That's so shty. Because you 'won' the side pot of your own money you didn't technically lose the hand, thus not qualifying you for the BBJ. What a joke.
So,

1) Don't go all in with the immortal nuts unless he has you covered
2) Win less so you don't get banned
3) Don't request checks

Regarding that BBJP, that's a technical glitch that should have been fixed. In reality, you can't put money into the pot that your opponent can't cover ... let alone "win" that money back. Using that standard, I'd wager 50% of all jackpots would be disqualified as those pots will almost always get allin and in all likelihood, someone will have a bigger stack than the other and 50% of time time on average "win" that side-pot to disqualify you.

Yes, and NJ and DE and will do the same for every other state that gets legal online poker. Once CA is gone this network is pretty ****ed.

But was it ever fixed? If we can't get confirmation that he was paid I won't play on there anymore because that is outright theft.

It would be an injustice, but I personally don't play on any site specifically for the bad beat jackpot. FWIW, to me, that injustice is near the same level of banning/capping table limits on some players but not others.

Neither do I but I won't give someone my business that blatantly steals from it's customers. Banning/capping tables is one thing but not giving money to someone that was rightfully won because "he technically didn't loose the pot because he had his opponent covered" is outright theft and I won't support that.

It's all in the eye of the beholder. When I signed up for 35% rakeback and it was taken away, I considered that theft. When they advertised 15% VIP program and took that away, I consider that theft, too. When they cap tables, I consider that theft. That BBJ example is also theft. Unfortunately, I don't have a Union representative to file a grievance with. I just don't put as much action on Merge as I used to.

Yes, by their reasoning about half the NLHE players who should win the BBJ actually won't receive any money simply because they have more money on the table than their opponent. We already knew that there were some morons working at Merge who don't have a clue about anything having to do with poker so this shouldn't come as any surprise.

I was told by an affiliate that I am linked to, that they are dropping Carbon amongst other sites. I haven't seen any information itt today regarding this. Here is the link: http://www.onlinepokerreport.com/124...iliate-letter/

This is the only article that I have seen. Discussion? How will this affect traffic on Merge amongst other sites in the foreseeable future? Is the sky officially falling now for us OLP players here in the USA? Idk, it just seems to get worse everyday for us USA players

^ Won't affect traffic on Merge any IMO. The affiliate letter was sent out by the State of NJ asking that all affiliates remove ads for offshore sites that were being advertised to NJ residents. However, most of these sites have already pulled out of in-state markets that have already passed legal regulated gaming.

If affiliates start dropping the offshore sites serving Americans (as they really should if they ever want in on the big slice of pie that is the American market) it won't effect traffic in the short term, but certainly will in the long term. While Bovada does a ton of their own advertising the other sites don't and rely on affiliates to drive new traffic to their networks.

What I'm worried about is when CA gets their OLP up and running and the effect that will have on Merge and WPN when the networks are forced out of that market too. Even if they aren't, CA is big enough to where their sites would be bigger than both networks anyway and will be safe so there won't be much point to play on ****ty, shady, illegally operating networks. Unless of course you want to bet sports.

Any idea when Cali gets onboard with OLP? I have heard rumors, but nothing concrete. Are we looking @ the 2-3 month range, or more like 6+ months?

No one knows, but it's looking good. From what I've read most people in the know seem to think something will be passed be the end of the year. I'd guess it'd take another 6 months+ after that to get going. I'd be surprised if it isn't by the end of next year.

I dunno - I don't think there's going to be that big of an appetite for regulators or poker companies to start back towards the way it was in the US pre-BF. I mean, affiliates will always have a purpose in the US game for sure. But I don't see it as being the main thing that drives players to sites, or that they will be offered a big piece of any pie (except maybe a courtesy slice of good ol' apple pie...you know, America, apple pie...).

I definitely could be wrong, though. I think we're a long ways from seeing how this all works out in the US. Long, long way..

Anyone with a web page won't be able to be an affiliate like they are now, but affiliates that do things right and get an ancillary license will still be used to drive traffic. Affiliates are used for pretty much every sort of business, not just online poker.

I do agree they will have a smaller impact on the overall traffic numbers because they will be able to use their own advertising, but they will still be important.

We're not that far off, at least imo. The big states are finally starting to take it serious and once that happens the feds will have to do something. Hopefully within 3-5 years we'll be looking back and laughing about playing on networks like Merge. I pray it's MUCH less than that.

Arent there any Gtd tourneys w/out re-entry rebuys anymore?

Yeah, every single tournament on Bovada. Merge doesn't believe in offering real poker tournaments anymore.

It says right in the comments that the jackpot didn't start till 2 hours after his badbeat.. sucks for him, but if that's the case he shouldn't be paid

I hear all the talk about how soft Merge is, and while I still feel its one of the tougher networks, this is encouraging. The guy that won the 250k main-event just opened a 20bb stack EP and proceeded to flat call my Ak/3bet with A9. LAWL. Jesus how do these guys bink scores that sick nasty grinders sometimes dont bink in 3-5 years of grinding? It's quite astonishing tbh. #IWannaGodMode1x

cant wait for your next post

It's anybody's guess. If they do it this year, I think that September is the cutoff date. PokerStars has signed up with one of the tribes, so that is creating additional conflict which very likely might mean no passage this year. It would be worth the wait though. If PokerStars is able to operate in the California, not only would it be a good thing for players to be able to play on PokerStars but also PokerStars expertise in online poker could have a very positive influence in the way California views the game in relation to the players, something that has been lacking so far.

this is the first time i've seen the utility of BBV.

post the hand here and be sure to include your thoughts on it.

You didn't hear? The tribes are starting to come together and are drafting a new online poker Bill.. there's another sit down next week scheduled.. I'm still shooting for July 1 2015 all systems GO Go Go

There was just a sit down today. I wouldn't be shocked at all if by July 2015 it's up and running, with or without Poker Stars. (hopefully with)

If it does pass and it is up and running by July 2015, the big question would be what happens between now and then as far as offshore sites offering poker to California residents. It's hard to say how aggressive Cali would be in the interim of clearing the way for regulated sites. I'd hate to not be able to play for a year. Bovada seems to be the most likely big 3 site to buck the system and continue to offer poker.