Help me decide where to play....

[imported_metrognome7]

In the last few months I've turned a $25 buy-in on PokerRoom (ugh) into $125 on FullTilt. While FT is okay play-wise, it's nearly impossible to clear the bonuses and I'm getting sick of their SnG structure (5 minutes/level = 3-4 hands). I'm seriously considering cashing out my (admittedly meager) roll and transferring to a new site, but where to go?

Factors in my decision:
- I mostly play SnG's, with occasional forays into microlimit cash games
- I'm a "recreational" player, maybe 10-15 hours a week
- I'm as serious a student of the game as one can be at my level of experience, owning and having read SSHE, ToP, S/S 1&2, Caro, and HoH 1&2.

Party? Stars? Stay at FT? I appreciate the advice.

If you plan on playing many cash games, I'd check out the rake structure. Party rakes 50 cents on pots between $5 and $10, while alot of other sites rake only 25 cents on the same size pots. I didn't realize this when I first started at Party, and it cost me about $150 thru 4000 hands. But, the games may be easier at party. And, if you don't have an account there already and can get into their beginner games, I hear you can really clean-up there.

[SheridanCat]

With such a small bankroll, you want to play low. I would recommend PokerStars since they have limits that go very low and, since you mention SNGs, their SNG structures are decent. Party will give you a somewhat larger selection of games and the beginner's tables are low enough for you.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Regards,

T

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

If you plat low buy-in SNG's, Party's structure sucks. UB has a good structure but not enough games. 'Stars low buy-in SNGs have a good structure and you almost never have to wait. Payouts are a bit lower because they're 9-handed, but they also have 2,3 and 5 table SNG's at the $5 & $10 level.

[imported_metrognome7]

Thanks everyone. I think what I'll do is cash out half my 'roll and redeposit it at 'Stars, and if I like it I'll bring the rest over.

[AKQJ10]

Wherever you go, make sure you fully investigate bonuses and rakeback. You should probably wait until you can [nearly] max out whatever signup bonus you use.

[imported_metrognome7]

What would I need to get up to in order to maximize my bonus at 'Stars?

[AKQJ10]

You can probably find the answer (and other bonus advice) at http://www.bonuswhores.com/

[Songwind]

I don't believe Stars has any affiliate programs, based on my (fairly casual) recent research.

[4_2_it]

No rakeback at Stars. Check the bonus forum here fro initial deposit bonuses. I think it is usually something like a $125 max at a 20% rate (deposit $600 to receive full bonus, all deposits below $600 receive 20% after a certian number of raked hands).