http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ Poker Players Alliance Forums: Forum: Poker Players Alliance - Recent Topics en Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:22:02 +0000 http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/377#post-1194 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:56:52 +0000 PotPusher 1194@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Why cant the lawmakers offer an open bid to control legal online poker in the US and take a small rake for the Social Security. A third party could do all the record keeping ( taxes, money transfers ) and take 10 cents per hand up to 50 cents per hand and pass it along to the Social Security. This covers the governments concerns about money laundering. All the SSA would have to do is cash the check. An open bid for rights to operate a monopoly in the US would allow the land based casinos a chance to get in on the very large rake. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/356#post-1132 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:44:20 +0000 mckeever2004 1132@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I HAVE PLAYED ON PACIFIC POKER AND WON OVER 12,000 DOLLARS BEFORE THE US SHUT THEM DOWN.SO I CONSIDER MYSELF A VERY GOOD POKER PLAYER.SINCE I HAVE BEEN PLAYING ON FULLTILT I AM TOTTALY CONVINCED NO MATTER HOW GOOD A PLAYER YOU ARE YOU ARE DOOMED TO LOOSE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY HAVE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE SET UP.THE ONLY ONE THAT WINS IS THE POKER SITE.<br /> EVEN THOUGH I LOVE PLAYING POKER ,ITS SIMPLY STUPID TO THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY TO THESE POKER SITES.ITS IMPSOSIBLE TO WIN ON THESE SITES.WHEN YOU PLAY OVER 200 HANDS AND WIN ONLY 1% PER CENT. THE ONLY DUMMY IS THE PLAYER WHO KEEPS ON PUTTING IN MONEY TO THESE POKER SITES. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/349#post-1106 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:36:54 +0000 GoldMiner1849 1106@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>With all the rumors of Poker Sites cheating the players who is or should be investigating? I'm a computer programmer and it is very easy to write code to insure "insiders" take your money: maybe not everytime you play; but the majority of the time continually draining your bank account. </p> <p>I've had my share of bad beats online...Now and then you expect it...but not in defiance of the odds continuously. There are too many cases of this happening and someone needs to take action to assure us we get a fair deal.</p> <p>Still, I continue to play..but in very small stake games and with money I don't care if I lose. I play for the entertainment. </p> <p>Please help assure those that can't afford to lose that they are getting a fair deal. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/357#post-1137 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:33:00 +0000 tokerstarj 1137@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I HATE WHEN IM PLAYING LATE AT NIGHT AND CANT TELL SOME1 HOW I GOT RAPED BY SOME DONKEY WITH A 2 OUT MIRACLE. SO IF U HAVE 1 LET ME KNOW BOUT IT IM HEAR TO LISTEN TO THEM. P.S. FUCK POKERSTARS!!!!! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/319#post-979 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:58:56 +0000 Berserker871 979@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>As poker players we should all be appauled by the NFL's role in passing this law. I encourage anyone who is a fan of poker to NEVER buy NFL liscensed material again and to most of all NEVER participate in fantasy football. </p> <p>It is uncomprehendable how flawed this country's systems are. This country if full of corrupt orginizations and administrations that based on their financial power have complete control over this country leaving the vast majority of the country powerless and forced to go along with whatever these orginizations deem to be their "best interest". </p> <p>The fact that one is allowed to go to any casino and lose his or her life savings but not able to do the same online is clearly because online gambling DOES NOT PRODUCE REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMANT. This is further proof that this country is driven by greed and not the advancement of civilization. Which at it's roots is why this country is in such bad condition as it is. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/373#post-1184 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:25:48 +0000 Yagasmurf 1184@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I went to <strong><a href="http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions_20081217_private_url" rel="nofollow">http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions_20081217_private_url</a> </strong> and left this question for Obama<br /> "With the need for more tax revenue, why not amend UIGEA and allow the government to regulate and tax online poker? Poker is a game of skill, &#38; is even considered an occupation by the Supremem Court (Baxter vs US). This form of gaming is not illegal"<br /> Yagasmurf, Cypress, Ca - Economy View response Post a response </p> <p>Go there and vote for this question so he knows how important it is to you !!!!!!!!! