Overview
PaddyPower poker is an ever-growing site on the iPoker network, born from successful sports betting company PaddyPower. In short, these guys know what they’re doing when it comes to gambling.
Conclusion: Even if you don’t fancy a spot of poker (which is an alien feeling to the guys at BluffEurope.com) then you can still have a flutter on the footie. It’s win-win!
Software
Paddy Power Poker is one of many sites that have joined the growing iPoker network developed by leading casino-software developer PlayTech. Despite being one of the newest networks, iPoker is continually swallowing up sites like plankton and is fast becoming one of the largest, with traffic on a par with that of Ongame Network. The graphics are solid and players are able to choose from a number of quality in-game features such as ‘dealer’ and ‘player’ sound options, multi-table tiling and detailed recent hand histories.
Conclusion: On the whole the iPoker network software is pretty good, although it could at times be a little faster and multi-tabling can be a chore on slower PCs. Nevertheless graphics are decent and software is both reliable and user friendly.
Traffic
During peak hours, statistics from June 2009 show there are around 10,000 ring-game players and 55,000 tournament players – around average for the industry. There seems to be greater traffic at the mid to lower stakes tables, with a wealth of games available, however, even at the higher limits there is still more than enough going on to keep the sharks circling.
Conclusion: It’s not the busiest site out there, especially in off-peak hours but you will never be deprived of a game.
Donks or Not?
As always, donks a-plenty. In this case they’re mostly punters from the sportsbetting or casino section of the site who fancied giving poker a try. A big win on the horses will often get slapped down at the tables and donated to the sharks. As Mike McDermott said in Rounders: “these people have no idea what they’re about to walk into.”
Conclusion: Paddy Power Poker offers some great promotions in particular their C*A*S*H Paddy’s Power Points programme. Anyone who plays regularly and is looking to be rewarded for their hard work and dedication at the tables should definitely consider joining the programme.