avatar77
07-04-2004, 12:27 AM
I really don't understand why most posters here are knocking this site.
I am a fairly new player - I only started playing poker seriously earlier this year. I am constantly striving to become a better player by playing low limit home games, Texas Turbo and by reading 2+2 books, internet sites and the 2+2 board. I am always looking for that book, that software or that video - anything that may make me a better player and give me an edge. Up until a couple of days ago, I've only posted in the books/software section.
Unlike some players here, I don't play poker to make a living. I don't ever intend to because I make a lot more money in my regular job (my source of income has absolutely nothing to do with poker - so I am not a shill either). But my goal is still to become a solid mid to high limit player. I play it because I enjoy the challenge. Although I am a currently only a decent low limit player, I have been reluctant to play at casinos and traditional online sites because I am not confident that I can beat the rake. I am not a great poker player yet and I am smart enough to know my limitations before entering the fray of tougher games.
I learned about zerorake through 2+2 and chose to try it because I thought their business model was innovative and it gave me an opportunity to improve my poker without worrying about beating the rake.
Overall, my experience has been positive. The interface and customer support has been very good (although they are not likely to be too busy).
There are, however, downsides to this site. One, there aren't a lot of games available. No one is playing stud or Omaha and two, there aren't a lot of players and the players that are there are generally very good - a lot of RGP and 2+2 posters. Fortunately, these downsides may be only temporary - if and when the site obtains more users.
I am about break even at the site.. I haven't made money. But had I been paying a rake, I would have been out by now. I hope that this concept is driven home to most players. The rake can be the difference between breaking even and going bust or making money or breaking even. To most players, that is a BIG difference.
I will be honest with you. There aren't a lot of fishes at zerorake right now. If you make a living playing internet poker, zerorake is not the site for you. At least now. I am only playing because I am sick of playing Texas Turbo and wanted access to something equivalent to a rake free home game anytime I want.
I don't know if Zerorake will survive but I hope it does because if it does, it will send a strong message to the Pokerstars and PartyPokers of the world that the players will no longer tolerate an unreasonable rake.
I stand by Paul and the other posters who have supported this site because as serious players, I think we owe it to ourselves to give this site a chance.
$6 a month is nothing.. that's probably the rake of 2 pots in a low to mid game. Until you give a try and give it an open mind, I don't think you should bash this site based on meritless accusations.
I exchanged emails with support and they told me that their business model is based on minimizing monthly costs - that means no props or shills. It probably also means it doesn't sponsor big name poker stars, no gimmicky bonuses and free trips to WSOPs.
Maybe, the Stars and Party model is the correct one...huge rake revenue is generated to pay for publicity..maybe that is the best model.
But maybe, just maybe, Zerorake and Rakefree is onto something. Maybe the market just wants to play poker.
Take this site for what it is, a no-frills, pure poker site with a reasonable cost structure so we can just play poker without supporting the promos.
I sincerely don't think Paul is a shill and I am absolutely certain that Utopic is not a shill. If Utopic really is a shill, he would surely have been fired for his trash talking in the poker room (we played against each other today).
When Walmart and Fedex first launched their business models - everyone laughed and doubted it would survive. They did so because at the time, it was based on a different and innovative business model which was so contrary to the conventional way of thinking at the time - based on a different value proposition.
My advice is to stop worrying about a witch hunt for shills and just consider giving this site a chance.
I am a fairly new player - I only started playing poker seriously earlier this year. I am constantly striving to become a better player by playing low limit home games, Texas Turbo and by reading 2+2 books, internet sites and the 2+2 board. I am always looking for that book, that software or that video - anything that may make me a better player and give me an edge. Up until a couple of days ago, I've only posted in the books/software section.
Unlike some players here, I don't play poker to make a living. I don't ever intend to because I make a lot more money in my regular job (my source of income has absolutely nothing to do with poker - so I am not a shill either). But my goal is still to become a solid mid to high limit player. I play it because I enjoy the challenge. Although I am a currently only a decent low limit player, I have been reluctant to play at casinos and traditional online sites because I am not confident that I can beat the rake. I am not a great poker player yet and I am smart enough to know my limitations before entering the fray of tougher games.
I learned about zerorake through 2+2 and chose to try it because I thought their business model was innovative and it gave me an opportunity to improve my poker without worrying about beating the rake.
Overall, my experience has been positive. The interface and customer support has been very good (although they are not likely to be too busy).
There are, however, downsides to this site. One, there aren't a lot of games available. No one is playing stud or Omaha and two, there aren't a lot of players and the players that are there are generally very good - a lot of RGP and 2+2 posters. Fortunately, these downsides may be only temporary - if and when the site obtains more users.
I am about break even at the site.. I haven't made money. But had I been paying a rake, I would have been out by now. I hope that this concept is driven home to most players. The rake can be the difference between breaking even and going bust or making money or breaking even. To most players, that is a BIG difference.
I will be honest with you. There aren't a lot of fishes at zerorake right now. If you make a living playing internet poker, zerorake is not the site for you. At least now. I am only playing because I am sick of playing Texas Turbo and wanted access to something equivalent to a rake free home game anytime I want.
I don't know if Zerorake will survive but I hope it does because if it does, it will send a strong message to the Pokerstars and PartyPokers of the world that the players will no longer tolerate an unreasonable rake.
I stand by Paul and the other posters who have supported this site because as serious players, I think we owe it to ourselves to give this site a chance.
$6 a month is nothing.. that's probably the rake of 2 pots in a low to mid game. Until you give a try and give it an open mind, I don't think you should bash this site based on meritless accusations.
I exchanged emails with support and they told me that their business model is based on minimizing monthly costs - that means no props or shills. It probably also means it doesn't sponsor big name poker stars, no gimmicky bonuses and free trips to WSOPs.
Maybe, the Stars and Party model is the correct one...huge rake revenue is generated to pay for publicity..maybe that is the best model.
But maybe, just maybe, Zerorake and Rakefree is onto something. Maybe the market just wants to play poker.
Take this site for what it is, a no-frills, pure poker site with a reasonable cost structure so we can just play poker without supporting the promos.
I sincerely don't think Paul is a shill and I am absolutely certain that Utopic is not a shill. If Utopic really is a shill, he would surely have been fired for his trash talking in the poker room (we played against each other today).
When Walmart and Fedex first launched their business models - everyone laughed and doubted it would survive. They did so because at the time, it was based on a different and innovative business model which was so contrary to the conventional way of thinking at the time - based on a different value proposition.
My advice is to stop worrying about a witch hunt for shills and just consider giving this site a chance.