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IDNPoker (IDNplay) Network review
IDNPoker (IDNPlay) opened its doors in 2010 in Asia, more precisely in Cambodia, where they started a long journey until reaching 2nd position in the world's largest poker networks ranking. Currently, IDN is headquartered in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. IDN Poker holds a PAGCOR license and a bmm RNG certificate.
What is IDNPlay
The company is considered a leading B2B provider of online gaming platforms across Asia, and they have participated several times in conferences like G2E Asia, iGaming Summit, etc. They offer API Integration or White Label Solution for skins.
Its strategy to become the largest poker network in Asia includes operating over 200 skins across Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, with over 10,000 concurrent users.
IDN Poker defines itself as: "This isn't gambling. IDNPlay is a high-stake lifestyle where risk is rewarded."
IDN poker skins
We have identified over 200 skins working with IDNPlay products. This massive expansion is responsible for the incredible traffic indicators of the network. However, many of these are strictly local, and there is not much information available in the English language.
Difference between skins
From a player's point of view, the only difference between IDN Poker skins is the language and the payment methods available. But, after logging in, the client is the same, and only the logo is different. Nevertheless, our players don't need to worry about that because we provide safe access to only one skin which fulfills the requisites to work with us.
What is the best IDNpoker site?
The answer to this question depends on your current location. The IDNPoker Network expansion plan was to close deals with local sites to serve different Asian countries. Hence, if you live in Thailand, for example, the best skin for you would be the Thai one.
However, we run a direct deal with ShenPoker, the flagship Malaysian skin of the IDNPoker Network and perhaps responsible for a significant proportion of traffic. We know the efforts of their team to fight unfair games. Such a deal is open to players worldwide, and in our opinion, is the safest option to join IDNPlay now.
How to choose the right skin
For players located in Asia, the choice is easy: go with your local provider, who will provide you access to the games.
However, overseas customers and regs must rely on agents to join the games, and under this scenario, it's most important to check for the background of your partner, as he will be in charge of processing all deposits and withdrawals.
IDNpoker rakeback
IDNPlay does not run any VIP or rakeback program for overseas players, but this does not mean that there are no promotions at all. However, your agent will be responsible for cashback and welcome bonuses.
Please note that, as usual with Asian poker sites, the promotions are quite different from other sites. You will be able to choose the percentage of the welcome bonus, and it must be released in total (it's not paid in small chunks) according to turnover and not rake.
Our customers will also get a top rakeback deal paid monthly.
Rake
One of the most scandalous oddities at IDNpoker is their rake structure. All games are charged with a 3% uncapped commission from the preflop action.
In the little MTTs held at the network, the rake is about 20%.
Games and traffic
IDNPlay bundles its gaming offer under the IDNSports brand, which includes:
- Sportsbooks
- Live casino
- RNG Games
- Poker (NLH, PLO, MTT)
- Lottery
The two most popular branches, casino, and poker are highlighted by the network and have a special place on their ads. Now let's talk about poker.
Overview
Overall the traffic at poker IDN is impressive. It's the only site that has threatened PokerStars' leadership within the past five years. In June 2019, IDNPoker briefly surpassed PS and took down first place for a few weeks, and since then, it has firmly remained second.
However, don't expect to take advantage of such traffic by playing multiple tables at once
Cash games
It's nearly impossible to count how many cash games tables are played at any time on IDNPlay Poker. The site boasts over 20,000 connections which result in hundreds of tables around the clock.
Features:
- The proportion between NLH and PLO is about 70%-30%
- Games are played up to NL/PLO 6k.
- There are 4/6/9-max games
- The minimum buy-in is 20bb, and it's common to see short stacks going all-in every hand
- The chip value depends on the skin, and it's usually correlated with a local currency
- The client allows playing only one table.
MTT
IDNPlay is not a site to play tournaments. Although some events are scheduled in the lobby, the rake is too high, and the grid is not enough for any grinder. There are no SnG or Spins in the lobby.
Game softness
Perhaps all unusual situations are compensated by the softness of the field. According to our scouts, the network is genuinely Asian, and the field is not reg-infested. Many amateurs join the tables with small stacks trying to double the buy-in, while others just consider poker another casino game.
