Titan Poker Review

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

About

One of the newer online poker rooms, Titan Poker has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2005.  A former sister site to Noble Poker, which was later sold to Empire Poker (consequently absolved by Party Gaming), Titan Poker is a brand name of Imperial E-Club.  This is the same group that owns Casino Tropez and Casino Del Rio, in addition to several other online gaming sites.  As are all Imperial E-Club gaming properties, Titan Poker is on the Playtech software platform, thus incorporating some of the most advanced graphics and poker playing features on the Web.  Thanks to Playtech, Titan has also joined the iPoker Network, which has substantially grown its database of players just in the last year alone - nearing 3,000 players at peak times in early 2006. It may not be the size of Party Poker, but there is still plenty of action round the clock, for Titan is heavily marketed to former and current online casino members of all of Imperial E-Club's online gambling properties. Titan is licensed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, insuring industry standards in fairness and security.

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Software & Games

Again, Titan Poker is on the Playtech Software platform, thus ensuring a wide range of network-wide opportunities to all players.  Many of the features offered to players include configurable tables, satellite tournaments for land-based poker tourny's, collusion protection (see Security), jackpot sit 'n go/knockout/head's up/multi-table/Addon-Rebuy tournaments, as well as tournaments by request.

The minimum requirements for downloading the software are a computer operating system with Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP, a 400 megahurtz processor with 128 megabytes of memory, 30 megabytes of free disk space and screen resolution of 800x600 pixels and 16-bit graphics display.  A step-by-step tutorial is available on the website for assisting in the download, although the process itself is quite self-explanatory.  Removal of the software can be done by entering the "Programs" folder in the C Drive or by accessing the "Remove or Add Programs" tool in one's computer ("My Computer").

Software Platform:

The Titan Poker Software Platform gives players a wide range of accessibility features.  The full-screen option uses the entire screen for playing at the tables (which toolbars usually take up), which gives an even more realistic/virtual experience.  There is a Player Notes tab that let's users save other players names and jot notes on them, thus creating player profiles that can help with one's betting strategy the next time that player is encountered at the same table.  In similar regards, every player has a Buddy List they can use to keep track of friends and to organize private tables.  The software platform also gives every player instant access to their private Titan Poker Points, which every player acquires each time they place a bet (more on this in the Promotions section further down).  Instant access is also given to real-time game history and transaction history.  As for game history, players can view all of their past moves in an easy to understand graphic layout - all while in the play mode.  Transaction history is 100% transparent for each account holder, letting players find exact deposit and withdrawal amounts, as well as the exact date and time of processing.  And for those times when help is needed fast, there is a link to live support that lets players chat with experienced technicians and customer service personnel 24/7.

Games:

Having opted to not host Seven Card Stud poker, Titan Poker offers a total of three poker games on their software download, which include Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo.  While in each game mode, players can fully customize their playing experience, having the ability to change their avatar, audio volume, background music and sound effects produced by the dealer and other players at the table.  Players also have the option of chatting with the other players at the table via a live chat dialogue box.

Buy-ins:

Minimum and maximum buy-ins vary according to whether the game is limit, pot limit or no lime and on the size for the game or blind amounts.  All top ups during a game will have to bring one's hand up to the minimum buy-in amount but no greater than the max buy-in.  If, at the end of a hand, a players balance is lower than the big blind amount, that player will need to buy more chips in order to stay in for the next game.  Blinds are calculated by multiplying the Big Blind by the lower stake value.

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Poker School

Although there is no poker school, per say, at Titan Poker, there are some helpful instructions on the main Titan Poker Website, as well as a Students Tournament Lobby.  The poker lobby contains links to what amounts to be an extensive glossary with poker terms relevant to online and land-based action.  There are also quick links to game rules and hand rankings from within the lobby as well.  There is no poker tutorial, but the free play is unlimited.  As for the Student Tournament lobby, this gives beginners a great chance to learn the ropes of tournament action, while improving their skills and not having to put much money on the line.

