Carbon Poker is the first and largest poker site on the Merge Poker Network. The site was established back in 2006 and has since become one of the largest poker sites in the world.

Since the UIGEA and the seizure of Pokerstars, Full Tilt and UB players funds, there are few places in which poker players from the US can now play at. Carbon Poker is one of few sites that now accept customers from the US.

Carbon Poker Software

Ok, now we have the doom and gloom out of the way. It’s time to get to the meat of the review.  The Carbon Poker software is good, not great, not bad. I would rate the Pokerstars and Full Tilt software as superior. However, the Carbon Poker software is fit for purpose and easy to use.

The lobby is easy to navigate; depositing money on to the site and checking your bankroll is indeed easy.

The table software is nice to look at and is very customizable, something I like a lot. It is easy to change all of the aspects of the poker felt, table background, cards and other features.

The main annoying thing I do not like about the software is that it seems a bit fiddly and at times laggy. Like sometimes it takes a second or so for your bet to appear on the table after making it. This isn’t a big problem but it’s something that is definitely a minor irritant.

In 2011 Holdem Manager started supporting Carbon Poker and other merge rooms. This will allow you to get better information and reads on your opponent. This is essential if you are going to multi table on this site. Players who use Holdem Manager will be delighted to learn this.

Carbon Poker Rakeback and VIP Program

In 2011 Carbon Poker cancelled its rakeback program and integrated it directly in to the VIP program. This has created a system much like the Pokerstars system where there more you play, the higher percentage rakeback you get.

When you first sign up you start at the Earth VIP level. This does not entitle you to too much rakeback. The total cashback value is only 12%. However, if you stick to playing at Carbon Poker and move up the VIP levels you will graduate to the Water, Ether and Ether+ levels.

Graduating to the water level is the first challenge. If you are a regular and play around 30’000 hands per month of low stakes games, you will easily reach this level. Reaching the Ether level is the next challenge. Professional players who play high a volume of hands at the low and mid stakes games will find this easy.

Finally, the Ether+ VIP level is the most difficult to obtain and is reserved for the most hardcore grinders out there. When you graduate to this level you are in the big leagues that only a few players are able to obtain. Doing such will entitle you to 45% rakeback and a bunch of other special privalleges.

Competition Difficulty

I don’t want to berate US players. There are many fantastic US players and the best players in the world come from the US. That being said, the average American poker player thinks they are good, but they are inherently bad.

If you learn the most basic poker strategy from this website, you will be able to win at the lowest stakes games on Carbon Poker. The micro stakes games are full of fish. Virtually every table has at least 2 or 3 very weak players.

As you move up in to low and mid stakes cash games, the competition starts to get harder but is still relatively easy.

When you compare Carbon Poker to a site like Pokerstars, I feel that Carbon Poker is definitely a lot softer website and has a better fish:regular ratio.

When it comes to SNG’s and MTT’s, I am not sure how soft these games are. I would assume they are just as soft as the cash games, that being said I have not played in these games, I prefer to stick to cash games because this is where my expertise lies.

Carbon Poker Bonus Code

When you sign up through our link you are automatically entitled to the maximum possible Carbon Poker bonus and are automatically entered into the VIP program.

The deposit bonus is 100% up to $600 and as soon as you deposit you will be given this bonus. The bonus is then worked off gradually the more you play. Every time you earn 375 VIP points you will get $5 of your deposit bonus released in to your account: (You get 75 VIP points for every $1 you pay in rake).

In order to make sure you receive the maximum possible Carbon Poker bonus, make sure you enter code: abc123

Misc Carbon Poker Information

The minimum carbon poker deposit is $10.

Players from the US can deposit only via Credit Cards (Visa and Mastercard) as well as Click2pay.

Players from other countries have more options for depositing and cashing out. These include: Neteller, 1 Pay, Moneybookers, EcoCard, Instadebit, ClickandBuy, Pay Safe Card and Web Money.

Players who have not deposited yet and wish to get some email support can email: [email protected].