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Carbon Poker Review and Due Diligence
Centrally located in Brisbane, Australia, Carbon Poker is the flagship member of the Merge Gaming Network. I would like to share the information I obtained when performing thorough due diligence on the Merge Network and Carbon Poker, in addition to my Carbon Poker review. To give my personal history overview, Carbon Poker was my first real online poker site home base. Of course, Carbon Poker was under another name when I got my start (Poker.com), and Merge was merely a 1 poker room show at the time. Nonetheless, Carbon is where I began my online poker playing career. In my opinion, Carbon Poker is the most trusted and best run poker skin on the Merge Poker Network. The Merge Poker Network is the 6th largest poker network currently on the internet. You can click here to visit Carbon Poker anytime.
Carbon features a wide variety of poker tournaments to choose from, an abundance of cash games, some really bad players (lot of call stations) – truth be told, and some great features such as several bad beat jackpot tables, the ability to show one or both cards – just to name a few. With all that in mind, I offer my Online Poker Circuit poker site due diligence and submit to you my personal and official review of Carbon Poker – member of the Merge Gaming Network of online poker rooms. If you prefer the brief rundown on Carbon Poker, take a look at my very brief Carbon Poker overview.
Carbon Poker Overview: A Cash Game Player’s Perspective
From a ring game player’s point of view, Carbon Poker offers a vast selection of poker game variations. I can choose to play variations of Texas Hold em, be it limit, no limit or pot limit holdem. Additionally, a selection of Omaha, Stud, and Draw poker tables are also available to me. As is the case with many online poker sites, the Texas Hold em area (specifically the no limit tables) are the most densely populated. Right now, there’s updating… poker cash game tables running at Carbon Poker.
The shorthanded tables seat six players. Because Carbon Poker has an abundance of call stations, when I play this site, I typically sit at these shorter tables. I like playing against fish, I just do not prefer a full table of fish. The shorthanded tables typically allow for me to not be nibbled to death by 8 other players in the cash games. The full cashgame tables are 9 handed.
I’m able to make notes on my opposition that are saved to my player account. You can click on a player’s name, type in your observations, you can even choose to “tag” this player. If you want to associate him with a fish, or label him as a tough poker player – you are able to do so. You can even customize your tags to your own choosing. I prefer to customize my player icons, as there are certain tough hold em players I prefer to go after, getting involved in hands with them as often as possible, and there are tough poker players I choose to avoid except for the most ideal circumstances. I enjoy that I’m able to separate these players out, and see the category tags right on their player nameplate while I’m at the poker table. I can additionally sort through my buddy list to quickly identify where these targeted players are currently seated.
Another great feature about Carbon Poker’s online poker site is their bad beat tables. Sure, the rake is slightly higher. However, for the chance to hit the bad beat jackpot, which is currently the bad beat jackpot is worth updating…
– I’ll gladly pay the extra fee! Speaking of fees and rake, Carbon Poker charges 1 cent per 20 cents in the pot on no their pot limit and no limit raked games. The nice thing about the Carbon Poker games, is the less players at the table, the lower the cap on the rake! The rake maxes out at $1 when there’s 2-3 players, while 4 to 5 players constitutes a $2 max rake. Above 5 players, the no limit game’s rake tops off at $3. Additionally, should something go wrong while playing poker – whether you need to report a player for abusive chat, or you suspect collusion – Carbon Poker has a 24 hour live chat set up for their player support.
Carbon Poker’s no limit cash games range from a minimum stakes of 2-4 cents no limit in the “Havana Rooms” all the way up to the Sears Tower Rooms at $50-100. Additionally, heads-up no limit hold em tables are set up at a variety of levels, so you can get some 1 on 1 poker action. The most densely populated stakes at Carbon Poker are those falling into the range of .5-$1 no limit and below. You’re almost always guaranteed a game at these levels, as I’ve often found several tables at each of these limits running around the clock. Traffic begins dropping off during non-peak hours at the $1-2nl and $2-4 nl stakes, as there are fewer games at these levels available regularly.
