It just seems harder and harder to make a profit or even break even on PokerStars now. Is this because of rakeback? My game is loose but even when I run well the end results are small winnings.
And what do people think about the rakeback rewards? They seem to be making you play more each month to get the rakeback award. And finally is cashing it out ever a good idea? Thanks
It seems like you are talking about cash games. Are you talking about zoom or regular tables? NL or PLO?
Either way, just study and play as deep as possible unless there are a lot good short stackers. And if you happen to flip in a 600bb pot or something stupid like that, sure, use the cash out...
If that doesn't help, switch to tournaments and try out new games. Trust me, it will open a whole new world of donkeys for you! I mean, in some games some players don't even know the rules and if you have a proof of that, they are literally drawing dead every hand. 
Cash 10nl I buy fully stacked. I used to win almost every session but itβs gone the other way. I think I maybe have to just play Better positionally. I was in the top 10 of winnings 25nl players a few years ago so something has changed. Donβt really have the patience for tournaments. Not a massive fan of zoom prefer full ring poker. Im sure the wins will return eventually π
Part of the problem is that the player pool has been sharply reduced lately, leaving only the more competent players
Originally posted by VorpalF2F
Part of the problem is that the player pool has been sharply reduced lately, leaving only the more competent players
reduced by which countries except Netherland and Russia lately?
Originally posted by Marc4468
reduced by which countries except Netherland and Russia lately?
Well, that's a pretty big one right there already, both in terms of traffic and in terms of fishiness.
Originally posted by Marc4468
reduced by which countries except Netherland and Russia lately?
Those were the primary two, but a lot of their lower-tier players have been enticed away by GGPoker as well
Originally posted by Renitz
Late to the party! From my experience, it is much harder than it used to be.
In 2011 the USA made it impossible for players there to play online. This resulted in large numbers of people that played "for the fun of it" to disappear. Suddenly all rooms got tougher.Similar things happen every time an entire segment of the player pool disappears.
The site is still beatable. You might need to up your skill level a bit though.
I don't know what it is like playing NLHE on PokerStars, but the draw and stud games are much harder.
I expect it's also tough in the less popular variants to get much action underway at the ring games and SNG's.
Originally posted by SDK1987
I expect it's also tough in the less popular variants to get much action underway at the ring games and SNG's.
Exactly.
There is currently only a single table of FL $0.10/$0.20 5-Card Draw
It is especially bad since PokerStars eliminated waiting lists. Well, they didn't exactly eliminate them, however if you join a waiting list, you must also sit at an existing table of the same game at the same limit. If there is no existing table, you are automatically added as the first player. Some of these games don't work well heads-to-head.
