Did I just make a stupid all in?

Originally Posted by mikeander

It's just that sometimes i'd raise with those hands, and the flop comes out nothing, and I just kick myself asking myself why I wasted money raising. But if I don't raise, then limpers will hit their cards. I guess losing a little is better than losing a lot or all.

Preflop, the idea is to open both premium hands (AA, KK, AK) and some weaker hands (TT, KJ, A8) with the same preflop raise. Sounds like your $15 open-raise bet. On the weaker hands that may cause problems postflop, we're happy to have them fold and surrender the blinds. + $3. But they know we're pretty likely to have a big hand, so it makes our cbets (continuation bets) more believable when we bet out on the flop.

If you wanna get better, may I suggest that you dump $100 online and play microstakes NLHE? You can play about 10x as many hands per hour as you can in the casinos and in home games, and you'll get tons of experience playing basic tight-aggressive poker.

Originally Posted by Robb

Preflop, the idea is to open both premium hands (AA, KK, AK) and some weaker hands (TT, KJ, A8) with the same preflop raise. Sounds like your $15 open-raise bet. On the weaker hands that may cause problems postflop, we're happy to have them fold and surrender the blinds. + $3. But they know we're pretty likely to have a big hand, so it makes our cbets (continuation bets) more believable when we bet out on the flop.

If you wanna get better, may I suggest that you dump $100 online and play microstakes NLHE? You can play about 10x as many hands per hour as you can in the casinos and in home games, and you'll get tons of experience playing basic tight-aggressive poker.

I live in the U.S(philly). I thought online poker is done in the U.S? The only way people can play online poker is outside of U.S If I'm missing something, let me know, because I wouldn't mind playing online for fun.

Originally Posted by mikeander

I live in the U.S(philly). I thought online poker is done in the U.S? The only way people can play online poker is outside of U.S If I'm missing something, let me know, because I wouldn't mind playing online for fun.

I live near Atlanta, GA. It was difficult playing online for much of the past year, so I basically took a year off. If it's "illegal" to play online, it's a misdemeanor, and the DOJ appears interested in targeting "commercial" poker, not individuals.

Some online poker rooms have begun to allow US players again. I got money onto Carbon poker easily last month, and I really like the Merge network. I'm currently at Black Chip, another Merge network poker room.

All that said, I'm not suggesting any US players put any money on any poker sites without understanding they are at risk for losing it all to DOJ whimsy.

I just registered for carbonpoker. My questions are, since this is the first time I ever play online poker, lol.

Is the $600 bonus real money or just for fun money? Can i withdraw the money and put it in my bank account? How does the bonus and real money work. I'm new at this. So far, it seems fun, the layout and such.

I'm assuming the bonus and where it says "play money" section is just for fake money right?"

Originally Posted by mikeander

I just registered for carbonpoker. My questions are, since this is the first time I ever play online poker, lol.

Is the $600 bonus real money or just for fun money? Can i withdraw the money and put it in my bank account? How does the bonus and real money work. I'm new at this. So far, it seems fun, the layout and such.

I'm assuming the bonus and where it says "play money" section is just for fake money right?"

OK, quick tutorial about how to use FTR. Go to the Beginner's Digest and start reading some articles.

Read this: Importance of Rakeback and Bonuses.

And this: Bankroll Management 101

And this, too: Spoon's rant "Bankroll Management for people with Balls"

You need rakeback, you need bonuses. I would NOT deposit until I had my Carbon account affiliated with a rakeback provider. Others can give suggestions about which ones are best.

You also need software, so look at PT3 free 60 day trial, or HEM2 free trial.

Don't start playing for real money, yet, take a couple of days to learn about online poker and how to maximize your profits at the micros.

Originally Posted by mikeander

I live in the U.S(philly). I thought online poker is done in the U.S? The only way people can play online poker is outside of U.S If I'm missing something, let me know, because I wouldn't mind playing online for fun.

There is no national law against playing poker online:
Federal Wire Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The UIGEA addresses money transfers and not the individuals making them. Additionally, it is only an issue if federal or state laws are being broken. Online poker is not a national crime, as has been clarified. So it's up to your state laws:
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This seems to state that playing cards is specifically exempted from being considered "gambling" in PA:
Pennsylvania Gambling Laws

Congrats! It looks like you can legally play poker online in PA. Don't take my word for it. Check it out and make up your mind.

It seems like if I don't make any deposit with my real money, then the bonus code is just play money instead of real money correct?

Let say I deposit $20 plus the $600, would I have $620 then? When will I get a check for that or how many hands do I have to play in order to get a withdraw check? Sorry if I sound like a total newbie, it's my first time.

the deposit bonuses are usually worded 100% match up to 600$. i.e deposit 100$ , you get 100$ of bonus available to you. Sometimes that bonus comes in 2,5 or 10$ chunks after you have earnt a certain number of points other times you have to clear the total number of points before you get the bonus.
Sometimes you can get free money given to you to open an account with a particular pokersite.They are limited (non-existant ?) for USA players but are available for players around the world.You can't just get the money and withdraw it though. You will have to play a lot of hands , earn a certain number of points , which means that the site has earnt a certain amount of rake to cover that cash that has been given to you before you will be alowed to withdraw it.