Are new players confused/intimidated by rakeback?

[LennyKGB]

In deciding whether to go the rakeback route as a new affiliate, I have a followup question from one of my earlier posts... Do you think/find that brand new players get confused with rakeback, what it is and the additional complexity of understanding it as well as signing up for it? And if so, do we as affiliates miss out on conversions of the newbie type players due to the possible confusion/complexity?

Wondering if this is a potential disadvantage to offering rakeback instead of standard affiliating for a site targeting new on-line players?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts...
LennyKGB

[addz123]

if you're targeting new online players, you definately don't need to be offering rakeback. There's no way in hell new players know about rakeback - and if anything i'd suggest it would create some confusion, along with needlessly cutting into your profit margins.

Bonuses and free cash are the most effective marketing tool to get new players to deposit. Hell, most new poker players don't even know what "rake" is.
tbh also: I don't think rakeback would even make much difference to new players in the micro stakes, they wouldn't be missing anything really.

[LadyHoldem]

In a word, YES. I was even leary of bonuses when I first started playing online, if it sounds to good to be true..

[LennyKGB]

Thanks addz123 and LadyHoldem for the quick replies... that is extremely helpful ! I too remember the feeling of being a newbie many years ago and that sense of confusion over comparing rooms and bonus offers and feeling overwhelmed...

Anyone else have anything to add???

Thanks again!

[jdwanchalk]

If they are worth signing up they are probably going to figure out that rakeback is worth having. I mean if they are so dense as to think that rakeback doesn't make sense well then I doubt they would ever earn you much anyway. Honestly.

[pokeraussie]

i don't think its necessary to offer rakeback. when i made my first deposit on an online poker room i didn't even know what rakeback was, and i'm sure it's the same for most new online players (even winning players).

i don't see much point in trying to complicate the deposit process. and i agree that bonuses are the most important thing for new players, it was for me, which is why i will only promote 100% deposit bonus sites.

don't let me stop you attracting the rakeback players though. i love playing against the rakeback grinders at the tables.

[Trev]

For a newbie website (where a CPA is relevant), it would be important to be able to recognize which players should move to a rev share deal later to maximize your earnings.

Players will commonly end up in one of three categories:

1. Not learn the game but re-deposit X amount of times until they're broke or find something else to occupy their time.

2. Break even or winning players.

3. Hgher income players that will continually re-deposit.

If you have the 2nd or 3rd type of player, why would an affiliate want a CPA on a player that has the potential to pay $1-10k rake per month? And why would player type 2 want a one time bonus?

So in OP's case, I agree, rakeback probably wouldn't work for this type of site. But a smart thing to do with a beginner site would be to have a way to move the players who can (and will) move over to rakeback later.

They will change to another affiliate anyway to get rakeback. If it were possible to retain those players in some way (ie. teach them about rakeback later on, help them find the best deal for their needs) then you've taken the initial CPA and extended it to a possible $80 - $1500 monthly commission while giving the player a better deal for playing higher volume.

[Laytheodds]

I find it amazing that even some players who put in the hours still know nothing about rakeback. The aim is to find these players.