Best Online Poker Room to Start at?

[12AX7]

Hi Everyone,
Downloaded a few or the more popular card rooms and have been playing the play money games to get used to the pace of online play.

So suppose I was starting in the nano and/or microlimits, where would you tell a mediocre or worse HE play to start while attempting to get solid and work up a bank roll?

[mosquito]

I'd start nano at Stars, esp since you won't be
worried about deposit bonuses. UB is a nice
alternative and the deposit bonus will not die.

[12AX7]

Hi Mosquito,
So why do you say that about the deposit bonuses?

Is it just impossible to clear at the micros? Or are you figuring I won't be depositing enough to make it worth while.
(Not sure on that. Was hoping to offset Neteller fees with bonuses, least that's what I'm thinking.)

[slipoker]

Paradise, Ultimate Bet, and Royal Vegas has some real soft .05/.10 games. Cross post this into the micro-limit forum to get some better responses. Also, play money is nothing like the real game, even if it is only the nano limits. Good luck, and welcome!

[clutch]

You don't have to pay any Neteller fees.

There is a raked hand requirement for deposit bonuses and there is no rake at limits below .25/.50.

[12AX7]

Thought I saw an 8.9% fee for Neteller?

Good point about the no rake issue though. (Fill in Homer Simpson sound here. DOH!)

:-)

[dibbs]

For nano/micro-limits I'd say Stars or UB. I'm actually pretty unfamiliar with stars but am aware they run nano/micro limit and NL holdem, not sure about bonuses but I am under the impression they don't offer them often.

UB would be good too, similar games (difference in quality of play I do not know) and you'd get a bonus but depending how small you play it may take an eternity to clear. It's moderatly milkable at .25/.50 limit but lower than that I don't know.

Good luck.

[clutch]

[ QUOTE ]
Thought I saw an 8.9% fee for Neteller?

Good point about the no rake issue though. (Fill in Homer Simpson sound here. DOH!)

:-)

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I meant there were no fees for the actual transfers to/from the poker sites. I wasn't thinking about Instacash.

[SoftcoreRevolt]

I'd say start out with Sportingbet since you can clear the 100 dollar bonus at the nano limits, and the play is super loose.

[pokerswami]

[ QUOTE ]
(Not sure on that. Was hoping to offset Neteller fees with bonuses, least that's what I'm thinking.)

[/ QUOTE ]
If you're in a hurry, some sites will pay Neteller Instacash fees and/or pay for instant e-cash deposits directly from your checking account.

That is how I started with Bodog. Plus you get bottomless deposit bonuses there. However, you can't withdraw any of your money if you have uncleared bonus money left, I believe.

Besides Bodog, there are several sites which pay for instant transfers. Last I checked, these included

Crypto sites
Ultimate Bet
Pokerroom
Absolute
Pacific
Paradise
iPoker
apex(golden palace; doyle's room)
Plus, like I said, Bodog.

This list is dated, so you should check with any site first.

It's probably true for all the Prima sites, also, but a couple months ago there was a lot of chatter by people saying they didn't think they were safe sites. I have no experience with them and don't know.)

btw, Bodog does have affiliates who offer rakeback. I signed up under one.

If you don't care about rakeback, there are several affiliates who will deposit free money in your name at one or more different sites just to get you as their recruit forever at those site(s). If you ever hope to play a lot though, I recommend getting rakeback and not the free money.

REMEMBER NOT TO SIGN UP WITHOUT HAVING YOUR AFFILIATE AND/OR BONUS CODES AT THE TIME OF SIGN-UP.