Planning to Make 1st Deposit

[Khabbi]

Hi,

I am just starting into poker and am thinking about making my first deposit of around $50.

Currently I am playing on Paradise Poker and I never hear of anyone else playing there. I was thinking that this might be a good place to put my 1st deposit because I can get a frist deposit bonus of 25% (or $12.50 on my $50), but not waste my first deposit bonuses on PP or Empire.

I had only been playing for play money, and I know that isn't even real poker. After awhile, I got a free $2 to play with on the micro-limit tables.

I played on the .02/.04 limit tables and have lost my free money. I think it was mostly on good play but due to loose players at low levels drawing me out. I am sure that my post-flop betting needs work, which is why I would like to stay at a low-level table for now.

I have my hand history from my first "real money" experience and I plan to look at it again. After looking at it quickly I think I am staying in too long when the flop misses and opens up for flush/straight draws that I don't have a peice of (especially at such low limits). I feel sometimes though, that with 6 people in that drawing for over cards would usually beat them. Most of the time it would, I just don't get the draws. I also notice sometimes that I fold 2nd pair only to see 3rd or 4th win.

I had been playing at micro-limit tables, but I noticed (after spending my free $2) that there are micro-no-limit tables $2 max buy-in.

I have a few questions that I would like to ask before I make my first deposit:

1) Is there anything generally wrong with Paradise Poker? There seems to be tonnes of different games to play: limit, no-limit, tournament. What else should I be looking for. Plus, I actually like the game interface better than Empire/PP (personal preference - it just feels more comfortable).

2) I know that Poker Stars doesn't offer any first deposit bonus, so it is widely encouraged to start there. If I am not planning on staying at Paradise then I am really not wasting anything and I'm getting a free $12.50 to start at lower level tables. Does this sound logical or should I save it anyway and cash it in later (assuming I make money)?

3) I think I have seen some really bad hands beat me in limit games, would even moving to the $2 max buy-in tables be a better choice for me?

4) How do I know when my 2nd pair is going to beat the "seeming-less intelligent" guys raising with 3rd or 4th pair? I think it's more frustrating to see that happen then to lose KK on a draw or something.

Sorry if this post went on a little too long, hopefully the helpful people don't get lost. If I should break my questions into multiple different posts, let me know.

[Humphrind]

SPend all your money on $1/$2 Crazy Pinapple.

(Hey, I'm only mostly drunk. Not completely drunk)

[a500lbgorilla]

Save more money, learn about bankroll management and play the smaller stakes properly bankrolled.

-'rilla

[Corey]

SPend all your money on $1/$2 Crazy Pinapple.

(Hey, I'm only mostly drunk. Not completely drunk)

dont listen to humf.


Its really your preference. Different places have different bonus structures. Go to the review page and read there online bonuses in the online site section.

GL and welcome

[Waggho]

4) How do I know when my 2nd pair is going to beat the "seeming-less intelligent" guys raising with 3rd or 4th pair? I think it's more frustrating to see that happen then to lose KK on a draw or something.

Take notes of the ones playing like this. If you know that the guy has raised with third pair twice already, you might well check-call your second pair. Watch out for other people with better hands though. If you don´t have a read on the guy, fold.

3) I think I have seen some really bad hands beat me in limit games, would even moving to the $2 max buy-in tables be a better choice for me?

Yes, because you can bet harder to scare drawers away. If they don´t go away, they have incorrect odds and you earn (i.e. top pair wins against flush draw ~2/3, and if a drawer calls your big bets, you´re lucky).

As 'rilla stated above, you´re bankroll is probably the most important factor in your long-term play right now. If you stay at the $2 max buy-in with your $50 bankroll you have a good chance of not starting out losing hundreds of dollars while learning the game as many other people do.

Good luck!