That's some excellent news!

I'm not smart with these things. But since it passed, is it time for me to say screw college and move to Detroit? I assume we need to wait and see the ramifications of what happens with the player pools right? Wait and see if they merge pools or allow international play?

This is good news either way.

... why Detroit?

Hi LA,

I'm not really sure how prospective "pros" should take the news. I'm guessing it will depend on the policies operators implement. The industry has more tools at its disposal now to both directly and indirectly influence player behavior along with who can or can't play.

I would expect some form of conditions/burdens to be placed on net-withdrawing players eventually. I think some players have posted related feedback here and there in the PokerStars PA thread.

https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/2...rs-pa-1757060/

I agree with you that it's good news for MI players either way. Perhaps it's a hint that the Wire Act and other messes will get sorted out in a reasonable time frame? I don't have a clue about precisely "when" MI will launch or how far down the line MI interstate compacting would be if Gov. Whitmer signs the bill. Or even if Michigan would consider immediately compacting upon launch. I've read early 2021 for iCasino and online sports betting, but if MI is like PA, then online poker won't be included in the states initial iGaming rollout.

As far as moving goes... I wouldn't want to encourage someone to pack their bags and completely forsake something without seriously considering all the implied personal responsibilities that might accompany such a decision in 2020/2021. And that's assuming it would make sense from an EV standpoint to begin with, before inserting whatever other variables.

Your best bet in the meantime might be to consult with some of the players who moved to PA in 2017-2018-2019 in anticipation of that market launching.

What are their thoughts on the ring-fenced PA market so far? How might PA compacting one day benefit/harm them? Would they relocate to another licensed state in such a scenario? Have they experienced any additional burdens due to their high skill level relative to the field? Such as delayed withdrawals/source of income checks/requests for more personal data, higher overall operating costs compared to net-depositing players/denial of customer support, and so on? They would know.

-David

The cost of living in MI is spectacularly low compared to a lot of states.

Research the cost of living in MI to see if that appeals to you.

I'd strongly suggest no. But, if online poker is that important to you, perhaps consider just applying to school in Michigan?

I mean there is some seriousness to my post, but Dhuber made some valid points for consideration (thank for all the groundwork and updates BTW David).

I think it would be foolish simply to forsake my schooling on a whim to move somewhere to play online poker, unless of course they allow international player pools. Who knows?

I love poker. However online currently in the US isn't my cup of tea. Bots and limited action make for painful game selection in conjunction to my current skill level. Obviously I can always get better.

If I wasn't in school I would consider it. I got a scholarship at a Uni where I live. So I'm gonna eat that up, get my comp sci degree with plans to go to law school after.

If it wasn't for school, I'd either be moving back to Vegas post Corona, or considering moving to Detroit if this panned out in a fashion that makes online poker in the US better.

The cool part is I'll know what online poker in MI is like after I get my degree and can move there after if I want.

Detroit is very cheap. Vegas can also be very cheap. I don't mind cheap even if it sucks. I lived in Detroit briefly and walking to the local 7-11 at night was always a gamble. However, I wouldn't need much there to be happy and content, barring where I was living was moderately safe.

Hey guys I live in Pennsylvania does anyone know whats the cheapest I can rent an apartment for in Michigan to just play online poker?

Do you have to sign a lease?

AirBnB?

Certainly Detroit would be a draw since there (will be) live rooms there also at the casinos. Housing in MI is on the rise. I've heard below grade duplexes being rented for $1300 per side .. amazing IMO.

Detroit is rebuilding. Downtown GR has more housing than it's ever had .. with a college campus near by. Many Lake Michigan communities, like St Joseph might be a nice place to hang a hat on a lake shore .. and yet be close enough to some live rooms in IN/IL/Firekeepers.

If you want a college education, it's somewhere in MI .. GL

Downtown GR rentals right now are rivaling Chicago prices. If you want to get a rundown house on the west side or just east of Heritage Hill, so be it. If you want to be anywhere in the thick of things going on, you won’t find anything under $1,200 for a 1 bedroom.

Not sure.. how this will work!

within an hour drive of the cardrooms downtown:

wayne state u
u of d mercy
u of windsor
oakland u
eastern mich u
u of m

More and more advertising about the signup bonuses ... just make sure that you read the rules and regs regarding those 'free' balances. I've heard some interesting stories about balances being trapped on sites since there is language that prevents 'cash n dash' type of activity. You can waive the bonuses but it's a paint to figure out how in some cases. There's one site (MGM?) that actually states during the TV ad that they have nothing tied to their bonus. GL

Thanks for the heads up and word of warning.

