Why pay a rake?

[Brom]

Hi 2+2ers,
This is my first post here so I hope I got this right.
I currently play on PartyPoker and have heard a lot about affiliates offering deals for signing up/playing. I was hoping somebody could give me a little insight into how these affiliates function? It seems to me that there is no downside to joining up with an affiliate. I play mostly in the 2/4 limit games, so would I even get and compensation at these low stakes? Any info on the matter would be appreciated. Thanks, MB.

[Vehn]

Party is retarded and gives affiliates 25%ish of the lifetime rake that people who sign up under them.

You can't be your own affiliate without blatent fraud that will likely get your account frozen/funds confiscated. Plus the antiguan authorities will storm your house and drag you back to the capital of their oppressive empire.