B&M player wants online advice

[NateDog]

I'm looking to make my first foray into online play. I'm looking for suggestions as to best, most reputable sites to start out at (Micro).

Thanks,

Nate

[btspider]

what's your bankroll?

[NateDog]

I figured I'd start with 100 at .05-.10. Sound about right? Like I said, I have only played live, and don't know anything about correct BR size for online play.

Thanks again

Nate

[btspider]

well the smallest stake at party poker is .50/1.00, so $100 isn't enough. you need about 300 BB's (big bets, not big blinds) in your bankroll.

also, search the "internet gambling" forum here for the word "affiliate". you'll want one eventually, but its not necessary at the sub dollar limits.

personally, i started with $50 at poker stars. the .05/.10 game is good to learn basic preflop play. the .25/.50 game is good to get a handle on the core of Lee Jones's book. this leads well into party poker's .50/1.00 which you can join with an affiliate to get some of your rake back.

that's how I did it anyway.

[emonrad87]

What games have you been playing B&M? Have you beaten those games?

[NateDog]

I play 2/4, 3/6, up to 4/8 (occasionally) and have also played in 1-5 and 2-6 spread limit games and have done relatively well (for a TPP). I have read LLHE and SSHE. The main reason for wanting to play online is to try a few more things that I have been reluctant to do in the B&M games. At .05/.10 I feel I would be able to open my game up a little bit.

Any suggestions, bonus offers, ideas, fuzzy logic that I should know about?

Thanks,

Nate

[NateDog]

*cough*bump*cough*

[dfscott]

I agree with btspider and I did the exact same thing. PS 0.05/0.10 is a good place to start. Good software, reliable servers, and the ability to multi-table (if you feel like trying it once you get comfortable playing).

[prayformojo]

If you want to improve your game, buy pokertracker. Even if it bites into the bankroll you're willing to dedicate, it's probably better to start at a lower limit with it than higher without. PT is especially helpful for people coming from B&M, because it will give you a very good sense of the long run, helping you cut out those fun live pre-flop calls that you know aren't +EV, but decide what the hell, it's two dollars.

[crockett]

You mentioned $100 at .05/.1.

You've had some playing experience and read a couple books so if possible I would start with a $150 deposit at Poker Stars and play 0.25/0.5 with the intention of building my bankroll to $300 and then do some combo bonus whoring/rake kickback at other sites while working my way up through the limits.

The reason I recommend Poker Stars is because it does not offer sign-up bonuses but it is a quality site. If you build your bankroll up to $300 then there are few sites (Party, Empire, etc) that you can deposit your $300 in (get a %20 kickback) play off your bonus and repeat at another site. Also, when signing up at these sites you should use an affliate so you can get some of your rake kicked back to you. But rake kickback doesn't even become worth it until you get to the 0.5/1 and higher level.

I have read that it is pretty easy with some winning play (1-3BB/100) and moving your money around to accumulate $1000 by bonus whoring. I can't personally vouch for this, I have only read it.

[stir]

I've been doing a BW thing for about 2 months and have increased BR by $825, so $1,000 is certainly possible. More is quite possible depending on time/effort you wish to put into it.