Full review of True Poker

True Poker
www.truepoker.com 
FREE DOWNLOAD!
Software size 10 MB

Special Features
3D real-game environment
Advanced sound and voice effects
Using avatars
Online tutorials from Sklansky and Malmuth

Total weighted score (out of 10) 4.50

 Sign-up bonus in $ $75
Deposit bonus in % 30%

Hits
Lobby information is detailed
Live table hosts 24/7
Shortcut keys for certain actions
Note taking support
Hand statistics function

Misses
No multi-table play
No seven-card stud
Only 3D version available

Summary
True Poker is positioned as the "real deal" poker room, with high-end graphics, avatars and sound effects. With recent enhancements to the software, the speed of the games are now good, making True Poker a very good choice for players looking for great 3D-feel. True Poker launched in May 2001 and has been heavily marketed to reach a top 6-10 spot in terms of traffic, but lately fallen back somewhat in traffic. Note - only one table play is allowed. Real money player statistics - May 2005: 250-350 ring game players at peak hours, 200-300 tournament players at peak hours.

Software and graphics
TruePoker offers a unique real feel experience, but is certainly not the choice of players wanting to play many games in quick tempo.It takes time to adjust to the True Poker site, as you have a "frog view" perspective looking over the table with a circle of players from your position and your hole cards facing down! It can also be tricky to keep in mind where the button is.All players, including the dealer are avatars. Some negative points are that you can only play one table at a time (no multi-table play). Also, you do not see the site of the pot (as you have to move the mouse over pot in order to see the size). If your computer is old you can experience problems with this heavy application. The speed of the action is today better, with improvements to the software. Still you will get fewer games played per hour (also since you can only play at one table). There is a classic offline tell you can spot on True Poker, namely the "color check" as people pick up their cards with three cards of the same color on the board, to check if they have a flush draw. This phenomenon goes also for certain other draws. You can only request the last 10 hands via e-mail, but instead you can set preferences at the site to get automatic download of the hands directly to your computer. There is a log of all betting actions, that shows who bets and calls and how much. There is also a player notes function.An interesting fact is that David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth has consulted for TruePoker to develop an anti-collusion system, with automatic flagging of suspicious activity to be review by the security team.

Ring game traffic
The traffic is in the medium range, with about 200-300 players at peak times in the ring games. The traffic is very concentrated to hold'em games. There are many play money tables.

Tournament traffic
The traffic in the tournaments is OK, with up about 150-200 players at peak times.

Game variety
The variety is limited to only hold'em and Omaha Hi and Hi-Lo. (Partly since stud requires the player to see the others' upcards across the table, which is harder from the "frog view".) There are a few sit and go single-table tournaments, but the focus is on scheduled tournaments, which are multi-table.

Rake
The rake is at the average of the industry, with max rake at $3. The tournaments typically are charged 10% on top of the registration fee.There are often re-buys and add-ons in the tournaments.

Soft competition
The tables seem to be at an average level, with view flop percentages in full hold'em tables going up to the 40-ies and low 50-ies.

Sign up bonus
There is a 20% deposit match, up to a maximum of $50. Play 500 raked hands within 40 days to get $50 (equals 10 raked pots per dollar).

Loyalty bonus
A loyalty bonus in terms of "True Poker Points" is awarded for each raked hand, which are redeemable for tournaments entries or merchandise.

Promotions
Offers only a few promotions. Typically there are special hand promotions, such as Omaha pocket card quads, winning hold'em with 72 off, etc. Sometimes the endorsers take part in games or tournaments, in the latter with a bounty on them for the players knocking them out.An online tuition is available with David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth, where you pay a fee to get your cash game analyzed at designated tables.

Support
Good support, with live hosts, telephone and e-mail support.

Financial security
Should be clearly secure, as one of the top 20 poker rooms in the world, with no earlier recorded problems. High score.

Deposit & withdrawal options
Deposit options:
VISA, MasterCard, NETeller, FirePay, PrePaid ATM, bank draft, cashier's check.
Cash out options:
Only bank draft sent to billing address (VISA paid up to the amount deposited).