The Beginning of the Death of Online Poker in the US

[digamma]

Is it a rule that every Grantland article weave in 42 directions and be 1,000 words longer than necessary?

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

There is a chance that a bill will be introduced to legalize online poker. I have no clue if it going to pass, but now seems to be the best time for it. I have split feelings on whether I want to come back or not.

Joe Barton from Texas offered a bill to legalize online poker about a year ago. It hasn't moved at all and I remain skeptical that it will. I think it is relegated to the same hell that the Dollar Coin Act inhabits -- bills that make sense and would reduce the federal deficit but for largely dumb reasons never go anywhere.

[RainMaker]

Too many people out there who get off on telling other people how to live their lives. Just don't see this getting passed for awhile. Probably see it on the state level though like marijuana.

[GoldenEagle]

Let me say that I am far from a legislative expert, I just go by what I read at the poker forum. But the rumor is that Senators Reid and Kyl (Conservative who originally led the charge to do away with online gambling, IIRC) have reached an agreement to try to push the bill through this Congressional session.

The reason my personal feelings are mixed is just because I am not sure if I want to come back. I am currently playing about 25 hours a week at a local casino, and that is a different pace. I think the fish are going to have to either adjust and get better very quickly to avoid losing money very quickly. The online games are much different today from the original poker boom back in 2003. I do think there will be another boom if legalized, but I am skeptical as to how long it will last.

On the other hand, not having to drive an hour each way and sit in a smoke filled room with degenerates is a plus. But for the most part, I enjoy going to the casino.

[albionmoonlight]

I would MUCH rather legalized sports gambling than poker.

But I suppose taking what you can get is the order of the day here.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Too many people out there who get off on telling other people how to live their lives. Just don't see this getting passed for awhile. Probably see it on the state level though like marijuana.

The thing is it is nothing like marijuana. You can play poker in a casino down the street and it is perfectly legal, yet you can't play the same exact game from your own home

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I would MUCH rather legalized sports gambling than poker.

But I suppose taking what you can get is the order of the day here.

Why is that?

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

Why is that?

Nothing but personal preference. If I could easily/legally place wagers on games, it would increase my investment in and enjoyment of watching those games.

Poker is fun, but it is not a money-maker for me. I was never good enough to do anymore than break even after I lost all of my sign-up bonus from whatever site it was. And, if you take into account my losses in live games, I am actually behind in my overall poker career.

Of course, I would almost certainly lose money overall in sports betting, too.

So, in short, I lack the ability/talent/desire/whatever to make money at poker, which takes away the incentive that a lot of people here have. And I think that I would get more bang-for-the-buck enjoyment losing money at sports gambling than at poker. Simple as that.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by digamma

Is it a rule that every Grantland article weave in 42 directions and be 1,000 words longer than necessary?

That article was dreadful? Was it about the legalization of online poker or just designed to bash One Drop?

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

Let me say that I am far from a legislative expert, I just go by what I read at the poker forum. But the rumor is that Senators Reid and Kyl (Conservative who originally led the charge to do away with online gambling, IIRC) have reached an agreement to try to push the bill through this Congressional session.

I saw a blog post on this on some poker-related site last month but found nothing else about it in any of the Capitol Hill-based media outlets. I'm still skeptical.

At this point in the Session, new things don't pop up and move on their own. It would likely have to be inserted into another bill, and things like this don't generally get attached onto another bill unless they either add votes or there is a compelling need. I'm not sure either applies here.

If one party controlled both Houses of Congress I could see an airdropping of some language onto one of the few trains that may yet leave the station. That is what happened with Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the first place when it magically appeared in the SAFE Port Act. But, with a Congress as divided as this one, I just don't see it happening. For this bill to even be considered it would have to increase receipts to the Federal government; for it to do that, it would have to include.....A TAX!!!!! I really don't see House Republicans signing off on that.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Poker is fun, but it is not a money-maker for me. I was never good enough to do anymore than break even after I lost all of my sign-up bonus from whatever site it was. And, if you take into account my losses in live games, I am actually behind in my overall poker career.

Ditto for me - but its fun and its far cheaper (so long as you're sensible) than going to the cinema or most other equivalent entertainment ... as such I'd love to see it return.

