Online Poker Traffic Update

Adjarabet creeped into the top ten of the most heavily-trafficked poker rooms and networks worldwide over the past month, pulling into a virtual tie with PokerStars.fr by scoring a seven-day average of 750 cash game players.

PokerStars.fr managed to gain 50 players in October and still couldn't stave off the hard-charging Georgia-based poker room. Adjarabet is in the midst of an Omaha cash game promotion, the likely fuel that has propelled the site into the top ten.

It was one year ago almost to the day that Adjarabet catapulted into third place in ring game player traffic worldwide on the strength of a PokerMasters promo. While the Omaha promotion has not matched PokerMasters in terms of popularity as of yet, kudos to the promo department at Adjarabet for creating interest in Omaha, my personal favorite game type.

Other Gainers

The 50-player gain of PokerStars.fr was matched by three other top ten poker sites over the last month. The iPoker Network (1,450), Partypoker (1,150) and Winamax.fr (1,050) all saw a boost in action. Those rooms are slotted 4th, 6th, and 7th, respectively.

Partypoker began the month of October by leveling the playing field for recreational players, doing away with the use of third-party software commonly used by more skilled players such as HUDs. iPoker combined its split player pool into one a little over two months ago. Those may be the reasons behind the increase in players for those two.

Decrease in Action

Fifth-ranked PokerStars.it experienced the largest decrease among the top ten since the beginning of October, dropping 100 players to 1,150. Only one other top ten room saw a decline and that was Full Tilt, who lost an average of 50 players and currently hosts cash games for 800 players, according to PokerScout.

Full Tilt continues to hold down 9th place globally despite watching its player average tumble a bit. They began an In The Money promo earlier this week that rewards SNG players who cash or win quite handsomely. The decrease in ring game action may be a case of cash game players transitioning over to the SNG tables. That promo runs through November 8.

No Change

Four poker rooms or networks remained stable over the last month, including the industry's top three. PokerStars (15,000), 888poker (2,300) and Bodog/Bovada (1,700) lead the pack. PokerStars.es (850) in the 8th position was the fourth poker site to show a steady graph in October.

PokerStars likely would have gained cash game players were it not for the popularity of its Spin & Go promo that made six new millionaires in a week's time. The promotion salutes the 1-year launch of Spin & Gos, a game that has, to a certain degree, changed the face of online poker.

Regulated U.S.

The Garden State Super Series III hosted by Partypoker NJ and BorgataPoker in the regulated state of New Jersey may have prompted cash game players to transition to the tournament tables while the events were played from Oct. 11-25, but it didn't adversely affect ring game traffic. The network saw an increase of 20 players to 130 over the last month.

The same cannot be said for the WSOP/888 pairing in New Jersey, where 10 less players (160) can now be found than when October began. But WSOP.com and 888 can perhaps call it a push because the Nevada-Delaware partnership picked up 10 players to 170. As most are aware, 888 powers Delaware's online poker and gaming action.

Non-Regulated U.S.

The Winning Poker Network (575) managed to gain 50 players over the last 30 days and pull into a dead heat with the Chico Poker Network, who dropped 25. WPN continues with its Million Dollar Sundays promotion through November 8.

After several months of declines, the Merge Network (220) held course in October. Following suit in that regard was the Equity Poker Network (110) and top skin Full Flush. A new tournament schedule was unveiled recently at Full Flush, as the site aims for a greater share of the unregulated U.S. market.

The Revolution Gaming Network grabbed a bit more of that market, picking up 20 players to tie EPN at 110. The recent decision to allow one free withdrawal per month at top skins Intertops and Juicy Stakes may be the impetus behind the player increase.