Hollywood Poker Comprehensive Poker Site Review

Hollywood Poker

 Updated: 10/16/2006

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Address http://www.hollywoodpoker.com
Support support@hollywoodpoker.com 
Phone 888-388-8828 
Two Rags traffic rank 4th (PokerNetwork) 
Online since 2005 


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Click here for Player Comments
Lobby Table Website
     
  QuickLinks
Our quick thoughts What we didn't like For the tournament player MTT summary Software Poker tracker
Overview Why you should play the site For the value player SnG summary Hand histories Player comments
What we liked For the ring game player Insider tips Ring game activity Lobby view  
  Our quick thoughts
The OnGame network of poker sites does not accept US players.

Hollywood Poker is a skin of PokerRoom (PokerNetwork), the fourth largest online network. There's a growing mix of limit and NL action (about a 40/60 split) with short-handed and heads up play available. The lower buy-in (<$30) SnGs seat quickly, and there's a good mix of MTTs (several daily freerolls and hourly NL tourneys) with an informative tournament lobby. The download version of the software has all the features and stats you need, and the Java version of the software is a top choice for Mac users. Of the various PokerRoom skins out there, we think Hollywood is among the best. 
  Overview
Note: traffic estimates are observed data circa Feb 06 unless otherwise noted
Ring Games
  # of players % of total
Limit 1 100  38% 
No limit (NL) 1 500  52% 
Other 0  300  10% 
  full s/h
Table size 10  5 
Approximate mix (%) 60%  40% 
Activity - Limit tables  players 
    25c/50c 46  235 
    25c/50c 60  354 
    50c/$1 25  147 
    50c/$1 35  220 
    $1/$2 23  150 
    $1/$2 32  170 
    $2/$4 14  70 
    $2/$4 24  146 
    $3/$6 8  41 
    $3/$6 13  68 
    $5/$10 14  65 
    $5/$10 19  88 
    $10/$20 8  14 
    $10/$20 11  23 
    $15/$30 8  18 
    $25/$50 6  13 
    $25/$50 7  10 
    $50/$100 5  5 
    $50/$100 6  6 
    $100/$200 2  1 
    $100/$200 4  5 
    $250/$500 1  0 
    $250/$500 1  0 
    $500/$1000 1  0 
Activity - No Limit tables  players 
    25c/25c 82  470 
    25c/25c/$25 MAX 72  535 
    50c/50c 54  300 
    50c/50c/$50 MAX 36  200 
    $1/$1 68  359 
    $1/$1/ 48  340 
    $2/$2/ 16  120 
    $2/$2 33  200 
    $4/$4 20  95 
    $4/$4 15  70 
    $6/$6 6  25 
    $6/$6 6  15 
    $10/$10 8  35 
    $10/$10 16  57 
    $20/$20 6  19 
    $20/$20 2  4 
    $50/$50 2  3 
    $50/$50 3  4 
    $100/$100 1  0 
    $100/$100 1  0 
Lobby view Flop % yes   
Avg pot yes   
Hands/Hr yes   
Real-time HH? yes   
HH stored on computer? yes   
Mucked hands in HH? yes   
Player notes? yes   
Session stats at table? yes   
Tournaments
  # of players
Multi-table tournaments (MTTs) 5 000 
Big weekly MTT Add to Calendar 
  Buy-in $300 + $20 (Big Deal)   
Entrants 300   
Prize pool $90,000 ($80K Gtd)   
Overlay? no   
Day/time (EST) Sun 2:00 PM EST  
Big daily MTT Add to Calendar 
  Buy-in $50 + $4 (US Daily)   
Entrants 300   
Prize pool $15,000   
Time (EST) 8:00 PM EST  
  # of players
Sit n Gos (SnGs) 3 200 
  full s/h
Table size (SnGs) 10  5 
Approx mix (%) 70%  30% 
Range of buy-ins $2 to $500   
Time to seat  
    $5 + 50c NA   
    $5 + 50c NA   
    $10 + $1 NA   
    $10 + $1 NA   
    $20 + $2 NA   
    $20 + $2 NA   
    $30 + $3 NA   
    $30 + $3 NA   
    $50 + $4 NA   
    $50 + $4 NA   
    $100 + $8 NA   
    $100 + $8 NA   
    $200 + $15 NA   
    $200 + $15 NA   
    $300 + $20 NA   
    $300 + $20 NA   
    $500 + $25 NA   
    $500 + $25 NA   
Blinds increase every?
  Regular 12 min ($200+), 10 min ($50-100), 8 min ($30 and below)   
Turbo 3 min   
Other NA   
Link to blind structure page   Link 
Hourly NL tournaments? yes  $0 to $50  
WPT/WSOP satellites? yes 
Tournament listing Link  
Max tables at once (ring) 4   
Max tables at once (tournaments) 4   
