What do I do with $50-$100, or How I built a starting BR

I'm making this post because the question comes up all the time: "How do I build a BR?", "What should I do with $100?". I think this is the best way to start a bankroll, because it worked for me. These BossMedia sites aren't added (although they are mentioned) to the EasyT $25NL guide. I'm assuming because they are not great for whoring (low $/hr maybe?), but IMO are great for building a bankroll.

The problem with $25NL? I'm not properly bankrolled. Even if I was, I'm not good enough to be a winning player. I am trying to learn, but I need a buffer (re-depositing money is NOT an option for me). I've checked out several sites on EasyT's guide, but they clear extremely slow at the tables where I am comfortable playing.

So, try the following sites, all clearable at 10NL (thanks to eeeee for most of this list):
pokerDOTcasinoDOTnet (often referred to as casinoDOTnet at FTR. However, the casino is seperate from the poker room.) - 500 contributed hands for a $100 bonus ($30 after first 100 hands).

The following all require 1000 raked hands for a $100 bonus ($25 after 250 raked hands for most):
PlayWebPoker, haven't tried (CasinoClub, poker.co.uk, poker.viewlondon.co.uk, VIPPokerClub)

R.I.P List (bonus has changed):
TotalPoker

Pros:

• Play at 10NL (cheap)
  Play with bad players (easy)

Cons:

• No Hand Histories
  Slow to clear (except for CasinoDOTNet)
  No convenient raked hand count

I have a 1600x1200 monitor, so I can easily 4 table (the game window is bigger than most sites). 4 tabling I cleared the bonus in 8-9 hours. The pot has to reach $1 post flop for a rake, you do not have to contribute to the pot. You can get on their live help while playing (or e-mail support when you're done playing) and request your raked hands count.

My Story:
I started with $100, deposited into TotalPoker. I lose about $25 for ~400 hands, but cleared the first hurdle. Something clicked and I started playing winning poker over the last 600, withdrawing $180. I left $4.76 behind (they won't let you withdrawal change) and turned that into $140. The play here is BAD.

I recently deposited $100 at PlayWebPoker and withdrew $260 after clearing the bonus. I lost $40 towards the end trying my hand at their $25NL tables, I'm getting better, but not quite there yet. My point is you can win while clearing.

So, currently my BR is $500 (I withdrew the original $100), almost completely from these sites. I plan on whoring the rest and will update as I progress. With 6 sites I see profit of $100/site in addition to the bonus and expect to be over $1k when done, with no risk and < 60 hours invested.

Even if you stop when you get to $500 and start $25nl whoring, I think this is a good place to start.

3/11/06 - Deposited $50 into CasionDOTNet today. Cleared first bonus ($30) in 1 1/2 hours. Have also won $5 in the process, would have been more, but I took some beats.

pokerDOTcasinoDOTnet whats the min rake to count towards a raked hand for the Bonus?

Thanks

For all the sites I believe any rake counts towards the min. A rake is collected when there is more than $1 in the pot, and a bet is made post-flop.

It's basically the same at TotalPoker (which I know you tried).

TotalPoker and CasinoDOTNet look like Boss Media sites. I thought they were CONTRIBUTED raked hands (if you folded preflop, it didn't count as a raked hand for you).

Has that changed now?

I was just looking at the TotalPoker site and it looks like they give you $5 for every $25 in rake you generate (so a 20% rakeback). I don't see any bonus for 1000 raked hands. Did this change in the time you did it, Swig?

Originally Posted by drtofu66

TotalPoker and CasinoDOTNet look like Boss Media sites. I thought they were CONTRIBUTED raked hands (if you folded preflop, it didn't count as a raked hand for you).

Has that changed now?

It's really hard to judge because it's not easy to get your raked hand count.

When I cleared TotalPoker, and PlayWebPoker I was four tabling. The average hands per hour ~35 so that would be 150 hands an hour. I seems like I was getting 100-120 raked hands/hour. I know I wasn't playing that many, and that seems like the # raked.

I cleared CasionDOTnet this weekend. The first 100 went really fast. The last 400 have taken longer. It looks like at casionDOTnet they are contributed raked, although I'm not convinced that you have to contribute at the 1000 hand sites (I'm not trying to doubt anyone, just commenting on what I have observed). It's easy to contribute at any site because everyone limps into every pot.

Originally Posted by drtofu66

I was just looking at the TotalPoker site and it looks like they give you $5 for every $25 in rake you generate (so a 20% rakeback). I don't see any bonus for 1000 raked hands. Did this change in the time you did it, Swig?

That sucks for the 10NL deal. This is different than it was a week ago, but thanks for pointing it out.

I might be waaaay off base, but would this rakeback be good for people whoring at higher bonus levels?

Originally Posted by swiggidy

I might be waaaay off base, but would this rakeback be good for people whoring at higher bonus levels?

No-- because their 'bonus' is capped at $250 (if you deposit $250) so it's not a true rakeback deal. Once they pay you $250 there's no more rakeback. Higher stakes players no doubt would be better off with a true rakeback deal-- which usually are more along the lines of 25% RB with no cap.

I think FTR has a Celeb Poker rakeback deal (another Boss skin).

Yes, I saw this thread and still asked the same question. bump