The best bargains in online poker are certain sit and go (SNG) tournaments on PokerStars.com. Most SNGs, including those on PokerStars, require a buy in plus a 10% fee that is the site's revenue. However, some SNGs charge less than the 10%. Turbo, one table SNGs in the stud games and Horse charge between 6.7% and 9%. For example, the $15 8-player Horse, Razz, Stud and Stud High-Low tournaments only charge $1 for the fee. The $35 versions charge $3 as a fee, which is not as big a bargain, percentage wise, but still a good deal. The $100 versions charge $7.
The 6 player no limit hold em tournaments also charge a lower fee. The $12 buy in charges $1 and the $23 buyin charges $2.
Not as good a deal as the stud games, but head and shoulders above most NLHE SNGs.
If you believe in THE math, as most successful poker players do, it is obvious that the lower the fee, the more you will make over the long haul. For example, I regularly play the $15 Stud games. If I play 6 a day, I will save $3 per day in fees. I know, big whoop. But, since I play 300 days a year, that is $900 I'd rather have than give away.
Again, using THE math, the less the takeout, the less you have to be superior to your opponents to show a profit. In a 10% takeout tourney, you have to be better than 60% of your opponents to win money over the long haul. I'd much rather just have to be better than 57.5% of them.
Geez, it turns out I'm even a cheapskate in poker. |