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Betting Structures, Rake & Tournament Fees

Both Texas Hold'em and Omaha game versions are available in limit and pot limit action, while Texas Hold'em can additionally be played in no-limit format.  While there are no betting structure charts on the Titan website, information on table stakes and rake amounts is available.  The table stakes range from $0.50/$1 to $30/$60 in fixed games (although fixed Omaha games have a slightly lower max) and $0.25/$0.50 to $10/$20 in pot limit and no-limit games. Turbo, Head's up, fixed schedule, and sit 'n go multi-table tournaments are all available.  As for ring game rake fees, they will always range between 0% and 5%, not to exceed $3 per pot.  If a hand ends before the Flop, no rake is applied.  In the casino lobby, minimum buy-in amounts are posted by the table name

The rakes for fixed limit games are as follows:

The rake schedule for pot-limit and no limit games are as follows:

In regards to tournament action, there are several multi-table and single table tournaments with buy-in amounts starting off at $10 and peaking getting as high as $300.  Tournament fees for $5-and-under buy-ins are calculated at 20% the buy-in amount (except for certain qualifiers, which will cost less to join).  Fees for tournament games with buy-ins $10 and above are 10% the buy-in amount.  Players can expect to find a monthly guaranteed tournament jackpot of at least $100,000 at Titan Poker.

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Promotions

The bonuses and promotions are generous and exceeding in number, yet are still often overshadowed by Titan's VIP Club.  This multi-tiered rewards program has something to offer every player who opens a real-money account.  Depending on the VIP level, to one degree or another players will receive faster comp point accumulation, select access to freeroll tournaments, reload bonuses (only during announced reload bonus promotion periods), and more frequent comp point cashouts.

The way the Club is rated is that all players start at the Bronze level.  Based upon the number of points accumulated via tournaments and ring games, the player can qualify to be upgraded to another level.  Depending on a player's monthly average of accumulated points they can be upgraded to Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium.  New members are eligible for their first upgrade after two month of opening an account.  All further upgrades are done on the first day of each month thereafter.  Again, all new members start at the Bronze level.  The Silver VIP Level requires a monthly point average of 2,000 points, Gold necessitates an average of 5,000, Platinum members must have 10,000 points and Titanium VIP members must have a monthly average of 20,000 points.  All points are accumulated from playing ring games and tournaments.  At the Bronze level, the conversion ratio for ring games is 1 point for every $.25 to $.50 of rake taken on a pot (even if the player folded early in the game).  Conversion for tournament fees to points is 20 points for every $1 in tournament fees.  Each higher VIP level will have a slightly better turnover than the former level.  As for converting points into cash, it is done so at a rate of $5 for every 400 points, which is not bad at all for a comp program.

The higher the VIP level, the more freeroll tournaments one is eligible for and the greater the reload bonus percentage.  At the highest level (Titanium), players are eligible for a weekly $1,000 freeroll, a special World Series of Poker freeroll, and three different monthly freerolls of $2,500/$5,000/$10,000, and will get a 70% reload bonus up to $500 free.  Considering that the bulk of players will not be in this category, but will more likely be in the Gold VIP level, these players will still be eligible for a weekly $1,000 freeroll, monthly $2,500 freeroll, monthly $5,000 freeroll and will get up to $300 back on 50% reload bonuses.

Ongoing promotions at Titan Poker are numerous.  In addition to the elusive $100,000,000 Hand Freeroll poker tournament, which has a guaranteed jackpot of $500,000, this tournament will award $100 million (backed by National Indemnity Company/Berkshire Hathaway) to a player at the final championship table who is lucky enough to get a Royal Flush of Spades.

Reoccurring promotions include Refer a Friend bonuses giving out $75 per referral as well as free entry into a $500,000 tournament, Top Hand of the Day Bonus, Bad Beat Bonuses, Weekly Depositor Freerolls, and a variety of bonuses (up to $100,000) for winning specifically selected consecutive tournaments.  Lastly, Titan Poker gives out a sign-up bonus that is awarded when new players acquire a minimum of comp points.

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Cashier

Having the experience of processing millions through their various online casinos, Hardway Investments has taken the same liberties to insure all financial transactions are protected by the best technology available.  Making this happen for Titan's online cashier is InterPay Processing Ltd., who is listed on all financial statements as IFUND INTERPAY.  InterPay Processing is responsible for handling transactions for seemingly countless online gaming sites, making this company the most specialized payment processor in the online betting industry.  They are located in Basseterre, St. Kitts, which is a beautiful island in the southern Caribbean.  All financial transaction logs and winnings records are kept confidential from all third parties, and are stored in highly secure servers using the most advanced firewall and encryption technology available.  Deposit assistance from the cashier support staff is available 24/7 (deposits@titanpoker.com).

