Bovada VS Carbon: which do you prefer?

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theaxman

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Hello! I'm a US player that has, for the longest time, been trying to find a new poker home. I've so far tried lock, carbon, hero, bovada, blackchip, ect (all with real money).

Through trial and error, I've narrowed it down to two primary sites that I like. Carbon and Bovada. The only problem... I'm not sure which one is better for me.

The appeal of Bovada is it has much better cashout options.
The appeal of carbon is it has much better VIP program.

I myself am a micro stake player who mostly plays SNGs and cash games.
Although I've searched these poker forums, I did not run accross any sort of debate comparing Bovada with Carbon... so I am asking the question here. Which is better and why?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
PokerDoctor

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Got money at both sites - hardly ever play at Bovada(probably should cash out)
Bovada- No HUD. Some wouldn't play online without. I'm neutral.
- No seat preference - hate that.
-Note taking on players only good for that game - hate that.
- # of players and game selection more limited.
 
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PokerDoctor said:
Got money at both sites - hardly ever play at Bovada(probably should cash out)
Bovada- No HUD. Some wouldn't play online without. I'm neutral.
- No seat preference - hate that.
-Note taking on players only good for that game - hate that.
- # of players and game selection more limited.
Click to expand...

Although there is no "preferred seating" you can choose what seat you want to sit at fairly easily on bovada. (just right click).

Note taking on players only good for that game... yea I dislike that.
Have you ever tried cashing out on carbon? That's my biggest concern.... I've heard "horror" stories xD
 
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anyone ever deal with cashouts on carbon poker?
 
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I have played on both and prefer bovada. cashouts have also been moved from 30 business days to 15-20. depending on what you like to play, bovada has a lot of options.
 
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DStump said:
I have played on both and prefer bovada. cashouts have also been moved from 30 business days to 15-20. depending on what you like to play, bovada has a lot of options.
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what do you like about bovada over carbon?
Just curious. Trying to decide on a final home... and I'm currently torn between these two options (I've gone back and forth several times thus far xD)
 
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I just joined bovada and love it so far.

The whole anonymous/no hud/no note take thing makes it more similar to live poker, and since I've excelled there I'm feeling more at home at bovada.

On the same note, that means much more fish..and tho I've only played a lol samplle size on bovada, I think its softer than merge tables are.

I do agree game selection, esp for large mtts, isn't as good @ bovada.

I got my firrst cashout impressively quickly
 
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Poker_play said:
I just joined bovada and love it so far.

The whole anonymous/no hud/no note take thing makes it more similar to live poker, and since I've excelled there I'm feeling more at home at bovada.

On the same note, that means much more fish..and tho I've only played a lol samplle size on bovada, I think its softer than merge tables are.

I do agree game selection, esp for large mtts, isn't as good @ bovada.

I got my firrst cashout impressively quickly
Click to expand...


Yea... game selection/number of players is one of the things carbon has over Bovada
 
ovitoo

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I consistentely play at Bovada. If you are a player who plays 6-12 cash tables at once then I would go for carbon bc you will probably find that action. I have no complaints about Carbon besides that software just looks outdated. Bovada has a very clean look. You can also find consistent action depending on what games you play. Definitely some soft action. Bovada has always been a very trustworthy site. Always payout. Can withdraw just about any amount. 1 free check/month. Great customer service You can get them on the phone 24/7. Some negatives with Bovada are No HUD, anonymous players, no preffered seating, small deposit fee (like 0.49%). I've always look past the neg tho bc I think the 2 most important things for US players is trust and customer service
 
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ovitoo said:
I consistentely play at Bovada. If you are a player who plays 6-12 cash tables at once then I would go for carbon bc you will probably find that action. I have no complaints about Carbon besides that software just looks outdated. Bovada has a very clean look. You can also find consistent action depending on what games you play. Definitely some soft action. Bovada has always been a very trustworthy site. Always payout. Can withdraw just about any amount. 1 free check/month. Great customer service You can get them on the phone 24/7. Some negatives with Bovada are No HUD, anonymous players, no preffered seating, small deposit fee (like 0.49%). I've always look past the neg tho bc I think the 2 most important things for US players is trust and customer service
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How about playing 3-4 cash tables at once, will you find that action at bovada?
I normally like multi-tabling, but not more than 4 tables.
 