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/370#post-1171 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:26:05 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1171@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>The attached link will give you information on where to go to recuit new members for the PPA. Let the poker playing community know their voice counts with the PPA </p> <p><a href="http://www.thepokeratlas.com/region/nevada/3/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thepokeratlas.com/region/nevada/3/</a> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/369#post-1170 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:17:24 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1170@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>In our continued efforts to contact our elected officals, I am seeking volunteers to act as coordinators in recruiting new members for the PPA. Nevada is the "Mecca" of the gaming industry and we need your support. The "<em>TIME IS NOW</em>" to make our voices heard in Washington. <strong> The response so far has increased but it needs to get better. Many of you have already sent letters and made phone calls but we need more.<br /> <em>STRENGTH IS IN NUMBERS</em>. Please contact me thru the Nevada PPA site. Thank you, Dianna Donofrio, Nevada PPA State Director</strong> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/367#post-1166 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:50:38 +0000 jsbx 1166@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>The Obama Transition just launched an "Open for Questions" on their site. I'm sure we can think of a few questions to ask.<br /> <a href="http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions" rel="nofollow">http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions</a> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/366#post-1165 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:08:17 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1165@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p><strong>The Poker Players Alliance had a strong presence at the 2008 WSOP sending in the 'top guns' from DC with a membership drive as well as assisting in voter registration. The PPA supports us, lets all put are best foot forward and help them to increase the membership in Nevada and the rest of the United States. Power is in the numbers. As a group we did help get President Obama&lt;strong elected.</strong> </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/365#post-1164 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:01:16 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1164@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>World Series of Poker Might Not Have Rebuy Events in 2009<br /> BY: STEPHEN A. MURPHY | <a href="mailto:steve.murphy@cardplayer.com">steve.murphy@cardplayer.com</a><br /> PUBLISHED: Tuesday Dec 09, 2008 05:35 PM</p> <p>Organizers Also Considering a 'Winner Take All' Event<br /> Rebuy events at the World Series of Poker might be on their way out.</p> <p>WSOP Communications Director Seth Palanksy has confirmed that organizers of the World Series are considering the possibility of getting rid of rebuy events in 2009 based on some concerns voiced by players.</p> <p>“There is a movement to not have any rebuy events,” said Palansky. “There is the growing concern that a pro can buy a bracelet in a rebuy event.”</p> <p>Palansky said that player feedback is one of the major factors in creating the WSOP schedule. Every year, Harrah’s Entertainment and tournament organizers evaluate the merits and downsides of the previous year’s events before coming up with a new schedule. The 2009 schedule will not be released until at least January or February.</p> <p>Palansky stressed that a final decision regarding rebuy events has not yet been made and that the potential change is merely under consideration.</p> <p>“There’s as good a chance that there won’t be rebuys as there is that there will be,” said Palansky.</p> <p>In 2006, WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack created the Player Advisory Council to incorporate the player’s point of view into the World Series.</p> <p>Daniel Negreanu, four-time bracelet winner and a member of the Player Advisory Council, is an advocate of the proposed change.</p> <p>“I am 100 percent against rebuy tournaments at the WSOP,” said Negreanu. “They are fine for other venues, but not for a bracelet.”</p> <p>The popular Canadian player said that the rebuy events are not fair to the average player who doesn’t have an endless amount of money to pour into the event.</p> <p>“Frankly, it gives players like me an unfair advantage in terms of winning the Player of the Year award,” said Negreanu.</p> <p>The sentiment is not new. Mike Sexton even wrote an article in Card Player magazine in 2002 asking for the ban of rebuys at the WSOP. But many pros are hesitant to see them go.</p> <p>Poker pro Layne Flack, who won the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha rebuy event this year, dismissed the notion that a bracelet could be bought.</p> <p>“That’s bullsh--,” said Flack. “It’s not like there is no play. The field is huge.”</p> <p>Flack pointed out that a player can only rebuy when he has as many chips as when he started the tournament (or less), so it isn’t as if someone could just buy a dominant stack.</p> <p>“You want to talk about buying a bracelet? Let’s talk about Doyle’s bracelet when there were eight people in the tournament,” said Flack. “The critics should look back in history and see where a bracelet has been bought.”</p> <p>There have been some tiny fields and some unique formats in past decades. One of Doyle Brunson’s 10 bracelets came in a $600 mixed doubles event with Starla Brodie in 1979, when the two players beat out 14 other entries to win a modest $4,500.