Poker Tracker? yes  Requires add-on: no  [link to add-on] 
Poker Tracker? no     
Ring game play clears bonus? yes   
Hollywood offers several bonuses that vary by the amount of points needed to release them.Here's how points work, .07 pts are generated for each $.10 of rake; $1 of rake generates .7 pts. Therefore, to clear...1) the 100% deposit bonus, $50 max; you'll need 9 pts to clear each $1; about 13 raked hands (assume a $20 avg pot); 2) the 100% deposit bonus; $75 max; you'll need 10 pts to clear each $1; about 14 raked hands; 3) the 100% deposit bonus; $100 max; you'll need 12 pts to clear each $1; about 17 raked hands; 4) the 500% deposit bonus; $1000 max; you'll need 17 pts to clear each $1; about 24 raked hands. You have 30 days to clear each bonus. Realistically, unless you're a serious multi-tabler at higher limits ($5/$10 and up), the $1000 bonus is out of reach.  
Tournament play clears bonus? yes   
5 player points are awarded for every paid dollar in entry fee (real money tournaments). For example, if you enter a $20+$2 tournament, you will be awarded 5 * $2 = 10 points. The points are awarded when the tournament finishes. To receive the 100%/$50 max bonus, you'll need 9 pts for each $1 of bonus or 450 points (45 $20 SnGs; $2 fee x 45 x 5 pts = 450). Similarly, the 500%/max $1000 bonus, would require 17,000 pts/5 pts = $3400 of tourney fees...1700 $20 SnGs. Realistically, the $1000 bonus is unattainable for lower buy-in players. 
Miscellaneous Match Max
Deposit bonus 50-500%  $50-$1000 
Reload bonus (NA) NA  NA 
Minimum deposit (NETeller) $10   
Minimum cashout $5   
Customer support NETeller cashout <24 hours   
  Response to email    
Accurancy of responses    
Endorsed by Affiliated Sites
  What we liked
- The PokerNetwork software is fast and intuitive with great graphics
- The SnG blind structure favors skilled players
- There are several daily freeroll(s) and good selection of NL tournaments
- The "instant play" Java version is a great choice for Mac users
- It's easy to see bet, pot amounts, player stacks
- The minimum deposit is $10 (NETeller)
- Hand histories (web-based) are easy to follow 
  What we didn't like
- Stats for only one table at a time are visible from the lobby
- You have to leave the table to add chips
- The weekly tournament schedule is poorly laid out
- It's not obvious when the blinds will increase in SnGs; see our blind structure charts
- When you bust out of a SnG, the table closes and you can't flame the guy who called your KK preflop raise with J8o 
  Why you should play the site
- Hollywood offers sign-up bonuses up to 500% (max $1000)
- Both ring and tournament play clears the bonus; the clearing rate for tournament players is very favorable
- SnGs and MTTs are among the best tournament values available
- The red, blue and black graphics are gorgeous 
  For the ring game player
- There are plenty of NL ring games and a decent amount of limit action
- You have the option to track your session stats in detail
- It's easy to create private tables
- PokerNetwork skins are PokerTracker compatible
- Note: PokerNetwork's rake is above average and somewhat harsh in short-handed games 
  For the tournament player
- The SnGs offer plenty of chips, gradual blind increases and 8-12 minute level times
- There's a nice selection of MTTs with manageable field sizes
- 30-50% of your entry fees are rebated while clearing a bonus
- The Grand ($1000 + $0) MTT offers a great structure (10,000 chips, 30 minute levels)
- The MTT lobby is comprehensive--detailed stats, position in the tournament, etc. 
  For the value player
- The ring game rake structure is above average, especially in short-handed games
- The $100 SnG is a good value ($8 fee v $9 on Party and Stars, 2000 chips, 10 min levels)
- Grand $1000 tournament with $0 buy-in fee has a very nice structure (10,000 chips, 30 minute levels)
- You can use frequent player points for tournament buy-ins
