Thank you CD / Ipoker

This past week CD poker cheaply generously decided to give me a whole $5!   I thought, “Wow $5, I’m rich, cash out!”       Instead of doing that I decided to just take it to the blackjack tables.   After 10 hands I was up to $50, enough to actually play poker with.
And WOW, why haven’t I played more poker here before?    I’m almost certain that cd poker/ipoker must pay a blind monkey to just click call.   I say blind because even a monkey knows you shouldn’t be calling down with some of those hands.   So needless to say I have much more then $50 and see no real point in cashing out yet.

Thank you CD poker and thank you blind monkey!

The Seasons of Poker

I’ve been playing poker online for the past three years.   During that time I’ve been a recreational player, but as many other players on the internet, have take the game fairly seriously.  I’ve been able to make a bit of money online but not worthy of quitting my day job to play.   During that time i’ve noticed the fairly usual poker nuances.  Everything from getting knocked out of tournaments too early, bad beats, giving out bad beats, blind stealing, etc…

The one thing I’ve found to be the same throughout these three years time is the amount of time I spend playing online poker in the winter vs. the summer.   I think there are two reasons for this.  The winter months I can spend more time playing during the evenings.  Second, The darkness outside and the cold weather makes it not very enjoyable to venture outdoors.  Therefore, I can either take up a less profitable hobby, watch tv or play poker.

When spring rolls around my playing time decreases according to the length of the days.  I play less as there is more to do outside, around the house, in the house, etc.

It’s an interesting phenonmon that i’m learning to deal with.   By the start of spring i’m usually trying to finish up bonuses. While clearing a bonus I often wish I was outside. Or I feel guilty that I haven’t finished the bonus before going outside.   When the summer rolls around it is warm enough to take the laptop outside which is an occasional activity.  However, the playing time remains at a low level.

Now that spring / summer is officially here I’ve absorbed the fact that I won’t be playing as much online poker for the next few months.  I can’t say I really miss the poker.   Summer is such a great time with many outdoor activities.  Plus, the summer also provides me with a refreshed look at my poker game and what i’d like to achieve / learn in the coming months.

Funny PPA video

I just found this and thought it was worthy of sharing.  Basically it’s an ad for the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) based in the old Party Poker days.  It’s actually very well done and pretty funny.  So if you haven’t seen this video check it out.

Jon Stewart Explains UIEGA

Jon Stewart explains the UIEGA on his Daily Show.    It’s quite a good piece of work really and definitely worth checking out….
You can see it here

Neteller Withdrawls from Canada

I know today was suppose to be the poker points final review and i’m sure you’re all dying to hear about that. But bigger news is on the front. Which, personally affects me and sucks like your aces getting cracked.

Neteller has withdrawn from Canada. Although, online gaming isn’t illegal in Canada it hasn’t been entirely passed as legal. So, to summarize, Neteller was scared of another UIEGA being passed and decided that instead of dealing with the repercussions that they’ll just pull out now.

So, now us online poker players are forced to use Click2pay, Moneybookers or the new shilly sites that may be popping up. Thanks Neteller.
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Press release is below for those of you who are interested.

Monday, 26 March 2007 – The NETELLER Plc Group (“NETELLER” or the “Group”) (LSE: NLR), the leading global independent online money transfer business, today announced several significant changes to its services in a number of markets.

The Group continually assesses the risk profile and status of the markets its serves. Recent actions by regulators, payment processors, and online gaming operators have increased the uncertainty around certain activities related to online gambling in some jurisdictions. The Board of Directors of the Company reached a decision, on 25 March 2007, that the risk to the Group’s ongoing business in Canada and Turkey has increased in the light of such developments. The Board has therefore concluded that the Group will no longer process transfers related to online gambling sites on behalf of Canada or Turkey resident customers.

Reduced Service to Canada

  • Cessation of Canadian transfers to gambling merchants: the Group will cease processing online gambling related transactions for Canada-resident customers with effect from 12.01 AM MST Monday 9 April 2007.
  • Suspension of InstaCASH transactions: As of today Monday 26 March 2007, at 12:01 AM MST, Canada-resident customers were no longer able to deposit funds using NETELLER’s instaCASH service either directly or from any online gambling site.
  • Non-gambling services continue: Canada-resident customers will continue to be able to use their e-wallet accounts for non-gambling transactions, including peer-to-peer and pre-paid debit transactions.
  • Available customer funds: Customer funds, including those of Canadian residents, are held in a pooled, segregated trust account and will be available for withdrawal by customers, on demand. Canadian customers continue to be able to use their e-wallet accounts for non-gambling transactions.