</p> <p>The first four main events of the WSOP in 1971-1974 attracted six, eight, 13, and 16 players, respectively.</p> <p>Of course, that was well before the poker boom. Today, the $1,500 no-limit hold’em events attract nearly 3,000 players in every tournament.</p> <p>However, the rebuy events are not nearly as popular. While the hold’em events still do very well — the two $1,000 rebuy events attracted 879 and 766 entrants this year — the three other rebuy events did not garner massive fields.</p> <p>Flack’s pot-limit Omaha rebuy win was still over an impressive field of 320 players, but the $5,000 pot-limit Omaha rebuy, which was won by Phil Galfond, only attracted 152 players. Mike Matusow won a bracelet this year in the $5,000 deuce-to-seven lowball rebuy with just 85 players in the field.</p> <p>The smallest non-rebuy field in 2008 was 148 players in the $50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. event. There are no plans to scrap the televised tournament.</p> <p>The only other tournament that attracted fewer than 200 players was the $10,000 World Championship mixed event. Anthony Rivera beat out 191 other players to take the bracelet.</p> <p>Many pros are hesitant to see rebuys go, including Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi.</p> <p>When first told that there might not be any rebuys in 2009, Mizrachi quipped, “That’s good. It’ll probably save me a lot of money.”</p> <p>The Grinder acknowledges that they are a little unfair to players with less cash, but said he still hopes the tournaments remain.</p> <p>The World Series has seen a number of notable changes in the past few years. This year, the poker community was rocked when Harrah’s announced that it would delay the playing of the final table for more than four months. In 2007, World Series of Poker Europe launched in London with three bracelet events. In 2006, the $50,000-to-enter H.O.R.S.E. tournament debuted and has remained ever since.</p> <p>Palansky said that the tournament organizers are also discussing implementing brand-new tournaments in 2009, including a winner-take-all tourney. As for the highly debated final table delay for the main event, he said it was “likely” to stay. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/364#post-1163 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:56:14 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1163@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Poker Players Alliance Spreading Word Through Ad Campaign<br /> BY: BOB PAJICH | <a href="mailto:bob.pajich@cardplayer.com">bob.pajich@cardplayer.com</a><br /> PUBLISHED: Tuesday Dec 09, 2008 02:51 PM</p> <p>Advertisements Will Appear in Three Publications in Washington, D.C.<br /> The Poker Players Alliance is launching an ad campaign directed at those who work on Capitol Hill to encourage federal online poker regulation.</p> <p>This week, ads will appear in the three Capitol Hill publications Roll Call, The Politico, and The Hill urging readers to look at online poker regulation as a solution to the problems that were brought up during a recent 60 Minutes broadcast.</p> <p>The text of the ad pictured at right reads:</p> <p>In a story last week about online poker, The Washington Post debated the merits of Prohibition vs. Regulation. That’s an easy one. Sensible federal regulation is the only way to protect the millions of Americans who play Internet poker every day. </p> <p>We can’t guarantee every online company will play by the rules. But we’re certain good laws will deter and punish those that don’t. For too long, the federal government has abdicated this responsibility. It wrongly believes censoring the Internet and prohibition will work. This does nothing to protect consumers. What it does is limit our personal freedoms and drives players underground or overseas. Worse, billions of dollars that could be raised from regulation are lost. And in this economy, every nickel counts.</p> <p>Fortunately, Congress is working to pass legislation that will punish bad actors, guard against player fraud, protect children, and help problem gamblers.</p> <p>On behalf of our million members, the Poker Players Alliance calls on our Congressional leaders to support these efforts and preserve a national pastime.</p> <p>No matter how you cut the deck, regulation is the answer.</p> <p>Regarding the 60 Minutes story, which told the nation about the cheating scandal that took place on the online poker sites Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, the PPA released this statement featuring PPA Chairman and former Congressman Al D’Amato:</p> <p>The recent cheating scandals underscore the need for U.S. licensing and regulation of online poker to help protect consumers. While even the most highly regulated industries are susceptible to fraud and abuse, regulation does provide assurances that when consumers are harmed they have recourse, and that the offenders will be sanctioned. The continued pursuit of poker prohibition, on the other hand, will only drive this industry underground. As the Washington Post pointed out, prohibition represents a widening disconnect between 21st-century technology and 20th-century laws. </p> <p>Regulation of Internet poker does not equal an expansion of gambling in this country. Like it or not, the phenomenon of internet poker cannot be wished away. The American market has spoken. There is strong demand for Internet poker and no reasonable government can or should stand in the way of adults competing in games of skill on the Internet. To the contrary, the