Poker reservations: What are they and how to play in them?

Poker reservations are special online poker rooms created for players from specific regions or countries. They are usually regulated by local licenses and laws, which restricts access for players from other regions.

Reservation features:

✔️ Geoblocking: Access only for players from a specific region (by IP address).

✔️ Separate player pools: Players from other regions cannot participate in games. This means that you play with players from your region – potentially more familiar faces!

✔️ Local licenses: Regulated by local authorities, ensuring safety and legality. Your game is protected by law! ✅

Background of poker reservations

Online poker faces different levels of regulation around the world:

- In Europe, many countries have legalized online poker, but require licensing (e.g., UK, Spain, Italy).

- In the US, after "Black Friday" (2011), access to international poker rooms was restricted, but some states (Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan) legalized online poker within their borders.

- In the CIS countries (Russia, Belarus), online gambling is prohibited, but players can use foreign platforms.

Poker reservations have become a response to these restrictions. They allow operators to work in a gray area, without directly violating the laws of prohibiting countries, but also without obtaining licenses there.

There is no direct requirement to create reservations in any country, but in some regions poker rooms are forced to segment players due to legislative norms:

⏺️ Spain and Italy: Mandatory player pool segregation is in effect here: Spanish and Italian players can only play among themselves.

⏺️ France: Since 2010, French players have been isolated from the international pool.

⏺️ USA: In legal states (New Jersey, Michigan, etc.), players can only play within their state or in combined pools with other legal states.

Here are the main examples of poker reservations:

Italian reservations

1. PokerStars Italia

- The largest Italian room

- Exclusive version of PokerStars for players from Italy.

- Regulated by the Italian license ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli).

- Separate player pool, access only for Italian IP addresses.

2. iPoker Italia

- iPoker network, available only to Italian players.

- Includes rooms such as Eurobet Italia, Betfair Italia and others.

3. Peoples Poker

Available only to players from Italy (verification by Italian ID is required). The room has low traffic compared to other Italian reservations (mostly local players).

French reservations

1. PokerStars France

- Version of PokerStars for French players.

- Regulated by ARJEL (now ANJ — Autorité Nationale des Jeux).

- Separate player pool, access only for French IP addresses.

2. Winamax France

- The largest poker room in France, available only to French players.

- Known for its tournaments and cash games.

3. Partypoker France

- French version of Partypoker with a separate player pool.

Spanish reservations

1. PokerStars Spain

- Spanish version of PokerStars, regulated by the local regulator DGOJ.

- Access only for players from Spain.

2. 888poker Spain

- Spanish version of 888poker with a separate player pool.

Portuguese reservations:

1. PokerStars Portugal

- Portuguese version of PokerStars, regulated by SRIJ (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos).

- Access only for Portuguese players.

Other reservations:

1.    Sweden: PokerStars Sweden, Unibet Poker Sweden and other rooms, available only to Swedish players.

2.    Denmark: PokerStars Denmark, 888poker Denmark and other rooms, regulated by the Danish regulator Spillemyndigheden.

3.    New Jersey, USA: PokerStars New Jersey, WSOP NJ, partypoker NJ — rooms available only to players from New Jersey.

4.    Pennsylvania, USA: PokerStars Pennsylvania*, WSOP PA — exclusive rooms for players from Pennsylvania.

5.    Michigan, USA: PokerStars Michigan, BetMGM Poker Michigan — rooms for players from Michigan.

The formation of poker reservations is related to the desire of different jurisdictions to fully control online poker in their country. It is difficult to say how harmful or beneficial reservations are for the global online poker ecosystem, but they are an integral part of it.

❕ Some reservations can be accessed by third-party players using the services of agents who provide such an opportunity to their players.

You can always check with our managers how to get into the room.

But it is worth remembering that by playing in poker reservations, bypassing the current rules of specific poker rooms, you assume all the associated risks.