Is Rakeback a bad thing?

[KayJay333]

I know it sounds mean but I don't mean it in any offensive way. My question is simply, do you think the fact that you are getting rakeback affects the way that you play poker?

In my own experience getting rakeback has only hurt my play because it changes my whole mindset. Similar to the way you get a bonus on some sites and focus only on that, I have a bad habit of focusing on the rakeback. If I know I have $100 in rake coming back to me at the end of the month I play differently than if I only had my bankroll, a little stupider. I also seem to jump up blind levels before my bankroll can support the swings because I want to get more "rakeback." I know this is stupid but I was wondering if this happens to anyone else, where you focus more on releasing the bonus than actually playing the cards.

[yodals]

Your'e kidding right? Is getting money back from sites that make millions each day out of us bad? Sorry to be obvious, but jeeez.!

[liladypokerpro]

I think it all boils down to one of THE most important basic keys to being a successful poker player. That being discipline. If someone is truly disciplined in their "art" then they cannot be influenced by other things such as, in this case, rakeback or bonuses. If it does become an uncontrollable distraction, then perhaps you should think about developing a stronger sense of discipline in your game. I do hope this does not come off offensively, as I would never intend it to be such, and is not focused directly upon you, but for anyone who may have the same sort of issue. It just seems like a bit of a good explanation to why things like this might occur....i.e., a lack of discipline, or will power.

[Vito_Nuccio]

One must be careful when chasing or trying to increase monthly rakeback. Just play the games your bankroll can afford. Treat the rakeback as a bonus each month. If you are playing at at higher level just to create more rakeback your wad will not be strong enough to take a down swing.

Rakeback is great, but remember it is only 27-30% of the rake, which is usually 10% of the buy-in, so to increase rake you must really boost the buy-in, not good if bankroll not sufficient............Careful..........or you will find re-buying each month is larger than the rakeback.

Good Luck

[PointerJake]

I totally understand what your saying, I used to want to see more hands to release my bonuses faster, which ended up biting me in the butt.

I think Liladypokerpro said it best it all comes back to poker discipline. Its the hardest thing in poker to develop, but you must stay within your means and bankroll.

The answer to the question though is I think rakeback is a good deal. But I wouldnt pay so close attention to it.