government should step up and exercise regulatory oversight on this multi-billion dollar interstate commerce, and collect the revenue—especially during this country's economic crisis. </p> <p>The federal government cannot continue to abdicate this basic responsibility to the millions of its citizens who choose to play poker on the Internet. The attempt to enforce an outright prohibition of online poker is deeply flawed and unworkable, and it invades upon the personal freedoms of law-abiding adults who wish to engage in a game of skill. And as 60 Minutes and the Washington Post stories reported it also exposes American consumers to the rare, unscrupulous bad apple operator who will take advantage of the lack of a U.S. regulated marketplace. </p> <p>Now more than ever the U.S. Congress needs to step up and enact real public policy as it relates to Internet gaming. We look forward to working with the new Administration and the new Congress to advance sensible regulatory solutions such as those introduced in the 110th Congress by Representatives Barney Frank (H.R. 2046) and Robert Wexler (H.R. 2610) and Senator Robert Menendez (S.3616). </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/362#post-1150 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:02:28 +0000 mueneeez 1150@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p><a href="http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/05/news/local/60-pokergames.txt#comments">Billings Gazzette</a><br /> "Tom Oberweiser, district supervisor for the state Gambling Investigations Bureau, said his officers raided a warehouse at 3 a.m. Nov. 9 and seized poker tables and cash. "</p> <p>I spoke with Tom by phone and although he could not speak about specifics of this case due to legal reasons, we did cover the important topics that are relevant. I first asked how law enforcement found out about the Poker game ? Oberweiser said that they had multiple tips, and suggested that they came from legal card room operators. </p> <p>Oberweiser told me that they(the Law) were basically protecting Legal gambling. As far as state and local laws go here in Montana home poker games are fine and may actually enjoy some freedoms that liscensed card rooms dont have such as pot limits of $300 (id like to see that change). Where these poker enthusiast/entrepenures went wrong is that they were basically running a public business. I get the feeling that there may have been a rake and some form of dealer compensation. The game operator(s) allegedly recruited players from legal card rooms to play, and included after hours operation. after hours operation of a card room is legal in two cities in Montana, and both happen to be the college towns of Bozeman and Missoula. </p> <p>There was no sting so to speak...no targeting of poker...by religous fanatics or poker haters...law officials were most likely tipped off by legal card room operators. Fellow poker players dropped the dime, WHY? aside from the obvious, after talking with a few local card room operators it is clear. "They stepped on toes" one anonymous source told me. </p> <p>A card room liscense is about $150 for 1 table in Montana, it is how some people make a living. It is not a monumental undertaking or big burden to comply with the laws and have a legal game. I doubt if they will get jail time but I do hope they learn their lesson. This is clearly not a case of big brother squashing evil gaming or connected mafia poker/gambling eliminating the competition. This is probably some enthusiastic entrepenurial poker players getting ahead of themselves, and being careless. </p> <p>The biggest problem that poker faces is legitamacy. We must embrace transparency and some kind of regulatory influence. sometimes we may disagree with the type of regulation...that is why we are members of PPA, we get involved. Our system may be flawed but we can make a difference. Thumbing your nose at people who follow the rules and run good games and the federal, state and local Law is sheer stupitity....and bad for Poker over all.</p> <p>I am waiting on some calls that hopefully give me some more information....I will post anything I get here. please comment...Id like to know what you think!</p> <p>Mike</p> <p>State Director Montana </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/361#post-1149 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:30:10 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1149@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p><strong></strong></p> <p>Dianna Donofrio, host of WomensPokerYak.net podcast, interviews Michael Phelps, Gold Medalist Winner of the Olympics on his love of Poker. She also invites everyone to participate in a charity Poker event and to report to her the charity and amount raised. These will be highlighted on her December 20th podcast.