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yea i was 4 tabling last night and it was fine. Sometimes a table would die out but you should be able to find another. 3 you could play consistently. and I dont kno if you play sngs but if you were wondering they usually take about 10 mins to fill (if your the first to sit)
 
Kenzie 96

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Cashouts seem to be Bovada's strong suit, I cashed out some bucks there when it was still bodog & although it took too long, I did get it. Can't think of any other reason to play there, I am a recreational player so my prespective may well be different than yours The really good sites are not allowing US players, so we are talking about picking from the best of the worst, but. I'd quit online poker before I'd play on Bodog.
 
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Kenzie 96 said:
Cashouts seem to be Bovada's strong suit, I cashed out some bucks there when it was still Bodog & although it took too long, I did get it. Can't think of any other reason to play there, I am a recreational player so my prespective may well be different than yours The really good sites are not allowing US players, so we are talking about picking from the best of the worst, but. I'd quit online poker before I'd play on Bodog.
Click to expand...

why?
 
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ovitoo said:
yea i was 4 tabling last night and it was fine. Sometimes a table would die out but you should be able to find another. 3 you could play consistently. and I dont kno if you play sngs but if you were wondering they usually take about 10 mins to fill (if your the first to sit)
Click to expand...

What game types do you play normally?
 
ovitoo

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Sng 6max. what do you play? The 4 table session last night was micro cash tho.
 
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ovitoo said:
Sng 6max. what do you play?
Click to expand...


What limit? I usually play 9-man SSG $1.00.
Though when I choose my table for good, I'll be playing $2.00-$4.00 games most likely.
 
Kenzie 96

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theaxman said:
why?
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Software, I suppose, played CC events & built up a bit of a bankroll playing various types of SNG's & my reaction at the end of each session was, god this site sucks. As I say I'm a recreational SNG player. SNG's were always soft & most folks that play there say the cash tables are very soft, but, at least for me poker doesn't pay enough to justify spending time where I'm not enjoying the experience. Comes down to personal preference, you like the site, or want to date one of my ex wives, good for you. :)
 
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on a side note: I am leaning towards bovada....
I want to deposit $100 so I can start playing 4-5$ tourneys and SNG
 
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Never played carbon but I do play freerolls on Playaces. I assume it's basically the same as it's the same network ( I may be wrong). I also play on Bovada.

I like the extra options on merge skins and I like how soft the players are at Bovada.

It all comes down to if you like the bells and whistles or if you like making a few extra bb's.
 
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Just can't play at Bovada , hate the format , no notes or player names as well as no seat choice.
 
jazzaxe

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I think the microstakes games at Bovada work pretty well. I would sit out for an orbit or two to take notes on the players since you only have that to judge the players. You might just want to play cards with nut potential and get it all in when it hits. Playing top pair and top two pair hands can get expensive at Bovada with the lack of info.
 
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SamRon said:
Bovada vs Carbon? I prefer Lock :)
But speaking about Bovada and answering spstevens about their format, notes, player names. I can say that it is not a disadvantage but their unique feature.
I like to play on Bovada cause this is a "pure poker" where all have equal chances cause there are no names, notes, huge hand databases, huds and etc... Just poker.
Click to expand...
I somewhat agree. Bovada is my home. Only thing bugging me right now is 4 table max.
spstevens said:
Just can't play at Bovada , hate the format , no notes or player names as well as no seat choice.
Click to expand...
Also they allow seat choice now.
 
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I don't trust bovada. Bovadas policing of the games was already bad and now it just got easier for the cheaters. Bovada could easily have a bunch of superusers and nobody would ever know. bad beats are crazy there to, I see quads>trips regularly, seems to be standard there. But, overall I think there software is great, just wouldn't play high stakes there.
 
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