I have been doing some research on the quest for the softest poker site in USA to do a first deposit. I think i narrowed it down to Bodog and Players Only (Merge Network). Im a mac guy but will partition my HD for windows so compatibility is not a problem. I was wondering if anyone would suggest one over the other. Players Only has a good 35 % rakeback offer, and i think Bodog does something similar to rakeback too. They both offer about 100% first deposit match. Any suggestions?

p.s. If my understanding is correct on Players Only- I will be playing with all the members from the other Merge Network sites too?

Or if im overlooking another site please let me know!

Both of them are OK, but on bodog you can't use HM without additional paid software /hand grabber/.

I agree with Oldie. I play on both networks and use HEM on Merge and play without it on Bodog. I believe you are right about having all the people on Merge if you play on any of their skins.

gl

i have played on about a dozen sites over the last 6 yrs, party, pacific,everest,doyles room,abslute/ub, stars,tilt, carbon/merge,bodog, interpoker,wsex and a couple more i cant remember. In my experience the 6 max micro NL games at bodog are loosest and most passive i have come across. I did the micro bankroll challenge at carbon which were about the same as most other sites as far as opponent skill and playing style. The single biggest difference i find between bodog and the other sites is that players at bodog will get stacks in about twice as often as most other sites. I noticed this playing at carbon that fewer players get it in light so i went and looked at my databases and found the difference i mentioned.

bodog doesnt offer any rakeback, carbon/merge has 35% rb. Bodog does have a player points progam to convert plyer frequency pts to cash or tourney entries etc. Carbon does same, but it is reduced if you get rb. I only get a few hundred $ a year thru thru points at bodog, so rakeback is way better since i got at least that much in rb just thru the micro challenge. However my winrate at bodog is higher so it kind of depends on your win rate, the higher your winrate the less % of your profit is from rb, but if you have a lower winrate or near breakeven winrate then a bigger part of your profit is from rb so a rb site would be better.

i havent done the exact math on where the critical winrate point is where rb is more important. I am guessing you need to have about 2 big blinds/100hands higher at a non rb site to make up by for non rb.

i cant play on stars or tilt anymore because of the state i live, but i have started playing 100nl at carbon since i have a bankroll there due to the microchallenge so i wil have to see how that goes winrate wise. but given the willingness of bodoggers willingness to consistently get it in light i think i will be able to beat those games more than same games at other sites, i will have to see how rakeback affects overall results

bottom line if you are just starting out i would reccomend bodog since the games are so loose and passive it makes them the easiest to beat since opponents rarely put you to a tough decision
you do need the handgrabber software -google bodog handgrabber-to use your hud stats, but i think it is only 15 or 20 bucks which is well worth it to play with the worst players anywhere

gl hg

you do need the handgrabber software -google bodog handgrabber-to use your hud stats, but i think it is only 15 or 20 bucks which is well worth it to play with the worst players anywhere

Bodog Hand Grabber is $49.99, so it depends on your bankroll and stakes you are playing

wowser prices have gone up
i got it years ago before idleminer bought it up

hg

I kind of enjoy playing with no HUD sometimes just to stay focused and have done well at Bodog without it.
I am doing fine at 10NL and will see what happens when I gain enough BR to move up.

After rereading hg's post on bodog this morning I am definitely going to buy the hand grabber.

it says on their website pt3 has automatic hand grabber built in, but im not sure as i havent registered with bodog and havent tested pt3 yet, if you do- tell me if it works cause the rumor is pt3 is having some problems hud interface problems with bodog