</p> <p>Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) December 5, 2008 -- Dianna Donofrio, host of WomensPokerYak.net, a podcast show on Yaktivate.com, recently caught up with Michael Phelps, 8-time Gold-Medalist winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Phelps was not in his usual milieu but rather involved in a game of poker at the 2nd Annual Caesars Poker Classic. Listeners are invited to hear Phelps as he shares with Donofrio his love of poker and his belief in the future of women in the sporting game of poker. Phelps podcast is now available on <a href="http://www.womenspokeryak.net," rel="nofollow">www.womenspokeryak.net,</a> one of the many channels on Yaktivate.com. </p> <p>Donofrio, brings her expertise and the expertise of her guests to listeners around the world. She conducts interviews with many of the legends of in Poker. These players have traveled the world and compete in the biggest poker tournaments. In addition, Donofrio will participate in the "12 Podcasts of Christmas", a special holiday program found on many of the channels of yaktivate.com. donofrio's special holiday podcast will be on December 20th. She is requesting that players 'around the world' host a Poker Charity Event in their homes or place of business and donate all the monies to their favorite charities. The date of the WORLD WIDE CHARITY push is to be scheduled on December 13th and Donofrio invites everyone to participate. Charity funds raised are to be reported to Donofrio at <a href="http://www.womenspokeryak.collectivex.com" rel="nofollow">www.womenspokeryak.collectivex.com</a> by a December 17th deadline. All the charities and their web address will be listed. The charity receiving the most donations will be the Podcast Star on a special podcast December 20. "Charities are the most hard hit during these economic times and this is one way of giving back," states Donofrio.</p> <p>Donofrio, an executive with DG Holdings Group, SA and recently appointed as the Nevada State Director for the Poker Players Alliance, brings her years of experience and contacts to WomensPokerYak and invites her listeners inside the poker community. PokerPlayersAlliance.org. is an organization developed to reverse the UIGEA legislation that was passed during the Bush administration. Donofrio is well-known in the gaming industry and active in celebrity/charity poker tournaments. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/360#post-1148 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:12:00 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1148@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Another way for us to get more members signed up and supporting the PPA. There are tens of thousands of us who additionally play poker in the casinos. When you are at the tables, talk to your friends and ask for their support of the PPA. Give them website to sign up and join. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/359#post-1147 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:04:47 +0000 DEDEWSOP 1147@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>As a former staffer for a US Senator,in younger days, I do know that the more mail and phone calls we received on a certain issue got the attention of the Senator. The STAFF made sure he was made alerted. For this reason, it is VERY important for all of us to keep calling and writing our Nevada Senators &#38; Congressmen for the continued efforts to legalize ONLINE POKER. Let's show our strength. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/293#post-881 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:51:39 +0000 aksplace 881@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Just no way to insure these "thugs" don't steal from its members.</p> <p>There has already been 2 huge stories from past employees/owners having master poker accounts and have cleared millions from victims.. Absolute Poker and cant remember the other one. Im 100% sure this has been happening since day 1 and all the pokerrooms have this same issue they just have not been caught.</p> <p>only way I would support legal online poker is if they where ran and operated by federal and state agencies. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/354#post-1128 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:40:20 +0000 OldBookGuy 1128@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) – California congressman Xavier Becerra appears to be a leading candidate to become President-elect Barack Obama's chief trade negotiator, U.S. business lobbyists said on Wednesday.</p> <p>Full Story:</p> <p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081203/...rade_becerra_1" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081203/...rade_becerra_1</a></p> <p>Any ratings on him?</p> <p>obg </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/351#post-1108 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:22:45 +0000 mdpoker 1108@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Hello i am new to this site and completely agree that Poker should be legalized in the United States. Doesnt our country have much bigger problems to worry about like maybe fixing the economy then stopping us from playing poker online? </p> <p>Was wondering if any of you guys that make money withdraws from your online accounts and if so do you declare them on your taxes at the end of the year? Is it something we can get in trouble to declare? I'm just wondering or looking for some advice on how other poker players handle that on year end taxes? I guess nobody has the perfect answers but wanted some suggestions. Thanks. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/353#post-1124 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:10:55 +0000 mmateo 1124@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I challenge you to $5-$10 heads up cash on full tilt or even $10-$20 since you say your such a baller </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/350#post-1107 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:15:57 +0000 mmateo 1107@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Dear Tilter,</p> <p>Full Tilt Poker is here to stay!<br /> As an online poker player, you have probably heard about the new legislation passed by the U.S. Congress earlier this week that attempts to prevent you from being able to transfer money to online gaming sites.