WSOP.com NJ has surpassed partypoker.com NJ as the number one online poker network in New Jersey in the week since WSOP.com NJ and 888.com NJ began sharing player pools on a limited basis according to figures from PokerScout reported by PokerIndustryPRO.com.
Last Monday the rooms announced that player pools for the lower stake cash games on both sites will be combined on the All American Poker Network (AAPN) along with some low buy-in sit and go tournaments and daily and weekly guaranteed prize pool tournaments.
Take part in all the great action on WSOP.com by signing up here.
Since the announcement, the partnership between 888.com NJ and WSOP.com NJ has surpassed partypoker.com NJ on the 7-day moving average of cash game seats filled. Prior to the change, the partypoker network—which includes both partypoker.com NJ and Borgata Poker—had a comfortable lead over the competition.
Contributing Factors
The change of leadership is not due to a decrease on the partypoker network, but instead an increase by the other rooms. The 30 day moving average of cash game traffic at the partypoker network has remained constant over the last month.
The change of guard also comes at a time when WSOP.com NJ has revamped its player rewards system. The changes introduced at the beginning of the year offer a higher level of rake back for most players on the site. In addition, 888 is offering double VIP points for the month of January.
These promotions may have contributed to the rise, but they have been in place since the year started. However, it wasn’t until the last week when the player pool sharing was implemented that the rooms began to gain momentum and rise to the top of the New Jersey online poker market.
Will the Spike Become a Trend?
Online Poker cash game traffic traditionally sees a rise during the winter months. The rise to the top by WSOP.com NJ also comes at a time when players in the state are likely playing more tournament poker as the $1 million guaranteed Garden State Super Series (GSSS) on the partypoker network is currently ongoing.
Online poker operators in New Jersey also saw a 10% revenue bump in December. That rise is expected to continue into the New Year and beyond if rumors that PokerStars will be licensed in New Jersey by March.
