Deciding Where to Play Online

Deciding Where to Play Online
By Al Spath

If you are undecided as to where to plunk your money down, waiting another week will only increase the degree of difficulty in making your selection (at least 15-20 more internet poker rooms will come on line). It appears that poker sites (a vast majority of them skins of other well established sites) continue to pop up and offer all sorts of incentives in their attempt to attract real money players who are more than willing to deposit their funds in search of fame and fortune.

I recently interviewed an avid internet player, who readily calls himself a “bonus whore!” Yes, he can be bought by the highest bidder and is not ashamed to say that “deposit bonuses” are the main reason he will put his cash into a site, although a few other basic needs must be met by the site. The site must have the following:

• Maximum (up to a 100% match) bonus money. Some sites will set certain conditions (time limits to achieve the bonus), while others offer lower rates but waive any time requirements to achieve the set number of raked hands
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• A reputable and efficient Cashier function, facilitating fast, easy withdrawal and deposit options. The ability to transfer money (player to player) is another feature that provides the user added flexibility.
  
  
  
• Poker room activity (average numbers of players online, 24/7) must generate scores of cash game tables and tournaments. There should be feeder tables at the lowest micro-limits, with middle and high stakes tables always available for immediate seating, or a fast moving waitlist. Sit n go’s should fill and start within minutes of your selection and multi-table tournaments should be abundant and have the ability to facilitate large numbers of participants (generating larger payouts).
  
  
  
• The software utilized to run the games must be very user friendly, have a myriad of options (from amusing sounds, to stats, to commands), and the appearance of the site must not be distracting (busy). Allowing players to multi-table without any limiting factors (some sites limit the number of tables a player can have open) is desirable. There must NOT be any operational timing issues such as frequent disconnects which lead to potential heavy losses.
  
  
  
• Knowledge that there is a host (customer service representative) available through live chat or by phone that can handle any disputes, refunds or discrepancies pertaining to your account.
  
  
  
• Sites that have functionality that permits the integration of useful software tools such as Poker Tracker, Stat King, or Poker Dominator.
  
  
  
• Additional giveaways, such as trips, entries in live events, merchandise, books, and of course, money added freerolls.
  
  
  
• Affiliation deals and referral dollars play an important role in the decision making process as well. If a new player can establish himself or herself as an affiliate, they can receive either a one-time dollar amount for additional signups (referrals), or they can secure a percentage of the rake generated by new players to the site. NOTE: Most rake deals involve the new player making a real money deposit and playing a required number of raked hands.
  

There are forums that rate sites, sites that link to various card rooms that offer all, or many of the items I’ve listed above. However, you must do some research, investigate and seek out the best deal for you, and then secure your bonus with solid play. Remember, it doesn’t matter how big the bonus, how good the software, or how nice the site treats you, if you are not playing winning poker, you are throwing your money away!