Another nice feature Carbon Poker has for the ring game player is the run it twice feature. Participants willing, the automated dealer will run the cards twice, just like you see on shows such as High Stakes Poker. Not many other online poker sites allow for such a thing. Carbon Poker is quite innovative in offering this unique, yet popular feature at select poker cash tables. Between there innovative features, as well as stepping up their VIP offerings (which I will discuss later in this review) – Carbon Poker is stepping up their presence in the higher stakes realm. I would not be surprised to see the high stakes areas of Carbon Poker’s cash games increasing in popularity in the near future. You’re a link away from playing the Carbon Poker Cash Games.
Carbon Poker Review: Poker Tournament Player’s Point of View
Carbon offers a wide range of freeze-out, rebuys, bounty tournaments, as well as poker tournaments sporting guaranteed or fixed prizes. Typically, at least one tournament starts every 15 minutes. Carbon offers several satellites to its Sunday Guaranteed, where the buy-in for this Sunday special is $109, and you compete for an assured $50,000 in the prize pool. Usually, there’s a substantial overlay, as it is a rare occasion that this tournament fills up to the point where the buy-ins exceed the guaranteed prize, which is beneficial to the tournament player, as their buy-in becomes worth more from an expected value standpoint before the tournament even starts!
In addition to offering satellites allowing for cheaper entry to the Sunday $50,000 guarantee, Carbon frequently runs satellites and super satellites to large, live poker events such as the Aussie Millions and the WSOP Main Events. I personally know several people who won their way to the Aussie Millions via Carbon Poker. In fact, Carbon Poker flew me out to the Crown Casino in Australia to assist them in covering the Aussie Millions! Their accommodations were top notch, and the staff served as wonderful, personable hosts.
Carbon offers tournaments for bankrolls of all sizes. Whether it is “the Quarter Quicky” – a tournament guaranteeing $25 in the prize pool with a 25 cent buy-in, or the WSOP Grand Final – a $460 buy-in with a $12K seat on the line, or anywhere in between, Carbon Poker has a tournament fitting in your budget. Enter Carbon Poker Tournaments now to compete for guaranteed prizes with sweet overlays.
Carbon Poker Review: Deposit Options
Carbon Poker has several deposit options available to their perspective and current poker players. When you click on the cashier tab of their poker software, you will see a detailed list of these deposit options. The minimum you may deposit at Carbon Poker is $10, by the way… Some of the deposit options available to fund your bankroll are as follows:
* Visa
* Mastercard
* Click2Pay
* Neteller
* 1-Pay
* Moneybookers
* EcoCard
* eWalletXpress
* Pic-Club
* ClickandBuy
* Entropay
* Secure eCheck
* Pay Safe Card
Methods of bankroll cashout at Carbon Poker
Players may use the same options to cash out from Carbon Poker as they utilized to make their deposit. By Carbon Poker policy, cashouts are processed within 72 hours, and are typically received within 3 weeks. The minimum you may withdrawal from your Carbon Player Account is $25. I’ve found that this process is much quicker than they have stated in their policy. I find it useful to have your identification documents on file and in order so that this cash out process can go quicker and flawless.
Carbon Poker requires you fill out a special form for identity and dispute purposes. Additionally, Carbon asks that you provide a copy of a valid driver’s license, passport, or other government issued photographic ID, along with A copy of the front and reverse sides of any credit/debit card used to deposit on your account . This is required to both verify your identity, and to protect the Card Room and its players from fraud. You may either upload the documents, email them to Carbon Poker Support or fax them to Carbon Poker at 1-888-212-7135. Make your first transaction at Carbon Poker now!
Carbon Poker Customer Support Review
I’ve found it necessary to contact Carbon Poker Support a few times. Each time, I received an accurate, timely response. I recall one time the I had difficulty accessing the poker room. This was a huge problem to me because a tournament I qualified for was starting shortly. The Carbon support team had responded to my email within minutes, asking me for additional information. They got back to me and determined it was a setting on my personal firewall that needed adjustment. They walked me through the process step by step, which allowed me to easily make the changes necessary and get into the tournament with the greatest of ease.
