Help me build my bankroll with bonus

[Samara]

Kristoffer, I would like to read those articles too, if you could PM me with the links if they are ready.

Orianas, I don't want to play break-even poker just to earn the bonuses. I want to play limits that my BR allows and that I can maintain a winrate. However, I don't see much diferrence from .02/04 through .25/.50 in Stars and 10NL and 25NL. It is just that in Party, they don't have lower limits and I'm not confortable playing .50/1, (I dont have 300BB), but I try to buy in for $5 using short stack strategy. I was running for 6PTBB/100 in 25NL at party by always buying for $5. Then when I switched games I lost a lot. So of course I am re-evaluating my strategy, but one part that I feel that was causing me to tilt was that I was BIG money scared. So I plan to study more and stick to one game, just haven't decided yet which. If ~5k hands account for something(I know its small as hell but its my experience so far) I am a winner at party 25NL and loser on everything else. Also a winner up to .25/.50 at L08 at Stars.

[Daniel Magix]

I see so many people say how difficult it is to clear bonuses at micro-levels. It does take grinding, but it can be done. I was worried that I wouldn't clear the 30% reload bonus at PR within the given 60 day time limit. I had only put $100 in and I was only going to be playing .25/50. I ended up two-tabling and playing the occasional SnG with Ring Game profits. 2.5 weeks later, my bonus was clear, and my BR had grown to $280 in that time. Granted, I was running very hot to start off, and the SnG's helped speed up the bonuses. But the experience of grinding it out at near nano-limits, is very valuable and teaches patience very well.

[sg23]

definitely stick to one game and get good at that, perhaps use other games as a change of pace (O8 is my new "hobby" for when i don't feel like playing LHE), but if your goal is to move up limits/make more money, you want to focus and improve.

i have to disagree with those who recommend against bonus chasing starting out. i played micro limits (.25/.50 and .50/1) at pokerroom for a couple of months without bonus before i realized i could play on other sites on that network and make a little extra cash. i treat bonus money as just that - a bonus. it gives me an added incentive to play, and it did help build my bankroll starting out, but ultimately i wanted (and want) to beat the crap out of people with my game, that is why i play, that is why i keep trying to play better poker with each new session.

i've also found that playing on different sites/networks has only helped my game because i've had to adjust to the different playing styles that you will see on party, prima, cryptos, ongame, absolute, etc. i can understand why people might want to stick to one site/network, and i don't want to suggest that you should start jumping around immediately, but i really think the exposure to different sites is beneficial.

rakeback is something you should keep in mind whenever signing up for a new site. as with bonuses, rakeback shouldn't be the only reason someone plays on a site, or plays poker. it's merely a rebate on some of the rake you are paying anyway, money that would otherwise be totally lost to the site. as you move up in limits, play more, and/or play shorthanded, rakeback sums increase and you'd be surprised how much you'll see from it at the end of the month. i've moved up cautiously, and now play 1/2 6max and 2/4 FR LHE depending on the site. in the past two months i've received hundreds of dollars in RB from various sites. (!)

i don't know how many sites you've created accounts at, but some sites will not allow you to create new accounts/get rakeback if you already have an account, something to think about if you decide to try a new site/network. i simply don't see a downside to signing up for a site using a reputable rakeback affiliate, even if you only play at the site for a signup bonus. also, some sites do not deduct bonuses from your rakeback totals, which is nice. (btw i am not an affiliate myself, just a happy customer).

interesting thread, good luck [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
-joanna