Without online poker to order my life, the days just run together. Sunday in particular used to be a day that would almost invariably be given over to poker. But I just now realized what day it is today, and that I won’t be playing the Sunday Million, and that makes me sad.
I do think it’s great that, with all the guaranteed prize pools that have tumbled since Black Friday, there is still a million dollar guarantee in this tournament. The thought of PokerStars running a Sunday 750K would be just too depressing.
A few years ago, the idea of a million dollars guaranteed every week in an online poker tournament would be unthinkable. The fact that it’s now achievable even without the US player base is really extraordinary, and, I think, a cause for optimism. Online poker is here to stay, and sooner or later governments are going to have to come to terms with it. Right now we are just experiencing growing pains.
Agree.WPT Championship looks unaffected .Plenty of soft games on PS running 24 hours.
I do not feel the difference.
I keep expecting Congress to take a few minutes from its busy schedule to exempt poker from the UIGEA, like any second now. Perhaps I am a bit too optimistic. But really, it should be obvious to any observer that poker should be exempted, and crafting the legislation would be simple.
Unfortunately, the only responses I have received from the lawmakers I contacted have been utterly patronizing.
PokerStars was pretty obviously prepared for this well in advance. The other sites, eh, not so much.
My experience tell me that you give too much credit to PS.
The competition from the rest is very weak in terms support,software,rake,reward program,traffic.
Or they have radically different business model from PS one.
After the Blackfriday I tried my luck with BetSafe -skin of Ongame and Party.
Experience 1.
Ongame-experience with software is the torture.Virtually “zero” configuration options(7-sound,pop-up,etc).Glitchy.Poker support-lol.
They charge % on deposits or withdraws made by credit cards.
Business model: clearly don’t care about their poker clients.They are very professional in their core bussiness.
Experience 2.
Party-high rake and selective reward
Party has the most aggressive reload bonuses strategy for long term losers(loyalty) .
Party has the most aggressive campaign to gain new players(recruitment).
PartyPoker offers No deposit 50$-150$ bonus using affiliates.
“Photoshoped” id plus cellphone make easy to open real money account.
After two weeks they blocked my account without giving a reason but sending my money to me.
Business model: Protected “fish tank” where is no place for people who make a living playing poker.
So I am back on PS -enjoying poker experience.