</p> <p>While this new law has prompted some sites to announce plans to abandon the U.S. market in coming days, we assure you that Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide all of its players - both inside and outside of the United States - with a full complement of real money ring games and tournaments for their enjoyment. </p> <p>After consultation with numerous legal experts in this field, we want to make you aware of the following:</p> <p>* Legal<br /> The new U.S. legislation does not in any way attempt to criminalize the act of you playing online poker. By playing online at Full Tilt Poker, you are not breaking any U.S. Federal laws.</p> <p>* Full Access<br /> The passage of the new Internet Gaming law will not have any impact on your day-to-day experience at Full Tilt Poker. We will provide all of our players, everywhere in the world, with full access to all of our games and tournaments.</p> <p>* Easy Deposits and Withdrawals<br /> We will continue to provide our players with all of the safe, secure and convenient methods for transferring money to and from the site. In fact, in recent discussions with our payment processors, we have been assured that this new law will have no immediate impact on their day-to-day business. And as always, any monies that you have on deposit with Full Tilt Poker remain completely safe and secure.</p> <p>Furthermore, we firmly believe that online poker is not encompassed by this new legislation. In any event, we will continue to lobby for an express carve-out for online poker and for your right to play a truly American game from the privacy of your own home and computer.</p> <p>We are excited about the future here at Full Tilt Poker and in the coming weeks and months, we plan to roll out many new features designed to enhance your online poker experience.</p> <p>We appreciate your loyalty to our site and, in turn, want you to know that we will remain loyal to our valued players in the United States and throughout the world.</p> <p>We look forward to seeing you at the table.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Full Tilt Poker </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/325#post-999 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:33:56 +0000 gangsta_crunk 999@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I wanted to warn everyone out there what will probably happen to them if they use credit cards to deposit money to gambling sites. I play on fulltiltpoker.com and I have made various deposits this month with my Mastercard which is actually an ATM/Debit card. Well today my bank cancelled my card because of those deposits. I found this out when attempting to go out to eat and my card was declined. I called my bank and the manager explained that my atm debit card had been cancelled du to online gaming and it would be "a while" before I would be elligible for a new card. Needless to say I closed that checking account and opened another one. My suggestion to everyone is to make your deposits soon using instant eChecks and manage your bankroll so that you do not have to make any other deposits. eChecks are safer bacause they do not show up on your bank statement as anything illegal, such as the website's name, online poker deposit, etc etc... </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/316#post-963 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:11:41 +0000 Bluegrass Poker 963@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I recently joined the PPA and look forward to being a part of this online community. It's great to have an organization willing to fight for the rights of poker players.</p> <p>As for me, I am a 39 year old attorney in Lexington, KY. I've been playing poker since the nickel antes days guts, follow the queen and other crazy games of college years until now. I play fairly regularly in home games now, our typical game is $1/$2 mix of no limit hold, PLO and PLO8/b. I hit the Horseshoe in southern Indiana a couple times a year and my buddies and I make an annual trip to Tunica or Vegas every year. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/324#post-998 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:17:45 +0000 Berserker871 998@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>No need to panic and cash out</p> <p>I have done somewhere around 5 hours of research on this since the UIGEA was finalized to find out just exactly what the situation is and I have heard from multiple sources that this law clearly does not prevent the player from cashing out and receiving their funds. The law only attempts to make it harder to get money online.</p> <p>It is not illegal for you to play poker online.</p> <p>You money will be just fine and always be accessable on your site regaurdless of this law. </p> <p>IMO the biggest fear here is that more online poker sites chickin out and start to refuse service to U.S. players. And even if this happens your funds will still be fine. I dealt with this in 2006 when ipoker network stopped dealing with U.S. players. I was still able to get on the site and cashout. I was just denied from being able to sit at tables. </p> <p>I hope this can alleviate some of the fears that you guys might have. I know it might feel like the sky is falling but once you do the research it doesn't seem like time to panic. It definately is not a good thing but IMO not nearly as bad as in 2006 when the bill was passed. