I am looking at using Betfair because I already have an account with them and they do tournaments that are well priced, does anyone else have a view on them ?


Paul

There is a good review here http://www.pokerlistings.com/betfair-poker

I played there for a while and their cash games are OK but I didn't like the tournaments, as the blind structure was designed for speed and I felt that didn't suit my game.

Before signing up, it is worth looking in to rake back. This is one site that I have used and they have a deal for Betfair http://www.rakeback.co.uk/betfair.htm

I have the poker academy programme on order so that should "ginger" up my game a bit. Had a poor run recently and dropped back to the bottom table again. I think it is because I have been chasing marginal cards such as middle pairs, king eight, etc. getting into a betting frenzy and losing to better hands.
One player couldn't lose ! He had pocket Aces twice in three hands ??
Maybe his Dad owns the joint ?

I once had pocket A's 5 times in a single table sng tourney! I kept showing them even when everyone folded cause I just couldn't believe I had gotten them again!

Found this poker site that pays back all the rake. Seemed too good to be true at first but I suppose they get interest from all the money deposited and extra traffic for their sports gambling site. The number of players is quite low at the moment but I am sure that will change when people realise how much they can save playing there.

http://www.worldpokerexchange.com/norake.asp

Poker Academy has arrived and I've had a few goes on it. It looks VERY good. Just what one needs to improve one's game without losing any more dosh !!

BB
Interesting concept - no rake.
I've just had a look at the website and it looks OK, but I couldn't see what the minimum stakes are without joining. Perhaps you might know ?
Have you applied the - can I get my money out again test ?
Thx
Pat

The minimum stakes are 10/20 cent. Might be a while before I take money out, as I had a bit of trouble with the last hand I was going to play before cashing out.

I was using some of the profit I made last week with pokerstars. Sod's law struck as I was dealt 10,10, the flop came down 10,J,2 so I raised. One other player re-raised, so I thought he was probably on a draw and went all-in. He called with KQ, hoping to hit his straight and of course it arrived on the river. Don't feel bad about it, as I had the money in with the best hand but I will have to make some more profit on another site to deposit again. That will teach me to manage my bankroll properly

Here's some stats for my nl cash games, mainly against the Xenbots, in poker academy. Not enough hands to be significant yet but I have started playing this tight in real games and have been doing a lot better than when I was playing more hands. Still find it hard to hit the fold button so often but it is nice to make money from cash games for a change

A seemingly trivial but I think important point I have learned the hard way is for a beginner to stay in the bigger games and find another game if there are less than 7 players.
Quite a few times i have hardly noticed the other players drifting off and been left " eyeball to eyeball " with what turned out to be a very competent shark. Needless to say I must have seemed like a tasty snack for the predator.

Great programme on TV last night - perhaps you saw it. The Hendon mob ( top international poker players ) got set up for a scam and were Conned completely by the team.