Anyone Use Bovada? (1 Viewer)

[Trihonda]

A buddy was raving about Bovata, said it gets great reviews online (for an online casino)... People say you can get payouts relatively easily (via mail in about a week). Who knows...

Has anyone used it? What are your thoughts?

On a whim, I signed up. In 60 minutes, I binked two turbo tournaments, and joined a cash table, and turned my $50 initial deposit into $150. Not sure if I will ever see my $50, but the $100 for an hour's work would be nice, if it were real money...

 

[phaze12]

they do pay out. ive been using them for about 6 years now. never had a problem. super soft games. just usa players.

 

[jbutler]

Never heard of Bovata, but Bovada is pretty good.

My only advice is to cash out regularly if you start playing for significant money. I know Bovada's been around a while and has a good reputation, but the same could be said for PokerStars and Full Tilt and yet when Black Friday hit, many of us had thousands stranded in accounts for months waiting. I heard plenty that those of us who cashed out every month rather than keeping a bunch of money on line were paranoid, but if you get kicked in the nuts enough times, you learn to wear a cup.

 

[Trihonda]

Never heard of Bovata, but Bovada is pretty good.

My only advice is to cash out regularly if you start playing for significant money. I know Bovada's been around a while and has a good reputation, but the same could be said for PokerStars and Full Tilt and yet when Black Friday hit, many of us had thousands stranded in accounts for months waiting. I heard plenty that those of us who cashed out every month rather than keeping a bunch of money on line were paranoid, but if you get kicked in the nuts enough times, you learn to wear a cup.

I was astonished how badly people were playing... much worse than free poker sites. I'm like, are you really calling me down w/ A high? Or trying to bluff me when I have a set (with zilch)...?

Advice is solid, once I build up to bigger money, cash out regularly. I've taken my WSOP account to 24M... Bovada, look out!

 

[snooptodd]

Just don't be confused when a check shows up from "Free Media Services" or some other "company" based in Singapore.

 

[manamongkids]

Just don't be confused when a check shows up from "Free Media Services" or some other "company" based in Singapore.

This

 

[Trihonda]

Jumped on this morning... Put $15 down on a micro stakes cash table... up to $160 already... OMGG, free money!!!

 

[BooRayUSA]

To bad us Iowan's can't play online real monies. How about selling some stakes? Lol. Good luck

 

[12thMan]

As a resident of one of the states where online poker is illegal, and the only state where it is actually a felony to play, I am envious of people that get to play online. I know a lot of people in Washington still do it, I know the chances of getting caught are pretty low and the chances of it actually being pursued as a felony even smaller.... But still, I have too much to lose to run the risk of being a felon for some low stakes poker.

I freely break many laws throughout the day, I speed on the roads sometimes, I've turned left on red arrows when no one is around since I was 16, my windows are tinted too dark, I don't run a front license plate, before marijuana was legal I happily broke that law, etc etc etc... But man, when the word felony comes into play, ugh. If I ever get caught by an officer and ticketed for running a red arrow I will happily take my ticket (straight to the lawyer's office is where I'll take it ), I've done it hundreds of times, maybe thousands, over the years and I accept the risk of my penalty. To think though that as a mid thirties man I could be in court trying to fight to keep from becoming a felon over a $1 badugi game is enough to not only keep me away, unfortunately, but also to make me want to throw up at how fucking ridiculous it is.

 

[Trihonda]

I'm not sure it's entire legal in WI...

But certainly not a felony

@Jason convinced me to give it a try. Signed up around 9pm last night, plunked down $50 as a test, and by 9am, my BR is over $300... Playing micro stakes, lol

 

[Mr. Cheese]

I've been meaning to give Bovada a try. Might have to get an account setup tonight and give it a shot. How'd you deposit money with a credit card or paypal etc?

 

[Shaggy]

I may have to sign up too... as soon as I'm done with my side projects. Who doesn't like free money?

 

[Mr. Cheese]

I may have to sign up too... as soon as I'm done with my side projects. Who doesn't like free money?

We'll all be on there and then the competition will dry up because its all sharks

 

[Trihonda]

I've been meaning to give Bovada a try. Might have to get an account setup tonight and give it a shot. How'd you deposit money with a credit card or paypal etc?

Credit card. Payouts are done via mail, or bank electronic transfers. I think most simply put in a cash out request, and they mail you a check within a week.

 

[12thMan]

I'm not sure it's entire legal in WI...

