may I ask your help on these newbie questions?

[Barb W]

Hello. I am relatively new to poker, having read many of the 2+2 books and Vorhaus' book on Internet poker. I have played a great deal of winning Blackjack (both B&M and Web), and a couple of years ago I did quite well with Internet Blackjack, until the casinos really tightened up their bonuses. With Blackjack, there are a couple of excellent sites from where newbies can get advice. This is obviously one of those sites for poker. I have learned a lot so far, but, I had a few questions:

1) I have been playing $1/$2 at PP and UB. I have done relatively well, so far, but what are the other sites I should defintely visit?

2) What is the "must have" software for poker? Poker Tracker looks very good to me.

3) How many tables should one play? I believe Vorhaus discourages this since it divides your attention from what your opponents are doing. However, I notice many players do this. In fact, I look for this when I'm playing and take it into account in my betting.

4) How important is bonus-hunting with poker, and how do these "rake-return" places work (and are they worth it)?

5) Any other obvious pitfalls to avoid on the Web (or B&M, for that matter).

Thanks to all in advance. This is a great site and I am learning a lot.

Thanks.

[GrannyMae]

for poker bonuses

Homer's Building a BR for newbies famous thread (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=inet&Number=1060198&Forum= All_Forums&Words=Newbies%20Bankroll&Searchpage=0&L imit=25&Main=1060198&Search=true&where=bodysub&Nam e=167&daterange=1&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&o ldertype=&bodyprev=#Post1060198)

[MrBlueNose]

1) I have been playing $1/$2 at PP and UB. I have done relatively well, so far, but what are the other sites I should defintely visit?

It depend what you're looking for in a site, or what your goal is(ie: to build a bankroll).

2) What is the "must have" software for poker? Poker Tracker looks very good to me.

Pokertracker, and either Gametime+ or Playerview.

3) How many tables should one play? I believe Vorhaus discourages this since it divides your attention from what your opponents are doing. However, I notice many players do this. In fact, I look for this when I'm playing and take it into account in my betting.

I'd say 4 is a good number, but work your way slowly up to it and if you don't feel comfortable don't do it.

4) How important is bonus-hunting with poker, and how do these "rake-return" places work (and are they worth it)?

Bonus-hunting is great as a easy way to build your bankroll. Easy to turn $500 into $1500+ within a month. Rake return is great if you're playing at a site regularly. Just some extra money for you.

And for bonus-hunting, I recommend a guide like UltimatePokerBankroll (http://www.ultimatepokerbankroll.com) or BonusWhores (http://www.bonuswhores.com)

[OrianasDaad]

Welcome to der zoo.

Vorhaus' Killer Poker Online was one of my first poker books, and got me off on the right track from a mental standpoint.

1 - Frankly, I don't think you need to visit any other site. There are several nice sign-up bonuses out there, but Party is the place to make money.

2 - Must have software? PokerTracker, easily. I also have PokerStove for offline analysis, and Poki Poker Academy Pro for fine tuning my game. Playerview or Gametime+ is also very handy.

3 - Vorhaus' comments are very valid. Playing one table you might be able to win a solid 4BB/100 at 1/2. Playing four tables you might be able to make 1.5BB/100 per table, which works out to 50% more in the time it takes you to play 100 hands. Play within your comfort zone. The play is extremely straightforward, and with the advanced info that pokertracker and PV, GT and/or "advanced note export" provides, you won't be lacking in any type of statistical read.

4) Bonus hunting has provided a signifigant boost to my growing bankroll. I have to withdraw from my roll from time to time, and bonus "whoring", as it is called, has allowed me to do so with little risk to my bankroll overall.

When you move up to a certain limit (unknown to me), it becomes more profitable to play with rakeback than via bonuses.

Most places pay out rakeback per hand as following:
n = number of players that receive cards.
p = rakeback percentage you receive.
r = rake taken from the pot.

$$ = (r/n)*p

Using PT to pull up my stats at 1/2, I find that I make

.58/8.5*.25 = $0.017 per raked hand on average. When you consider that only 75% of these pots are raked, it's just a little over a penny a hand in which I received cards.

5) Read these forums and use your own judgement is the best peice of advice I can give.