Cashiering Update

[Bullajami]

I have not been neglecting my promise to investigate cashiering options. To the contrary, I have collected quite a lot of information and am having trouble deciding on the best format to pubish it.

I am not done collecting information, either, as I want to try out some different options and aspects of each method to see what works best.

Here are the options I am looking at:
eWalletXpress
UseMyWallet
NetSpend (Visa debit card)
PIC Club

The name of the game is "Fee-to-Hassle" ratio. How much are you willing to pay in fees, and how much extra effort are you willing to expend to use these options?

Probably another week or two before I am satisfied that I can write up a thorough report.

[maddogmike]

I've used the Express transfer successfully at both Bodog and PokerNoridica (part of Merge Gaming). The hassle part was I had to take cash to a Moneygram outlet, but the one I use has a very nice teller that doesn't ask any questions.

There is also a daily and weekly limit to the amount of cash that can be transferred, can't remember how much, but it's fine for a low limits player like me. I did $500 transfers both times.

The fee part was $0 because both sites re-imbursed my $9.95 by adding it to my deposit amount.

[cymansez]

OK, Bull, I've been waiting with bated breath to find out what my new cashiering method is going to be. Any conclusions?

[Bullajami]

I have concluded that we Americans are in the hurt locker.

I am using QuickTender the most, but they are only taking people that were using EcoCard before EcoCard stopped taking Americans. (I was using EcoCard at Sportsbooks.) One used to be able to deposit to QuickTender using MoneyGram, but this is no longer an option. Now you must use a credit card with a 5% load fee. You're better off using a pre-paid card to deposit directly to the poker site. QuickTender will also eventually involve a large cashout fee to my bank, but I am hoping to circumvent that by depositing at a poker site and cashing out via check - not sure that will work yet, but is worth a try.

I am also using eWalletXpress. You can load it $150 the first time for no fee. Subsequent loads (from your bank account) are $10 for up to $750. Cashing out from eWalletXpress to the bank will cost an extraordinary 10% up to $150 in fees. It's outrageous, and I am hoping to circumvent that as well.

Both of those eWallets are useful at some sportsbooks as well, and that gives me other creative options for moving bankroll to places where I can get it cashed out for cheaper than the eWallet fees.

MoneyGram and Western Union are both getting accepted at some poker sites now - for deposits and withdrawals. They are usually posted as "Money Transfer" or some such thing because MG and WU won't knowingly transer to gambling sites. deposits are usually free - meaning they reimburse you for the deposit fees. Withdrawals will cost you $10 - $20 or so. If given a choice, use MG, they are cheaper.

The payment processor landscape is woefully bleak or us American chasers at the moment. I have been playing the Cake reloads, and messing with a few Merge Network rooms - namely Spin32 and PokerNordica. I hear you can get into some easy rake races and get near 40% rakeback plus some bonuses at those sites, too.

[clabbers]

Tempted by Merge because it seems they spread badugi, which Doyle's room lost during the move to Microgaming. At first glance the unfortunately titled Reefer Poker seems like the way to go for sign up bonus. True or False?

[clabbers]

My current Absolute rakeback provider seems to have a better deal for Carbon Poker. May pull the trigger within a few weeks.

[Bullajami]

[clabbers]

I couldn't get Merge funded before the news got to me that PokerStars badugi is now in beta.

Badugi is 4 card triple draw lowball with the additional proviso that any hand having 4 different suits and ranks beats any hand having only three different suits or ranks.

Thus A234 4 different suits is the nuts. KQJT 4 different suits beats A234 with only three different suits.

It used to be available on Doyles Room, and Doyle does play the game, it may be part of the Big Game mix.

[nukeduke]

Merge spreads badugi but nobody plays. The cash tables are always empty. An occasional low limit badugi tournament runs and usually gathers about 5-10 participants.

At the WSOP I was tempted to sit in a mixed game that featured badugi as one of the games.Tthe stakes were 10-20 and I chickened out.

[rocketplayer]

Thanks for all your work here but most of all thanks for last night's win.