To me, WU seems like the most stable deposit option. When echecks went down on stars, you could still deposit via WU.

I can certainly understand your concern but this method has been common practice for quite some time.

When you used your Pre-Paid Visa Gift Card on Lock Poker, What did you type in when they asked for the Card holder's name on the Card???? and the Bank Name???? Since it is a Gift Card it doesn't have this info on it..??????.Also I've Noticed that all the sites (Carbon, Sportsbook and Lock Poker) the Visa Deposit is all the same way..all Merged together?? or what...? Thanks

That sites you list are all on the Merge Network. Merge controls the cashier and not the individual skins.

I once deposited that way to PokerStars, using Western Union, with no problems.

Im playing on MERGE as well, and it runs smooth on my Mac. Just make sure you download the MAC version and not the regular PC version.

Let's say i want to download one of the merge skins to check out their software and play at play money tables. what info is required to create an account? if i decide to deposit using a rakeback affiliate can i just enter their code at that time? or should i just do that from the very beginning?

You have to do it from the beginning.

FYP

I went on RPM to do this, it simply asked for an email address, user name and PW. If and when I plan on opening a real account I'm not going to take the chance of losing rakeback, I'll just use a new account with a different email address.

About Carbon Poker.

I have used their live chat customer service at least 4 times while setting up there.
They have been most excellent in answering all of my questions.

Live chat beats PM or email all to hell.

Can anyone tell me a good site for a US player who likes freerolls? I was on PS and loved all their freeroll/promotional tourneys.... Is there any other sites that offer this?

RPM Poker on the merge network.

As Bobo said just go ahead and open it with a RB affiliate that way whether you deposit or not you will be ensured that you receive RB.

Really there is no reason NOT to sign through a RB affiliate and this will ensure that you do get your RB. You can download the client and then check out the traffic and you aren't required to deposit if you decide against it. Go ahead and spend the few minutes it takes to locate a reputable RB provider and save yourself a headache later on.

ty fuzion2 I apprecaiate the help. Dont suppose you know anyone who could help me transfer $15 from PS do you?

If your only going to play freerolls, why not play all the freerolls on all of the Networks that are left for US residents?

not a bad idea.... except I dont want fifteen different poker sites on my computer. LOL

Can anyone ANSWER this Please...When useing A Pre-Paid Visa Gift Card on Lock Poker, What do you type in when they aske for the Card holder's name on the Card???? and the Bank Name???? Since it is a Gift Card it doesn't have this info on it..??????. Thanks

dont u register the card on a web page w/ ur name?

Anyone see any distinct advantages of playing at Carbon vs. RPM vs. Cake.

Yes, I am wondering the same thing. I am looking between Carbon and Cake, but nothing distinct for me to choose yet.

Is Cake less likely to be closed than Merge because Merge offers table games?

Carbon/Merge has the bigger player pool right now.

Cakes liquidity is questionable atm, but poker listings just invested in them, and cashouts take a very long time. They have lost approx 65% of their player pool over the last year or so.

Cake's rb method is dealt at 33%- paid either weekly or monthly- cant remember- been a long time. Merge is 35% contributed paid daily to your account.

Merge's skins' promotions and rake race through affiliates add more value, with points and also bonuses, which clear slower than Cake's. At the top tier at Merge, depending on skin etc, you could be looking at 80-90% effective rb in combo with promotions.

Cake has gold cards, but the value of these things are not extraordinary as a VIP scheme.

Cake does not allow a HUD. Merge does.

Neither site hits your MGR for bonueses , rb, etc.


So, there are some differences.

Merge also offers more reload bouses than Cake.

I guess should add there is sorta a hit in regards to bonus- they clear at 6.5 points per 1.00 in rake instead of 10 points per for non rakeback players. Just want to be accurate.

What is a good educated guess as to how long it will be before the U.S gov tries to shutdown these sites and or gets them to not accept U.S players?

What would be the earliest..with getting warrants and evidence...I think i've heard 6 months to get the warrants..?

I've been reading reviews of the different sites, and there are a lot of things to consider. Some are strong in some areas, but weaker in others. For example:

Do HUDs work with the site?
Are hand histories written to disk, or do you need to do manual result updates?
How fishy is the site?
How many tables can you play?
How large is the first deposit bonus?
How easy/fast it to to clear a bonus?
What is the rakeback percentage?
How good is customer support?
How easy/fast are deposits and withdrawls?
etc.
etc.