Resumo (Rated 6 out of 10)
Gnuf Poker is a member of the Microgaming network. Game selection is good but lacks players at some games, the player quality is good with careful table selection, the software is adequate, and the sign-up bonus is small and clears at one of the slower rates on the network.
back to top
Seleção de Jogos (Rated 5 out of 10)
As part of the Microgaming (Prima) network, Gnuf is a medium-sized room, similar in size to Bodog and the Boss network, for example. As is the case with many Microgaming sites, Gnuf does not allow US players. The Microgaming sites that do allow US players generally ban those from some states, so the number of North American players on the network is relatively low. This means the site generally peaks with European prime times.
Gnuf Poker has a good selection of cash games available; unfortunately, the network size mentioned above means there aren't always opponents to play at all games. Games played at Gnuf include limit, pot-limit, and no-limit Hold 'em, Omaha, 5-card draw, 5-card stud, and 7-card stud; and limit and pot-limit Ohama Hi-Lo. These games are spread from $0.05/$0.10 all the way up to $200/$400.
Sit 'N' Gos can be found with buy-ins from $0.90 to $1,000, although the higher buy-ins are usually empty; short-handed, turbo, and multi-table SNGs are also available. The Microgaming network has a series of "steps" style SNGs called "Rounders". Players are able to buy-in at different levels and step up through 5 rounds for a first prize of $3000; there is also a heads-up series with 7 rounds. There are a number of multi-table tournaments available, including a weekend tournament with a guaranteed prize of $200,000.
back to top
Qualidade dos Jogadores (Rated 6 out of 10)
The Microgaming network has an interesting mix of players. The low limits tend to attract a lot of tight bonus grinders due to the good bonus clearing often available at these limits. However, there are always a few fish to be found – table selection is critical at Microgaming, as is the time of day. At the quieter times, table selection just isn't possible.
back to top
Software (Rated 6 out of 10)
Gnuf Poker's software is average, and tends to be a resource hog. Those with slower computers are sometimes well-served using the Windows Task Manager to increase the priority of Gnuf in order to avoid lagging.
Poker Tracker fully supports Microgaming rooms, including Gnuf.
The Gnuf lobby has a couple of different ways to access games. The "Quick Start" allows you to select your game, table size, limit, and stakes, and then will take you to the first available table. Alternatively, you can find tables via a cascading menu similar to the left hand menu pane in Windows Explorer. This lets you drill right down to the limit you want to play, which makes for a nice clean list. The downside is that if you like to play a couple of different limits, you can only see tables from one limit at a time, unless you choose "All Games", but this shows all limits of a particular games, and lumps FL, NL, and PL together. There are both "Hide Full Tables" and "Hide Empty Tables" checkboxes, which are nice. The table list includes Average Pot Size, PF%, and Hands/Hr.
Waiting lists work quite smoothly at the Microgaming network. The only annoyance is the dialogue box that appears after you join, which just asks you to "OK" what you just did.
Full-ring games are 10-player, and shorthanded games are 6-player. Shorthanded games are played on a 10-seat table, using the bottom half of the table. There are 3 table sizes available, although the large view is the same as the normal view, but with the chat box on the side of the table, making it quite large while not changing the actual poker table size. There is also a mini-view, which is about 75% of the normal table size, and has a much more utilitarian appearance.
The cashier varies widely at different rooms on the Microgaming network. Gnuf is one of the few that requires you to do most transactions in an Internet browser, rather than in the software. The only thing you can do from the client software is deposit. Withdrawals, checking bonus status, etc., is all done on the website.
back to top
Gráficos (Rated 6 out of 10)
The tables at Gnuf Poker are fairly simple; a turquoise felt with a black background. Gnuf does not use avatars.
4-colour decks are available. You can also choose whether to display borders for each player that show whether they have acted yet; game markers that show how much was bet and how many players were in for every round; and a hand description that only you can see.
back to top
Lucratividade (Rated 5 out of 10)
Microgaming rooms in general offer some good bonuses; unfortunately, Gnuf Poker is not one of them. It is extremely difficult to find any information about bonus clearing on the Gnuf website.
Gnuf Poker offers a 100% bonus up to $50. The bonus is released in a lump sum, and does not expire. Bonuses are cleared with Gnuf points, at the rate of 7 points per bonus dollar. Gnuf points are earned for every raked hand you are dealt into, no contribution required. The number of points you earn depends on the limit you play, and range from 0.05-2 points per hand. As an example, at 1/2 FL, you earn 0.4 points per raked hand. This effectively makes the bonus a 17.5x raked hand bonus at this limit. Not the worst, but there are many better bonuses on Microgaming, 10x or better. That being said, many of these better bonuses are drying up, and Gnuf's is dealt, whereas many are contributed.
back to top
