The State of Online Poker in the US

Poker Guy — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:50:57 +0000

The State of Online Poker in the US
After the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) has been passed, the online gambling world was rattled. Many surmised that they could no longer play online poker, which was, at that moment, becoming very popular. What most people don’t understand, however, are the real provisions of the act and what it can and cannot do to online gambling specifically to online poker. This will serve as your guide to understanding the real status of online poker in the US.
Uncertainty in Online Gambling
Basically, the UIGEA makes it hard for any financial transactions to be transmitted online. Because of this, a lot of payment options have closed down. More than that, many online poker sites have closed. What are the implications of these?
Though the UIGEA has been passed, its enforcement is at a bare minimum. This means that there have yet to be any real litigation that directly pertains to this law. But major investors have chosen to withdraw their investments in their respective online poker sites, seeing as it is in the grey area of the law. Online banking firms have also closed for the same reason. Although the enforcement of UIGEA has not been stringent, its implications have caused many poker sites and online banking firms to close down.
Payment Options in the Strictest Sense
The closing of many poker sites and banking firms have but caused a few good consequences. One such positive effect is that only online banking firms that are stable have not closed down. In the same manner, only the best poker sites were able to go through this ordeal without being shut down. This is because of their strong customer base and legality.
Because they have a strong customer base, their financial stability has not caused them the failure of their enterprise. Other poker sites have closed down not only because their major investors have withdrawn their support but also because the number of their customers were not able to hold the business together. Therefore, you are left with the best poker sites there are.
Online Poker for Free
If you find the task of playing online poker quite hard, then there is one other alternative – play online poker for free. This is a good avenue until the UIGEA has finally been resolved that you, a US poker player, can play to your heart’s content. Perhaps by that time, you will have become the expert poker player you want to be.

Choosing Payment Options in Online Poker

Poker Guy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:49:48 +0000

Choosing Payment Options in Online Poker
One thing most writers of online poker fail to make an in-depth review about is the payment options. Because of the severe lack of information on payment options in online poker, most amateur players don’t know where to start, or how to even choose a trustworthy payment option. Fortunately for you, this guide will provide you a concrete basis as to how exactly you should choose a particular form of online payment option. In the end, you are bound to find an answer to this question, which payment option is the best – ePassporte, credit and debit card, Neteller or Click2Pay?
The Popular Vote
The easiest way to choose a payment option is to follow the bandwagon and choose the payment option popular among poker players. The popular banking options are usually easy to know. You can detect the popular ones by asking around or joining online forums where banking options are thoroughly talked about. This can consume a considerable amount of your time, but it will certainly be worth it. In searching for the popular vote, don’t just find out what is the popular vote but also why they are such.
Another measure of popularity is the critique of online poker review sites. Though the material on this may be at a bare minimum and can be biased, hearing review sites’ insights about their take on certain banking options can help you and save your time.
Customer Support
This is a primary factor you ought to consider. Because this matter involves money, make sure that you can actually talk to someone, a real person. The methods for reaching someone vary – telephone, email, fax service, and live chat. Make sure that at least two of these methods are employed by your banking option’s customer service.
Knowing that they have such a method of communication is not enough. Try testing if method really works. If it doesn’t work now, it certainly won’t work when you’ve already hired their services.
Test Run
As in all other endeavors, it will be helpful to take the banking option for a test drive. A good way of doing this is by actually registering and depositing a certain amount. Use this amount to play poker in your preferred poker site. Make sure that you don’t deposit too much. The smaller, the better. The little amount you deposited is enough to determine the quality of a payment option’s services. Use it to evaluate the speed and efficiency of a payment option. If it turns out to be below your expected level of competency, then ditch your membership altogether.

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The State of Online Poker in the US

Choosing Payment Options in Online Poker