So I've moved up to the $50 tables at Prima again and this time it looks like it is sticking. The earlier attempts have ended with me losing some buyins and then moving backdown but it seems like I have managed to make the adjustment this time. However, it is a big adjustment and I am not sure I like it. I wasn't expecting the difference to be this big.

At the $20 tables the average vpip at the table is often above 30, I've been at tables that are as juicy as 40+. To me, looseness is the number one priority when it comes to table selection so color me disappointed when the average vpip at my new tables is somewhere around 20-25. It's rarely above 30 and at several times have I found myself at tables where it's 15! You read it right, 15. There will be one or two guys with vpips under 10 (they only playing suited AA?) a few with around 20 and the table "maniac" will have something like 40.

The good part is that I have improved my game. I've gotten better at folding overpairs, top pairs, two-pairs etc while at the same time valuebetting the river much more than I used to (ie: everytime I think I will get called by a worse hand). As much as I like to get better at the game I like winning money even more and table selection is of course a huge part of that. The main thing that is keeping me at Prima (expekt) is that I like the software and the practical payout system. However, now I don't really need to access my BR as much anympore (have another icnome) so I guess I could live with a worse cashout system... should I be looking for more profitable hunting grounds?
The three sites I have heard about and that I am considering is:
Party - Biggest playerbase. From what I hear the games are extremely laggy (good!) and they have nice reload bonuses, but the software is ugly.
Bodog - Only info I have is that the games are supposed to be ultra soft
FTP - Same as Bodog but also with some decent bonuses.

I also play some SnG's and MTT's and I really hate Expekts SnG structure so getting away from that would be an added benefit.

What say you? Should I stay or should I go?

I think the play at Party and Bodog are equally bad... I like the interface at Bodog better, just because it seems like it's quicker... And, Bodog has a 20% unlimited reload bonus... As far as I know, it is always in effect...

The downfalls to Bodog is that it isn't PT compatible... I didn't use to use it much, but have gotten a LOT more comfy w/ PT lately, and kinda feel uneasy when I don't have it as kind of a crutch...

If you are PT dependent, I would hit Party... you can find full tables 24/7 with HUGE VPIPs, which is another problem w/ Bodog (MUCH less players)...

If you don't use PT much, I would try Bodog, as I think they're software is nicer and quicker...

I've only played FullTilt a couple times, and I seem to get butt-molested every time I do...

I would try out Full Tilt if I were you. My win rate is higher there than anywhere else right now and they have the 100% deposit bonus.

Heres the link if you want to gve them a shot:

http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/?aff=2421&code=&int=0&ext=

STone,

I dont know why but I havent found almost ANY difference in the $25 and $50 games. When I started, I was in damned losing streak that was meant to be recorded or something...for STUDY!. WOW. I remember it and I feel bad. I knew the games were going to be great because most players couldnt stop calling my huge bets wit their gutshot-always hitting str8 draw.

The only place that you shouldnot be around in terms of game quality is Absolute Poker. OMG. I have named it THE ROCK GARDEN!!! I guess they have so many bonuses it´s worth trying it, and anyway, for some reason, there is where I win the most along with Bodog.

Lately I have been killing the $50 games. As I told you the only difference I find is that you can find a couple decent-good players sometimes. But ina medium poker room like bodog or AP, there is probably 4-5 of them. So that´s not so bad.

I went to Prima to clear the expekt bonus and in 900 hands I did 102. I didnt notice any difference. They were maybe a little more aggressive than most sites, but that´s basically it. I dont understand how you find the expekt software so good, compared to Party´s. I think they are both pretty standard. Nothing extraordinary, but the party´s software is way more fast,and you play a fe more hands/hr.

If you are having problems with Prima, I think my recomendation would be Bodog. That is a damned fish tank. A+ there. No PT support so F-- there. The gameplay is very lmuch like party, without the laggy factor .

They have also a great cashout system. My last cashout was processed in about 4 hours, and all other are done in less than 24 hours, including weekends, something they dont do at expekt.

There are many options. I havent tried stars at the $50 tables, because they are tight (most people say) and good. I had heard that also of UB but that is just a lie! That s another fish tank. The only place where the games get really boring and tight is AP. Also, you can find a few good players there.

I just hope the transition to the $100 tables be sooo easy as this one has been. UB or bodog are your best options.

Good luck, my friend.

My view of the sites at $50/$100 is as follows:

Softest (ie most passive and likely to lay down to continuation bets) - Crypto
Best Players - Stars
Most maniacal - Prima
Most popular and best bonuses- Party
Most reliably aggressive (excepting Prima maniacs) - UB

I am winning at all except Stars - I think I get upset at how slowly their bonus clears and go on mini-tilt..I have $600 unclaimed there now..

I don't play at non-PT sites so can't comment on Bodog...

Don't forget the Time-of-Day consideration that you may be forgetting...players on Friday Nights and Saturdays tend to be much looser and worse than say Monday-Thursday mornings. After 5pm EST has many more players, which means more poor players, than early in the day...and Friday nights are the craziest. Also, remember that this applies less to European based sites since their time frames are so different from North American ones. You can find crazy tables on any site as long as you're there at the right times...and if you take the time to look. A lot of us run PT for at least 30 min with HUD rating players and giving us more than just table averages so it's much easier to pick soft tables.

I find that interesting interesting. I have some very good saturdays like today. I made 130 in just a few hours 3tabling at AP.

I have noticed I win the most in the mornings and because of that I sit on the computer as soon as I wake up. I am sure it has to be with mood and general state of mind. I am really crazy about playing the higher tables, because at this point, the player I fear the most when it comes to winning, it s myself. I ask miself if that is going to be the same as I move up....

I'd stick with prima....if its working why fix it??

I've played on a bunch of different sites, but i made my roll at pirma .50/1.00 NL. Whenever I have any problems, I just go back to prima and do well again.

Now I'm playing 1/2 NL over there and over 20k hands my PTBBs is 10.81/100. I don't think I could pull that on any other site.

Just tried FTP after the good recomendations. Got set over setted within the first 5 minutes

Well, it can only get better from here right?

I am done with Prima until I start playing $100s. The $50s seem too full of good players. Hard to believe but true.

The players truly suck at Party. Plus it's PT compatible. Go for it.

Just make up your mind in advance: "I do NOT believe that Party is fixed." If you believe it is fixed, or even if you have that lurking worry in the back of your mind, you're going to notice patterns and start to play worse.

I just have to say this, since my last post here giving Full Tilt a try, let me just say this:

Love the software, but the site HATES me, I have never ever in the last year taken that many big bites of the shit sandwich!!!!!!!!!!

I agree the $50 Prima tables are too tight. I've moved to Empire (which I used to hate but since joining BTP, have become a winner there) to play the $50 tables there until I move up to $100 and then I'll try back at Prima. A lot of players here like FTP but I just couldn't get anything going there.

I would try Empire the next time they offer 100% bonus.