Review
Cake Poker entered the world of online poker in 2005 and has had a mediocre growth ever since. The Cake Poker team has great ambitions however and can achieve great things if they play their cards right. The traffic is rather low, but the positive development of quality tournaments is likely going to make things better. As for variety, there's not much to add other than the usual Hold'em, Omaha and 7 Card Stud. If you are a person who enjoys collecting items, this portal is definitely interesting due to the Gold Card program, which can earn you a total of $52,000. All in all, Cake Poker is an online poker room with potential, but if you're looking for a trafficated poker room site, then look at our higher-ranked rooms.
Software (9)
The software of Cake Poker is as realistic as it can get without taking the whole 3D feeling too far. The first thing you will notice at the table is that every character is actually a photographed model. The graphics resemble what we're used to at PokerRoom, but with greater variation; you can choose between several avatars and let them sit at any chair. Other table features include the usual, such as player notes and visual customizations. As far as the lobby goes, things have improved significantly since the launch. At first glance, we disliked the looks and the functionality, but we have given the software some time to mature - and it has.
Traffic (7)
Every new room that is on proprietary software and a closed network requires a few years of growth before we are fully satisfied with the user traffic. During peak hours, Cake has over 2000 connected players. Cake Poker is unfortunately not idealistic for people who demand a large traffic flow. That does not mean you won't get any action, but at certain medium and high stakes, you will notice familiar names more often than you should.
Tournaments (7)
Despite the low traffic, Cake Poker puts quite a lot of effort into tournaments with guaranteed cash prizes as well as satellites. It is far from what a network like PokerStars can offer, but for the casual tournament player, this will do more than well.
Game Variety (7)
Cake Poker offers the typical line-up of poker game modes. The most prominent one is obviously Texas Hold'em with No Limit, Pot Limit and Fixed Limit. Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo is available, but we're missing turbo action.
Soft Competition (9)
New poker rooms often attract the loose players who tend to fit in the fish category quite well. Cake Poker's common player is no exception. Even $1/$2 tables reveal players per flop as high as 60 % and beyond. The low stake play is very loose as it always is, but never above 80 %.
Sign Up Bonus (9)
EveryPoker.com and Cake Poker are offering a sign up bonus worth a total of $750. The deposit match is at 100% and it is very easy to claim. To get the full bonus, use bonus code :tentwo. Every month, the winner of this freeroll gets a ticket to the $50,000 Guaranteed tournament, plus a share of the $250 prizepool. The freeroll is scheduled at 6pm EST on the last Sunday of every month.
Loyalty Rewards (7)
Cake Poker offers a unique Gold Card lottery, which is basically a small amount of golden cards handed out every day to every player who is participating at the real money ring games and tournaments. If you get a card, you can redeem this for tournaments, merchandise or keep it and collect all 52 cards and receive $52,000. Cake Poker also hands out what's equivalent to frequent player points. You earn Cake Slices by participating in real money games. The more you make, the bigger rewards you get.
Promotions (9)
You can own a piece of Cake Poker for life, simply by winning one of the few one-percent shares of Cake Gaming N.V. This is potentially worth millions of dollars in a few years. Other than that, you can participate in small freerolls and friend referral programmes. As an added bonus, our visitors are also awarded an entry to our exclusive $250 freeroll (password: tentwo). Every month, the winner of this freeroll gets a ticket to the $50,000 Guaranteed tournament, plus a share of the $250 prizepool. The freeroll is scheduled at 6pm EST on the last Sunday of every month.
Support (6)
Cake Poker offers a basic FAQ and e-mail support. We're not really expecting a small poker room like CakePoker to offer telephone support or a live chat, but this has grown into a standard nowadays. On the other hand, you get a fast reply and usually very useful information in the mail.
