Separate internet bankroll?

[Benman]

I've recently started playing internet poker. I put $500 on Party Poker. That's just a fraction of my real life bankroll, but I find myself unwilling to play bigger than 2/4 online. In real life I've got no problem playing 10/20 or 15/30. Am I weird? I just don't feel comfortable playing as high online. Should I treat my online bankroll as something separate? Just wondering how other people handle this.

[thomastem]

I keep them at least semi-seperate and that is because of time issues moving money around.

As for limit let's reverse this. An internet player for the first time goes to Vegas to play in a B&M. They have never had to worry about picking up or giving tells. They should not be comfortable playing at the same limit as they do on-line. Conversly a player that has leaned on picking up tells and giving false ones as big part of their game may not be as skilled as picking up betting patterns. They certainly don't have notes or a big Poker Tracker data base.

I believe you are wise starting online much lower than in-person.

[Cyndie]

Also, the speed at which you are playing makes the wins and losses at two four feel more like four eight at least. Then when you start playing two and three tables, the cumulative money at risk is more too, even though at lower limits.

While few would try to make a living at three six in a live casino, many players online never play higher than that and do quite well. Some of the finer props at Party and UB play their three six games for the hours needed and go on about their lives with a nice income.

Three tables of three six makes a reasonable win of $18.00 per hour and propping can easily double that. My personal favorite mix is a ten twenty and a three six. Not sure why, but it is relaxing and profitable without the stress of two ten twenties.

The people who say they are making substantially more than that haven't hit a dry spell that lasts...I have made three hundred in an hour at one three six table, but there are some hours that go the other way too..and you didn't do anything differently except get hit by the deck or get killed by the deck.

[Vehn]

You are not weird. I play B&M mid limits twice a week, and I play maybe 5-10 hours a week online, usually just bonus whoring from site to site and some tournaments on stars. I don't play higher than 5/10 limit games online. Basically I am not comfortable playing for higher limits than that on the internet. I equate playing on Party Poker for example as playing in a B&M with no floorpersons and a robot dealer. Try and think of what kind of outrageous BS would happen there, and then add in the anonymity of the internet to it. Ugh.

Also the reason most players don't make it above 3/6 or 5/10 is because of the "wall" I have spoke of before, where the average good/well-read/solid player cannot beat the games and the rake while playing multiple tables for any significant amount because the competition is too tough for the "abc" style of play that multi-table players have to take to individual hands and situations that come up.

[Inthacup]

Since I can't immdediately reload if I bust out online, I keep them seperate. If you don't mind waiting a week to get your money back in the poker site, then you can treat it however you feel the most comfortable.


If you don't feel confident against the competition at 3-6 or above, by all means, don't play. You shouldn't feel pressure to play 15-30 online just because you play it live. Play within your bankroll and within your comfort zone. Going outside either of these will inevitably affect your win rate.

[AliasMrJones]

[ QUOTE ]
Three tables of three six makes a reasonable win of $18.00 per hour and propping can easily double that

[/ QUOTE ]

What is propping?

[Cyndie]

propping is playing for the sites, usually rake free...there were some jobs at party in the past, but no longer. UB has some prop jobs, but the working conditions are tougher.

Many smaller sites use either "open" props,like ACR or Victoria's Poker, or Golden Palace, where the props are acknowledged as existing,or "silent" props at many sites where the props are asked not to discuss props, never because they have any inside information, but because of lack of understanding by players.

They help start games and prop up failing games. However the word "Prop" comes from the term "Proposition Player" or one who plays for the house, but uses his or her own money and not a "shill" who plays for the house and uses the house money. Shills have certain very strict rules to follow regarding what to play, so as not to lose the houses' money...Prop players use their own bankroll and have more freedom.

In B&M casinos, prop players usually play to start up games and have to leave to let customers in as soon as a game gets full...and believe me, if a live one comes, a game will fill right away! The life of a B&M prop is often not the finest or easiest way to earn a living!

With the ability to play multiple tables online, and the much better ability (with some exceptions) to play in great games, it amazes me that many sites are short of props, but they are.

[MS Sunshine]

"With the ability to play multiple tables online, and the much better ability (with some exceptions) to play in great games, it amazes me that many sites are short of props, but they are."

Propping costs a 1 BB/hr winning player about 1 BB/hr. So, you can play poker for fun. <loud gagging sound> Most of us wish to get money for working somewhere. As to the rake free worker, that never seemed that profitable to me. Rules that a site might make someone work under effect this greatly. Also the amount of site traffic has a huge effect on earn. Just playing with other props busts almost every prop.

MS Sunshine

[Cyndie]

Yes, many prop programs cost more than that in expected earn. Not all.

If sites require you to play games you aren't good at, or short handed or multiple tables, or leave good games for customers, or constantly look to see if there is a wait list,or play scheduled hours or too many hours, you are probably right...the loss is greater than the earn.

Yup, been through all of that and didn't like it too much...so changed the rules.

[Cyndie]

One obvious reason that many people do not like to play higher limits online is the possibility of collusion. Naturally the cheaters will go where the money is...even though the higher limits offer more likelihood that astute players will recognize the patterns and bother to report suspicious activity...No one ever said that cheaters were always smart!

Remember, hand histories do not ever go in the muck! One of the glories of online poker~ Report suspicious activity to the proper people, never warn the possible cheats by saying anything at the table!

A caveat...do not just talk to the floor people! Put your request in an email and request a resolution. The security people will pay attention if you are polite, but assertive.

The other important thing to remember about online...as you see players talking about playing multiple games...they can play the low limits and still have a higher earn. If you are going to play rock solid holdem, you aren't playing many hands, so playing multiple tables keeps your from allowing the boredom factor to overpower the common sense!