Pokertropolis, a little investigative reporting

[jek187]

1st, the weird things w/Pokertropolis that made me curious.
1. During the course of the day, Pokertropolis goes from about 30 to about 55 real money players. This is extremely low variance, as other comparable sites like ACR go from 3-30 and WSex from about 18-61.
2. On a day w/out network troubles, Pokertropolis usually has over $3 million in real money pots/24hr period. For some perspective, Ultimate Bet cracks $3 million on a good day.
3. #2 is most likely due to their HU games. They have huge HU games that go 24hr hours/day, 7 days/week. Multiple huge HU games. Why would a backwater site like this attract more high stakes HU action than the rest of the internet combined?
4. Whenever you log into Pokertropolis, you will see 2 $1/$2 games, 1 $3/$6, either a $15/$30 or a $20/$40, and possibly a $2/$4. The only site I've seen be more consistent w/the games it has going is the late Pro Poker.
5. Some posters, JamesBurke amongst them, have said that something is not right at Pokertropolis.

Based on all of this, I sent the following email to Pokertropolis.

Dear Pokertropolis,

I have noticed that your site does not display characteristics similar to other sites of your size. Specifically, your player base is much more consistent throughout the day than any other site, and the amount of money wagered is absolutely huge compared to other comparable sites. I do realize the discrepancy in money wagered is largely due to your large HU games that are constantly going.

I would appreciate answers to the following questions:

1. Are your HU games real? (i.e. not just shills or bots playing against each other for publicity)

2a. Do you use bots in your ring games?
2b. If so, do your bots have access to any information that a regular player would not?

3a. Do you use props?
3b. If so, How are you able to keep such a consistent number playing when many sites struggle immensely with this task?

4. If the answers to questions 2 & 3 are both 'no,' how do you explain your consistent ring game statistics?

I thank you in advance for your prompt, honest response. Both myself and the internet poker community, are looking forward to your answers. Thank you,

Jason Kirsner (known in the internet poker community as jek187)

Now for their response:

Hello Jason,

Thank you for your interest in Pokertropolis. Currently, we do not have proposition players on our site, nor have we in the past. Pokertropolis is dedicated to maintaining the most honest and secure poker card room on the Internet. This is designed for real people to play other real people. Period!

Please note, Pokertropolis.com is the poker division of Horizon20.com. Horizon20 is an established leader in online gaming and have been for over 6 years. Horizon 20 comprises a total of five Internet gaming properties. Including eHorse.com, the largest horse racing site on the Internet, Las Palmas.com sportsbook, betting exchange and casino, WitEuro.com sportsbook and betting exchange specializing in European sports and Autobet.us, which showcases pari-mutuel betting for all types of motor sports.


Many of our high stakes customers come from our other sister sites where they can easily transfer money between all five Horizon20 properties to place wagers on their favorite games, athletes, races or more.

As you may also know, we offer a 25% Sign-Up bonus to all new customers as well as a Bad Beat Jackpot that resets to $10,000 after it is hit (while on the subject, a lucky table just won over $17,000 a few days ago). I think these “better than industry standard” promotions, give players a reason to play consistently.

I hope this thoroughly answers your questions, and once again, I thank you for your interest in Pokertropolis and hope you will join the ranks of our valued customers.


Jim Silvers

Pokertropolis Public Relations
Pokertropolis.com
US and Canada call 1(800) 625-8354
International toll 011-506-242-4856

A Company.


Well, I wasn't exactly pleased w/their response. Seemed very slippery. So I sent this email:


Hi Jim,

I'm sorry, but aside from the question regarding your usage of props, it doesn't seem like you answered my other 3 questions, although you do imply certain things.

1. Are your HU games real? (i.e. not just shills or bots playing against each other for publicity) You state "Many of our high stakes customers come from our other sister sites where they can easily transfer money between all five Horizon20 properties to place wagers on their favorite games, athletes, races or more." But you don't actually answer the question. I would like to add the qualifier "Are ALL your HU games real?"

2a. Do you use bots in your ring games?
2b. If so, do your bots have access to any information that a regular player would not?

This set of questions was not even touched on.

3a. Do you use props?
3b. If so, How are you able to keep such a consistent number playing when many sites struggle immensely with this task?

This was answered nice and succinctly. Thank you.

4. If the answers to questions 2 & 3 are both 'no,' how do you explain your consistent ring game statistics?

I think this question was misunderstood. What I notice with your site is that the daily peaks and valleys are much less pronounced than any other site out there. How have you managed to smooth that out?

I thank you for the time you have taken to respond to me, and look forward to your next response. Sincerely,

Jason Kirsner


Pokertropolis then responds w/:

Hi again Jason,

I apologize if the previous letter wasn't clear enough. Pokertropolis is for real people to play other real people. Robots or any type of automated software in not welcome at our site. Period!

Thanks,


Jim Silvers

Pokertropolis Public Relations
Pokertropolis.com
US and Canada call 1(800) 625-8354
International toll 011-506-242-4856

A Company.


I took this to mean that he was done w/me. Fair enough, time to go to the Zoo. My opinion has probably come across already, but I'd like to hear what the rest of the Zoo thinks about this.