I’ve signed up for all the available promotions I’ve seen so far (BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, Barstool Sports, and BetMGM). When I do bonuses like this (whether gambling or banking), I always save a copy of the terms and conditions. However, there’s a couple (FanDuel and Draft Kings) where I literally cannot find any fine print.

Off topic slightly, but there's a YouTube from Bart Hanson (Crush Live Poker) where he used an off shore betting site for the election and the bonus on that site required you make like 10x bonus bets before you could make any withdraws. They even tied up his 2nd deposit because the terms of his 1st deposit had not been met as of yet.

It's a very interesting video from a couple of different angles. He had lots of cash tied up on the election .. GL

It's called a rollover, almost all casino bonuses of any kind require it. Do you think that you can deposit on a poker site with a bonus and they just snap send you the 100% at whatever max the promotion is? no of course not, you have to clear the bonus or what is more commonly known as "ROLLING IT OVER"

The good news is all the bonuses I have been able to find terms and conditions for are 1x playthrough. I'm hoping Draft Kings and FanDuel follow suit.

I know it's somewhat hard to know, but do we think online poker will launch in Michigan in January?

Hopefully we will know for sure by January 15th, which I think is the next Michigan gaming board meeting.

I'm not sure what the meeting has to do with the process, but it's possible that the Board has to rubber stamp all the licenses before they are valid.

The issue with poker is that it's probably not the most profitable side of online gaming. So platforms will launch the casino games first and then move into poker. Each 'game' needs approval within a platform's license, so I'm assuming that a Blackjack software is much easier to approve than a poker software.

Sports Betting is a different license, but if I was applying for both types of licenses I would concentrate on SB first then Gaming .. which would be a delay for poker.

You notice that none of the advertising really mentions poker. IMO that's for two reason. One, poker is not 'for everyone' and two, I think they really want to get the easier/profitable games launched first. Many casinos when without a poker room when they opened .. and then made room for them once the income started to flow in the facility. GL

PS .. It's interesting that Greek Town announced that it will 'close' at 6PM tonight in an effort to control capacity for New Year's. I'm no expert, but I don't see many folks wanting to spend over 6 hours pulling slots. You'd think they would have a 'one-out, one-in' system in place.

I was thinking the same thing. I’ve been at the casinos this week, and I can’t really see what the draw would be on New Year’s Eve. The bars are not open and drinking is a big part of the holiday for many people that go out.

I’ll admit it’s hard to play for any real length of time without any beverages. MGM actually hands out complimentary water bottles on the way out with a sign reading “please do not open the water until you have left the building.” Lol.

You don't think people want to degen slots for hours on end? lol Ever ask yourself why casinos are filled shoulder to shoulder with slots and have like 1 tiny section for pit games? another tiny section for poker? You don't think there's a reason for that?

You are (possibly) completely missing my point .. and I believe I have a pretty good grasp on how the casino world works. Perhaps you should read KC's post as well.

What you need to do for me is explain how a 'party' can carry on for 6 hours without someone going broke or getting bored or pissed. New Year's is typically about groups of people doing things together. Let's just say it's a group of 4 .. you don't think that at least two of those 4 people will be standing around, arms crossed, by 9 PM lamenting the fact that they are 'trapped' at a place with no food or drink .. and maybe 'not much' entertainment?

Casinos are like ant farms .. constant in and out. AND you are going to lock your doors before a lot of customers can even get there? Lots of business still work today.

My point is that LOTS of businesses are 'ant farming' their facilities .. been to a mall in the last two months? And GTown is choosing not to follow what's been working for many others.

If we had a way to bet I would. But my guess is that at least 35% of the people in the building at 6PM don't make it to 1200. It's not like they are paying a cover, are they?
And those people could've been replaced along the way, maintaining a chosen capacity level. If you are going to staff for X people at 6PM why wouldn't you want to maintain it all the way through 1AM?

They can't do a strict capacity in-and-out counter at the door because that would require a line which would constitute as an additional outdoor social gathering, not to mention you would need 6 feet between each human and it's quite cold outside. There is no cheap logistical way people could wait in their vehicles outside in some sort of tracked waiting list.

I can't see what else they could do.