Black Belt Poker - Bonus and Promotions
Instead of a regular sign-up bonus, Black Belt offers new players a 30-day “Belt Boost”, which means you will receive double the number of Belt Points for every raked hand played, or triple the number if your initial deposit is over $100. It’s pretty easy for new players to make orange belt and, once you do, you’ll gain access to lots of monthly freerolls. From there, its progressive access to free computer software and training from the pros and, who knows, maybe even sponsorship.
Conclusion: Unique bonus scheme makes you a more profitable player
Overview
Black Belt Poker is a very different kind of poker site, launched by top UK player, Bluff Europe’s very own Neil Channing. It’s much more than a poker room; it’s an online community and social hub, with blogs, articles news and advice from the site’s roster of top pros, where players can discuss hands and strategies and learn about the game. Its rewards scheme is completely unique too. Instead of rakeback deals Black Belt allows you to earn points to progress through a series of “belts”, each of which comes with its own privileges that are designed help you develop as a player. These range from increasing access to freerolls and training sites, through to becoming a staked player, right up to the highest echelon – black belt – which sees you playing at the highest level with $10,000 per month for tournament buy-ins.
Black Belt is a skin on the iPoker Network, the biggest open poker network in the world and that means there’s always plenty of action. And, while you may be a determined player, building your way up the Black Belt grading system, the preponderance of sites on the network that are linked to sportsbooks and casinos means that there are plenty of soft players – casual gamblers who may have had some luck on the gee gees trying their hand at poker with their winnings.
As well as the staple hold’em offering the network offers cash games in PLO, Blaze Poker, Razz, 7-Card Stud, 5 Card Stud, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo. There are some great tournaments on with big guaranteed prize pools on iPoker, including festivals such as iPops which, in 2013, guaranteed $1.3m in prize money.
Conclusion: If you’re serious about improving your game, no matter what level you’re at now, Black Belt is the place for you.
Software
Playtech software has been constantly refining its platform since the early days of the online poker industry and that means that it’s battle-tested and glitch-free. Form, function and playability are favoured over flashy graphics, but the platform supports all the features you would expect from a top quality poker site, such as multi-tabling, buddy lists, players notes and real time game history. It’s also a Playtech priority that players are able to quickly and efficiently find the games they want and navigation is excellent.
Conclusion: Battle-tested and glitch-free software from Playtech focuses on playabilty and ease of use
Traffic
There are usually between 5,000 to 20,000 players on the iPoker Network, with up to 5,000 cash game players at peak times.
Conclusion: Biggest open network in the world