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I know that after "Black Friday" many online poker sites didn't allow U.S. Players to play for real money anymore. I've heard/seen that it's possible to play via bitcoins and/or other proxy methods. Other than those ways described, is it possible to play in the US for real money?

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I'm guessing you mean online? Otherwise, find your nearest casino and buy in! – Al G Jul 3 '12 at 16:25

3 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

As of July 2012, the two biggest places for US players to play are currently on sites that are part of either the Merge Network (such as Carbon Poker and Black Chip Poker) or the Revolution Gaming Network (such as Lock Poker and Cake Poker). Both sets of sites get a reasonable amount of traffic, offer good rewards and rakeback, and most importantly still accept US players. I deposited with one of them using my credit card in early July.

It's also worth noting that Nevada and Delaware have passed laws to license and regulate intrastate online poker by the end of 2012. That should create new options for players residing in those states, but it might also make it so those players can't play on foreign sites (which includes every site currently in operation).

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up vote 3 down vote

I believe plenty of sites offer ways (I am sure PokerStars does ) to play for real money. The trick is you are never "playing for cash".

You purchase some "gaming currency" with real money, then you can gamble with the "gaming currency" and eventually cash out the gaming currency for USD.

edit(1): It appears it's much easier than I thought... Looks like it's as simple as throwing down a little plastic. Links below:

Edit(2): I stand corrected. http://www.pokerstars.com/usaplayers/faq/

Can I use a VPN or IP randomizer to appear as though I am outside the US and still play on PokerStars.com from within the United States?

No. Real money play is not allowed from within the US under any circumstances. Players who attempt to play for real money from inside the US with the aid of VPNs or other technical workarounds will lose their playing privileges and/or funds in their account.

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This applys to US players as well? – Digital Fire Jul 3 '12 at 20:22
Dated Apr 6th 2011, I may be wrong: parttimepoker.com/pokerstars-to-cash-out-us-players – Christopher Lates Jul 3 '12 at 20:24
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I realize that you added an edit to show that you were wrong, but this would be far better edited if you removed and/or added strikeout to the first few lines. – Jeffrey Blake♦ Jul 4 '12 at 14:56
I am not familiar with the proxy methods you mentioned, but there are sites that allow US players to play. such site is pdcpoker.com. I am sure there are many more sites like this one. – amigal Oct 11 '12 at 21:09
up vote 0 down vote

Well, the fact is that you can't gamble online if you are on American soil. It is as simple as that, but yes you could try playing on foreign poker sites, by masking your ID. How you would transfer you winnings back to the US is another issue. Instead, if you are really interested in competing in a poker tournament in the US and want to make some big money try http://www.wsop.com/

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