Carbon Poker Review

A small site with big ambitions would be my assessment of Carbon Poker. Being late comers to the industry Carbon have had the benefit of hindsight and used this to their advantage; fusing classic features with modern innovations.

There is a clear divide in the online poker world between the re-sizers and the tilt inducing non-re-sizers. Thankfully Carbon Poker has seen the light and integrated this option into their software. In fact they have gone a step further and streamlined the multi-tabling process even more by implementing a grid system.

Most sites use the entire desktop space when tiling tables but with Carbon’s grid system you have the ability to force your tables into an independent grid. Tables can be displayed in a separate window from your desktop, making it easier to control multiple tables and save precious desktop space.

This feature definitely takes multi-tabling to a new level and will be a god send to you professional grinders out there. The innovations don’t stop there, as players can also choose between full mode and mini mode.

The new mini mode feature removes all the unnecessary table decoration which allows for greater legibility at smaller resolutions. Looking at twenty tiny tables is now no longer like trying to read a mosaic of postage stamps from fifty feet away; something I’m sure the crazy multi-tablers will appreciate.

The user interface is also set to become fully customisable in the new update. Cards, carpets, tables and lobby appearance can all be decorated to suit even the most garish tastes (my personal favourite is the leopard print carpet and purple table cloth). A time bank has also been incorporated into the new design, as has an integrated network diagnostic tool to help players who get disconnected (or can’t connect at all) find out why.

While these features provide a slick, sophisticated interface for players the icing on the cake for me is the extra game features that help create a more authentic poker experience. Carbon Poker gives players the option to run a turn and river twice, show opponents they made a bad fold by rabbit hunting a river card and also expose either one or both cards.

All these features are common in live games and help add an extra tactical dimension to the online medium. This signals Carbon’s desire to not only push the boundaries of internet poker but also make the game more engaging for its players. While some may argue that these features unnecessarily slow down the game: I argue that features like this make the game more entertaining for players.

Amongst the site’s numerous positives there are a few minor gripes.

One feature which totally misses the mark is the ability to earn accolades. By winning tournaments or being a regular grinder a player has a range of cartoon graphics added to their avatar.

Whilst some players might want to brag about their achievements this has a negative long-term EV as it instantly signals you’re a competent player. The problem with this is that the fish will be scared to play with you and you can no longer fool the regs that you’re a donk.

Another pretty big black mark on the site is their charges for withdrawals. Although they have recently changed their policy you can’t escape their high cashout fees unless you reach the top three VIP levels. For the smaller players, where every $ counts, there is a $20 charge for check withdrawals in addition to the universal $100 minimum cashout.

Finally, if loyalty is handsomely rewarded by Carbon, then disloyalty is treated with utter contempt. If a player’s account is inactive for 60 days then a certain portion of their VIP points are removed and then continually removed at 60 day intervals; a real pain if you’ve saved a bounty of points and decide to go on tilt-eliminating hiatus from the site.

Overall, these negatives are merely minor scratches on what is an altogether stylish and robust poker room. Excellent software, extremely generous bonuses and enterprising innovations are what make this little site a major player in the online market.

It is refreshing to see a smaller site push the boundaries when it comes to improving the quality of online poker and there is no doubt that this piece of carbon is only a few steps away from becoming a real diamond in the poker industry.