Lock Poker is a member of the Merge Gaming Network. That means some of the reputation of the Merge network rubs off on Lock Poker: quality and easy to use software, a decent if not stellar bonus program, and of course lots of loose competition. About that bonus and loyalty program—the trick behind these programs is to draw in new business from online poker players. A big part of that promotional program is to offer their Millions Satellite tourney series, most of which can be entered for free.

According to the site, Lock Poker was “created by online poker players,” meaning the site was supposedly designed with online poker players in mind. When sites start saying they’ve tailor made their games and site to match what they think online poker players want, it’s a hit and miss thing. Admittedly, plenty of known online poker players endorse the site: Stephen Devlin, Matt Stour, and Eric Lynch just to name a few.

Here’s a look at the games, software, bonuses, payment transfer methods, and customer service associated with Lock Poker.

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Lock Poker Games & Software

The poker play at Lock Poker stands out because of the larger than expected traffic at poker games other than Texas holdem. That isn’t to say that Omaha tables are stuffed with eager players, but Lock Poker can brag a ton of poker junkies interested in Omaha. A good poker room will have traffic spread out across a few different games, and it is possible that the sheer variety of games available at Lock Poker is a big part of the site’s appeal to poker players.

A downside of Lock Poker is their claim that Mac players have access to their games. The truth is that Lock Poker does make their games open to people who want to play poker on a Mac, but you have to download a piece of software called a Windows emulator to run the real Lock Poker site on a Mac. Mac users may be disappointed to learn that they have to turn their MacBook into a Windows machine to play at Lock Poker. Hopefully, Lock will introduce a more Mac-friendly version soon.

Lock Poker Traffic

As is common with other online poker rooms, the busiest games are at low stakes. As of this writing, the majority of Lock’s poker traffic hits the $1/$2 tables. We all know about the loose play found on the Merge network, and it is actually possible to make a good deal of cash at the $1/$2 level. A knock on the poker games at Lock Poker? They could use more tournament play. Yes, ring games are the main event at Lock poker, and some users report it very rare to find a Sit & Go underway. Without interest in tournament play, traffic at tourneys is weak at best.

The stakes at Lock Poker range from micro limits to $25/$50, though the higher stakes games can be something like a ghost town, especially outside of peak traffic time. Yes of course, Texas holdem is the most popular poker game played at ring games at Lock Poker, but players who like other poker games have a few different unique poker varieties to choose from:

Limit Texas holdem
No Limit Texas holdem
Omaha Poker
7 card stud7 card stud Hi/lo variant
Razz
5 card draw
Badugi
Triple draw
HORSE

The Merge software used at Lock Poker has its fair share of fans and detractors. As for online poker software, it is probably the best right now available for US online poker players, but that may change as more and more rooms start facing American players again. The Merge software has all the top poker features you’ve come to expect from Merge network sites, including player notes, resizable windows, search features, etc. Merge also throws in things like Bad Beat Jackpots, Time Bank, and Deal It Twice, designed to keep the game less frustrating for players who make dumb mistakes.

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Lock Poker Bonuses & Loyalty Programs

When you make your first deposit to your Lock Poker account, you will automatically unlock a bonus that will earn you a 200% first deposit match up to a money value of $1,200. The bonus is released into your account as you earn Frequent Player Points (FPPs), so as long as you stay active at the tables, you’ll be earning bonus cash.

A fun bonus available at Lock Poker is a handful of non-poker card games you can play. Choose from Euchre, Caribbean stud, and blackjack, and watch for new games added to the Lock Poker lineup all the time. Most poker players aren’t all that into these side games, but it is a nice distraction and a draw for some small segment of the poker world.

Lock Poker Deposits & Withdrawals

Depositing your cash at Lock Poker is easy enough, though a few more deposit and withdrawal methods could turn Lock Poker from a good poker room to a must-play site.

You can choose from the following: Visa & MasterCard, NETeller, Click2Pay, Moneybookers, Eco Card, eWalletXpress, Netcents, Entropay, ClickAndBuy, and the Pay Safe Card. The minimum amount for a deposit to your player account is $25.
Since your payment methods range from Visa Card and MasterCard to good old wire transfers, players can choose the option that suits them best. Be aware that credit card companies are loathe to allow transfers to online gambling sites, so American players may want to opt for NETeller or Click2Pay.

Lock Poker Safety & Customer Service

Lock Poker is young, like most of the Merge Gaming Network sites, but being able to contact customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week inspires some confidence. You can choose from live chat assistance, a toll-free phone number, and email and regular mail to get in touch with customer service.

Overall, Lock Poker (now aiming itself at accepting American wagers) has decent software, plenty of player options to choose from, and (though they aren’t exactly Mac-friendly) the software should be available to players of all varieties.

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