Economic climate.

The economy in general has taken a bit of a downturn since most of Party Poker manuals were written and most people now feel that dollar in their pocket is worth slightly less than it was. This means of course that they are more careful about searching out less expensive options to play while they are learning.

Bonuses.

Party Poker being industry leader attracts many new sign-ups daily and in order to try and compete other sites need to offer better sign-up bonuses. You need to deposit your own money to get bonus released so a lot of new players are just staying and playing at site until their bonus is released.

As an aside, Party Poker site’s graphics leave a bit to be desired - they are clunky and old fashioned and none of players are smiling! Also it’s not all that user-friendly for new players and information provided in lobby is fairly sparse.

For instance, Fender Bullets, made in early 1980's, are student model guitars, but are American made and use parts found in Telecasters of same period (pickups, etc). These are great-sounding, easy-playing, and nice looking instruments. You can still find Bullets for less than $300 ... although they're beginning to gather attention. Note, we're not talking Squire Bullet Stratocaster-type model, but American-made Fender model (looks like a Telecaster).

Fender also put out a Lead series -- Lead I, Lead II, and Lead III. Again, these were an American made student series -- but are great playing, solidly made, and sound wonderful. You can still pick up Lead's for less than $300.

Gibson Melody Makers have already been discovered by collectors -- but there's not a lot of action with Gibson's Kalamazoo line ... yet. These student models are similar in quality to Melody Makers and Fender Mustangs. I've found Kalamazoo models for less than $100!

I haven't mentioned other brands -- Epiphone, Gretsch, Guild, etc -- because either their student models have already exploded in price or they really don't have student models. Stick with Fender and Gibson, stick with American made, and keep your eyes on lesser-known student models ... and you'll find deals that will likely join other lines in appreciating over coming years.