Empire Poker Online
EmpirePoker belongs to a network of poker tournament sites, along with Party Poker, which together hold the worldwide lead in ring game and tournament traffic. These sites share the same software and player basis, except at multi-table tournaments in which EmpirePoker itself reaches a tournament traffic of 9,000 to 11,000 real money players at peak hours. EmpirePoker has very good promotions, including a 40% deposit bonus match up to $100, a $50 referral bonus per friend, free rolls and money added tournaments. Open to its most valued members, the EmpirePoker VIP Club gives 100% more EPoints, which are redeemable for buying gifts at the EmpirePoker Gift Shop or as special tournament buy-ins, real cash, and other prizes. |More>>|
Top Features
Second-time bonus for existing Party Poker players - need to create new user ID
Membership referral scheme of up to $50 per referral
World's highest game traffic, shared with Party Poker network of sites
Bonuses
Sign-up bonus: $100
Deposit bonus: 40%
Referral bonus per friend: $50
Loyalty bonus: Free rolls and promotions for frequent players based on raked hands
Deposit Options
VISA, MasterCard, NETeller, FirePay, ePassporte, Citadel, eChecks, bank draft, cashier's check, money order, inter-account transfers
Cash-out Options
EChecks, NETeller, wire transfer, check
Pros
Good 7-Card Stud Hi action
Competition is soft; games are easy to beat
Excellent promotions
Live support 24/7 plus toll-free support number for US customers
Note taking support
Cons
Average software design
Limited statistical functions
No lobby information on view flop percentage and others
More Details
EmpirePoker History
EmpirePoker is a doorway to the Party Poker network of sites, which has boasted the world's highest ring game and tournament traffic since late 2002, sharing the lead in tournament traffic with PokerStars. These sites use the same poker software and player basis (users can have separate accounts) but feature their own graphics and are also managed and owned separately. EmpirePoker is most noted for its very good promotions, including a 40% deposit bonus match up to $100, a $50 referral bonus per friend, free rolls and money added tournaments. The standing membership referral scheme pays $50 per referral to the referrer and $25 to the new member.
Poker Tournaments and Traffic
Empire Poker is part of the Party Poker network of sites, which has the world's highest ring game traffic at 8,000 to 10,000 during peak hours and the world's highest tournament traffic at 11, 000 to 13,000 during peaks hours, both for real money players. These sites share one player basis except at multi-table tournaments in which EmpirePoker itself reaches a tournament traffic of 9,000 to 11,000 real money players at peak hours.
Poker Games
Empire Poker offers pot limit and no limit Hold'em games, pot limit Omaha hi and hi-lo games, and 7-Card Stud hi and hi-lo games, including $200,000 in guaranteed monthly tournaments as well as Play for Fun tournaments. The Hold'em tables are usually packed, and the 7-Card Stud tables offer great action around the clock.
Poker Software and Graphics
The graphics at EmpirePoker are enjoyably modern, although lagging and disconnections continue to plague software connectivity - given the high simultaneous play rate, in which a user can play three tables at once. This should not be discouraging as the site has undertaken a series of enhancements since 2002, and the software continues to become fast and reliable The player interface is not among the most appealing. Flop percentages and the hands-per-hour function can not be viewed as well. As an upside, the promos and bonuses should keep players attracted.
