Defining a Good Online Poker Room
Posted on 28th Aug, 2009
Poker rooms differ in the betting limits, and it’s important to be able to play in a room that offers the widest possible range—something like $0.02/$0.04 to $100/$200.
The reason you want a large gap in limit structure—especially for you new players—is to be able to accurately adjust your game according to your bankroll and skill level.
Although there is some debate as to the appropriate bankroll for an online poker player, as a rule of thumb solid players want something on the order of 200 to 300 times the value of the big blind. That means that if you want to play comfortable at a $2/$4 table you’ll need a bankroll somewhere between $800 and $1,200. As you go along, you make adjustments to your table limit based on your bankroll and success at a particular level.
So if you’re playing—and losing—at a $1/$2 table, you might want to drop a level or two to recoup some loses and enter a game that’ll suit you better. That’s why it’s always good to be in a room that offers the widest range of table limits.Of course, free cash is always a very nice feature that can make a big difference in your bankroll and ultimately your sustainability at the tables. Ideally, whichever poker site you select should offer a combination of incentives to help keep your bankroll healthy throughout your play. Standard comps include a new player bonus (initial deposit bonus), VIP points (also called “Frequent Player Points” in some sites), and monthly deposit bonuses (these are sometimes announced sporadically on sites).
As you examine each site, make a note of what comps are given out, how often you’re entitled to them, and the rules regarding their usage and availability. Also, create a checklist and compare the comp options from site to site, to see which ones are currently offering the most lucrative rewards. Don’t forget to take into consideration your probable play frequency as this can drastically affect the value of your comps over time.
For example, let’s suppose that site X offers a 100% deposit bonus, but no additional comps, or re-load cash for returning players. Site Y, on the other hand, offers a 40% deposit bonus followed by an additional 20% re-load bonus every month. Assuming you were to deposit an additional $200 each month, which site do you think offers the more lucrative program in the long run? Take a look.