This week, Playtech’s finalized the split of its iPoker network into two tiers of which the first tier criteria include stringent requirements, such as a minimum volume of 6,000 monthly active real money players, and a monthly acquisition of 850 new active real money players.

Those who made it through the strict criteria were William Hill, bet365, Paddy Power, Poker 770 and Titan Poker, which now comprise the top tier.

As for the others, who didn&t manage to get to the top tier, they will form the second tier, with sites such as Mansion Poker and Betfred in it. It has been reported that a number of operators in this category are looking into the possibilities of cooperation, in order to become more competitive.

The split itself will see all cash game and SNG players divided, with the exception of speed poker (Speed Hold&em and Speed Omaha) cash tables and multi table tournaments, where there is no separation.

Furthermore, the split will include regular network cash tables:

All NLH HU tables, from 0.02/0.04 and above, in all currencies;

NLH 6-Max tables, from 0.01/0.02 up to 2/4, in all currencies;

NLH Full Ring tables, from 0.01/0.02 up to 1/2, in all currencies.

In terms of other cash tables not specified above, they will be fully shared across the entire network. Also, it has been specified that the split will include just regular network SNGs, while jackpot SNGs, promotional SNGs, and satellite SNGs will remain on a network-wide basis.

Finally, the split will see all NLH HU SNGs partitioned up to a buy-in level of $30 / €30 / £30 and all NLH 6/9 players SNGs partitioned up to a buy-in level of $10 / €10 / £10.