Yesterday I asked if anyone had a poker-related question for us.  We will do our best to answer each one as well as ask for feedback from other readers. We have received our first inquiry:

Question:  I have a limited bankroll (about $500), and I'm thinking of consolidating it into one site - which would you recommend, and why? (Deposit bonuses would be a prime consideration for me). Thanks!

CS:  I get asked this question often, especially when someone wants to try online poker for the first time. Though I can’t choose a site for you, I can provide some general guidelines. There are a lot of options, so we have to narrow down what you are looking for in an online site first. 

Since you mentioned deposit bonuses would greatly influence your decision, let's look at a few of the newer/smaller sites - Noble Poker, Full Tilt, and Titan. All three sites offer a 100% match bonus on your initial deposit (to a maximum of $700, $600, and $500 respectively). As far as deposit bonuses go - it doesn't get much better than this. 

However, before you throw your money into any one site, it is important that you go to each website and see the requirements for clearing the bonus. If you are only able to play online four or five hours a week, it could take you months to clear even a portion of your bonus. Also, some bonuses have a shelf life, and can expire before you have finished clearing them. 

Another factor to consider is this - the sites that are offering 100% deposit bonuses usually have a much smaller field of players. Will you be able to find enough games running to clear your bonus when you are able to get online? It could be detrimental to your bankroll if you have to play a higher level than you are ready for, just to clear some bonus dollars.  Conversely, if there are only low-limit games running, you will have to spend much longer clearing the same amount of bonus. 

Some of the larger sites such as Party, Empire, and Poker Stars also have a bonus incentive program, though the offer is usually around 20-25% instead. Though this is a lot less money, it may be more realistic for you to clear, and since the sites are so large you will have a much better spread of games to choose from.

Another factor I would consider is the actual game interface. Some are very cartoonish, while others are quite realistic. This is the site that you will have to look at as you check and bet, so be sure that it is pleasing to your eye and not a cause of distraction. Some sites also only offer certain games, so if you want to play Omaha or Stud in addition to Hold 'Em, make sure the sites spread these before signing up.

Personally, I would split the bankroll between two different sites. Take advantage of one of the 100% deposit bonus sites such as Noble, Titan or Full Tilt with half the bankroll, and use the other half to deposit into a larger site. This way you will always have a good choice in games to play.  However, if you are serious about consolidating into just one site to earn the maximum deposit bonus possible, research the number of players on each one, check out the game interface, and make sure they spread the games you are interested in playing before signing up. 

Readers:  Which site would you recommend?  Please submit your responses, as well as any additional questions in the comment field.