Online Poker Start-Up Suggestions?

First, I'm not sure if this best goes under Internet Gambling, Gambling or this message board--so my apologies in adavance if I'm in the wrong place. Most of the previous threads I pulled up on each of those boards where more than a year old, and I'm not sure if much has changed.

I'd like to start playing online poker, and would be grateful for any suggestions on where and how to begin in light of all the options out there. To give an idea of my skill/intent, I'd initially be playing for pennies rather than dollars, and more for fun and entertainment than to generate $. I'm just starting out and anticipate improving my game w/time and experience--taking this step this seems a good way to keep me moving in that direction.

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions!

Hi Koupon -

I think I can help you here. (i only played probably a million hands online this year lol). First off, I think you want to stick with one of the two primary sights for good game selection. That puts you on either Full Tilt or PokerStars. Now that said, for the stakes you want to play, I would guess Full Tilt is probably better - their promotions - particularly rakeback - are better for low volume low buy in players. Now - there are two things you want to do BEFORE signing up for an account or even downloading the software or visiting the website. Those two things are to get someone to refer you to Full Tilt using the email address you will sign up so you (and your friend) can get a referral bonus. Now - once you get this referral Email do NOT click on the link in it or do anything else directly to sign up. Instead you want to sign up through a rakeback affiliate so you get rakeback (the site pays you back 27% of the rake taken from the pots you are involved in (it's slightly more complicated than that, but not something you need worry about right now).

Okay - so that's the cliff notes version. If you don't have a friend to get you through the referrals and make sure you do it right, let me know via pm and I can help you further.

t

Thanks t--sent you a pm.

John

I was always under the impression thast USA residents can't fund these online poker accounts.

Can anyone give me a primer on how to do it. I'd like to be able to use a Visa or Mastercard. Or is there another way to fund these?

I know you can write an e-check from your bank account. Full Tilt has visa and mastercard listed, but I don't think those transactions work very often for U.S. players, as the credit card companies tend to block the activity.

There is nothing illegal about funding an account as a player, though the UIGEA did put cooperating banks/credit card companies in a bit of a bind for their part in the process.

Online poker is illegal in some states (often those with Harrah's brick & mortar casinos). I'm not aware of any enforcement actions against online players, though.