What is the toughest level on Party/skins?

[MisterNatural]

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This poll has me baffled. Do that many people actually think 1/2 is harder than 2/4?! If so, i'm moiving up.

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It could be that more people have only played 1/2 and voted accordingly. I'd say, 1/2 is easier, but 2/4 plays more like .5/1. Besides the 6max effect at 1/2, I think a lot of casual players prefer to start off at 2/4. They're not building a bankroll or working on their game, but rather just playing to have some fun and pretty much expect to either blow out their $100 deposit + $20 bonus or run into some luck. To them, 1/2 just seems like play money. Also, real casinos usually don't run less than 2/4.

[TemetNosce]

Good points. I concur completely.

[sumdumguy]

I am refering to game selection. Some of those 1/2 10 handed games (even some of the 6max games) are not really that soft. The rake at Party micro-limits is simply S-I-C-K. You better make sure you get what you pay for!

I think the rake is:
Level 1 $5.00 pot = 50c
Level 2 $12.50 pot = 75c
Level 3 $20.00+ pot = $1.00

I think that the 12.50 level might actually be 12.75.. I don't really remember. A poster that actually plays a lot of 1/2 time is better able to clarify this.

Rake Schedule:
Pots at 50c rake are essentially raked at 10%, less "breakage" rather than 5% less breakage at Stars and Paradise. These tighter games are more difficult to break even at than their counterparts at Stars and Paradise. A similar effect occurs at Party's 75c level that hits before the pot reaches $15, as it would at Paradise or Stars. Everybody and their dog is aware of the effects of the Rake Schedule.

Definition of Pot Size (for pupose of rake):
I'm very poor at expressing things, but here goes. Party's is obvious, Pot size equals total bets placed. Paradise defines it as total bets less rakes already collected. This accounts for a big difference at the end of the year. Fewer people are aware of the Definition of Pot Size, or how big an effect this is at the end of the year. Two examples:

Game 1,
Bets placed by start of River = $16
Rake collected up to start of River = 75c
Pot size (in the middle) = $15.25
Bets placed on river card = $4
Party calculates this as $16 + $4 = $20 pot, collect an extra 25c. Total rake = $1.
Paradise calculates this as $15.25 + $4 = $19.25 pot, collect 0c. Total rake = 75c.
Net: Party charges 25c more.

Game 2,
Bets placed before flop = $8
Checked on flop and turn.
Rake collected (Party) = 50c
Rake collected (Paradise) = 25c
If action ended here, Party collects 25c more than Paradise, and if action continued..

Pot size (in the middle) = $7.50
Bets placed on river card = $12
Party: $8 + $12 = $20 pot, collect an extra 50c. Total rake = $1.
Paradise: $7.50 + $12 = $19.50 pot, collect an extra 50c. Total rake = 75c.
Net: Party charges 25c more.

As pots grow on Paradise, any rakes already taken, are treated as a reduction of pot size, money in the middle, or total bets.. not so on Party. Play enough hands.. and it will add up to a lot.

Between the level "breaks" of when the rake is collected, and the definition of pot size for rake purpose, Paradise is a much better deal. You have to compare apples to apples, not oranges. Compare the characteristics of the game to the rakes. An overall site comparison is not as important. If you get yourself into great games at Party, don't whine about paying more money for downtown real estate. It's worth it, in my opinion.

At the micro-limits, the Party rake is very much out of line. Pay attention to the game characteristics of the tables you're at, and where do the pots generally end up when you are involved. Are you paying more than you would for a similar table (or similar earn rate) at Paradise? Is it costing you a lot of money at the end of the year?

[sexdrugsmoney]

Many Thanks for your fine explanation.

Cheers,
SDM