Bonuses have aldulterated the poker landscape

Whatever happened to the days when good players won, and bad players lost? Now everyone in poker seems geeked on the idea of "promos" and "bonuses". I personally avoid rake-tracking bonuses, and deposit bonuses. I think VIP points are repayment enough for the action of regulars. Perhaps if people didn't nickle and dime the sites so damn much, we wouldn't need to worry about them "juicing the RNG" to show profits and avoid going into the red when people request payouts. But stupid is as stupid does, I have seen people lose their bankrolls by playing stakes that are too high or playing too many hands trying to clear bonuses. Poker is about winning pots and bank-roll management, not bonuses.

If you are a winning player then it is extra money to be had. If the losing players are playing to make their points and that is keeping them in the game then a winning player should be happy that there is an incentive for losing players to keep on trying to play beyond their ability.

Just my opinion

I agree with you. Rakes are extremely high on all the small US sites tho too, so equilibrium is necessary for profitable play.

An interesting perspective shared by everyone here, I doubt this trend will change anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by IWASLION

Whatever happened to the days when good players won, and bad players lost?...

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Nothing really has changed there. Both good and bad players can run "hot" or "cold", but over time the good players will win more from the bad players.

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Originally Posted by IWASLION

... Now everyone in poker seems geeked on the idea of "promos" and "bonuses"...

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That too is about the same as before ...more or less. Comps were going on in Vegas long before internet poker. Internet poker is following the business model established a long time ago. Give someone a comp/bonus/free chips and they will come and/or stay. Dont offer a freebie and they will go elsewhere.

so essentially ure complaining about free money...does that mean u do not wish to be entered into any of the promos here? the br booster program or b2b??? cool so next time u win one of the po promos no matter which one ill get zab to ship me ure points

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Originally Posted by azreal1

so essentially ure complaining about free money...does that mean u do not wish to be entered into any of the promos here? the br booster program or b2b??? cool so next time u win one of the po promos no matter which one ill get zab to ship me ure points

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Was this really necessary? OP was expressing an opinion and seeking the opinions of others regarding bonuses offered by poker rooms. It had nothing (that I can tell) to do with bonuses or points rewarding good membership within a poker discussion community. This just seems an over-the-top aggro-sarcastic response relative to the level "complaint" OP proffered.

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Originally Posted by azreal1

so essentially ure complaining about free money...does that mean u do not wish to be entered into any of the promos here? the br booster program or b2b??? cool so next time u win one of the po promos no matter which one ill get zab to ship me ure points

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u know it all and are so self-rightous - i really get a kick out of it makes me feel goodabout myself

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Originally Posted by bmeelneg

Give someone a comp/bonus/free chips and they will come and/or stay. Dont offer a freebie and they will go elsewhere.

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I like the sound of this "elsewhere" site. Link? LOL

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Originally Posted by azreal1

so essentially ure complaining about free money...does that mean u do not wish to be entered into any of the promos here? the br booster program or b2b??? cool so next time u win one of the po promos no matter which one ill get zab to ship me ure points

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As usual you missed the point in order to fit your criticism model. I am refering to poker sites, not poker forums. And no I do not want to be included in "bankrooll booster", but I have no issue with the B2B or other performance based promos, in fact I find them to be alot of fun actually. Further more if I were to have my points shipped to someone, you would be one of my last choices, as I have yet to see you post something positive or helpful in any way.

bonuses are just extra money available to winning players and help keep the losing players in the game

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Originally Posted by HopsnBarley28

Was this really necessary? OP was expressing an opinion and seeking the opinions of others regarding bonuses offered by poker rooms. It had nothing (that I can tell) to do with bonuses or points rewarding good membership within a poker discussion community. This just seems an over-the-top aggro-sarcastic response relative to the level "complaint" OP proffered.