Attitude towards professional players
We have reviewed the IDNPlay global terms and conditions and found nothing unusual on them; chip dumping, grouping, automated play, and other illegal practices are forbidden, but there is nothing stated professional players.
This is no surprise because regulars are not common across the network, and several "restrictions" are indirectly put in place due to its old-fashioned software.
Reliability and trustworthiness
IDN Play is registered as an Accredited Local Gaming Agent and Service Providers by the Offshore Gaming Licensing Department in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The site also displays a Random Number Generator certificate issued by bmm Testlabs.
Curiously, players from the Philippines are not welcome at the tables, and bmm used a rather poor standard to test its platform.
However, in this case, the unusual situation is not the nuances of the certifications but their existence because Asian networks usually work in the shadows without any paperwork.
Overall, IDNPlay has a bad reputation among players. The mix between its Asian roots, the massive and sort-of inexplicable traffic, its buggy platform, and its shady past does not pay in favor of them. However, with the current situation of the "regfestation" of major poker rooms, many players feel attracted by its unmatched soft traffic.
Deposits and cashouts
IDNPoker has a multi-currency platform, Chinese Renminbi, Korean Won, Indonesian Rupee, Japanese Yen, US Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit, Thai Baht, Vietnamese Dong, etc. Each skin works with local banks and different payment methods for players.
However, overseas players who want to play must use the services of agents who most likely work with cryptocurrencies or e-wallets.
Software review
One of the significant drawbacks of IDN Poker is its software. It's only a primary in-browser client lacking many options which are now standard across any poker room, including apps.
Skins like ShenPoker usually add a module that connects to IDN servers; when players connect, a new window with the IDN logo opens, and the poker room lobby shows up after a few seconds (or minutes in some cases).
The client is minimalistic, and it's not modern at all. There are no filters, although there are buttons for the different games available (NLH, PLO, MTT), and the tables can be arranged per the number of seated players. Table themes are outdated but serve the purpose of merely playing without big distractions.
In general, the client feels laggy, and if it weren't for the incredible traffic (in terms of quality and quantity), no reg would like to play on IDN.
Mobile client
IDNPlay offers an Android client (for some reason, the iOS client is unavailable), which is basically a copy of the web-browser client for mobile devices.
During our tests, it worked decently, and we find it more useful for players who want to use an Android emulator and play from a PC. We highlight that the web-browser client is compatible with any mobile platform (iOS, Android) and works smoothly.
IDNplay network history
IDNPlay history is no fairy tale. Until 2016 the network was almost invisible on the Internet, and suddenly, it jumped to the second position in the PokerScout ranking. However, it's stated that they opened their doors in 2010.
They have never used social media nor cared to promote their services across the English-speaking market, although their client and website are fully translated into this language. The reasons behind their success are unknown in the Western market, and everyone (including us) assumes they have become popular due to an intense marketing campaign in local markets. However, they did a good job taking part in gaming conferences and hosting charity events across Asia.
In 2017 a representative of IDN Poker joined the 2+2 forums and answered a few messages where users accused players of being bots of superusers, but he left shortly, and the thread remains inactive since 2019, leaving a bad sensation among the community.
In 2018 we decided to move all rooms to our blacklist after verifying several bugs and complaints from our player who ventured to play there; such nuances included problems with the software (invisible players, incomplete hands) and complaints about superusers.
It was only until 2020 when ShenPoker representatives approached us with evidence about their hard work to remedy all those situations. After rechecking the games, we decided to work with IDNPoker again, although we still consider it a risky site to play.
Pros and cons
IDNpoker is not a network for everyone. Although it's a top choice among Asian fans, the European and American market is very different, and there are many options to play. However, bumhunters and those who want to take their chances in exchange for playing in the softest field ever are welcome to play.
As one of our players said to us before: "You can leave IDN, but IDN will never leave you."
Pros:
- Genuine Asian traffic with casual players at every table
- Safe access with rakeback from WPD
- Over 20,000 connections
Cons:
- Basic web-browser client
- Shady past
- Unclear licensing
Do you have any questions about IDNPlay? Send us a message now. We are online seven days a week!
