Tag: players

Could Ex-Online Poker Sites Absolute and UB Pay Back Players?

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UB.comBlack Friday left many online poker players’ money stuck online. Two of the sites that stranded the some of the highest number of players out there were Absolute Poker and UB Poker.  Since April 15th it has pretty much looked like any players on these sites were pretty much out of luck when it came to getting their money back, until just this week.  It was reported that both sites will be liquidated, which not only spells the end of the sites in the online poker world, but also means that players could potentially be getting repaid soon from these sites.

Excellent news for players out there, but it unfortunately comes with a catch.  While they will be paying players back, it is only look like it will be about 20% at most of the total amount of money in each players’ account.  The statement that was released said that it would be around “15 to 20 cents on the dollar” to be exact.  These two sites were two of the more popular in the game before Black Friday, but found themselves behind the two other big named sites who were hit by the drama in Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars.

The liquidation situation with the same means that they are completely done in the online poker world, and the reason for them doing this is apparently to appease the United States Department of Justice.  Since Black Friday these sites have struggled to get any realistic type of real money poker traffic, which led to this final decision.  They have made major layouts among their staff, and while the two sites closing down doesn’t come as a complete shock, it is still an interesting bit of news.

As far as the founders behind the sites, there was also some mention of the two men involved in creating Absolute Poker.  One of the two, Brent Beckley, decided to plead guilty to a few different charges relating to their online poker site, and his plea deal will get him between one and 15 years in jail.  If Beckley had decided not to agree to this plea deal, he would be looking at a maximum of 30 years of time.  Scott Tom is the other co-founder, but no one is quite sure exactly where he is currently.

Online Poker Sites for US Players

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The online poker industry may have been turned upside down, but there are still many options for USA players to get on the table action that only a game of online poker can provide. There are many alternatives to the poker rooms which were seized by the US government, and this is only a piece of the online poker action. Players are understandably unsure about placing their trust and money into yet another site, in case something may happen in the future. It seems like Black Friday isn’t going to have an effect on other online poker rooms, not the smaller fish anyway.

The Poker Networks and Poker Sites listed below have been slowly increasing their poker tournament guarantees. Over the last week they have experienced up to 400% growth in traffic. It’s only a matter of time before one or two of them become the preferred online poker sites in the U.S..

Click Here for a List of Online Poker Sites Accepting Players from the USA

Bodog Poker is one of the oldest and most respected names in online gaming. Their sportsbook business insures a steady flow of loose players at the poker tables. Bodog offers some of the highest GTD tournaments available to players from the US. The initial deposit bonus of 110% up to $1,100 is as good as it gets for online poker sites. No bonus code is needed to get this great bonus.

Merge Gaming Network, the network behind poker rooms like Lock Poker, Players Only Poker and Carbon Poker, are still ready and willing to give USA players all the action they crave in an online poker setting. The tournaments, the features and the excitement are comparable to the others that were seized, without the big brand name. There are many reasons players should choose Merge for their new online poker playing needs, and there are many ongoing promotions to welcome new players, so everybody wins. The traffic to these rooms are building up, understandably so, and soon there will be even more players that will add to the entertainment value that only online poker can bring.

Other networks like Cake Poker, Everleaf and other smaller platforms are also bringing players unique and generous promotions, tournaments, ring-games and impressive prize pools. They are currently open to new USA registrations, and players coming from other poker rooms will be treated like VIPs.

Players should remember, just because the government cracked down on these poker rooms and seized domains, does that in anyway mean that it’s illegal to play poker online, even from the United States. The UIGEA isn’t there to punish players for playing a few hands of Holdem; the law is in place and only is enforced against online gaming operators and processors. In fact, not one arrest has ever been made for a player playing online poker. This is just a misconception and players should not let it hinder their game play, until there is an actual law in place.

Hopefully in the near future, we as players will not have to worry about the Department of Justice breathing down our necks every time we want to go all in. That is just the way it is right now, and we all hope that it’s only temporary. While they do have control over domain seizures and indictments, they have no control over our decisions, and if you enjoy the game of online poker and you live in the USA, it’s imperative for players to know they still have options.

Cake and Merge the Next Big Names in Online Poker?

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Black Friday was a day the poker community will not soon forget. The largest names in online poker were indicted and had their domains seized by the US government. Since then players have been asking themselves; what’s next? Which poker sites are safe for those USA players looking to get a piece of the virtual felt action? The answer is simple really, there are several poker networks still serving USA players, and some play host to well respected brands.

Many players are upset about the happenings at Full Tilt, Absolute Poker/UB, and PokerStars; and for good reason. It is time for players to find other avenues to play their online poker sessions for now, as it doesn’t seem likely that these sites which were seized will allow USA players back anytime soon. How long these alternative options will be available nobody knows, but it’s unlikely to see this scandal trickle down into the smaller brands online.

