Mastercard Stopping Transactions to Online Gaming

Word is spreading fast that Mastercard, and possibly even Visa, has now imposed restrictions on funding online gaming. This issue will effect most if not all online gaming sites, be it poker or gambling. This is just another small setback though , players can still use the online wallets like ewallet express, usemywallet and others.

Online players will find that gaming sites are working hard to give their clients other payment options as well, so I would advise players to check and see what all the options are in the cashier at the sites you play at. This has happened to American players in the past with options like netteller and e-passporte, so it's nothing that we can not find our way around with a little effort.

I still encourage all readers that are from the United States to keep fighting for our rights to fund online gaming by writing their Congress and voicing your opinions to them.

It just does not make any sense what so ever that buying online porn is legal , yet funding a game of online poker or a game of blackjack is not.

One way for online poker players to fight back is by joining the Poker Players Alliance. I would even go so far as to say that all online gamers should join them, for they and their membership are fighting for all of our rights as free American citizens .



Update on 02.5.2010 by Earl

Update: It's official, Visa has now followed suit.

World Poker Blogger Championship

It's time for the World Blogger Championship of Online Poker over at PokerStars . Known world wide as the WBCOOP, this is an annual series of poker tournaments that active poker bloggers play for the title of World Blogger Championship of Online Poker.

The seven day event will start on January 25th and run through the 30th. The Main Event will be on January 31st, so if you are a blogger that wants to participate you need to make sure you have a PokerStars account downloaded , and get signed up for the WBCOOP. This online event is completely free to those that meet the guidelines.

Your blog needs to be at least two months old and be updated on a regular basis, those that aren't or that only have a few posts will not be granted entry to WBCOOP. Decisions are made by the WBCOOP and are final.

If you're a fellow poker blogger you really should take advantage of this series folk. There's some good players in these events and it's a good way to meet other bloggers. I'll be there and hope to see you at the final tables.

Free Money with Fun Step Tournaments

I thought today I would bring up a little about the Fun Step Tournaments over at Carbon Poker. The wife plays these and really enjoys them. She wins free money by using her play money to buy in with !

The Fun Step Tournaments are actually a total of three steps consisting of 10 player single table sit-n-go tourneys. If you make it to the third one and win, you get a dollar placed into your real money account. These things are a good way to learn how to avoid the donks, and an excellent way to start up a bankroll with absolutely no cost.

It's just another way besides the regular freerolls that Carbon offers as a way for beginners to earn money without having to make a deposit and to become a better player. The first one can be an allin donkfest, while the second one gets just a little tougher with better players while the third one has some right decent poker players in them.

After you have downloaded the room just log in. Make sure you fill out all the details for a real money account. After doing all that you just need to click on the players administration button at the bottom of the page. Click on account then Play Money and perform the following instructions:

Funstep SNG Coupon Exchange :

Click to exchange $250 play money for Step 1 SnG Coupon

Note: Limit of 10 x Funstep1 Coupon purchases each day. The counter will reset at 00:00 server time.

You will be awarded the coupon FUNSTEP1SNG, this coupon will permit you to enter the Sit'n'Go tournament called "Fun Step 1" in the Tournaments >> Sit N Go >> Hold'em tab.

The winner of the Fun Step 1 tournament will receive a coupon called FUNSTEP2SNG which should be used to gain entry to the "Fun Step 2" tournament.

The winner of the Fun Step 2 tournament will receive a coupon called FUNSTEP3SNG which should be used to gain entry to the "Fun Step 3" tournament.

The winner of the Fun Step 3 tournament will receive $1 real money, to be used in the real money games and tournaments.

So good luck folk on winning, and hopefully with the proper poker strategy and bankroll management you will be well on your way to being a successful online poker player.

The House's Review of 2009

The end of 2009 is upon us, and it's an end to another decade. We've all seen a lot happen this past year, the biggest news in my opinion being the election of the first black man here in the States as President. It's been a rough year for President Obama as well as leaders in the rest of the world, but I really do feel optimistic that things are going to get better in 2010.

If nothing else players here in the USA can be thankful for the UIGEA enforcement being delayed. That has given online poker players and gamblers alike a renewed hope that funding our games may soon be simpler to do. Just keep writing your Congressmen/women folk...we must try to keep this in the minds of those that make our laws.

And how bout this years WSOP ? We saw a real working class man hit the poker headlines when logger Darvin Moon made the final table. Most folk never gave him much of a chance to make it far, but he shocked the world. No one knew who this man was that had never played a hand of online poker, but he went on to finish second to Joe Cada and won a staggering $5,182,601 .

Some of the most fun I've had this year besides the small games we play at the poker forum have been at twitter. Folk can follow quite a few of the pros there, and sometimes it's surprising what you will find them writing about. It's a real hoot following Doyle Brunson, you just never know what to expect from the "Godfather of Poker". With his flirtatious banter back and forth with lady pro Lacy Jones, or his blond jokes he's bound to get a chuckle from readers. I'll never forget the one he told about going to the Docs to get a colonoscopy .....it went something like this, when the Doc had him strapped up in the stirrups Mr. Brunson asked him if he was going allin !

But there have been some sad moments to read on twitter as well, and one of the saddest moments was when Daniel Negreanu wrote about the passing of his mom. It's  very tough losing someone you love, and I could sympathise with his lose.

Anyhow folk, I want to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year both on and off the felt. And for those that do like to gamble, remember to always play responsibly .

Big Poker Prizes Coming

The new year is just around the corner, and one of my favourite sites to play online poker at has some nice prizes that players can win in 2010.

Through all the month of January, every VIP Point that players earn will be automatically tracked as they play through 25 tiers of real cash prizes. With over $22,000 on the line in individual prizes, all real money player will have a lot of reasons to play .

The more VIP Points you earn while playing online poker at Carbon Poker, the more you win ! It's just that simple. Whether you are a small time player, or a high roller, there is something for everyone as you work your way through these great rewards.Carbon is all set to give away $530,000 this January, so be sure to get your piece of that action!

The site has big things in store for 2010 and they have sent out letters to let everyone know to be on the lookout for new promos, value added tournaments, and chances to win real cash, great prizes and much more from the site.

You can find out more if you have the site downloaded by visiting the promotions page at the poker room. If you don't have the site you can download Carbon Poker by clicking here and get 30% rakeback along with a 200% deposit bonus, and they'll keep you informed of all the latest promotions with their monthly news letter.