Damn that poker thread.

[cindua]

I feel like a moron for having no idea what any of this means.

When you win a large pot say, $60, the site is going to take a rake of $3 from that (5% up to $3 usually). That's how they make their money. With Full Tilt, you can get rakeback of 27%, so on a weekly basis 27% of the rake paid will be deposited back into your account. It's a nice bonus and for many players is the only way they break even / profit.

So basically, the affiliate that sent FT the customer gets ~35+% of the rake paid for life, rakeback affiliates are nice enough to kickback 27% to you. I use "rake the rake" but there are many.

If you get linked to a non-rakeback affiliate, you will never get rakeback, and they'll close any new accounts you try to create.

 

[papajohn56]

What if I have no cookie and just sign up to FT? Rakeback sounds good. Ok who wants money from me?

 

[TRUSTcompany900]

I really need to hook up with Falian one of these days and do some learning from him, looks like he knows his shit.

 

[cindua]

What if I have no cookie and just sign up to FT? Rakeback sounds good. Ok who wants money from me?

You'll have to beg them for rakeback when you realize it does matter. These are the guys I use, they deposit weekly:
Online Poker Rakeback, Receive Cash Back in any Online Poker Room <- no affiliate link, honest endorsement

They are well known and reputable, would encourage you to sign up through them or find another one (Two Plus Two Poker Forum - Poker Strategy Forums is *the* poker forum and has lists).

 

[subigo]

My "real" account, the one I just found again, is from 2004... I think I signed up two weeks after they launched. I'm pretty sure they didn't even have an affiliate program yet... I asked about rakeback a few weeks back and was pretty much told to fuck off.

 

[Falian]

so what's better, full tilt or pokerstars?

Tournaments/SNG = PokerStars (PS)
Cash = Fulltilt (FT) or PS

I also recommend taking a look at Absolute Bet (AB), the games are incredibly soft when compared to FT or PS. You should be aware, however, that they were involved in a scandal involving a senior manager using a super user to steal millions. He was caught and the money was refunded, but AB/Ultimate Bet lost a lot of reputation.

 

[cindua]

Tournaments/SNG = PokerStars (PS)
Cash = Fulltilt (FT) or PS

I also recommend taking a look at Absolute Bet (AB), the games are incredibly soft when compared to FT or PS. You should be aware, however, that they were involved in a scandal involving a senior manager using a super user to steal millions. He was caught and the money was refunded, but AB/Ultimate Bet lost a lot of reputation.

I'v heard really good things about Cake too, but since I only play PLO I'm pretty limited. Bonuses are supposed to be pretty impossible to clear at UB/AB.

 

[Falian]

If you get linked to a non-rakeback affiliate, you will never get rakeback unless you earn enough rake to give yourself leverage.

Fixed.

 

[Falian]

I'v heard really good things about Cake too, but since I only play PLO I'm pretty limited. Bonuses are supposed to be pretty impossible to clear at UB/AB.

Yea, I wouldn't recommend them if you're bonus whoring, rather for the low average skill level of its users.

PLO: I heard the variance is a bitch.


Also, if anyone wants a rough idea of how they play when compared to optimal play then check out Poker Table Ratings and search your name.

 

[cindua]

Fixed.

From FT? I've never heard of them going back on this, or even telling you which rogue affiliate you're linked too. I can see striking up a deal with the actual affiliate, but most don't know who it was (they clicked a banner or whatnot).

They do add rakeback to accounts that aren't linked to anyone but you have to push them and get added to their "list".

 

[Falian]

From FT? I've never heard of them going back on this, or even telling you which rogue affiliate you're linked too. I can see striking up a deal with the actual affiliate, but most don't know who it was (they clicked a banner or whatnot).

They do add rakeback to accounts that aren't linked to anyone but you have to push them and get added to their "list".

If your generating them >$1,000/month in rake then you have enough leverage to force them to give you rakeback. Most people aren't at this level, so you don't really hear about it.

 

[cindua]

PLO: I heard the variance is a bitch.

Yep, pretty soul crushing. I've been mixing in L08 when it tilts me.

 

[subigo]

These micro PL tables are insanely easy. I'm starting to enjoy the stats addiction more than the gambling aspect... here's the same chart from above, but just over 100 hands later. (are any of you on Full Tilt right now?)

 

[harrymouni]

it's all nat3r's fault.

knew that fucking tourney would never go ahead. all talk. http://www.wickedfire.com/shooting-shit/68329-wf-exclusive-poker-tourney.html

 

[erifdekciw]

These micro PL tables are insanely easy. I'm starting to enjoy the stats addiction more than the gambling aspect... here's the same chart from above, but just over 100 hands later. (are any of you on Full Tilt right now?)

ill play you heads up or sit down at a table with you. lets get something going.

 

[elitesystem]

I never had the hype of playing for money! i just love the F@# game! , i just dont understand how people waste their time playin that shitty zynga on facebook without realizing that they are making tons of money by selling fake chips!! jeeezz

 

[erifdekciw]

lol fuck this thread...

was waiting to see if OP would wanna play i put in 100$ just to dick around went heads up 100$ table. got sucked out on the guy called with nothing and caught a runner runner flush.

was pissed put 100$ back in and played again with the guy. i got all in and he caught runner runner for a straight. 100$ out again. This guy is a total fucking donk and i was out playing him everytime. So i put 100$ in again.

this guy is your typical tight/aggresive donk who will throw out bluffs every hand. and i had this guy read the whole time. So we get in a pot and i get 2 pair and im going all in. of course he catches his trips on the river...

This is why i hate poker. No matter how good you play it doesnt matter. So sick.

 

[Falian]

Tilt's a bitch huh?

 

[tigertom]

see now here's the thing. with Poker, there are no house odds. With Blackjack, the house always has the advantage - yeah you can boost your odds, but without cheating you can't turn them in your favor. In horse racing I have no idea

I read this book as a youth and was glad I did. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/New-Gamblers-Bible-Casinos-Buddies/dp/0517886693"]Amazon.com: The New Gambler's Bible: How to Beat the Casinos, the Track, Your Bookie, and Your Buddies (9780517886694): Arthur S. Reber, Mason Malmuth: Books[/ame]


Poker: You're playing other people directly. You can change the odds of your winning by bluffing and working out the odds of other players having winning cards, based on the cards showing (which depends on the variant of poker played) and the overall statistical likelihood of a hand coming up.

Blackjack: By skill I mean card-counting and 'stand on 18', that sort of thing i.e. learn the basic odds of your getting 21 based on the cards you have and the cards the dealer has.

Horse Racing: You study the form and the going, get pally with jockeys and trainers. I read that in every race the bookies, trainers and jockeys know who's going to win; it's Mr. Mug Punter sticking a pin in a racing newspaper who hasn't a clue.

I think a better form of gambling is the stock market; the better informed you are, the better the player you are. Odds are much better.

Just don't bet the rent money. If you can't control your outlay, walk away and never touch it again.

 

[Sheldon365]

Dude i really think Full Tilt is rigged or something. I may put in $1000, win $5000 and then on the next hand get beat by a better full house or 4 of a kind and lose it all. Anyone know what i am saying?

Not to add to your suspicions - but remember the Absolute Poker Scandal a few years ago?

Interesting read - Absolute Poker Scandal - all on the AP Scandal