Will new 'independent' poker sites ever get a large enough player base?

[winbig]

You left one thing out...it really has alot to do with the software also. I know of one example of a room that I'll give 99-1 to succeed, and that's cardcrusade. It's a java client, and they totally jumped the gun on their launch. The server frequently locks up, and quits dealing cards.

The worst part of it would be their CS. It's non-existant. I emailed them regarding the lockups I experienced (Only played out the $5 free and tested a freeroll), and have yet to recieve a reply, even on the 2nd mail telling them I wouldn't be back. No explanation, no plea to have me back, nada. Any small startup should be on top of such an email, and would be very eager to retain any customer that signs up with them.


They have it where you can create your own tables, but only for limit games. No PL, no NL. For those you have to use the preset tables they have available.

There's also no Omaha, 7stud, nor 5stud.

Their freerolls looked to have about 50 people in them, but are too small ($250) to attract most players.

They are giving away $5 free to sign up, so most all of the money in play is theirs. I didn't see anyone with over $40 there, so I'm assuming that there has been few, if any, deposits made.

The above clearly points out how *not* to launch a new poker room.

[pokeraddict]

Also the amount of Cardcrusade spam has been sickening. It is not like the WPEX spam where most if not all of it is from players that are not getting paid for their posts. Cardcrusade's spam seems to be uncontrollable affiliate or RAF type spam. WPEX made Cardcrusade's business model obsolete before it ever got off the ground. I have never played there though so maybe there is some reason to choose them, but from reading the post above I cannot find one.

[Self Made]

Pokertropolis closed their doors today. From their home page: "As of September 1, 2006, Pokertropolis.com has closed it's doors. Player's available balances will be paid out within the next 7 days."

[winbig]

Except for those that didn't use CentralCoin, Neteller, or Firepay to deposit...they have to ask for it.

ALL OTHER DEPOSITORS with Available balances: Click here to log into our secure CASHIER section and complete a withdrawal request so that we may send you your available balance. Please note that Neteller withdrawals are the fastest way to receive your money and are FREE. If you don't have a Neteller account and would like to open one, please visit Neteller.com and open one before completing your withdrawal request. If you are withdrawing to your Neteller or FirePay account, please make sure the email address on your Pokertropolis account matches up with the email address on your Neteller or FirePay account or you can include your Neteller or FirePay account number in the comments box of your withdrawal request. You can easily update your email address on the 'Player Info' page inside our CASHIER section.

What a joke for the following.... They're closing their doors, and making people pay to get their money if they used a CC and don't have neteller, central coin, nor firepay? Particularly USA players that used debit/CC's.

Also forcing users to take a check, which may or may not clear. Good luck finding them if it doesn't.

International Cashier Checks for balances of less than $500 will be charged $20.00 and may take up to 10 days to be delivered and an additional 14 days to clear your bank account.

International Cashier Checks for balances of $500 or more will be charged $35 to be sent via Express UPS and may take up to 7 Days to be delivered and an additional 14 days to clear your bank account.

[GrandMaster]

Pokertropolis closed their doors today. From their home page: "As of September 1, 2006, Pokertropolis.com has closed it's doors. Player's available balances will be paid out within the next 7 days."

With only one player, no wonder it had to close down.