So I am brand new to the online poker thing and having a Mac I feel I am limited to the Merge network (RPM, Carbon, and/or Lock mainly). Which doesn't seem like too bad of a thing; I have heard good things about Merge. I haven't made an account nor deposited any money on any of these sites.

All these sites offer about the same signup promotion but I was thinking of signing up through one of the rakeback sites (most seem to offer 45%). I don't know which ones, if any, are legit but the whole rakeback thing intrigues me.

I plan on playing at the micro stakes and don't have a lot of money to start with. I want to get PokerTracker as well but don't really want to drop the money on it. I was wondering about the deal they offer through RPM.

MY MAIN QUESTIONS ARE:

For a just starting micro stakes player would it be more beneficial to get into one of the rakeback promotions offered through a number of sites or to get the free PokerTracker offer through the PokerTracker site (requiring me to play on RPM)?

If the PokerTracker is the best option, can I sign up through one of the rakeback sites at a later date once I get enough VIP points to get the free PokerTracker?

If the rakeback promotions are the best deal, which of the sites offer the best deal and which ones are legit?

From doing a little research I was gravitating towards Carbon but found out about this PokerTracker deal. On one of the rakeback sites (raketherake I believe) it said under "available games" that only micro and high stakes were available? This isn't true is it?

Sorry for the long post but I wanted to be detailed enough to get some good answers to my questions. Thanks to everyone who responds in advance.

Merge hasn't been offering rakeback for several months now. The %s you're seeing are bonuses and VIP, etc. And no, you can't sign up under one affiliate and then change to another. You could sign up on a different skin through a different affiliate, but I'm not positive what Merge's rules are ATM with getting VIP on two different skins.

You might want to check out this thread:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/28...-play-1141450/

If it's more choice you're after why not run parallels on your Mac?

Jamie

I assume your bankroll is somewhere around 300-1,500. I would like to say that just ignore all the deals or bonuses for now. Most vip programs would give you less than 10% rakeback for micro level players, unless you are 16-tabling 5 hours every day. Just join one of the reliable sites and find a level you could beat, clear initial deposit bonus and grow you bankroll from there. When you have about $2,000, PokerTracker or HoldemManager should be a very reasonable investment.

If the deal for the tracking software is not replacing any rakeback or vip program, go ahead. But in most cases, you will be grinding points for a very small fixed amount (less than $200) for your whole life with that site (which could be $xxx,xxx by vip bonuses).

Here's some advice from all of us who started somewhere. Start at a very low level to begin with, learn the game and then start moving up. Also if you want to have a play around with pokertracker I am sure they offer a free trial from the site so you might as well use that for now.