Still any PokerStars folks around?

[cartman]

I've been dabbling a bit again after taking quite a bit of time off from playing. I noticed there is now a 'Home Games' feature. You create a club, and it allows for all sorts of private tournaments to be setup, it keeps track of the stats, etc. The games can either be real cash or play money. If there is enough interest, it might be time to bring back the Colossal Squid tournies.

I created a new group, FOFC Colossal Squid (ID #12992) with a pwd of bigtrout. Let's see what happens!

[Lathum]

Pokerstars banned all players from Washington State

[Ragone]

They didn't ban them because they wanted too..

The online poker community in American was rocked yesterday as the state of Washington imposed a ban on online poker which has forced Pokerstars to restrict resident’s access. The move came as a shock to many online poker players who live in the Washington area as they were informed via a pop-up on the Pokerstars lobby. The actual law in Washington has classified online gambling as a Class C felony, a move which has prompted Pokerstars to stop offering games to players in the state.

[Lathum]

Ragone, it was a completely voluntary act by Pokerstars and FTP so that they can get a license down the road if it is ever legalized.

It has nothing to do with their hand being forced, state and federal governments have no authority over any sites.

[cartman]

Is even play money banned? If that client works, I was thinking of setting up a PayPal scenario and having a multi-game tournament.

Here's some more info on the Home Games:

Poker Home Games - Private Poker Clubs - Online Poker with Friends

[Lathum]

I believe play money is banned as well. Whole thing is a fucking joke.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I believe play money is banned as well. Whole thing is a fucking joke.

It is allowed:

Frequently Asked Questions: Washington State

Can I still play for play money?
Yes, players from Washington are free to continue to play for play money on either our .com or our .net site. However, at this time it will not be allowed for Washington residents to participate in freeroll tournaments which have real money prizes.

[Lathum]

I was thinking of freerolls then

[TCY Junkie]

I'll play sometime either way if I'm around. Pretty sure I'll get my butt kicked because on Party I used to be in the money 46 percent of the time in sitngos. Won over 2500 mainly playing 10 dollar ones and then briefly 30 dollars. After they kicked the us players I switch to ps and I can't get my pocket pairs to win, even my snowmen melt most the time.I all but quit 2 years ago.

[CleBrownsfan]

I would be interested in this for sure. I'm still a steady player on PS - mainly 6 person sit and go's. I haven't looked into the "home games" yet but plan to.

[BillyNYC]

Signed up. I mostly play Omaha H/L and horse/8-game....but have no problem with NLHE if that's the default.

[panerd]

I am interested. The Sunday night times used to work the best.

Side note: I do my banking with Bank of America and have always funded my account through my checking. The past 3 or 4 deposits have never shown up on my bank statement. I guess I could say this isn't a bad thing but something tells me it will down the road. I am not going to be part of some joint Fed/Bank of America crackdown am I?

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Pokerstars banned all players from Washington State

I always had the impression your state was super liberal. I could see Missouri writing ridiculus laws, what gives in Washington?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by panerd

I am interested. The Sunday night times used to work the best.

Side note: I do my banking with Bank of America and have always funded my account through my checking. The past 3 or 4 deposits have never shown up on my bank statement. I guess I could say this isn't a bad thing but something tells me it will down the road. I am not going to be part of some joint Fed/Bank of America crackdown am I?

Very doubtful but there have been stories on 2+2 about people having accounts closed, etc... I would either set up a separate account or use a different method.

Originally Posted by panerd

I always had the impression your state was super liberal. I could see Missouri writing ridiculus laws, what gives in Washington?

In a nut shell the Indian gaming interests gave a ton of money to the lobbyists and they slipped it through with little notice to protect their own interests. There was actually a case that went before the state court to legalize it based on the fact the state allows online horse wagering and that you are playing the same game online as in the casino and lost. The PPA was very involved in it and most believe the case will eventually go to the SC and go a long way in clearing up the legalities of it. The law was actually in effect for the last 4 years but the big 2 very recently banned players from the sites, leading to a lot of speculation.

The hypocrisy is disgusting to me.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by cartman

I created a new group, FOFC Colossal Squid (ID #12992) with a pwd of bigtrout. Let's see what happens!