In addition to standard credit card deposits, the Titan Poker Cashier accepts a variety of credit card alternatives - most of which can be used to make deposits and receive withdrawals.  There is always the option of receiving winnings via checks through certified mail (although this can take considerably longer).  Accepted Fund transfer methods include Click2Pay, NETeller/NETeller InstaCash, MoneyBookers, FirePay, OnDemandFunds, Instadebit, PaySafeCard, Citadel/myCitadel, UseMyBank, EcoCard, eWalletXpress, CentralCoin, Wire Transfer and Bank Draft.

Currencies accepted are U.S. Dollars, Euros and Pounds, which can all be converted using the software platforms "table level" chip converter at no extra charge.  This allows any player entering a tournament or ring game to convert a portion of their balance to the standard poker room currency, which is U.S. Dollars.  The exchange rate is determined on a daily basis, and is also used to convert chips back to players currency of choice after exiting a table.  To keep players from getting confused the lobby display will always show a players bankroll balance in their currency of choice.  However, when the cursor is dragged over the balance, a small pop-up box will inform the player that their currency is different than the poker room standard.  When a player joins a ring game, their balance will automatically be shown in U.S. dollars, as are all players sitting at the table.  When a player using Pounds or Euros buys more chips while at the table, a pop-up box will reveal how much they are spending in their currency, as well as how many chips will be obtained in correspondence to the exchange ratio.

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Security

One of the greatest elements of providing superior security is in prevention protocol, which Titan Poker makes a top priority.  In addition to the 128-bit Secure Socket Layer technology used to transfer and protect sensitive information, a strict privacy policy that keeps personal information confidential at all times, and 100% game integrity, Titan Poker uses a sophisticated suite of statistical analysis tools used to prevent and catch cheating players and collusion schemes.  Thanks to back-end software features provided by Playtech, a Titan Poker staff of computer operators and experienced poker players is able to monitor playing patterns and detect player collusion the first time it happens.  Considering there have not been any complaints reported by players who claim to have been taken advantage of by other players, it is apparent the anti-collusion system works very well at Titan Poker.  Those caught participating in player collusion are dealt with very harshly, as explained in the Titan Poker Terms and Conditions.

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Disconnection Policy

At Titan Poker, the Disconnection Policy is enforced on the basis that so long as genuine disconnections have occurred, players will be able to continue in the hand and contest the amount of the pot immediately prior to having been disconnected.  While some larger online poker rooms specifically state a maximum number of disconnections a player can receive in a designated time period, Titan Poker offers unlimited protection, although they are quick to give a disclaimer that they will discontinue disconnect protection privileges to players who abuse it by claiming to have been disconnected from a poker game, while in actuality they were not.  Players who do so could forfeit winnings, lose privileges and/or be expelled from the website.

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Customer Service

If you want to cut to the chase, Titan Poker was bestowed with a 2006 Gold Award for "Best Online Poker Customer Service" by readers of GOM. That being said, it should be no surprise that customer service at Titan Poker meets the highest standards that are imposed on the best online poker rooms and casinos.  Under the same management as world-class gaming sites, Casino Tropez and Casino Del Rio, Titan Poker goes beyond most players expectations.  In addition to seven different email addresses and three toll-free telephone lines available 24/7, Titan Poker has live chat support that players can use (when available) while logged into the software platform and poker lobby.  Staff members are quite knowledgeable - especially in regards to deposit and withdrawal methods - and are be able to help players with a variety of issues, including technical problems with the software and downloads, gaming terms and conditions, game rules, information on tournaments and promotions, and general inquiries.  Patient and timely, the customer support staff has been tried and tested by thousands of players - all reporting no major concerns.  The best results seem to come from email support, which players are encouraged to first use.  Try them for yourself by sending general questions to support@titanpoker.com OR call: +632-845-9017 (International) or 0-800-066-4320 (UK)

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Visit Titan Poker for more information.