New Rakeback Deals!

The season of giving is upon us, and there are a few new rakeback deals that I'd like to mention. First, let me explain that rakeback is a poker "comp" of sorts, available to online poker players. With the nifty computer tracking that comes with online poker software, sites are able to get a real value of how much rake each player is contributing to the pots. Rake back then, is the player earning some of the casino's take, right back to their own wallets. There are some players who earn more in rakeback each month than they do in earnings from their winning play. Fact is, a break even player offline can make a profit online via rakeback, not having to toke the dealer and of a good poker bonus. I digress. Here's a list of recent rakeback additions and some coming soon as well.

The first and most important, IMO is our new Pacific Poker Rakeback program. It is set to launch officially on December 1, 2007. It will be 25% flat rakeback, no matter how much you generate in rake, so it's a good program even for small limit guys. Bonuses are deducted. If you like casino games, you'll be happy to know that any losses in casino play will be rebated 25% as well. This program is ran by Pacific once the player has signed on through our link. Pacific will pay the player once per month. As of now the only drawback is inability to track your rake totals. Hopefully they'll add that ability soon.

We've had lots of players over the years ask if there was a rakeback deal at Pacific Poker, and we're very happy to be able to make this announcement!

Next on the list is Cake Poker Rakeback. This one has been around for several months, but many players had serious problems with buggy software at Cake and a lack of player population. Both of those appear to be addressed. I've messed around with the software a decent amount, and it seems to function pretty well now. The biggest improvement has been player population though. During prime time hours, there will be several thousand players on. If they would add 7 card stud, I'd be on this room in a heartbeat. They've got some unique promotions with the "cake" theme, and it's worth checking out.

The rakeback program at Cake Poker is 33% back to the player, paid by Cake Poker directly to the players' accounts by the 5th of the consecutive month. November rake is paid by December 5th, for example. Players are eligible for bonuses and reloads too, and they are deducted from gross rake. Rakeback tracking is available right in your Cake Poker account.

Finally, we've launched a Carbon Poker Rakeback program in the past month or so. Carbon is the old Poker.Com site. It's got a solid population, is open to USA players, and the rakeback is 30%. Just like the other two I've mentioned so far, rakeback earned at Carbon Poker is paid directly to the player accounts. It's a good promo on a good network. The only "con" in my mind is that players can't get bonuses if they get rakeback.

A couple of "coming soon" rooms are PokerNordica and Action Poker. PokerNordica is on the same network as Carbon Poker, so if you already have a Poker.Com or Carbon Poker account, you can get rakeback through Poker Nordica. Action Poker is a small room, but the fact is, fish can be found in just about any room, no matter how small.

Stay tuned! We're always looking for rakeback deals, promotions, contests etc., that make online poker a profitable experience for PSORG members.

Online Poker Legality

It's been well over a year since Frist and company snuck the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) through Congress on the back of the Port Security Bill. Here are a few interesting articles that show recent gains and proven effectiveness of the Poker Player Alliance lobbying for our cause.

Congressional Hearing on November 14, 2007, featuring Annie Duke's testimony, among others. Our side really slammed the "do gooders" across the aisle. Here's a link to the PPA's page of resources on it, including lots of YouTube videos: Congressional Hearing Nov 14, 2007.

Here's an article picked up by google news noting that Congressional leaders are finally starting to get the picture as to what exactly happened last year, and the potential dangers we face from sanctions brought on by breaking WTO agreements.

Finally, when Harrahs and MGM head hanchos start making predictions about legal online poker in the USA, you know things are looking up. That article can be found here: Review Journal

Here's hoping legalized online poker in the USA results in poker boom part II.

Still playing at Absolute

As most everyone knows from chat and discussions on our forum, I'm on a forced hiatus until I get a decent Internet connection here in the sticks. I'm able to get on and answer emails, but since a phone call kicks me offline, I just really hate to sit at a real money poker table.

I wanted to weigh in real quick on the situation that developed at Absolute Poker over the past couple of months. Here are a few random thoughts...

First, why is everyone so surprised that an industrious individual was able to crack a poker site's security and cheat their way to tens of thousands of dollars? Where there are big stacks of cash, you'll have people trying to get their hands on it, plain and simple. We live in a society that chugs down coke and popcorn while cheering on the smart/sexy cast of Oceans 11 / 12 and soon to be 13. Then we're horrified when someone breaks into our home and takes the family silver.

This goes way on back to Robin Hood. We're always happy when the thieves are targeting "the man", until we happen to be "the man" or at least we're somewhat involved with "the man".

My point is this. Don't get your panties in a wad over a couple of industry insiders using their unique positions and knowledge to make a few grand. Our culture is in love with this stuff! Cheats, thieves, ne'er-do-wells will always be with us. It just really sucks when it's your stuff that is the target.

Second thought is this. Absolute Poker's sin was not getting abused by a shifty employee. That can happen to anyone. The "rogue employee uses his position to cheat" situation isn't new by any stretch. In my opinion, Absolute's transgression was the really really bad way it was handled in the public's eye. Poker players aren't stupid...well, winning poker players anyway, and you can bet a large portion of the 2+2 posters who sniffed this out are winning players. Continuing to deny, deny, deny when everyone knows you're lying, just makes the problem worse. 'Fess up, fix the problem, compensate those affected, move on. Let's hope not only AP learned this lesson, but every other online poker site that watched it unfold.

Finally, I have never seen so many righteous .01/.02 players having conniption fits. If they all take their rake totals elsewhere, it might put a real pinch on AP's board of directors, as they consider whether or not to order extra cheese on their pizza at the next meeting. Actually the reverse might be true since most of the nickel dimers cost Absolute money, with all of the generous reload bonuses and rakeback.

I'm not trying to disrespect the low limit guys. I'm a low limit guy! It's just that I was so amazed by the players who raised the most cane. You had the guys ticked off who were affected and had a legitimate beef (high limit players and high dollar tourney players). Then you had this midget army of penny ante guys and gals grabbing ropes, pitch forks and torches. What the hey? I wonder if it was just their frustrations at the "cash out curse" and "rigged flops" finally finding a voice?

I got an email towards the end of October from a guy who was mass emailing poker portals requesting that we join together in bringing down Absolute Poker since we now have evidence that they rig games. Are you serious?

Humans are stupid.