Betfair Poker has launched the most comprehensive skill-based leaderboard structure of any poker room. “Betfair Poker leaderboards” reveal the top players in ten disciplines of tournament and cash play.

Players are ranked according to their financial success at the tables, so only the most profitable will appear.

Betfair Poker has pledged half a million dollars a year. Every month, thirty thousand dollars will be given away to the top players from each of the ten leaderboards. There will also be a freeroll for a seat at the Betfair Asian Poker Tour in Singapore for players in the top three of each leaderboard.

When players join a game at Betfair Poker, they can look at the leaderboards and know immediately if they are up against one of the elite.

Some players consider this information will give their opponents an advantage and have opted out. But most are thrilled to be able to intimidate the opposition and build their reputation at the tables.

Leaderboard players might get away with a few more bluffs as others will know to tread carefully when facing one of the big guns.

Although, as Betfair’s Ben Fried says, there is a flip side. “The Betfair Poker leaderboards add another dimension to assessing your opponent. The top players might be able to steal a few extra pots as people respect their raises, but they can also get caught out by bluffing on the basis of their reputation.”

The competitive banter in the Betfair Forum has already begun as players scan for their name in this lucrative competition for bragging rights.