Poker Ocean Room Review

(Note, US players not allowed since Oct 1, see more below).

Poker Ocean is the newest poker room on the 'iPoker network' initiative by PlayTech. The Jackpot Sit'N'Go tournaments are especially attractive, with the potential to win $100,000 by winning six consecutive $50 buy-in, six player max tournaments.

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Total weighted score
Software + Graphics .
Ring Game Traffic .
Tournament Traffic .
Game Variety .
Rake .
Soft Competition .
Sign-Up Bonus .
Loyalty Bonus .
Promotions .
Support .
Financial Security .
Deposit+withdrawl.systems

100% reload bonus, every month.

Jackpot Sit'N'Go tournaments

Multi currency options

Full screen option

Player notes

Real-time hand history

Mini-view allows four tables automatically tiled at 1024x768 resolution

Buddy lists and find player function

100% reload bonus, every month.

Live Support

High sit-and-go jackpots - $50,000

Supports completely automated import of tournament and ring-game data to Poker Tracker

Moderate traffic outside peak hours

Low player volume in high stake games

No U.S. players allowed

Slower game pace than standard

Sign-up bonus in $
Deposit bonus in % .
Referral bonus per friend .

$200
.50%
.$0

Due to US legislation to prevent credit-card companies from collecting payments for bets, Poker Ocean has determined to suspend all their real money gaming business with US residents.

Poker Ocean is one of the leading poker rooms in the iPoker network initiative (along with Titan Poker) by PlayTech. The software comes in eight languages: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. Games are still somewhat loose with lots of casino players and new recruits. There are often some very high value promotions which continuously draw players to the site.

Poker Ocean and the iPoker network have been successful in quickly building a strong network, with the strategic backing from the world's second largest casino software provider. Poker Ocean's software has good-looking interface and nice graphics. Games that are offered include Hold'em, Omaha and Seven-Card Stud (Hi and Hi-Lo games for Omaha, but only Hi for Seven-Card Stud) ring games, as well as heads-up, sit-and-go and multi-table tournaments.

In December 2006, ring games had 2,000-2,200 players at peak hours and tournaments had 7,000-9,000.

Poker Ocean's software and player base is part of the iPoker network, which in turn is developed by PlayTech. The software comes in eight languages: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. The graphics are nice and clear and the functionality is good.

Poker Ocean has a buddy list function, game history function, player notes, several audio options, Pot- and No-Limit ring games, live floor managers and all types of tournaments. There has been an update made and the software is now much more playable. A live help window pops up when you enter the cashier section offering you special bonuses.

The games run smoother and slower than standard due to the long time a player has to make a decision (ironic, since the software is quite fast). Traffic has been growing rapidly on the iPoker network and today the player base is quite large for a newer network. It is possible to play at eight tables simultaneously.

Poker Ocean and the iPoker network had about 2,000-2,200 ring game players at peak hours in Dec, 2006. iPoker is one of the fastest growing poker networks so look forward to more players in all areas.

The traffic at the tournaments is higher than at cash games. Real-money traffic can reach somewhere around 7,000-9,000 players at peak hours (December 2006). Sit-and-go tournaments are heavily promoted with jackpot offers when you win or place second in five to six consecutive tournaments. Depending on what type of sit-and-go it is there is potential for $2,000-$50,000 in extra cash.

Poker Ocean has good game variety with Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Omaha Hi and Seven-Card Stud, which are available in both Limit and Pot-limit. Texas Hold'em is also in No-Lmit, while Seven-Card Stud is only available in a Hi version. Table stakes are from $0.5/$1 to $30/$60 in the fixed games, with $0.10/$0.20 up to $50/$100 in Pot-Limit and Limit games, while No-Limit and Pot-Limit Hold'em is offered up to $10/$20 blinds. There are heads-up, sit-and-go and fixed-schedule multi-table tournaments.

Rake is standard at 5% of the pot with a max rake of between $1 and $3, depending on the number of players at the table. Reduced rakes are offered for micro-limit tables. Tournaments take a fee of 10% of your buy-in or less. The rake at Poker Ocean is standard if not slightly better than the industry's average.

Poker Ocean has fairly soft games. The most volume is in the No-Limit Texas Hold'em games where the view flop percentage is normally 40% to 50%. Players will sometimes be able to find a full table with pre flop percentages all the way into the 60s. The players are also quite passive, so it is quite easy to be a winning player. The potential for the iPoker network to build soft games is very good as they recruit from the PlayTech online casino base and with aggressive marketing.

For each 1000 Points a player earns, a $10 bonus will be issued.Players qualifying for this unique offer have 60 days to accumulate the necessary Points entitling them to their First Deposit Signup Bonus.

Poker Ocean Points are awarded very liberally. On top of this there are monthly $2,500 freerolls wth entry granted for only 1,500 points. You do not need to contribute towards the raked pot in order to be awarded points. Tournament buy in fees also earn you lots of points. You will earn between 1 and 8 Player Points for every raked hand you participate in depending on the amount of rake taken and 20 PPs for ever tournament fee dollar. The points can be used to redeem monthly reload bonuses and deposit bonuses.

Great options with 24/7 telephone support as well as live online and email support at Poker Ocean. Live help will contact you with special bonuses from time to time.

24/7 support: Yes
Website FAQ: No
Support Features: Email, Phone, Live Chat
Email confirmation/receipt: Yes
Speed: Very fast
Knowledge: Good
Friendliness: 75%
Avg. NETeller pay out time: 48 hrs
Withdrawal smoothness: 80%

Fort Knox $100,000 jackpot prize for any player who wins 6 consecutive Fort-Knox 6 player sit'n'go tournaments.
Rio Jackpot $25,000. The winner of six consecutive Rio Jackpot Sit 'N' Go tournaments currently wins $25,000 this number can only increase.
$15,000 Maui Progressive Jackpot. $15,000 will be awarded to any player who wins five consecutive Maui Jackpot Sit 'N' Go tournaments
Dirty Dozen Jackpot Sit 'n' Go The buy-in is low, but you could win a quick $2,000 in cash if you win four of these nifty two-table, 12-player tournaments in a row.

Deposit options; VISA, MasterCard, NETeller, Citadel, FirePay, Moneybookers, InstaCash, InstaDebit, EcoCard, UseMyBank, wire transfer, bank draft and personal check.

Cash out options; NETeller, FirePay, Moneybookers, InstaDebit, EcoCard, bank draft express and wire transfer.