- Unless you're a heavy multi-tabler in $5/$10, the maximum bonus is pretty much out of reach 
  Insider tips
- If you're using your Mac, careful not to close your browser; you'll be logged off of active tables without warning
- Check out the Green Room; forums, Hollywood Poker Girls, etc. 
  Ring game activity
Activity - Limit Avg # of tables Avg # of players Comments
25c/50c 46  235   
25c/50c 60  354   
50c/$1 25  147   
50c/$1 35  220   
$1/$2 23  150   
$1/$2 32  170   
$2/$4 14  70   
$2/$4 24  146   
$3/$6 8  41   
$3/$6 13  68   
$5/$10 14  65   
$5/$10 19  88   
$10/$20 8  14   
$10/$20 11  23   
$15/$30 8  18   
$25/$50 6  13   
$25/$50 7  10   
$50/$100 5  5   
$50/$100 6  6   
$100/$200 2  1   
$100/$200 4  5   
$250/$500 1  0   
$250/$500 1  0   
$500/$1000 1  0   
Activity - NL Avg # of tables Avg # of players Comments
25c/25c 82  470   
25c/25c/$25 MAX 72  535  30S/H 
50c/50c 54  300   
50c/50c/$50 MAX 36  200  20S/H 
$1/$1 68  359   
$1/$1/ 48  340  30S/H 
$2/$2/ 16  120   
$2/$2 33  200   
$4/$4 20  95   
$4/$4 15  70   
$6/$6 6  25   
$6/$6 6  15   
$10/$10 8  35   
$10/$10 16  57   
$20/$20 6  19   
$20/$20 2  4   
$50/$50 2  3   
$50/$50 3  4   
$100/$100 1  0   
$100/$100 1  0   
Link to our complete compilation of action by size of game
  Multi-table tournaments
Big daily MTT Add to Calendar 
  Buy-in  $50 + $4 (US Daily)
Entrants  300
Prize pool  $15,000
Time (EST)  20:00
Big weekly MTT Add to Calendar 
  Buy-in  $300 + $20 (Big Deal)
Entrants  300
Prize pool  $90,000 ($80K Gtd)
Day/Time (EST)  Sun/14:00
Hourly NL tournaments? yes  $0 to $50  
  Sit n Gos (active tables)
Game Avg # of tables Time to seat Comments
$5 + 50c 240  NA   
$5 + 50c 130  NA   
$10 + $1 109  NA   
$10 + $1 75  NA   
$20 + $2 25  NA   
$20 + $2 62  NA   
$30 + $3 31  NA   
$30 + $3 11  NA   
$50 + $4 31  NA   
$50 + $4 10  NA   
$100 + $8 13  NA   
$100 + $8 5  NA   
$200 + $15 9  NA   
$200 + $15 1  NA   
$300 + $20 6  NA   
$300 + $20 1  NA   
$500 + $25 6  NA   
$500 + $25 1  NA   
Link to blind structure Link to site's tournament listing
  Software review
PokerNetwork software is one of our favorites, especially for tournament play. The tabbed lobby is simple and clear and provides complete info on both ring games and tournaments. At the table, you'll find stunning graphics, bet and pot amounts clearly visible and large and intuitive betting buttons and the most complete player and session statistics we've seen. There's a Java-version that's not quite as feature-rich, but an excellent choice for Mac or Linux users nonetheless. One nice feature in the download version: when players are all-in, the win %s show on the screen; you can see immediately how bad the beat really was. We do have a couple of beefs--flop%s are visible from the lobby but only when you click on the table; in ring games, you have to leave the table to add chips (no, we're not kidding!); when you bust from a SnG, the software closes the table, you have to reopen it to watch the remaining play. Also, when you close windows in the Java-version, there's no warning that you may be leaving an active game. That said, we think you'll like this software...a lot. 
  Hand histories
Hand histories are stored on your hard drive and are accessible real-time via the site's web-site. Note: the hand histories are very well organized; it's easy to recap the action. Hollywood is compatible with PokerTracker (ring-games only). 
  Lobby Info
Players yes
Avg pot yes
Flop% yes
Wait list yes
Hands/hr yes
  Table Info
Session stats yes
Player notes yes
Bet amounts yes
Pot amounts yes
Max tables (ring) 4
Max tables (trnys) 4
  Other
Choose own image no
Visible profile yes
Player search yes
Transfer money to player no
Private tables yes
Private trnys yes
  Poker Tracker?
Loads ring hands? yes 
Add-on req'd? no [link to add-on] 
Loads trny hands? no 
 
  Player comments
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