[stevew]

Maybe they can throw it into the whole end of the year shit that will have to pass(debt ceiling, etc)

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by stevew

Maybe they can throw it into the whole end of the year shit that will have to pass(debt ceiling, etc)

The GOP will have a tough enough time getting their members in line on a debt limit vote in the House without adding a pro-gambling/tax increase bill to it.

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by digamma

Is it a rule that every Grantland article weave in 42 directions and be 1,000 words longer than necessary?

Yes.

Every Grantland article reminds of the first time Jeremy had to cut highlights for SportsNight and came up with a eight-minute clip for a 30-second segment.

If I want to read Grantland regularly, I'd have to quit my job and hire someone to work around the house.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

The GOP will have a tough enough time getting their members in line on a debt limit vote in the House without adding a pro-gambling/tax increase bill to it.

My thought is that it won't necessarily be a "tax increase" but rather they can label it as a new category and establish the rate. Then they would use this tariff in order to offset tax cuts. I suspect some massive deal will happen late in this session. Tax the degenerate gamblers so small business can grow...that type of B.S.

[BillyNYC]

Can't see why Pokerstars would make the agreement and fork over $$$ unless they had a pretty good idea that it would be legalized in the near future.

As for me, I was mainly an Omaha H/L player; can't find that in casinos here such that I still play on Pokerstars' free side sometimes to not get too rusty.

The stakes I was playing were starting to grow considerably (played nightly in the same tournaments as a Canadian woman who became a Pokerstars Pro last summer) and my last day of work was 2 weeks before Black Friday. A few months of poker-free unemployment followed. My timing, as always, was wonderful. Would've been nice to at least see if I could've made a living out of it.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by stevew

My thought is that it won't necessarily be a "tax increase" but rather they can label it as a new category and establish the rate. Then they would use this tariff in order to offset tax cuts. I suspect some massive deal will happen late in this session. Tax the degenerate gamblers so small business can grow...that type of B.S.

I get where you are coming from and in a rational world it makes perfect sense. Should the tax and budget discussion that may occur late this year have any rational elements to it, maybe you've got a shot.

[QuikSand]

Poker is game of skill, not chance, New York judge rules, upping Internet ante - U.S. News

Tough to say whether this is a big deal, but it's nice to see movement in this direction.

[Capital]

It's certainly a step in the right direction because I believe that this is the first federal judge to rule that poker is a game of skill.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Not sure if anyone has been watching, but there is a bill authored by Reid and Kyl that is currently being authored that would push for online poker in the states. Lots of chatter about it in the thread linked below.

Draft of Reid/Kyl Online Poker Bill Obtained by PPA - Poker Legislation - Poker and Gambling Laws

[Lathum]

Any chance of summing up the chatter? to plus two is blocked by my work filter

[chesapeake]

This has little chance of being a 2012 issue before Congress. Sequestration will suck just about all the air out of the room. Maybe it gives the issue some play in the 113th Congress.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

This has little chance of being a 2012 issue before Congress. Sequestration will suck just about all the air out of the room. Maybe it gives the issue some play in the 113th Congress.

I think that's the plan. They're just floating trial balloons right now to see what they might be able to pass through after the election.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the new bill will be introduced in the next month or so. Antigua is not terribly pleased about the development.......

POLITICAL EYE: Online poker bill draws ire of Antigua - News - ReviewJournal.com

[RainMaker]

It's kind of weird to see Kyl a part of this since he was one of the people early on who fought to shut down online gambling. Guess bribing your Senators can pay off over time.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like New Jersey is going to be the first state to get online poker legalized. Pokerstars is planning to purchase a local casino so they can get in on the action.

Report: PokerStars Interested in Purchasing Atlantic City Casino to Reenter U.S. | PokerNews

[Flasch186]

What sites are relatively safe now?

[INDalltheway]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

What sites are relatively safe now?

It looks like Carbon Poker and Lock Poker are good bets. I am not able to get money on them via credit/debit card though.

[GoldenEagle]

See this link - Where can US players play? (Dec 2 - latest OP edit - read the OP first) - Internet Poker - Online Poker Forum

I would look for a rakeback deal if you want to put in some volume.

