Clearing Bonuses

[adamstewart]

Hello all,

When clearing bonuses do you guys drop down a few levels, or simply carry on at your "regular" stakes?

It seems that many people drop down a few levels. I suppose the benefits include the fact that one would (likely) not lose more money than the actual bonus.

Is it also that larger percentage of hands played at $0.5/$1 are "raked."?? (i.e. as opposed to the often stolen blinds at the higher levels, which do not count toward the bonus as a 'raked hand').

Personally, I like to think that my time playing poker can be assigned a (theoretical) monetary value (i.e. 2 BB/100 hands). If I'm going to be playing 4-6 hours to clear my bonus - which I would be playing anyway - I might as well earn my regular theorectical earn rate in addition to my free bonus. Otherwise, it's a waste of theorectically earned money.

The only exception I see relates to the above noted instance where a larger proportion of hands at the lower stakes actually are 'raked.' If one was under time restrictions to clear the bonus, it may make sense to play the lower limits.

Am I reasoning incorrectly? Please discuss.

Adam

[sthief09]

dropping down to clear a bonus is retarded. the whole point of clearing a bonus is to increase your rate. why drop down to do that?

[adamstewart]

My point exactly.

But I have heard many posters talking about "spending a lot more time playing $0.5/$1"

Adam

[theghost]

Play where you win - with a bonus you win more.

[theghost]

Reason for this could be that they are more comfortable multi-tabling at lower levels. 4 table .5/1 instead of 2 table 1/2 to clear the hands faster, for example.
(Assuming 2 tables of 1/2 is their regular speed.)

[moondogg]

Christ. I don't think I even have regular "non-bonus" stakes anymore.

The last limit I played without a bonus was .5/1 LHE. That was 11 months and two weeks ago.

[steamboatin]

Some dropped down in limits for the OIC. You had to start at .50-$1 and could only move up after you doubled your $50 bankroll.

[NoChance]

For the most part, I stay at my "Normal" stakes.

The only reason I drop down, is if the site is smaller and there are no tables (or only 1 table) available at my "Normal" limit. I do this to clear the bonus more quickly so I can get on with the next bonus or return to my regular "fishing spot".

[vegasbob]

using time is a factor like you said i would always play the same stakes. I am excited about the $200 party bonus that they are offering this week

[fluff]

The only "sane" reason to move down is if you intend to add more tables in order to clear the bonus faster, such that the combined total win rate (table win rate + bonus) is higher (or at least close to equal, as an argument can be made that you earn more with less risk/smaller swings).

Edit: NoChance's reason is also sane. Didn't think about that.