combo of logical and illogical poker players that you find at most large poker networks. Be careful when playing at medium and high stakes games, as that’s where the best poker players congregate. Since Microgaming is also known for offering some of the best promotions of any network, it attracts plenty of regular poker players, some good, some awful. If you’re looking for loose play, stick with shorthanded tables and low stakes cash games. The Microgaming network isn’t one of those networks with tons of poor players.

During peak hours, the cash games can see between 2 and 3,000 players, with traffic at peak hour tournaments hitting as much as 8,000. These numbers aren’t astounding, and of course most of the traffic is concentrated in Texas holdem. You’ll have your pick of sit n gos, though the pricier buy-ins require some patience before the tournament builds–this is especially true for $20+2 sit n gos and higher. The biggest prize is offered during Microgaming’s weekly $100,000 guarantee, with qualifiers as low as $5.50.

Microgaming Poker Software

The software is Microgaming’s own, so there are fewer issues with lag and glitches than on networks that run someone else’s software. The games run fast and the poker rooms are easy to navigate. Features like hand history, table resizing, poker stats, and notes run as they should. If you aren’t a fan of flashy graphics or 3D animations, you’ll be happy at the no-nonsense Microgaming poker rooms. People who like to multi-table will be happy at Microgaming, as the software is not so chunky that opening multiple tables creates slow down.

Traffic at Microgaming Poker Skins

Currently averaging 1,000 to 2,000 players at any given time, the Microgaming Poker Network took a heavy hit in late 2008 after deciding to block access to US players – a result of the Kentucky Commonwealth vs. 141 online gambling domain names that included Microgaming.com. However, when you remove US-facing poker networks from the menu, Microgaming still comes in as 5th largest overall in terms of player traffic.

Microgaming Promotions

A nice feature of the Microgaming network is the fact that the member poker rooms are given control of their own promotions and bonuses, so you can take your pick from almost four dozen different promotional offers. There’s one promotion common to all Microgaming poker rooms–the Bad Beat Jackpot is good for all 42 rooms, so it grows must faster than it would if each room had their own.

Microgaming Poker Games

The Microgaming Poker Network has an better than average selection of poker varieties to play, though there’s nothing particularly exotic. Choose from Texas holdem, Omaha, Omaha hi/lo, 7 card stud, 5 card stud, 5 card draw, and razz.

Microgaming offers a good mix of guaranteed tournaments every day as well as a good slate of qualifiers and satellite tourneys at the large weekend network games. There’s a $30,000 guaranteed freezeout on Saturdays and a $100,000 guaranteed freezeout on Sundays. You can also play in satellite network tourneys that offer prize packages that include seats at major real world poker events like the WSOP and EPT.

Microgaming Customer Service

The trend in poker networks has been a move away from easy-to-access customer service, with many of the top ten busiest poker networks offering only email or fax based support. The Microgaming network has email, phone, and live chat support, though live chat is not available 24 hours a day at every member poker rooms.

As far as deposit and withdrawal methods, Microgaming has a decent set of options. You can deposit money to your Micrograming accounts using VISA, MasterCard, Western Union, Delta, Switch, Solo, wire transfer, bank draft, money order, and cashier’s or personal checks. When it comes time to withdraw your winnings, you can choose from VISA, MasterCard, Delta, Switch, Solo, check, or international money wire.