CEREUS POKER NETWORK REVIEW:

Software & Features

Cereus is somewhat unusual as a network because the two sites that form the network use slightly different front end software. Whilst the lobbies of both sites are very similar the tables are quite different in appearance. The differences are however largely cosmetic with only minor differences in regards to game play. The Cereus lobbies are clearly laid out and simple to navigate and once seated at your table the game play options are clearly labelled and easy to use. Both sites on the network feature simple, classy graphics and the software works quickly and well.

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Player Traffic / Ease of Competition

The merger of Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet has created a large pool of players for the Cereus Network. With between 10,000 to 25,000 players online Cereus is one of the top 10 sites based on size. The network sees plenty of action in both tournaments and ring games throughout the day. The competition at Cereus varies with players of all levels of ability represented. There are certainly enough soft players to make Cereus worth playing at though.

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Cash Game Action

The Cereus network offers a wide range of cash games ranging from micro to nosebleed stakes. No Limit Hold`em is of course the most popular game and there is plenty of action to be found from the $0.01/$0.02 to $10/$20 stakes. There is some action higher than this with tables available at up to $200/$400. Certainly if you are seeking heads-up action Cereus seems an excellent site to choose as at peak times there are always players waiting for a game.

Fixed Limit Hold`em is fairly well represented at Cereus with games ranging in stakes from $0.02/$0.04 to $1000/$2000. Again there is plenty of full ring and short-handed action through to $10/$20 and plenty of heads-up play right up to the highest limit.

Cereus offers Omaha and Omaha8b and there are players to be found in both games. The action is mostly at the lower limits with games up to $2/$4 being easy to find. Players seeking high stakes Omaha will have to look elsewhere.

Cereus also offers Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud8b and Razz. There is a surprisingly good amount of action to be found at the Stud and Stud8b tables from low through to high stakes and again heads-up tables can be found up to $100/$200. The Razz tables however see very little activity with usually only a few low stakes games available. Mixed games like HORSE and HOSE are also represented but again see very little activity.

Cereus is at present the only site to offer players the chance to participate in the 7-2 game. At certain designated hold`em tables if a player can win a hand holding 7-2, either by merit or bluff, a pre-arranged amount is paid to him by the other players at the table. This simple proposition bet can have quite a significant effect on the betting action as players try to figure out whether they`re facing a raise from aces or the 7-2.

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Multi-Table Tourneys (MTTs)

Cereus has a good tournament schedule with buy-ins to suit any bankroll. There are plenty of low to mid stakes games throughout the day and at peak times there are ample buy-ins in excess of $100 for the high rollers. The primary focus is of course No Limit Hold`em but there are plenty of Omaha, Stud and mixed tournaments scattered throughout the schedule. Cereus has an excellent tournament structure easily on a par with Poker Stars and Full Tilt.

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Sit & Go (SNG) Selection

Cereus offers a good range of S&Gs with buy-ins ranging from $0.10+$0.01 to $5000+$200. Omaha and Stud variations are offered alongside hold`em and all games can be played in either standard, turbo or super-turbo format. Cereus also hosts multi-table S&Gs with up to 180 seats available. We should also mention the Steps S&Gs which have ten levels starting at $0.10+$0.01 and upon completion offer seats to major live tournaments like the WSOP Main Event.

The S&G traffic is not overly heavy at Cereus but at the low to mid stakes you shouldn`t have to wait too long for your game to fill. On the positive side the level of play is not the highest so there is profit to be found in the Cereus S&Gs, certainly at low to mid stakes.

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Bonuses / Promotion

Cereus runs a variety of promotions. Frequent Player points are awarded according to rake generated and may be exchanged for tournament entries, goods from the online store and for cash. Cereus runs Tournament and S&G leader boards all year round and awards over $1,000,000 in prizes to the most successful players. There are the usual opportunities to enter the major live events through satellites and there are seasonal promotions that offer tickets to a variety of sporting events.

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Customer Service

Cereus only offers customer support via e-mail which is disappointing for a network of its size. However the service as offered is usually very good with e-mails returned promptly and issues usually resolved quickly and well.