I did some research and was fairly unsuccessful. I also realize that I am being petty, but I really like the hours of play for a shot at $10 when my buy-in is $0.

Also, I agree that variance is out there and easily forgotten. I think the good times go fast and the bad beats linger, though in reality they exist for similar durations.

Thanks for the forum and I look forward to your response.

Jason K.
Amherst, NH

I can only speak for myself in response to your question about playing on an “honest” online site. Here goes! I have played on three sites throughout my online endeavors. I started on PartyPoker and did exceptionally well there. I was on when poker was just getting off the ground online and I had three Top Three finishes in large MTT’s with over 2500 players. I have also played with moderate success on Full Tilt. However, I have not played very many tournaments on Full Tilt but I do consider it the best site in terms of the skill level of the players.

Lastly, my home at Pokerstars. I have been playing on PStars for three years now and have had a fantastic exerience with exceptional customer support and prompt responses to any questions or issues I may have. I also had a very positive experience with Full Tilt and Party Poker.

Here is where some may disagree but again I am referring to my own experiences. I have not seen an inordinate amount of bad beats or any kind of results in the tourneys and cash games I have played that I would consider out of line. Many players say how can this or that happen when a flop comes down a certain way or the river card hits and saves the same player two hands in a row. Things that, although may appear abnormal, are simply the mathmatics of the game catching up to itself.

I tend to attribute it to variance. For instance: I went through a run earlier this year where I couldn’t get a hand to hold or and I got every possible beat in the book plus some bonus bad beats. That kind of stuff was happening for two months straight. If I had any hair left I would have lost it.

However, I kept my bankroll tight and managed to fight my way through to several small $180 Top Three finishes including 3 first place finishes. I also Final Tabled and qualififed for the Sunday Millions four times in a row in the ten dollar buy-in. All of this happened over a three month period where I could do no wrong. The swings are tough and the variance sucks when it doesn’t go your way but overall I am more than happy at Pokerstars and what I believe to be a well run “honest” online site. I would say the same for Party and Full Tilt.

I hope I answered the question for you guys.

Curtis III AKA “Curtom”

PS Thanks for excusing my bad spelling(lol).
PPS My wife edited this one LOL>…

I did get an opportunity to play on NLOP within the last month or so. I have mixed feelings about it now after that experience. On one hand I think it’s great that they have opened things back up and boosted the prizes and all for the free players. However, I have noticed that they are really pushing for players to sign-up as “premium” account players to take advantage of the opportunities being a premium player affords you.

You are correct in regards to the structure. I am assuming that is what your comment was about. It is indeed a fast structure that does not cater to players that are short stacked. Not many fast structures do. You are also much more likely to get called on a site like this considering there is no “real” money being played with.

So, when playing on sites like NLOP, SPADECLUB, and others like it I have to keep things in context. I really don’t expect the play to be the same as real money poker and I am sure you don’t either.

Just keep in mind that they are selling a product and it can definitely have flaws. Mike Sexton is a paid endorser I am sure so he has to do what he has to do. Sorry for the rant and thanks for the comment.