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/343#post-1079 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:04:48 +0000 jesseclark 1079@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>In response to the PPA November Newsletter's call for <a href="http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/utr/1/KURZJMHEIY/NZDPJMHGMZ/2661264751">submitting comments</a> to the incoming Obama administration I wrote and submitted the following letter. I thought I would post it here in case anyone else wanted to copy from it.</p> <p>&lt;blockqoute&gt;<br /> Dear President-elect Obama and Transition Team,</p> <p>I appreciate that as you assume the office of President there are many serious challenges that you will face and many pieces of bad legislation passed by the outgoing administration which will need repeal or modification. I would like to draw your attention to one such piece of legislation which has been wrongfully injected into code as midnight riders on other legislation, the UIGEA. </p> <p>This legislation is flawed on several points:</p> <p>The Act lumps Internet Poker in with all other forms of wagering or games of chance. Poker is a game of skill that has an aspect of luck involved in it. A highly skilled poker play can win pots with well timed strategic bets no matter which cards luck has provided.</p> <p>Prohibiting Internet Poker causes the companies that run Internet Poker sites to either move offshore or allow users to make deposits from offshore third party financial institutions both of which deprive state and federal governments of billions of dollars in potential tax revenue. In these difficult economic times with state and local governments facing large budget deficits, this additional source of revenue can help stave off cuts to essential programs such as health and education. </p> <p>Additionally, the UIGEA places the onus of enforcement on our financial institutions. These institutions need to be focused on reforming their core practices in order to recover from the current crisis and create stable and trustworthy companies for the future and not to be distracted by policing whether or not their customers are transferring funds to Internet Poker sites.</p> <p>Lastly, I would suggest that if the intention of this bill was to protect minors from any perceived harm from Internet Poker, the best way to achieve this is licensing and regulation not prohibition. Regulation would have the additional benefit of ensuring a fair and level playing field for the adult players of the game.</p> <p>Thank you for your attention in this matter,<br /> Sincerely,<br /> -Jesse Clark</p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/329#post-1017 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:21:08 +0000 Flintstone Pip 1017@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I cant sleep after reading that our gorvernment has once again back doored us with another attempt at sneaky passing of legislation that obviously has not recieved the attention it deserves. This is the final straw. I agree that sending letters to our congressman and the new President-elect is a great idea but its time for us to stand up in a bigger way, and i mean NOW. The PPA is over one million strong, and there are many more poker players that have to recognize what is happening. Now is the time to assemble. We need to be proactive, and let our voices be heard. I suggest that in the very near future with the help of the PPA, that we take a day and let the government REALLY know how we feel. How, you might ask? We do what every other major organization in the country does when it is unhappy, we picket. We all go on the same day to our state capital buildings in our respective states, (especially Washington and Kentucky) and we organize outside of the capital and start drawing some national attention. This is getting to a point where our letters and our respective attempts are not enough. Too many of us are sitting back and waiting for a miracle, but we HAVE to act. If we get 500 strong in every state on the same day we WILL draw National attention. Our current administration is passing legislation left and right that most people arent aware of, and they are focusing on things that let us all forget about the other issues, like this issue that we as poker players have to face. This sneaky attempt of pushing something through AGAIN in the midnight hour is a travesty.<br /> I want to reach out to the PPA, and all of its members, and use our strength in numbers and start making some MAJOR noise. I am also calling out to major celebrities like Tony Parker (who we know throws celeb poker tourneys), Alex Rodriguez (another celeb that we have seen in the news as a poker player), Michael Phelps, and any other celebrity whose FAME alone will draw MAJOR attention to this cause. This large of a showing would definitely let it be known that there are many people who will be affected by the UIGEA, and we arent happy about it. I know there are many issues in our country right now, but this has taken a back seat long enough and THE FEW WHO OPPOSE ONLINE GAMBLING have had too much say. We have to get MAJOR attention, and make this an issue that the entire country finds out about. The removal of our rights and freedom, the attempts to control the internet, this IS A COUNTRYWIDE issue, and it has major importance.<br /> I love what the PPA has done for us so far, but its time we as members get out into the world and make some noise, and help their cause. We cant sit back and let this happen!