A very valid point was placed to me by a friend. If you're just playing for free, why would they cheat you?

Advertising. And roping in chumps. And teaching bad poker.

And that brings up the Free Trial Period. On five of six sites I've done very well - within the first two to three weeks. (The sixth was so obviously bad that I had to bail right away.) Then, it's become obvious I''m not ready to break out the crdeit card and play for real money.

Picture for a second I'm right even if you don't agree. Wouldn't it be a good scam to take all of someone's money instead of a rake on each pot? And what if you had a site that couldn't be policed or investigated because it's offshore? You can make the cards be what you want them to be. You can make the MAGIC RIVER CARD happen anytime you want.

It's great advertising to let the human player win, get all happy and post how wonderful things are. During the free trial period you get to think, "My Gosh, I rule at poker!!" When you call all in with a flush draw and score at the river - you are being targeted to be roped in with bad poker play. Then they can always say, geez-your so bad, as an out when you play later. Teaching bad poker. Throwing your chips into the middle when you should fold.