US PLAYER NEEDING URGENT ADVICE!

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Woody11

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Hey guys, I could really use some 100% honest help here. I live in Illinois, United States and was a daily online poker player on Ultimate Bet before Black Friday. I lost the rest of my BR, about 6-8K when the sites were shut down.

Anyways, since Black Friday, I have been anxious to play online again. But, I have heard from some that if me playing online right now in the U.S. would be illegal and there is a small chance that I could get myself into legal trouble. Is this true at all?

I understand that I am risking my money that I put on the site and that there could be slow payouts and such. But, I want to be 100% assured that it is COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE for me to get into any legal trouble myself for playing online again before I start back up????

If it is safe, what site do you guys recommend? I've heard Bovada or Carbon are the best? Any advice? I'm mostly a 6-9 seat SNG player, preferably at 20+ buy in. Any help is really appreciated on this. Thanks
 
Kahntrutahn

Kahntrutahn

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You are not breaking the law as a player. There is a lot of misinformation out there. The questionably legal part is payment processing, which you, as a player, have nothing to do with and thus no worries.

Both Carbon and Bovada will have action for what you seek. Both are good choices for very different reasons, but I highly recommend both.
 
XXPXXP

XXPXXP

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the legal part is , you need to register a poker room let u play for real. there is no illegal part if u register and deposit and play without notification from poker room in advance, as a player or user.

It is the issue that poker room should solve with the law part.

but to be safe, for your bankroll in the poker room account, play the comfortable level as you would...and do not put large amount of money into account....eer

GL
 
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Woody11

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Thanks for the replies guys. Anyone else have something to add or care to pitch in their opinion?
 
Chronical23

Chronical23

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Yes its legal for US players as per jurisdiction area but websites will let you know if you are ineligible but we are allowed on most sites now. I heard Full Tilt and pokerstars will be back in october but it works :) i'm playing on carbon and payouts take about 8 weeks in mail
 
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Blue_Fossil

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One note about Bovada - you mention you like SNGs with a $20+ buy-in, there is almost no traffic at the single table SNGs at that level. Even a $10 SNG takes a while to fill up. The $5 and under games fill up pretty quickly.

There are plenty of MTT at the stakes you prefer, just not SNGs.
 
XDavidX808

XDavidX808

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Its legal but as Blue Fossil mentioned Traffic for SNGOS with those levels are a longshot at getting going. You're best bet honestly is MTT's. Alot of action there and money. But Bovada, Black Chip Poker, Americas Card Room are best. I would stay away from Lock becaue of cashouts
 
Acesinthebig

Acesinthebig

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One note about Bovada - you mention you like SNGs with a $20+ buy-in, there is almost no traffic at the single table SNGs at that level. Even a $10 SNG takes a while to fill up. The $5 and under games fill up pretty quickly.

There are plenty of MTT at the stakes you prefer, just not SNGs.

I play at Bovada, usually 36$ 6 man turbos, but sometimes I switch it up, but usually mid level stakes, 30-100$ and I usually don't have a problem. I think they fill up fine, you might have to wait 5 minutes to play the game you want but you can always play something else to keep you busy. The key is just to stay registered and be patient. If you start unregistering prematurely then that messes everything up.

Also you can't wait for your game to start to fill up. Take the initiative and register first, and others will follow.
 
Chronical23

Chronical23

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Who can tell me more about Bovada? should that be my new site to try after Carbon?
 
T-Dubs82

T-Dubs82

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I am in Illinois too, Bovada withdrawals are real fast and eas
 
Poof

Poof

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Who can tell me more about Bovada? should that be my new site to try after Carbon?
Bovada has excellent customer service and the tables are fairly soft so easy to build there.

The down sides are there are no p2p transfers, and all of the tables are random, as in no names are showing, you show as whatever number you register, for example if you are the 5th person to register for a tournament, you will be number 5 but only for that game, you will get a diff number the next game you play. Most can adjust to it.
 
natsgrampy

natsgrampy

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Bovada payouts take about a week. Carbon take 5 -6 weeks. Both are good to play on IMO
 
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Maultc

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intertops is the best option. 1-5 day cash outs. I love it and the support is amazing.
 
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