Sure these brands aren’t as big as the four poker rooms currently facing courtroom battles, but the fact remains that they are still viable options for USA players. Merge Gaming Network recently took on Lock Poker, Sportsbook Poker, PlayersOnly Poker and their traffic is comparable to some of the bigger names online. Carbon Poker is another big name under the Merge Network, and the traffic on the network makes them a possible contender to take over the USA market.

The Cake Poker Network has also been aiming to become one of the bigger networks in online poker and while their traffic has taken a hit as of late, they may be the one’s to give other poker networks a run for their money. Cake Poker had a pretty solid reputation in the online poker world, however; they have seen their fair share of both good and bad luck lately. They were once becoming one of the biggest names in online poker but began to lose traffic to their competitors over the last couple of years. They sold their skins to other smaller operators, which in turn caused them to lose earnings and a bit of their reputation.

Cake Poker may soon prove to be once again a big name in online poker, bigger than ever before. If their poker rooms stay facing the USA (Power Poker and Victory Poker will no longer accept US players), the chances of them becoming one of the leading poker networks online are very high. They were recently given a little push towards bettering themselves, and have big names like PokerListings.com backing their product; which brings more sign ups and leads to more traffic.  Our sources at Cake Poker have confirmed that they plan to stay in the US market and have never had as many signups as they’ve had in the last 2 days.

“Black Friday” as many are referring to the indictment on the four poker rooms, is sure to have a positive impact on Cake and Merge networks. Players living in the so called “Land of the Free” will be forced to look elsewhere for their online poker needs, at least for now; which will put players right into the hands of other networks online. This is going to be a fierce competition among these online poker sites, and it will be interesting to see which comes out ahead in the USA player community in the next several months. Many players from the four poker rooms that were indicted have already been seeking an alternative for their game play, and these networks mentioned here have been seeing a big rise in their traffic seemingly overnight.

There are also other poker rooms online, but none as well-known as Cake and Merge. It will be interesting to see if any of the smaller fish grow into bigger names as well. It is sure to be a bumpy ride, but for now USA players can still enjoy the action of their favourite poker game online. Luvin Poker, which is on the Everleaf network, told us they’ve had thousands of new players signing up over the last 48 hours.

Bodog Poker is another site that has already seen a 20% jump in traffic. Bodog will continue to grow but we don’t think that Bodog will come out on top because they do not allow peer to peer transfers. We have similar concerns about Sportsbook Poker and Players Only. No poker sites that also have sports betting allow peer to peer transfers.

Solid poker rooms like Lock Poker and Carbon Poker are still taking registration from USA players. They have many ways to deposit and generous promotions, check out the US poker sites listed here for the best choices American players have today. Keep a look out for the happenings regarding everything about this latest development in online poker.

Poker Sites That Still Accept USA Poker Players

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The news that shook the online poker world yesterday is still blowing minds today. Several well-known and popular USA facing poker sites were forced to stop accepting USA players, and have left many wondering what will happen next? No one knows this answer, but the excitement of playing poker is still here for USA players, giving the smaller USA facing poker rooms a chance to come in and take over. What does this mean for players? It means that there are still ways to play if you are in America, and there are still poker rooms willing to serve USA players.

Online Poker Sites Still Accepting USA Poker Players

Yesterday was big news when the US government went and took down the largest names in online poker that were accepting US players. Full Tilt, PokerStars and Absolute Poker all had their domains seized and the government halted all access to real money poker games during the seizure. After the domains were taken, eleven defendants were arrested and charged with crimes including; Money Laundering, Illegal Gaming Business, and Fraud. This is just a couple of the charges the founders of these sites will be facing, and others that had involvement with the illegal payment processing were also detained and charged.

The major poker rooms that were shut down were one of the biggest names and brands in online poker, and many speculate that this seizure is only temporary. What is next for online poker players living in the land of the free?

Many Americans felt like there was no hope for them going forward and enjoying their daily game of online poker, however; this is not the case. Sure, the poker sites that are left online and doing business don’t have the big name behind their brand, but are still places that Americans can get their poker fix. Here is a list of the top poker rooms left online that are still accepting USA poker players.

Merge Gaming Network is well-known in the industry amongst poker players and it powers some of the strongest names in the online poker community. PlayersOnly Poker, Superbook Poker and Lock Poker are a few of the sites which use this platform, and players are still able to sign up and play.

Bodog, the online gaming powerhouse, is still open to take business from American players and they were once one of the biggest names in online poker. Bodog may soon fill the shoes that Full Tilt and PokerStars left behind and again become a favourite for American poker players.

The Cake Poker Network also has many strong poker rooms available that cater to USA players. Cake Poker, for example is one of the poker rooms which are currently dealing cards and taking bets to and from American based poker lovers.

Proprietary platforms are also still assisting players in their poker playing needs. Sites like Luvin Poker on the Everleaf Poker Network and many others that use their own software are still allowing registration and deposits for USA players.

As you can see, the big news yesterday isn’t enough for poker players to stop doing what they love. If you are based in the USA and are looking for an alternative to get in on the action, there are many choices still available.