Revolution Poker Network
Please be advised as of 2019 – This network and poker sites within have closed.
At first glance the Revolution Gaming Network is new, having launched in 2012. However, if you dig deeper you’ll learn that both the owner and the skins have been around much longer than that.
Revolution Gaming started as Lock Poker. They launched in 2008 on the Cake Poker Network. However, they later moved to Merge Gaming in 2010, and then they outgrew them, they bought out the Cake Network, whom was struggling with their cash flow at the time. Lock became the flagship site, while they rebranded the network to Revolution Gaming. The network is now the home to major brand including Cake (now Win Cake), Juicy Stakes and Sportsbook.com.
For this software review I focused on both Lock Poker and Juicy Stakes. The reason why I chose two sites is because, in the beginning, Lock Poker had different software from the previous Cake skins. But as I dug deeper into both sites, I quickly found that over the last couple of months all of the skins have integrated the hybrid software that appears to be a mix of both Lock’s and Cake’s. And as you can tell from my review below, I think it works for them.
Software Compatibility
Revolution Gaming skins have a native download for PC and Mac users. However, none of the skins I’ve come across offer a mobile poker app or variation of their software.
Available Games & Stakes at Revolution Network Poker Gaming
In terms of game variety Lock Poker is taking the less is more approach. They offer only Holdem and Omaha. Stakes range from .02/.04 to 500/1000 for cash games, .10 to 500 for MTTs and up to 5,500 for SNGs. Based on their traffic levels and a lack of high stakes grinders, I don’t expect the higher buy-in tournaments to run often. In fact, only one person was sitting at the $1k games last I checked.
Note: Juicy Stakes is a little different. Their stakes peak at 50/100 for cash games and $30 for tournaments. They still have the 5,500 buy-in SNG, although the highest played when I reviewed the site was 25.
Tournament variations includes shorthanded, turbo, guarantees, deep stacks, bounties and shallow stacks (cash games).
Depending on where you play you might also have access to Telesina, blackjack, casino, dice or general games from the lobby.
Lobby and Table Software Features
The lobby is basic, easy to use. There are filters that help you narrow down your selection. Options include stakes, table size and speed for cash games, and format and type of game for tournaments.
For the tables you can change the felt, background, card backs and faces. In fact, you can upload your own design and use that for a background. But I didn’t mess with that – I liked the default graphics fine. The designs are subtle, have smooth gradients and look much better than the backdrops at the Chico Poker Network. There is less distraction, which is important to me as I play multiple tables.
There are the standard options too, such as note taking, 4-color decks and multiple table layouts. Things you’ll find everywhere else. You’ll notice that the icons and additional features / table options are similar to Cake Poker’s. If you’re familiar with their software you’ll feel right at home.
The last thing I want to point out is that tracking programs are supported / compatible with Revolution Gaming Network skins. At first I found this odd because Lock Poker (along with a few of the other skins) have been testing a program that segregates players based on skill.
Based on what we’ve seen from Bovada, I wouldn’t have expected Revolution Gaming skins to allow 3rd party programs. However, based on my research Lock Poker is trying to find a balance between recreational and profitable play, which is why Holdem Manager or Poker Tracker is allowed.
What I Like - Revolution Network Poker
Considering that Lock Poker bought Cake Poker and continued to use their software, I didn’t expect Juicy Stakes’ software to be so similar to Lock Poker’s. I like that it is though, because the experience will be the same (in terms of games and software) from one skin to the next. So that was a nice surprise. Followed closely to that is their graphics.
I also appreciate the network allowing the use of HUDs too, even though they’re trying to protect recreational players. While you may not agree with segregating players (I don’t), at least the players aren’t anonymous and the tracking software is not banned.
Things could be a lot worse, that’s for sure.
What I Don’t Like - Revolution Network Poker
Mobile is the future. The fact that no Revolution Gaming skin has a mobile app is disappointing and frustrating, to say the least. Having one could’ve been an edge that propelled them to the front of US accepting poker networks.
Next to that was the sign up process. It was buggy and didn’t work for me. This should be improved ASAP, because it frustrates users, but also gives off a vibe that maybe their software doesn’t work right and could be insecure.
