Empire Poker

About | Software & Games | Poker School | Betting Structure, Rake & Tournament Fees | Promotions | Cashier | Security | Disconnection Policy | Customer Service

About

It is a good thing that Empire Poker is still in operation, for at the time of this review, they were almost swallowed up by Party Poker.  Empire Poker was - and still is - a poker room to be reckoned with, managing to stick around all this time by keeping their 10,000+ database of players highly satisfied.  Empire is now a member of the PartyGaming Network (the same company that owns Party Poker), and is not tied in with the tables at Party Poker.  No longer a skin site, Empire has been doing more than adequate at bringing in their own players (Although in actuality they will always be PartyGaming's players).  Empire is licensed and regulated through the Adventerex entity, by the government of Gibraltar, where all poker system servers are housed and monitored.  Propriety tests are performed on Empire's Random Number Generator on an ongoing basis by iTech Labs, who is internationally recognized and esteemed as an authority on gaming software certification.  A dedicated member of the Interactive Gaming Council, Empire's management lives by a strict Code of Conduct and seeks to maintain a uniform and fair gaming environment that shines through at all of their tables and tournaments.

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Software & Games

Software Platform - Empire's software platform is powered by iGlobalMedia.  Formed in 1997, iGlobalMedia has always been at the forefront of developing gaming technology primarily geared to online poker platforms.  Technical components are focused on providing fast and reliable software protected with the best security features available.  Offering one of the fastest downloads of any online poker room, it is evident that Empire has reaped the benefits of iGlobal Media's software platform.  Additionally, iGlobal Media steadily adds new features and better scalability to their platform, which is then seamlessly integrated as upgrades to Empire's platform. In regards to downloading the software, Empire's website has a helpful tutorial that explains how to register for an account and get started playing at both practice and real money games.  The download itself is only 2.2 megabytes, which on a 56k modem connection will take no more than two minutes.  Depositing money (see Cashier section below), claiming bonuses and  is all quite easy and self-explanatory.

Games - Poker games offered at Empire include Texas Hold'em, Omaha High, Omaha 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud and Stud 8 or Better.  Limit, pot limit and no limit options are available for relevant games.  Texas Hold'em can be played in limit fashion (a betting limit for each game), with pot limits (betting is limited to the size of the pot), or, as a no-limit game (there are no betting limits whatsoever).  Omaha High can be played in straight limit fashion or with pot limits.  Omaha 8 or Better is also played as a limit game with pot limits.  Seven Card Stud is played with up to eight players and has betting limits for each game.  Stud 8 or Better is played in the same manner.  All game rules and corresponding betting limits/rake schedules are indiscreetly posted on the website for all to see.

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Poker School

Empire operates their own Poker School for Beginners, which primarily consists of a series of articles written by 1991 WSOP Champion, Brad Daugherty, and poker pro Michael Cohen.  Basic rules and the ranking of hands can be covered in about two hours of study, after which Empire recommends players to download their software and put their newfound knowledge to practice by opening a "Fun" account.  While playing the practice tables, players are encouraged to continue advancing their knowledge by intermittently reading the more advanced articles, which go into more detail about playing strategy.

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Betting Structures, Rake & Tournament Fees

The Rake Schedules for all games are shown in the following charts:

The Betting Structures for No-Limit and Pot Limit poker games are shown in the following chart:

Empire offers a wide variety of tournament action, including limit, no-limit, pot limit, multi table, single table and sit 'n go tournaments.  They also provide play-for-fun tournaments for those who are not as familiar with tournament action.  Sit 'n Go Single table are very popular here, and are posted in the monthly tournament schedule on Empire's website.  For one-table tournaments, first place is awarded 50% of the winnings, second place receives 30% and third place gets 20%.

Guaranteed Jackpot Poker Tournaments with multi-table and sit 'n go qualifiers include dailies ranging from $4,000 to $40,000, monthly tournaments every last Sunday guaranteeing $750,000, weekly Sunday tournaments with $500,000 guaranteed, as well as a weekly $5,000 free roll.

