Microgaming Poker
Microgaming will debut Hold’Em Poker during an exclusive release phase with select customers on 1 December, with the game’s global launch scheduled for 9 December. “Hold’Em Poker will add a new dimension to our online casino vertical, introducing a range of fun and exciting poker games to our platform. Microgaming is a well known casino software company that also owns a large online poker network. The Microgaming Network places in the top ten online poker rooms in terms of cash game traffic. While the network is home to many well known brands, it has also been home to many rogue sites over the years.
- Microgaming and poker. On May 19, 2020, the Microgaming Poker Network was closed, but its parent company, a major company that develops games for casinos, did not completely abandon poker. Recently, a press release was published with the following information.
- Microgaming Pai Gow Poker is an ideal game for players looking to kill some time in an online casino. The game offers a low casino edge of just 1.20% as well as a very low variance. The low variance comes from the fact that many hands end up in a draw, with player winning one hand and the dealer winning the other.
In a surprising statement to the online poker community, the Microgaming Poker Network, according to their managing director, will be shutting down. The closure of the longtime online poker venture will occur at some point in 2020, probably in the mid- to late stages of the year.
MPN Looks to Stave off a Run on the Bank
In a letterto the online community and a brief “Q&A” meant to assuage some issues,MPN Managing Director Alex Scott opened his letter bluntly by saying, “I’m sadto confirm that Microgaming Poker Network will close next year.”
“For sometime now, I’ve been carrying out an extensive review into the poker producthere at Microgaming, with input from poker industry experts, independentconsultants, and my colleagues around the world,” Scott continued. “Theconclusion of the review was that, for poker to be as successful as possible,we had to adopt a very different strategy and business model. Ultimately, thepoker network is not part of that vision.”
Scottcontinued on to state that the company isn’t closing its doors immediately andthat all player monies were safe with the company, saying that the “Microgamingpoker team (is) committed to seeing this out with dignity.” Although he statedthat it was up to each individual what they wanted to do, Scott did indicatethat they would provide “full services” (including a slate of ring games andtournaments) up until the time of closure. Scott also reassured the currentcustomers of MPN that player funds were segregated from the general businessoperating funds of the company and there was no danger of the companyabsconding with player funds.
While hedidn’t name a target date for the shutdown of the poker activities of MPN,Scott did state that they are “expecting the network to close in Q2 or Q3 2020.”
VastArray of Skins Affected
The MicrogamingPoker Network has a variety of “skins,” or affiliated rooms that played on thesame software provided from Microgaming, that will be affected by the shutdownof the site. Some of these sites are (among others):
betsafe
Grosvenor Poker
CoolBet
32Red
NordicBet
One Time Poker
Those thatare a part of the MPN will have plenty of time to make their decisions on theirfutures. Some may be able to find a home on other poker networks, while othersmight go the route of being a standalone operations. The reality for some ofthose that are a part of the MPN is that they will shut down their operationswhen MPN decides to close their doors in 2020.
TheFuture of Poker…Is It in Question?
The move by Microgaming to end their poker network is a further demonstration that the online gaming industry is beginning to look away from online poker as a viable product. Much like “brick and mortar” casinos, having an online poker room isn’t the ticket to success that it was in the Aughts. Nowadays, having a solid online casino product – replete with slots, table games and sometimes even Keno or Bingo operations – brings in the money from a clientele that is looking for a “quick fix” (especially if they’re playing from a mobile platform) rather than spending hours playing a game. An examination of the online gaming industry in the U. S. proves this point well.
In their most recent reports, the state of New Jersey showed that online casinos are exploding on the scene, pulling in more than $39 million in the month of August alone. Compare that to their online poker product, which pulled in a measly $1.7 million and has remained flat for at least the last year. This is something that other gaming arenas have seen, with the state of Pennsylvania having several casinos open their online casino operations but holding off on bringing their online poker to life.
This is an archived page. The information is probably out of date, but I've left it here in case you find it useful for something.
The Microgaming network (formerly Prima Poker) is an average to high traffic network that used to play host to some pretty big names. At the moment it is still a healthy network, but it has seen better days.
Top Microgaming network rooms.
| Rank | Room | Mac | PT | HEM | Bonus | Match | Visit |
|---|
Network details.
- Website:www.Microgaming.com
- Network traffic: Average
- US players:
- Mac compatible:
- PT compatible:
- HEM compatible:
Microgaming Poker Download
Microgaming Network Review
- Mac, Poker Tracker and Holdem Manager compatible.
- Software is okay. No real problems with it but could be better.
- US players not allowed and no rakeback.
The Microgaming network used to be pretty crazy. There used to be a ridiculous amount of skins on the network with almost no guidelines or rules to how much rakeback each skin could offer. I remember the days of getting 60% legitimate rakeback from skins like BetHoldem and Battlefield Poker. Safe to say that these rooms no longer exist.
Since then, the network has been pruned down to a sensible number of skins and rakeback is no longer allowed. The network has seen slightly better days in terms of traffic, but it still remains as a healthy network with a handful of recognizable names on the roster.
Microgaming network traffic and competition.
The Microgaming network used to receive more traffic a few years ago, but nonetheless it still remains as a 'high traffic' network today. The network does not hold as many skins as it used to, but the traffic is still high enough to keep some of the higher stakes games busy throughout the day.
The network actually used to be renowned for high stakes action, but not so much these days as other major rooms like Full Tilt and PokerStars have taken over as the go-to rooms for high stakes action.
In terms of competition, the absence of rakeback means that many of the players are pretty exploitable. The players are weaker than at your average room from my experience.
Microgaming network software.
- Mac, Poker Tracker and Holdem Manager compatible.
- Euro currency tables available as well as standard USD tables. GBP tables are dead though.
- Doesn't offer anything unique. Standard software.
The Microgaming software is very similar to that of Party Poker's. They do look very similar, although I would say that the software provided by Microgaming is more like a slightly weaker version of Party's. Nonetheless, the poker clients look sleek and they do their job well.
The lobby on the other hand is a little on the cluttered side. There is the option to change the lobby layout to another one, but this is even more complicated, despite its attempt to be flashy and useful.
Overall the software looks very good and runs well. There could be a few more features, but it's nothing worth complaining about.
Top room on the Microgaming network.
Microgaming Poker Skins
32Red Poker is my favourite room on the Microgaming Poker network.
32Red was actually one of the first rooms I grinded at when I first started playing online poker. They used to give away a free $10 every thursday if you were dealt a red 3 and 2 as holecards, and ever since then I have always had a soft spot for the room.
Good bonuses, friendly support and an additional casino on offer if you fancy it. 32Red takes the top spot for me.
Other good Microgaming rooms.
Two other good rooms on the Microgaming network are Purple Lounge and GNUF.
Microgaming Poker
Purple Lounge sponsor a fair number of live tournaments, so the room seems to be going places. Bonuses are okay there too.
GNUF is one of the larger skins on the Microgaming network, having absorbed older skins like Dream Poker to create a new and improved room.
Microgaming Poker Network Closing
Go back to the illuminating poker networks page.