PartyPoker has overtaken second place in worldwide online poker traffic following the migration of Bwin players from the Ongame Network.
Leapfrogging both the iPoker Network and Full Tilt Poker, traffic increased by 45% over yesterday at PartyPoker, according to an alert posted by PokerScout. Bwin had begun the transition to the PartyPoker platform on Dec. 17 and the website announced that there would be a period of downtime. A new notice on the site informs players that "We’re Back! Bigger and Better!" with a larger player pool and better choices in tournament action.
Last month, Full Tilt immediately jumped into second place following its Nov. 6 relaunch, but cash game traffic has been declining steadily at the sister site of PokerStars. In the last four weeks, Full Tilt has suffered double-digit declines in player traffic percentages and has fallen 56% after reaching a peak shortly after its resurrection.
Overall player traffic in the online poker industry fell 1.3 % last week, much of that attributable to Full Tilt. PartyPoker also experienced a 4% decline in traffic last week after a 10% increase the week before due to the holiday-themed Advent Calendar promotion. But the new influx of players from bwin may allow PartyPoker to gain a firm grip on the no. 2 ranking, especially if Full Tilt player traffic continues its downward spiral.
Meanwhile, the Ongame Network's traffic has naturally decreased due to bwin's exit. PokerScout was hesitant to make any prognostications regarding the full effect of the departure at this time, but a tumble from its 10th place worldwide ranking seems inevitable.
