Poker Host Joins Cake Poker Network

Tuesday February 24, 2009

On Monday, the Poker Host officially moved to the Cake Gaming Network from Microgaming. The move comes one month after Doyles Room jumped ship to the Network, also from Microgaming. Players on Poker Host are now asked to download and install new software upon signing in.

One week ago, Poker News Daily became aware that Poker Host would move from the Microgaming Network to one that accepts players from the United States. Last month, Doyles Room joined the Cake Poker Network, which also includes City Poker, Gutshot, Players Only Poker, Pokerbility, and Sportsbook.com Poker. On Monday, Gold Cards and Gold Chips were featured on Poker Host's website. Upon signing in, existing players are asked to download and install new software and the online poker room's Terms of Service has been updated to reflect the move to the Cake Poker Network. No more speculation was needed; Poker Host had joined the rapidly-growing Cake Poker Network.

Poker Host officials confirmed that the transition took place on Monday morning. A Customer Service representative commented that existing Poker Host customers "need to remove the old poker software and the download the new one with same information they used to have before." On the decision to relocate to the USA-friendly poker network, site officials explained, "We're always looking for new ways to improve ourselves as a poker room and provide our services worldwide."

According to text found on the online poker site, it is already accepting U.S. players: "Poker Host today announced the worldwide launch of their online poker room on the Cake Poker Network. Poker Host is opening its doors on the new network to all players from the United States and across the globe with over $5 million in guaranteed tournaments including a $250,000 and $100,000 every month."

Cash game play results in Cake Poker Network players receiving Gold Cards. Prizes for receiving them include instant cash. Gold Chips are the Network's reward for the collection of Frequent Player Points. A total of 120 Frequent Player Points are needed for a customer's first Gold Chip and the amount decreases thereafter. The site also boasts a 100% up to $2,000 first-time deposit bonus, which is among the best bonus offers available on the Cake Poker Network.

Despite losing both Poker Host and Doyles Room, Microgaming recently picked up Ladbrokes Poker, which had supported its own network. In addition, the group of sites also grew this month to include Carlos Poker, which was previously on Playtech's iPoker Network. Microgaming currently includes Betway Poker, Cool Hand Poker, Eurolinx Poker, Gnuf Poker, Purple Lounge Poker, and Unibet Poker. According to traffic ranking site PokerScout, the Microgaming Network is the 12th largest by ring game volume with a seven day running average of 1,180 players. Its 24 hour peak is 2,120 and, at the time of writing, a total of 769 cash game players are online.

The Cake Poker Network is the ninth largest by cash game player volume with 1,720 on average. During peak hours in the United States, the Network can mushroom to host over 2,500. The additions of Poker Host and Ladbrokes Poker, which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "LAD," should help those numbers continue to grow over time.

On the move of Doyles Room to Microgaming, the poker site's namesake, 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet holder Doyle Brunson, commented in his most recent blog, "Doyles Room is really rolling. There are more games than we had before and the signups are easier." Also helping to boost traffic are the site's weekly Bounty tournaments, which are held on Wednesdays. This week features a guest appearance by the star of HBO's "Entourage," Kevin Connolly. Brunson also revealed that Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton will appear in future Bounty events.