Planet Poker Review

March 23, 2007 Update on Planet Poker:
I just received an email from the poker room that states . . .

"After 9 years in business, Planet Poker has made the difficult decision to cease real money operations . . . . Real money tables and tournaments will continue at Planet Poker through to 31 March 2007, but effective immediately you can no longer make a deposit."

The action at the Play Money tables will continue.

     When Planet Poker was first launched it had the support of Roy Cooke, the editor at CardPlayer magazine, and also the support of Mike Caro, the "mad genius" of poker. Mike has left the Planet Poker fold, and a quick check of the website shows they are no longer mentioning Roy Cooke. I guess there's a difference between writing about poker or playing it, and running a card room.

     Unfortunately, Planet Poker is also the room where the RNG was cracked as well. Thankfully, since then there have been some significant software updates.

     The room has had a major software overhaul, offering a new suite of games, and a customizable experience. The new gameset includes holdem, omaha (and omaha8), 7 stud (and 7 stud 8 or better), and draw poker. Planet Poker is one of the few places on the net that you can play draw poker, the traditional kitchen-table brand of poker.

     The room does have a full player's comp program in place, along with a store and special tournaments where players can spend their points.

     They offer the usual line-up of satellites to land-based events, and guaranteed prize pool events. There are Sit and Go's and multitable events much like any other card room as well.

     I think, honestly, there are better choices in the world of online poker rooms. While I do not distrust Planet Poker, and I actually do have a player account there, the room doesn't have as much to offer as other rooms online. I think that if you are a small room player, looking for a fixed number of players that you can get to know and milk consistently, then Planet may be a good choice. If you just want to play some Draw poker online, then Planet may be a good choice. But, if you're looking for lots of players, lots of bonuses, lots of action of every sort, this room may not be for you.