Online poker rooms

[c00ky83]

How do these make money?  I play them and the money I pay goes to the other punters, no fees to the company.

[d0gsb0dy]

Actually, I am quite attracted to the idea of playing poker (never played before). Do you ever win?

[c00ky83]

I sometimes win, but make sure I don't lose:  If I double my money I'll withdraw my initial funds so then I'm only using their money.  If you've never played, I'd suggest downloading poker-room software and "playing for fun".  It's a great game, as you're gambling on your own decisions, not random chance.

[d0gsb0dy]

Sounds fascinating! Where do I get the software?

[Hammer]

You can download from most bookies websites - I've used www.betfair.com before but there are loads more.

I've wondered that myself, what's in it for them? They don't appear to take a percentage on betfair's site, but then I think they may charge a profit on any profit you withdraw. Not much from me then :-)

[c00ky83]

I use Betfair as well!  Maybe they do charge you on profit.  Thing is, I don't withdraw profit - I only withdraw what I put in and play with (ie. lose!) the rest!

[ArsenalLass]

they normaly have a side pot where they will take a % of your winnings my husband plays most nights and wins a fair bit of money, the thing is he cant play "live" cause he will give the game away, he is in leaps and bounds in the study when he has a full house!!!

[MargeB]

I hear you, Arsenallass, I think 'tells' in a casino would get even the best online players ripped to shreds. Some sites have tried to solve the missing element by combining online poker with....you guessed it, web cams.

[MargeB]

I do think most sites use a rake, normally about 5 cents on the dollar, maximum about $2 on average. Most people never notice it, and don't let it figure in their calculations.

For tournaments, you get given a nominal bunch of chips at the initial buy-in, plus a small entry fee. So if you see $10+$1, it means you pay $10 into a communal pot, $1 to the house. If there are 5 of you, you fight it out with the chips you have to win $50, or a split with second place. Some multi-table tournaments work on this elimination system with about 1000 players, which can be great fun, for 1 hours play, �2.50 entry, and a remote chance at some good cash.

I'm on my 5th $5 turbo tournament of the night, 3 wins in a row, at �11 profit a time. However the competition is appalling, one of the guys beside me has started demanded that I explain hand rankings to him....

[c00ky83]

Thanks for the comments - MargeB, is there anything you don't know?