DuplicatePoker Review

What is Duplicate Poker?

DuplicatePoker is a new way to play the world’s most popular card game.  It plays just like a normal poker game, with one key exception.  In DuplicatePoker, your opponents are not the other players sitting at your table.  Instead, opponents are the players in corresponding seats at other tables. 

For example, let’s say you are sitting in the #1 seat.  Your results are compared only with all other players in #1 seats during your session.  To really test one’s skill, each seat is dealt duplicate hole cards, hence the name DuplicatePoker.  Each table also sees identical flops, turns, and rivers.  Hence, the luck factor is minimized.  DuplicatePoker is almost entirely skill-based.  Your poker skills are stacked up against other players in nearly-identical circumstances. There are no “bad beats” in DuplicatePoker.  Skillful play wins.  This makes DuplicatePoker much closer to games such as duplicate bridge, backgammon, and chess, than a gambling game.

DuplicatePoker has also been spread in a tournament format and is expected to be offered at more casinos and cardrooms in months and years ahead.

How is Duplicate Poker Played?

Play starts only with two or more tables of players, since players are competing against rivals in corresponding seats.  There must be an identical number of players seated at each table.  The software is automated and play begins once the tables are balanced equally.

Identically shuffled decks of cards are used at each table.  Each hand is played so that players in the same seat position at all tables receive the same hole cards and board cards.

Players begin each hand with the same number of playing chips, regardless of how the previous hand played out.  Results (wins and losses) are scored automatically by the site software.

The winner(s) are determined by the number of chips at the end of the session or game.

Session and tournament winners are determined by comparing the results achieved by the players who played identical hands so that skill determines who wins, not receiving good or bad cards.  Any hand is winnable if it is played properly.  

Is Duplicate Poker Legal?

Because DuplicatePoker is skill-based, the website is legal in most U.S. jurisdictions. Furthermore, the live version of the game is legal in almost all states since it is not gambling, but relies on skill. Given the current legal climate within the U.S, DuplicatePoker is a convenient alternative for potentially millions of online poker players who are frustrated with other sites and restrictions on payment processors.  

What About the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and Depositing Money?

This American-based company is perhaps the most payment-friendly processor of any game site as it accepts credit card deposits from Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.  UIEGA restrictions only apply to gambling, not skill-based games.  Currently, DuplicatePoker offers a 200 percent sign-up bonus on all cash deposits up to $100.

The site’s primary competitive advantage over its competitors is the ease by which players may deposit and withdraw funds.  This is one of the very few poker sites in the world that accepts direct deposits by major credit card – including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.  Since DuplicatePoker is a skill-based game, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) restrictions on funding do not apply.  In addition, the site allows gift certificates.  Cash outs are done by check (minimum $20).

Some Advantages of Duplicate Poker

DuplicatePoker can be an effective learning and improvement tool for all hold’em and Omaha players since it allows participants to measure their play versus other players in similar circumstances.  The site offers both free-play and cash-play games.  DuplicatePoker offers tournaments, quick-play games, and sit n’ goes.  The site also offers many enticing incentives to new players, including sign-up bonuses and freerolls.

The DuplicatePoker Game Site

The first thing a new player will notice is that DuplicatePoker looks much like a typical online poker site.  The main lobby features tabs with three primary options – quick play games, tournaments, and sit n’ goes.  Within each tab, current and upcoming games are listed, along with the buy-in amount and number of players in each session. 

Each DuplicatePoker table is comparable to the layout of a typical online poker site.  However, since DuplicatePoker plays differently and is a relatively new concept to many players, there are drop-down prompts and texts which guide players through the learning process.  The games also offer current standings so players can always see how they are performing against the competition.  Short instructional tutorials on a drop down menu make the game easy to understand, as players may become more familiar with the DuplicatePoker concept.

Player options include:
Animation
Standard deck, four-color deck, and other varieties
Sounds (including alerts)
Player and dealer chat
Regular announcements which remind players up upcoming events
Personalized avatars

The site also offers a special section with strategy guidelines for players, which are updated regularly.  The chief strategist for the game site is Bob Ciaffone, one of poker’s leading writers and theorists.  The site offers news items relating to DuplicatePoker as well as a posting forum where players may discuss strategy and even offer suggestions to the site developers.  In short, DuplicatePoker is one of the most interactive poker websites on the net.

OTE:  The client was renovated in November 2007 and is consistently upgrading its features.

Customer Service at DuplicatePoker

he site offers telephone, e-mail, and live online support.  Help is available 24/7.  There are two telephone numbers available to North American players, including a toll-free 800 number.  This is one of the few game websites offering all three options to players.  Customer Service Representatives are knowledgeable and helpful.
 
Games at DuplicatePoker

At DuplicatePoker, players can choose from flop games including Texas holdem, Omaha High, and Omaha High-Low.  At present, the vast majority of games spread are hold’em.  However, Omaha games are likely to become more popular as site traffic increases.

The competition level at DuplicatePoker varies.  However the vast majority of players are novices.  Since most players are relatively new to the concept, few if any professionals play at the site.  Buy-ins are relatively low, as well, which makes for a largely recreational player base.  For this reason, the site may be quite beatable (and profitable) for those who invest the time needed to improve their skills.
Newcomers who visit DuplicatePoker will benefit from a quick, interactive video tutorial on how to play the game.

Online Poker Tournaments at DuplicatePoker

DuplicatePoker offers a healthy number of low-buy-in tournaments.  Buy-ins range from as low as 20 cents up to $55 – with many denominations in-between.  
In addition, in 2008 the site plans to introduce the first-ever “World Duplicate Poker World Championship.”  Satellites to the main event will also be offered.

FreeRolls at DuplicatePoker

DuplicatePoker regularly offers freeroll tournaments with cash prizes.  Freerolls are offered to both new players and existing players who build up player points.

Stakes at DuplicatePoker

The site has been up and running since summer of 2007.  Hence, stakes are relatively low.  Buy-ins range from 20 cents up to $15 for Quick Play games.  The vast majority of games have buy-ins of $1 to $5.  However, the low buy-in and inexpensive rake offers players arguably more value for the dollar than at any other poker site.   

Presently, the highest buy-in amount is $55.  Again, this has advantages and disadvantage.  The advantage is that tougher competition are not as inclined to play at the site.  However, those who may want to compete for higher stakes may have to wait until player traffic increases substantially before games of comparable size to other poker sites are offered.

Try Out DuplicatePoker For Free

The site now offers a one-time offer of $3 for new players to come and try out the site for free.  Since many Duplicate Poker tournaments cost no more than a dollar or two to enter, this is a great incentive for new players to take a test drive.  You can sign up anytime and get $3 free to play.

For those who want to even better value, DuplicatePoker is currently offering a 200 percent deposit bonus, up to $100.  That means a $50 cash deposit can actually be worth up to $150 in real money to be used at DuplicatePoker.