For anyone that is new to the wonderful world of online poker, it is important to clarify that the term “poker brand” is not a reference to a certain card maker. Nor does it refer to poker variants like stud, draw, or hold ‘em (also referred to as community card poker). A poker brand is like a car maker or a designer label, and the designer may be a network or an independent website. Planet Poker (now defunct) was the first online poker room, and thus the first poker brand; not that a brand was necessary at a time when there was no competition. That first poker room opened in 1998, and ten years later there are now dozens if not hundreds of online poker rooms, making brand recognition as important in the world of online poker as in any other consumer-driven industry.
Each poker brand strives to distinguish itself from its competitors. Some brands are known for their design, some for their software, and some for their excellent promotions. And still others--like the Pepsi Co. of the poker world—make a name for their brand through aggressive marketing. As the industry grows, so does the competition, and poker brands must improve their standards constantly to remain attractive to players that have become accustomed to the best of everything.
The hallmark of most poker brands is their software. For each site you join, you will download a small software program that will give you access to their specially designed player window, poker lobby, and game tables. Because of player expectations, a brand with slow or otherwise poor software will not remain viable for long. Players like their poker hard and fast, and online poker rooms strive to emulate the feel of live poker with real-time game play and high quality graphics.
Other brands distinguish themselves through their promotions. Online tournament pots are growing as more players ante in, and the payoff for some major tournaments is of a size previously only associated with live tournament. Furthermore, some prize packages and points programs rival the promotions found in large brick and mortar casinos. And if you still have a taste for live play, many brands offer their online players the opportunity to qualify for major tournaments via smaller satellite tournaments online.
 This high level of competition has resulted in a newfocus for successful pokerbrands—customer service. In the past, you were lucky to find a support e-mail address on a poker site, and even luckier to get a response to your inquiry. Today you will find that most poker sites offer comprehensive customer service that includes several ways to contact them and 24/7 support. Many sites also cater to their intermediate customers by offering poker schooling or tips and through the addition of member forums.
Whether you’re an old pro or are playing poker for the first time, there is a poker brand designed with you in mind.
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