Why people struggle at 1/2
 

I was looking at everyones graphs about a week ago showing excellent win rates at .5/1 and then showing roller coaster rides at 1/2. Then hearing everyone say how 2/4 is actually easier than 1/2 and it made me think about the rake schedule. So I decided to run a quick report looking at rake as percentage of pot and found that the worst rake seems to be at 1/2. Here's some stats from various sites...

.5/1
Paradise - 2.3%
Pokerstars - 2.0%
Party - 3.8%
Absolute - 2.5%

1/2
Paradise - 3.1%
Pokerstars - 2.9%
Party - 4.2%
Absolute - 2.3%

Another interesting note is just how high Party's rake is. I think they don't realize that having a higher rake is a bad idea at the micro levels. People are just learning to play and instead of feeling like they are winning players, they are just donating their money to Party. Obviously back to back WSOP winners helps Pokerstars but, I also wonder if this is partially the reason that Pokerstars is growing so much quicker than Party.

BTW, 10/20 Party rake is slightly below 2.1%

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

Or it might be because the average pot size is bigger on Party (due to the larger pool of loose players), and as such you are more likely to hit higher thresholds on the rake schedule, and more rake is taken out. I spent some time playing Start .5/1 and the average play was so weak-tight most pots were not raked at all. (Regardless, Party's rake structure at 1/2 is insane)

On another note, fish don't care about the rake; a lot of them do not even know that is it there at all!

-K

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

[ QUOTE ]
Another interesting note is just how high Party's rake is. I think they don't realize that having a higher rake is a bad idea at the micro levels.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh I think they realize it all to well. Most of the weaker players found at the micros are going to bust out quickly, might as well rake as much as possible before the good players(and bonus whores) take it and cash out.

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

The real difference is at $5 Party rakes .5 instead of .25. The average pot size is higher at Party but, Paradise is very close and still a much lower rake.

Average pot size at .5/1
Paradise - $6.30
Pokerstars - $5.55
Party $ 6.45
Absolute - $4.70

Average pot size at 1/2
Paradise - $12.50
Pokerstars - $10.77
Party $13.35
Absolute - $8.44

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

R-A-K-E-B-A-C-K

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

If those stats are correct, you are making an excellent point. Initially, I was attracted to PP because there were many more loose passive players there. I assumed that the extra rake would be offset by the much weaker play. However, the games have tightened up considerably over the last 6-12 months. They may still be looser than many sites, but the spread is not as wide. Party still has an excellent bonus reload program that works out to a great $ per hour rate though. I think you have to play PP during the bonus period and then it might be advantagous to play elsewhere if no bonuses are available at any of your other favorite sites.

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

Don't the rakebacks come out of your bonus if you are playing a reload?

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

Anyway the 1/2 is still very beatable or what..?

Say you do 3-4BB/100 on 0,5/1,0 could you overcome the rake at 1/2..??

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyway the 1/2 is still very beatable or what..?

Say you do 3-4BB/100 on 0,5/1,0 could you overcome the rake at 1/2..??

[/ QUOTE ]

Very much so.

Re: Why people struggle at 1/2
 

[ QUOTE ]
I was looking at everyones graphs about a week ago showing excellent win rates at .5/1 and then showing roller coaster rides at 1/2. Then hearing everyone say how 2/4 is actually easier than 1/2 and it made me think about the rake schedule. So I decided to run a quick report looking at rake as percentage of pot and found that the worst rake seems to be at 1/2. Here's some stats from various sites...

.5/1
Paradise - 2.3%
Pokerstars - 2.0%
Party - 3.8%
Absolute - 2.5%

1/2
Paradise - 3.1%
Pokerstars - 2.9%
Party - 4.2%
Absolute - 2.3%


[/ QUOTE ]

This doesn't accurately account for the struggles players have. The worst proportional increase seems to be at Pokerstars at just under a 50% increase in rake. It sounds scary, but when you realize that .9% of the pot is really only pennies per pot, you need to look for other reasons to account for the roller coaster.