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he is always rude! dont even bother!!! but i agree, i dont play for the rake or bonuses at the poker sites! i do like the bonuses that are offered here, such as the LLB and donkey bets!!

bonuses have always been around most things you buy in life now has some sort of reward program have you been living in a cave lol

rake on carbon is like fuckin 7% or somethin...i think thats what i heard anyway..

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Originally Posted by 1downswing1

bonuses have always been around most things you buy in life now has some sort of reward program have you been living in a cave lol

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I pay extra when I go to the kind of grocery stores that require you to have a "rewards card" because I resent them trying to track my purchases. If they can offer a lower price point they should, but rather they make me divulge my habits, so I feel like Im being lead like a cow. Plus I would rather die of sunburn then have some stupid little card hanging from my keys like some mouth breather with a "proud to be a bitch" t-shirt. Now I pretty much only shop at Trader Joes, great alternative because they dont have cards, sales, or coupons. They just sell good food with zero preservatives and no GMO ingredients for a fair price that does not change every day like the commoditized processed crap sold at the national grocery chains.

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Originally Posted by JBD

rake on carbon is like fuckin 7% or somethin...i think thats what i heard anyway..

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Ring game rakes can be pretty bad at Carbon. The worst of it seems to be at the .05/.10 level, and gets absolutely unbeatable shorthanded. However the "step and goes" they just started have $5 tourneys with .13c fees (or close to that, i dont remember).

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Originally Posted by IWASLION

Ring game rakes can be pretty bad at Carbon. The worst of it seems to be at the .05/.10 level, and gets absolutely unbeatable shorthanded. However the "step and goes" they just started have $5 tourneys with .13c fees (or close to that, i dont remember).

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I still remember sitting at a heads up table with someone and us both putting down $25 and like 50 hands later, we both had $16-$17. That was the absolute worst.

yea I agree this started in Vegas! So dont blame the online companies for giving out bonuses

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Originally Posted by mikey4141

yea I agree this started in Vegas! So dont blame the online companies for giving out bonuses

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At this point I'm blaming the public school system. Reading comprehension does not seem to be a high priority. To recap, I'm blaming the players. More specifically the ones who need to be bribed to play, and to a lesser degree the poker sites that enable them. As far as casino and resort comps, I never touched on that; however I did give a pass to "VIP" points, which are similar in concept. Also I never indicted anyone for taking part in the programs, I did however say that I think its a weak crutch and I would add now that I think its indirectly hurting the game. Please feel free to disagree with me, opinions are like that; open for debate and dialog, but please do not misquote me, or misconstrue my statements and their intended principles.

In thisnsituationni will tKe a neutral dtance

I don't think there is anything wrong with giving bonuses if it drives traffic. It is no different than any other loyalty program your local store may offer

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Originally Posted by deedbr

If you are a winning player then it is extra money to be had. If the losing players are playing to make their points and that is keeping them in the game then a winning player should be happy that there is an incentive for losing players to keep on trying to play beyond their ability.

Just my opinion

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A combination of this along with what the user above me said ... I really don't see why you have issues with it despite everything you have said throughout this thread

We all over pay at the store to begin with, so if your store isnt offering incentives then they are just plain ripping you off LMFAO. now to poker sites. its been around forever but yes there are ALOT more people USING it to get there free money or whatever they want out of it. With no supersites anymore there are less and less playing so they have to offer something to get people playing and staying!

im tottaly agree with you too, this is right :D

ncie thread good players should win more then not,thats the rule

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Originally Posted by azreal1

so essentially ure complaining about free money...does that mean u do not wish to be entered into any of the promos here? the br booster program or b2b??? cool so next time u win one of the po promos no matter which one ill get zab to ship me ure points

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This person never has anything good to say about anyone. There is nothing wrong with promos but it has change the way poker is played and the type of people that play the game.

I know I seldom go to the live casino without some bonus offered. I treat online poker the exact same way. Whoever is offering the best deal gets more of my time. My favorite deals are when I only lose $5 and am paid $20 for some bonus or other 4 separate weeks. I will play those every time I find them.