Review of Empire Poker
by Matthew Hart

Empire Poker is a former Party Poker skin with the same graphics and software as Party Poker's, only in a different color. While the software is not the most eye pleasing to look at it is glitch free and well tested. They offer cash games ranging from $.50-$1 to $100-$200 fixed limit and from $25 to $2000 buy in no limit games. In addition to hold 'em they offer seven card stud, seven card stud eight or better, as well as omaha high and high low eight or better.

To reward their regular customers, Empire Poker offers players their VIP club, which is one of the better rewards programs. They offer a number of redemption options ranging from shirts, hats, books and even an Ipod. Another option, and one not offered by almost any other site, is that you can redeem your points for cash in your poker account, an option any high volume player should appreciate. Empire Poker also offers twenty four hour a day support, as well as fast payment processing. In the world of online poker their support is better than most, and concerns seem to be addressed in a timely fashion.

Empire Poker offers a number of multi table tournaments as well as single table tournaments that run around the clock. The multi table tournaments have buy ins ranging from $1 to $500 dollars as well as a daily $500 freeroll. Participation is more limited than on some of the larger sites, which some players may prefer to the 2000 player marathons that are common on Party Poker and Poker Stars. They offer single table sit n' go tournaments that range in buy in size from $5 to $200 dollars. While the higher buy in single table tournaments have trouble filling up at non-peak hours, the lower limit ones seem to stay busy the majority of the time.

Since the split with Party Poker , Empire Poker's player base has taken a significant hit. That said, there still seem to be an adequate number of players at most limits. The main problem is that much of their player base is made up of tight, aggressive multitablers which cause the games to be slightly harder to beat than similar limits at different sites. The main challenge they face is in attracting new players and only time will tell if they are up to the challenge. Empire Online, the company that owns Empire Poker is planning to begin offering backgammon in addition to the poker and casino games it presently offers. While their player base is somewhat depleted there is still plenty of action on the site, especially at the lower limits. It is still to soon to tell if Empire Poker will be able to compete on the same level as the larger sites, but they do offer a nice site with well tested software, twenty four hour a day support, and excellent VIP player's club redemtion options.