[larrymcg421]

I deposited on Carbon Poker with a debit card and had no problems.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Big news in Nevada. They're looking to pass a bill that would allow for interstate prize pools in online poker. This will likely create an opening for other states to pass bills without having the headaches of creating a full governing body, instead allowing the Nevada group to tackle that task.

Proposed gaming bill would allow interstate agreements for online poker - Business - ReviewJournal.com

[Lathum]

They really just need to get something done, such a huge revenue stream out there not being tapped.

[sabotai]

Not too much longer for NJ....

New Jersey Governor Signs Bill Allowing Online Gambling - Bloomberg

[Lathum]

That is a great step, but the problem is only state residents can wager. The feds really need to get something done on a national level otherwise the player pools will be to small.

[RainMaker]

I thought states were going to work out deals with each other. For instance New Jersey would make a deal with Illinois that share in the tax revenue or something. Maybe I misread.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

That is a great step, but the problem is only state residents can wager. The feds really need to get something done on a national level otherwise the player pools will be to small.

It's really only a matter of time at this point. When you get states showing that they can double their revenue AND save jobs by adding online gambling, it's a no brainer.

[MIJB#19]

PokerStars is openly advertising their players to go to FullTilt and play there. It has me wondering what they have up their sleave to make it that they want their players to move. Is FullTilt back in the market in some states in the USA?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The Nightly Turbo: Pennsylvania Considers Online Poker, London Tournament Breaks Record | PokerNews

PokerStars Files Letter Seeking to Block AGA Interference | PokerNews

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Couple of interesting articles related to this topic....

Bitcoin – the new way to anonymously bet online? - Yahoo! Sports

UK casino accuses American poker star Phil Ivey of cheating | Fox News

[Capital]

Anyone from the US tried playing real money games on Bovada? It's been a while since we had any discussion - but I guess there's a good reason for that.

[flounder]

I played there up until a few months ago. Nothing wrong with the site, just kind of got burnt out on poker.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Capital

Anyone from the US tried playing real money games on Bovada? It's been a while since we had any discussion - but I guess there's a good reason for that.

I do.

You looking for anything specific?

[Capital]

I looked at some of the reviews of the poker sites catering to the US and Bovada seemed to rank highly. I'm mostly looking to play low stakes turbo tourneys. How easy was it to get $$$ into Bovada?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Capital

I looked at some of the reviews of the poker sites catering to the US and Bovada seemed to rank highly. I'm mostly looking to play low stakes turbo tourneys. How easy was it to get $$$ into Bovada?

Pretty easy. I used to do a prepaid visa, but last month I used my normal credit card with no issues.

They have some pretty decent low stakes turbos, usually get 200-400 people, last from 2-4 hours during the prime times. They also have some good rebuys and a lot of the tournaments have guarentees with the occasional overlay. Overall, while it isn't as good as Pokerstars or FTP was it sounds like it has what you want.

They also have some good low stakes sit and go tournament.

The only thing abou them that turns somepeople off is when you are in a tournament or even cash games, every player is assigned a number, so if you play a lot you wont be able to keep notes, trends, etc...on other players. They also don't have much of a rewards program.

If you think you wanna sign up let me know, I think there is a referal bonus I would love to get.

[flounder]

If you have any problems, you can use the Netspend prepaid cards. I used one of those with no issues.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by flounder

If you have any problems, you can use the Netspend prepaid cards. I used one of those with no issues.

I actually had an issue last time with mine which is why I used my credit card, but I was in Europe so that may have had something to do with it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

For those that may be interested. I'm playing poker now online at Bovada.com. They take U.S. Visa credit/debit cards for deposit on their site. If it does happen to get denied the first time, call your card company and ask them to take off the 'Online International Purchases' restriction.

Payouts are through mailed checks.

[cartman]

PokerStars is getting acquired by a Canadian company for roughly $5 billion.

Amaya Gaming In Deal To Buy PokerStars For $4.9 Billion - Forbes

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I've been playing a lot of online poker on Bovada. Really juicy games. I've made the money the last four nights on the same 250 player tournament. Nearly final tabled last night.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting read from the latest convention of online gaming.

2014 US Online Gaming Forum: Takeaways