<br /> So now, i leave it up to the PPA, to pick a date, in the VERY NEAR FUTURE, hopefully in late november, or early december, and lets stand up for our rights! </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/345#post-1083 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:02:09 +0000 pauldara 1083@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I'm new to PPA, but I found out recently that Russia has just declared poker to be a recognized national sport. There is also much more acceptance in China, where they have mostly engaged in games of chance, rathr than games of skill. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/263#post-784 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:25:52 +0000 imger8 784@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>Pay Out Delay Outrage and What the PPA Can Do About It</p> <p>It has been over two months since I first requested two payouts ($300 &#38; $400) from Sportsbook.com</p> <p>I understand that many sites have problems with financial institutions willing and able to process such transactions.</p> <p>The thing that most bothers me is the excuses that I have received from the site for the delay. The first month was because they were changing processing companies. The second month they made me jump through hoops, faxing, e-mailing and telephone verifying all sorts of information. Most of the information they already had and some of the information I am unsure why they needed to process a payment. This third month they notified me via e-mail (according to them "as a courtesy") that the transactions were still pending and if I have any questions to contact their customer service department.</p> <p>I am a strong supporter of Internet Poker and hope to see it legally available to players in the United States. I do not feel that the industry as a whole is corrupt, but I do feel that an organization such as the PPA needs to become the "watch dog" of poorly run sites.</p> <p>It is in our best interest (I am a member of the PPA) to see that players are not disillusioned or dissatisfied with the poker sites because these are the people who may keep online poker from ever becoming legal and or regulated in the United States.</p> <p>I find it very odd that I do not see a lot of outrage from other Sportsbook.com customers about slow payouts. My payouts are for relatively small amounts and I have already prepared myself for the day that may come when I finally realize they are never going to send the money. </p> <p>Playing illegally, US players run the risk of a site basically saying “we ain’t paying, so what are you going to do about it?”</p> <p>Maybe there is no outrage because like me, other players figure the only real loss is one’s initial deposit and any money beyond that never really belonged to you. If Sportsbook.com decided not to pay me or it goes on so long that I actually forget they do owe me, I will be out a hundred bucks. No big loss to me and I will move on to another site. Is Sportsbook.com banking on the notion that most will react like myself and just take their business elsewhere?</p> <p>A more sinister scenario would be that there is no outrage from other players because I am one of the few who actually have requested a payout. If a site does not have a lot of players cashing out, then there is something definitely wrong with the game they are running.</p> <p>The PPA should consider devising an “ebay” type rating system for online poker sites so that potential customers (players) can make informed decisions as to where to play. It would be nice to see how many transactions take place and whether there is positive or negative feedback. </p> <p>At a minimum, it would be nice if the PPA website could devote a page to members who want to review the different sites allowing other members to see what they are getting into before deciding to play at a new site.</p> <p>Legal internet poker in the US will never become a reality until we can prove that we are able to police ourselves. Without legalized internet poker in the US, players are left vulnerable to all sorts of bad things in cyber space. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/311#post-933 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:47:00 +0000 Lmille4574 933@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>I live in Illinois. And more recently than the past I have contacted state reps to in effort to change the laws regarding online poker. But the problem I am having is neither state rep that I am supposed to contact has ever replied back to me they are like a bad customer service outlet. Go to their homepage and send them an email you get nothing. Actually mail a letter and still nothing. Send a letter through the PPA website amnd they dont reply. CALL AND Leave a message no return call. </p> <p>ALL IN ALL I have some great points to get across to state reps regarding online poker. But obviously they dont want to listen or they just don't care. </p> http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/topic/323#post-986 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:38:17 +0000 HoldemEagle 986@http://pokerplayersalliance.org/forums/ <p>"Send an email to the Obama Transition team and tell President-elect Obama that once in office he should immediately turn back the UIGEA and other "midnight rules" issued by President Bush."</p> <p>I know all US players should email Obama.</p> <p>I don't think it would hurt for non-US players to email Obama and tell him how much poker helps people of different nations get to know each other. Tell your non-US friends to help too!!! Get them to email Obama too. </p>