Endorsed by “Scary Movie” actress (turned model) Shannon Elizabeth, one couldn't expect anything less than modern chic, from a site billed the next Party Poker. Formed in 2005, Carbon Poker blends the intelligent proprietary software of Merge Gaming Network with a custom designed interface that truly distinguishes them as a brand. Carbon Poker is a relative adolescent in contrast to other leading sites, yet benefits from the driving force of Merge Gaming, whom are also partnered with Lock Poker, Aced and Odds Maker.

Licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Merge Gaming are explicitly transparent when it comes to aspects of fairness and player protection. Employing state-of-the-art site encryption software provided by Thawte Security, Carbon Poker also publish the results of quarterly audits online and have recently engaged a “no flop, no drop” policy, whereby no “rake” is taken from flop hands.

Site traffic at Carbon Poker is variable, with around 10,000 online off-peak and up to 40,000 players during hot tournaments. Players are currently welcomed on a global scale, with the present exclusion of US players still in effect in accordance with UIGEA. Carbon offers both a download and on-site Java client in a choice of fifteen languages, including Suomi, French, Spanish and US English. Default currencies – Euros, Canadian Dollars, Pounds Sterling and US Dollars – are the exception for all wagering deposits and withdrawals, however site customers may upload funds via any currency if using an e-payment system such as Neteller, Skrill or MoneyBookers.

High resolution graphics and intuitive 'power' tools have seen Merge Network's software compared with the likes of Cake and Microgaming for effectivity. Nifty extras such as “Rabbit Hunt” (history view of cards that would have followed) and “Time Bank” are both welcome tools for those looking to hone their speed during community Hold'em events, or World Series of Poker qualifiers. Carbon Poker have fed champions to several prolific tournaments and hit a Guinness World Record in 2008 for their Bad Beat Jackpot – it paid out a whopping $417, 396 to one lucky New Yorker. Big progressives abound at Carbon Poker, however, so too is variety.