Poker Network Traffic Predictions for 2015

The year 2014 saw some changes occur in online poker traffic, but overall it was more of the same. PokerStars retains its reputation as the most popular online network by a million miles, while 888poker and iPoker remain the top two alternatives to the Isle of Man-based site.

2014 did see a surprise jump in traffic for Georgian-based Adjarabet. The company became the third most popular poker network almost overnight as players flocked to their network. The jump in popularity was temporary, however, and numbers have now teetered off slightly.

Other networks like PartyPoker, Full Tilt, Bodog and PokerStars.it continued their place in the top ten poker site in terms of the poker traffic.

With 2014 nearly over, we at PokerTube have decided to take a look at some possible trends and changes for poker network player traffic in 2015.

PokerStars Will Remain Dominant

It almost goes without saying. The network has been the most dominant in online poker for years, and that will continue to occur throughout the next year.

There has been a number of changes made to PokerStars since the network was bought by Amaya Gaming in August, which includes raising the rake on certain games and cutting down on certain promotions.

Those changes brought the ire of some professional players, and some pros previously loyal to PokerStars may look elsewhere to ply their trade.

However, it is likely that those changes will not have any major medium and long-term effect on the ‘average’ player. That is because most (but certainly not all) players see PokerStars as the premier online poker network.

Put another way, those players see PokerStars as the equivalent of the UFC to Mixed Martial Arts and the NBA to basketball.

That will more than likely result in PokerStars player traffic numbers remaining high and the network remaining head and shoulders above all the other networks as the most played-on online poker site.

888poker Will See Boost in Player Numbers

888poker cemented its status in 2014 as the main alternative to PokerStars. It is the only other network to have a seven-day player average of over 2000 and it has a number of major online awards to its name.

Those awards, its marketing and general ease of play on its network has led to 888 carving out its own path in the often hard world of online poker.

Because of that and the previously mentioned changes to PokerStars (and the potential adverse reactions it may get), it will be no surprise if 888poker is able to boost its already respectable player traffic numbers.

While a 3000 player average may be a little bit ambitious for 2015, it is very probable that the network could break the 2600 and maybe even the 2700 barrier next year.

Although there are many alternatives to PokerStars in online poker, 888poker has begun to develop a reputation as the premier alternative and a top network in its own right, which should result in rising player numbers in 2015.

iPoker Will Cement Its Place as a Top Three Site

iPoker will not be left behind as a result of any 888poker player increase, though.

The network maintained its place as a top three online poker network, and that is likely to be strengthened even further when 2015 rolls along.

It has aimed to take advantage of the dissatisfaction of some online poker players that resulted from the aforementioned changes to PokerStars.

One way it has attempted to do this is by introducing hyper Sit n Gos with a lower rake. The network will introduce a source based rake concept in the new year that will only apply to cash games and Sit Gos.

According to PokerScout, iPoker currently has a seven-day player average of 1900 players. It has broken the 2000 barrier before, but has not been able to maintain it in 2014.

That will likely change next year should its aforementioned actions be successful. While it will not probably not overtake 888poker in 2015, it will further cement its place as the third most popular online poker network in the next year.