Monday, March 13, 2006

Rakeback

If there's one thing I've learnt from talking to the guys and gals that are already playing online poker for a living, it's that rakeback should be a big part of your consideration when selecting a 'home' for all your dosh.

Up until now the only addition to my actual winnings have been fabulous 'loyalty points'. You might not be surprised to hear that so far I nearly have enough points to buy 1/9th of a shite baseball cap. Yehaw.

I decided to contact all the big sites, essentially just saying that I plan to start playing seriously, and asking why I should give them my rake. I guess it's not too surprising to find that the big boys didn't want to offer me anything; suggesting that just being allowed to play on Poker Stars should be enough to make me happy. Others suggested I contact them after a month of playing "as i mean to go on" so that they can appraise my play. Yeah, and get a month's worth of dosh for free. Do I look like Johnny Bananas.

Ultimately I found a bunch of guys that broker rakeback deals. Just to name-check the guys that have been most helpful: www.fishypoker.com and www.rakebackdeals.co.uk

So... after much deliberation, I'm down to Littlewoods or William Hill. I think.

More soon.

1 comment:

Wonky said...

Hi,

Keep an eye out for some of the pit falls when looking at rakeback deals.. some of them will screw you and it can be a month or two before you notice. I did an article on this a few months back.

http://wonkyjim.blogspot.com/2006/01/looking-after-you-margins-pt2-rakeback.html

Also one thing to think about if you end up with littlewoods is do really want to be seen dead in one of their purple shirts if you win a online sat to a live event !!? ;)

Good luck.