In every instance, I’ve found the Carbon Poker support staff professional, knowledgeable, and very helpful. Carbon Poker has support staff 24 hours a day to assist with any issues relating to software problems, cashiering questions or issues regarding poker play.
Carbon Poker Overivew: Offers, Bonuses, Promotions, Rakeback and Rewards Program
Carbon Poker has an attractive spread of bonuses and promotions. Their VIP Rewards program is second to none.
Carbon Poker Initial Deposit Bonus Overview
Carbon offers a first time deposit bonus of 100% up to $600 to new and prospective poker players. Newly depositing players will receive 14 days worth of depositors freeroll entry coupons to Carbon Poker’s $500 freeroll, which occurs at 7:15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as well as 1:15pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I would like to additionally note that Carbon also offers a freeroll for $50 every four hours which is open to all Carbon Poker players.
The deposit bonus is paid out in $10 increments. Carbon Poker releases $10 in bonus money into your player account for every 500 VIP points you obtain, which amounts to a value of $1 for every 50 VIP points accumulated. Additionally, you accumulate VIP points for sitting in cash games, as well as for buying into tournaments. Poker players earn 10 VIP points for every dollar paid in rake or tournament fees.
It should be noted, when you use another deposit coupon, it causes any previous deposit coupons to expire. You will be able to learn the Carbon Poker deposit coupon expiration date by accessing the coupon section of the Carbon Poker cashier. Make that first time deposit now at Carbon Poker.
Carbon Poker VIP Program Review
Upgraded significantly, Carbon Poker offers a remarkable, rewarding VIP Program to its members. This loyalty program offers cash, prizes, incentives and perks that poker players will be sure to appreciate. The VIP Program is broken into five tiers, which is of course based on the level and frequency of play.
| Tier | Earth | Wind | Fire | Water | Ether |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP Points | 5,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 | 100,000 | 250,000 |
| Cash Rebate Points | 500 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 25,000 |
| Cash Rebate | $2.50 | $18.75 | $50.00 | $150.00 | $750.00 |
| Points for Tournament Entry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cash Exchange Points | 10,000 | 20,000 | 30,000 | 40,000 | 50,000 |
| Cash Exchange Amount | $100 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 |
| VIP Freerolls | $200 | $350 | $500 | $750 | $1,000 |
| VIP Class Tournament | $- | $2 | $11 | $60 | $109 |
| VIP Points Store Items | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SnG Saver Monthly Bonus | $.50 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $5.00 | $11.00 |
As you can see, lots of valuable rewards from the VIP Program. Through the VIP Loyalty Program at Carbon Poker, you can also cash in your VIP points to obtain electronics such as an ipod or a flat screen tv (I’ve recevied 2 ipods via Carbon Poker). You’ll be able to shop for poker supplies such as chipsets, playing cards, or your own poker table. Additionally, should you wish to buy your way into a live tournament, such as the Aussie Millions, you can let the VIP Loyalty Program at Carbon Poker accommodate that for you. Jewelry, watches, rings, as well as sports equipment and golfing sets are also accessible through Carbon’s VIP Program – become a Carbon Poker VIP today!
Carbon Poker Reload Coupons
Occasionally, Carbon Poker offers a special reload bonus coupon. I’m in the process of obtaining one. When I get my own Carbon Poker reload coupon code, rest assured it will be posted here.
Overview of Carbon Poker’s History
Originally, Carbon Poker was the lone member of the Merge Network. Carbon operated under the name Poker.com, which was “The home of online poker” (as seen on TV!). In 2007, the Carbon brand emerged. Extensive details of the history of Carbon Poker within the Merge Network may be found in my poker network due diligence report on the Merge Gaming Network, where I offer a detailed, personal recollection of Carbon Poker, poker.com and the birth of the Merge Network.
Carbon Poker’s Overall Online Poker Circuit 5 star Rating
Industry Trust: 
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Player Support:
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Tournament Spread:
Ability to find and play Multiple Games:
Online Poker Circuit’s Overall Score for Carbon Poker: 44/50 –
Click here to visit Carbon Poker now.
