Poker Winner Blog

Using state-of-the-art computer technology, thousands of people play poker online for real money. By linking their computers to the Internet, players living as far apart as New York, London, and Tokyo are able to play together simultaneously in computer-generated poker games — for real cash.

Until recently, such games weren’t feasible. The challenge was to invent poker software that would enable strangers to play against each other in live games from different locations — and with enough confidence to back their mouse clicks with cash.

Without real money at stake, online casinos cannot make profits. (They take a rake — a fixed percentage of each pot — just as a real casino poker room does. The only difference is that it’s taken electronically rather than by a human dealer.)

Milestone advances in computer graphics, sound, and programming made Internet cash games possible. On January 1, 1998, Planet Poker was the first Internet poker casino to offer poker for cash stakes. Others followed.

But is it lewd?

The answer as to whether such games are legal depends on which side of the business you’re on — supplier side or client side — and also on whereyou live.

If you’re thinking of starting an online poker casino, you’d better get out of Dodge! In the United States, you may be prosecuted for operating such a business, since they are likely prohibited by federal law.

Seeing a potential gold rush of almost unlimited client demand, foreign entrepreneurs rushed in to fill the void. Internet poker casinos are based in countries where laws are more lenient, such as Costa Rica.

The clients, however, may live anywhere. In some areas, it is against the law to place bets on the Internet. Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to play poker for cash stakes online.

Our advice to you

You’re in a gray area of the law if you place bets on the Internet. Our advice is to stay abreast of new developments in federal and state laws by inquiring about them regularly on rec. gambl ing.poker. Then, let common sense dictate.

You also need to be concerned about your legal rights — or, rather, your lack of such — if you play for cash in online casinos.

Consider the following:

If an overseas-based casino goes bankrupt, you could lose any money you have on account without recourse.

Our advice: Check out an online casino’s reputation with the Internet poker newsgroup rec.gambling.poker. Once you start playing, keep good records and cash out your wins frequently. Leave no more on account than you can afford to lose.

Be alert for collusion. Dishonest players may play in the same game while using cell phones, instant messages (real time “chat” typed back and forth from computer keyboards by people who have set up this capability in advance), or even adjacent computers. In any of these ways, cheaters may be sharing information unfairly against you.

Our advice: The best online casinos have extensive programming that monitors and tags unusual betting patterns that indicate collusion. Choose a well-known online poker casino, and before you sign up, ask questions about what steps are taken to thwart colluders. Also, if you’re a beginner lacking the necessary experience to detect unusual betting patterns yourself, stick to the lowest limits available. (Cheaters usually play for higher stakes.)

The easiest way to open an account at an online casino is to use a credit card to make a deposit. You should be concerned any time you submit credit card numbers and other personal information on the Internet. Carefully monitor your credit card statements each month.

Our advice: Take the time to check out the poker Internet newsgroup rec. gambl ing.poker. Look for threads (groups of messages listed by subject headings) concerning online poker casinos. After you’ve read the related threads, start a new one by asking if anyone has had problems with an account at casino X.

If you’re still not comfortable making a credit card deposit, arrange to wire the money or send a cashier’s check or money order. Even a personal check may be acceptable. (When in doubt, ask. Send an e-mail inquiry to the casino you have in mind.)

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