Online Poker Networks that still accept US Players

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since Friday, you should already be well aware of the big hullabaloo that took place with four of the biggest online poker companies around. The Feds came down hard on the top brass from Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet. Indictments were handed down to several people from each poker site and the US Government seized the .com websites associated with each of these poker networks.

Because of this, you can now find these poker sites at the following URLs: FullTiltPoker.co.uk, PokerStars.eu, AbsolutePoker.eu and UbPoker.eu

The reason that the U.S. government decided to do this was because they were basically handed everything that these companies did to circumvent the online gambling laws imposed by 2006 port security bill. By now, you’ve heard of the mid-20′s Australian that set this system up, only to steal millions of dollars from Full Tilt Poker. Full Tilt poker alerted the authorities that he was in the US and he was arrested. He flipped on the poker sites and spilled the beans about how they were committing bank fraud and laundering money. This story reminds me a lot of the movie Boiler Room – one man taking down the giants because he knew all of the right information.

Full Tilt Poker has this message to greet players at there new site:

Full Tilt Poker™ Supports Poker Players And Its Chief Executive

Dublin Ireland (April 15, 2011) – Full Tilt Poker is saddened by today’s charges against its CEO Raymond Bitar and offers its full support to Mr. Bitar and Nelson Burtnick.

Online poker is a game of skill enjoyed by tens of millions of people in the United States and across the world. And, Full Tilt Poker remains as committed as ever to preserving the rights of those players to play the game they love online.

Mr. Bitar and Full Tilt Poker believe online poker is legal – a position also taken by some of the best legal minds in the United States. Full Tilt Poker is, and has always been committed to preserving the integrity of the game and abiding by the law.

“I am surprised and disappointed by the government’s decision to bring these charges. I look forward to Mr. Burtnick’s and my exoneration”, said Mr. Bitar.

Unfortunately, as a result of this action, Full Tilt Poker has decided that it must suspend “real money” play in the United States until this case is resolved. However, Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide peer-to-peer online poker services outside of the United States.

For more information, please call +442032877138

About Full Tilt Poker

Full Tilt Poker™ is the host of a worldwide virtual poker cardroom service. It is not in the business of betting or wagering and does not participate in the games as a player. It merely provides a service to those who wish to test their skills against others for fun, prizes or money. It is duly regulated and licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. With innovative graphics, superior customer service and a safe, secure interface, the software is geared to enhance and personalize the online poker experience. Although virtual poker is legal where the games are hosted and played, it may not be legal where individual players are located.

The same story can be said for the others poker websites affected by this decision. Players at Full Tilt and PokerStars will not be able to play for real money at all anymore. Traditionally when this sort of thing happens, the money in the individual player accounts will be safe. If you are waiting to get your money back, be prepared to wait for 2-3 months while things are as hectic as they are.

However for US poker players at Absolute Poker (absouletpoker.eu) or Ultimate Bet (ubpoker.eu), while you are not allowed to make deposits or cashout, you may still play poker online with your remaining balance.

Can I still play poker online in the US?

The irony of all the hoopla surrounding the events of “Black Friday” is that Washington D.C. recently passed a law to make online poker legal within the districts borders. Obviously this says to all of us that this was a matter of companies committing bank fraud and money laundering and that we should not be worried about playing online poker.

But all the best online poker sites are shut down you say? I don’t think so, there are still several great places that people from the US can play poker online. Take a look at the best couple that I have found for you:

Carbon Poker

Many players at Full Tilt and PokerStars have already moved over to Carbon Poker, part of the Merge Poker Network. You will find many thousands of players on the tables at all times and most of the same feature that you may have been used to.

If that wasn’t enough incentive to get you to try their poker room, Carbon Poker will give you a chance to make up to $600 in bonus money on your initial deposit (100% bonus). You must use the poker bonus code UPTO600 and you will be able to earn $5 of this bonus for every 375 VIP points.

You will be able to earn the same amount in bonus money that you initially deposited into your account. In addition to that, you can also receive 14 days entry into the Daily $500 New Depositor Freeroll.

Regardless of whether you have a Windows PC or a Mac, you can download the software and play poker at Carbon.

Looking for more US poker options?

I have already made reviews for several poker rooms that still offer services to US poker players. You can click on the links to check out my reviews for these poker sites: Doyle’s Room, Bovada Poker, and PlayersOnly Poker.