I applied for joining, I suppose you'll have to grant access as the 'Club Admin'?

It's hard to tell how often I'll be around, the 'nights' in the USA are the 'early mornings' overhere.

[Lathum]

I joined, not that will do me any good.

[CleBrownsfan]

I joined as well... if think as of this morning we have 4

[klayman]

I'm in.

[panerd]

Just joined. Update here when you are thinking about a game as I am not on poker stars very often.

[MIJB#19]

It looks like cartman is the only one able to set up games.

[kcchief19]

Been playing Full Tilt lately, not sure if I have a few bucks left in PS. Either way, I'd be in if we get anything going.

[cartman]

It looks like to kick things off, there will be a big freeroll tourney for Private Games, with the winner's team getting a free trip to a live PS tourney, plus spending cash. The entry to the freeroll is given after you've run 5 Private Game tourneys.

Online Poker Home Games Freeroll - Win Free Poker Vacation Packages

So look for some play money games to be set up this week/next weekend.

[MIJB#19]

I've got plenty of Play Money to throw around, if needed.

[Lathum]

Play money is all I can do

Stupid Washington State

[Comey]

I can do play money tournies, as play money is all I have on PS. My money is all on FT.

[saldana]

i joined

[Captain2711]

I'm in. I'd be down with sending money to Cartman via paypal pretourney, so those that can only play with play money can play.

[cartman]

Ok, I've got a play money HORSE tournament set up for this Saturday, the 22nd, at 2pm Eastern. Not sure if it sends out an email, or if you have to check the Home Games tab in the PS client. This one will be strictly play money, to work out the kinks, and basically see how it is going to work.

[CleBrownsfan]

I'll try to get on - 2:00 may be tough though.

I can almost always play in the evening when the kids go down...

[saldana]

i cant make 2pm...i have to finish moving this weekend.

[MIJB#19]

I might be able to. I'm a total noob on most of the variations, but this could be a fun win to learn a bit about the other types.

[Lathum]

I dont see anything on the schedule

[klayman]

looks like the tournament was already played?

[cartman]

Yeah, I just noticed that as well. Very strange. I'll set another one up.

[cartman]

I think I see what happened. They are using 24 hour time for the schedule, so I scheduled the first one for 2am. I've just recreated the tournament to start at 2pm Eastern.

[MIJB#19]

Barring something lastminuty, I'm game.

[Lathum]

Saturday anfternoon seems like a tough time. The Sunday evenings seems to work ok, or something during the week.

[cartman]

I'll get one set up for tomorrow evening. Another shakeout session to get acclimated.

[cartman]

MIJB won the first of the practice games, a HORSE tournament. Congrats!

[cartman]

I've also created a 5/10 play money NLHE table that should be open all of the time. So if a few folks ever feel like playing, that is always an option.

[MIJB#19]

thanks. There was a huge Stud Hi/Lo pot late in the blind levels (about 45 mins in) that made the difference here.

[MIJB#19]

I'll try to sit around whenever I'm on. I'm usually multi tabling about 3 or 4 nights a week.

[CleBrownsfan]

Sorry couldnt make it today - evenings after 7:00(EST) are my best times to play

[MIJB#19]

Btw, who were the two other players aside from cartman and me? I figured Lathum was one...

[Lathum]

I'm BB.

I'll probably sit in around 10:00 EST later if anyone is interested,

[Lathum]

Just sat down.

All I ask is people play the play money games somewhat like a cash game

[klayman]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Btw, who were the two other players aside from cartman and me? I figured Lathum was one...

I was one

[BillyNYC]

Was around a little bit but got distracted by a tournament I was in.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by BillyNYC

Was around a little bit but got distracted by a tournament I was in.

Don't be so modest!

Billy took it down for $2300 and played awesome. I was sweating him through the final 50 or so and he played great. A well deserved win!

[cartman]

In case the email didn't go out, I set up another play money tourney for Sunday evening at 9pm Eastern time. It will be configured the same as the one on Saturday, a HORSE tourney with 3,000 chips to start.

Note that the system doesn't allow late registrations, so get registered as early as possible if you think you are going to play.