The Tournament Entry Fees are imposed according to the following chart:

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Promotions

As is the case with most online poker rooms, promotions are not going to be nearly as large or comprehensive as they are at online casinos.  And while some rooms still offer new member bonuses, Empire Poker unfortunately does not usually do so.  What they do offer is a generous $50 "Refer a Friend" bonus, and a VIP Club for real-money players.  When a referral signs up with a matching email address provided by the referee - and opens an account with a $50 deposit and the corresponding bonus code, TAF15 - the referred player receives a $25 bonus, which must be gambled at least seven times over and played in a minimum of 125 raked hands before it can be cashed out.  The referred will receive their $50 bonus (with no wager requirements) as soon as the referred player makes their minimum deposit.  In addition, the referee will receive players points that can be redeemed through the VIP Club, which gives players greater incentives for playing more poker.  When Empire first transitioned to the Party Gaming platform, former Empire players did not have immediate access to their point details or the online merchandise store.  However, at the completion of the transition all players have an opportunity to redeem points for a large selection of merchandise and memorabilia.  Called EPoints, players will also be able to use them to obtain tournament buy-ins, as well as real money.

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Cashier

Registering with a depositor at Empire's Online Cashier can be done so when a player opts to open a real-money account.  You will not be able to find a list of the acceptable deposit methods on the Empire website (which I must admit can be inconvenient to new players); However, you will will be able to select from an extensive list of eCash providers when you begin registering for a real-money account.  Just for your information, acceptable deposit methods include NETeller, Citadel, Laser Card, Wire Transfer/Euro Standard Bank Transfer, Visa/Mastercard/Diner's Club cards, iGM Pay (eChecks), PaySafe Card, Switch/Maestro/Solo debit cards, UseMyBank, Party Poker Gaming Card, FPS ePassport, Phone Connect Cards, Money Transfer, Money Booker, East Buy, Fire Pay, BPay (Australia), ELV (Germany/Austria), eWire DK, electronic transfer (Canada), and Chinese Debit Cards.

Getting started registering at the cashier can be done just as soon as players login and are in the Main Lobby of the Poker Room.  One simply needs to click on the "Cashier" tab to be forwarded to a registration form, after which the player's identity is verified.  A rather large list of deposit methods (mentioned above) are then presented, which the registrant can select.  If the player does not already have an account with one of the services, they will be forwarded to a secure area to create a current account.  As for whether a players preferred deposit method also accepts the withdrawing of funds from their casino account, will have to be verified with the cashier, as not all services (such as US credit cards) will not allow deposits from the playing account.  However, when it does come time to receive withdrawals of winnings, players can be sure they will be processed in a timely manner.  Empire has a longstanding commitment (which they post on their website) to promptly handle all customer cash out requests.

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Security

As mentioned earlier, monthly propriety tests are repeatedly performed on Empire Online's software platform to insure the Random Number Generator is doing what it is supposed to - generating random results, while maintaining acceptable payout percentages.  All tests are performed by world renowned, iTech Labs, who with Price WaterHouse Coopers, is one of the most respected and esteemed independent tester's of gaming and betting devices.  Keeping in line with game fairness, Empire is also committed to detecting and policing artificial intelligence and software programs designed to cheat other players.  Security protocol for doing so, includes player profiling and monitoring of player collusion.

For each players own protection, Empire enables a self-exclusion function that let's players program the software for a specified period of time to not let them log onto the software platform or Empire's website.  And for those players who do not realize they have a gambling addiction, Empire implements tracking protocols to help identify betting patterns and out-of-control poker playing.

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Disconnection Policy

Empire has always had a very lenient Disconnection Policy.  Aside from tournament action, in which the disconnection policy has become more strict (actually, it is nill) at the request of the vast majority of players, Empire gives a generous amount of disconnect protections.  This amounts to eight disconnect protections (three resets) in a seven day period.  What this means is that if a player is disconnected from the gaming server while betting real money, the disconnection protection will automatically kick in and the player will be able to contest the jackpot at which point they were disconnected, and will than have a fair chance to win any money in the pot at that time.  For tournament players, they no longer get this protection.  Beginning April 15, 2006, management has taken away all disconnection protects from Multi-table poker tournaments.  If a player loses connection, they will be automatically folded at that point.  The same holds precedence at all Sit 'n Go multi-table tournaments.  As for single table tournament games, all disconnect protects have been removed as well.

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Customer Service

Empire operates differently than most poker rooms in that they do not offer customer support via telephone.  Rather, all communications are via email, which at any other gaming site would be unacceptable.  However, Empire has an excellent response time through all emails, which can be sent to info@empirepoker.com. They welcome all questions and suggestions, and are on the clock twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  The vast majority of players have reported that customer care is highly efficient at providing technical support and helping to resolve disputes or issues of any kind.  Additionally, the Main Lobby on the software platform has a "Help" tab that lists an insightful and helpful list of frequently asked questions.  More often than not, players will be able to answer their own questions by briefly consulting the FAQ.  It seems Empire Poker knows this best, choosing to avoid the potential issues that often arise through telephone support.

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Visit Empire Poker for more information.