But certainly not a felony

I know there are some states where it's not expressly made illegal, others have put laws on the books specifically addressing online poker itself, or internet based gambling of any kind, therefore making it illegal....However only one state in this great nation has gone so far as to not only draft laws against all internet based gambling but also make the penalty for breaking those laws a class C felony. Gross. Makes me so sick to my stomach. The tribal dollars speak very loudly in lobbyist language up here. It definitely grates on me a little bit every time I think of it, yet I still pay the rake at Tulalip because I love poker... Fuck.

 

[abby99]

I know there are some states where it's not expressly made illegal, others have put laws on the books specifically addressing online poker itself, or internet based gambling of any kind, therefore making it illegal....However only one state in this great nation has gone so far as to not only draft laws against all internet based gambling but also make the penalty for breaking those laws a class C felony. Gross. Makes me so sick to my stomach. The tribal dollars speak very loudly in lobbyist language up here. It definitely grates on me a little bit every time I think of it, yet I still pay the rake at Tulalip because I love poker... Fuck.

A class C felony in Washington is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. (Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9A.20.021.)

Third degree assault of a child is a class C felony. For more information on assault crimes and penalties, see Assault and Battery Laws in Washington, Aggravated Assault Laws in Washington, Assault on a Child in Washington, and Assault With a Deadly Weapon in Washington.

For example, failing to provide a child with food or water for several days would likely be considered third degree assault of a child.

I remember reading about this. Playing micro-stakes poker is as "bad" as assault with a deadly weapon or letting your child go without food or water for several days. Unfrickinbelievable.

(quotes borrowed from the internet)

 

[12thMan]

@abby99 , please put this BS on your list of issues to address when you officially become queen. You have my vote, by the way.

 

[NicholasAK]

Looks like i need to load up bovada...

 

[Luvcasinochipsncekid]

As a resident of one of the states where online poker is illegal, and the only state where it is actually a felony to play, I am envious of people that get to play online. I know a lot of people in Washington still do it, I know the chances of getting caught are pretty low and the chances of it actually being pursued as a felony even smaller.... But still, I have too much to lose to run the risk of being a felon for some low stakes poker.

I freely break many laws throughout the day, I speed on the roads sometimes, I've turned left on red arrows when no one is around since I was 16, my windows are tinted too dark, I don't run a front license plate, before marijuana was legal I happily broke that law, etc etc etc... But man, when the word felony comes into play, ugh. If I ever get caught by an officer and ticketed for running a red arrow I will happily take my ticket (straight to the lawyer's office is where I'll take it ), I've done it hundreds of times, maybe thousands, over the years and I accept the risk of my penalty. To think though that as a mid thirties man I could be in court trying to fight to keep from becoming a felon over a $1 badugi game is enough to not only keep me away, unfortunately, but also to make me want to throw up at how fucking ridiculous it is.

Practically the same story here in Utah, however I can kill it at the local bar's with the "free tourniments "just tip the dealer($1-$5) and if you get 1st payout can be up to $500 cash(usually $100). Plus I have Wendover which is only 1 1/2 hours away, 1 hour in my buddies 745 BMW. I don't even want to reminisce about Black Friday, damn that sucked. But man do I miss online poker and the donkeys that came with it. Those who live in a state where it's okay to still play,.. feel fortunate and blessed. You lucky bastards. ..just kidding

 

[keshaldra]

Credit card. Payouts are done via mail, or bank electronic transfers. I think most simply put in a cash out request, and they mail you a check within a week.

It's worth noting that it's a Canadian check, which occasionally presents problems, depending on the bank.

 

[manamongkids]

It's worth noting that it's a Canadian check, which occasionally presents problems, depending on the bank.

I never had a difficult time depositing or cashing it, but you do have to take it to a teller because it will get rejected from an atm deposit

 

[keshaldra]

I never had a difficult time depositing or cashing it, but you do have to take it to a teller because it will get rejected from an atm deposit

People's difficulty varies: some have had no problems at all, some have been unable to cash completely. Like I said, it's just worth noting. My personal experience is that, like you, I have to go to the teller, and it takes longer to clear.

 

[MillyS]

I need to see if I can get on bovada from the UK. Sounds like it's so much easier than playing on pokerstars.

Also need to get myself on a HUD, thinking HM2.

 

[Strike1st]

I'm not sure it's entire legal in WI...

But certainly not a felony

@Jason convinced me to give it a try. Signed up around 9pm last night, plunked down $50 as a test, and by 9am, my BR is over $300... Playing micro stakes, lol

I put in 20....was up...then floor fell out. 3 full house beat by quads. In an hour saw 6 sets of quads on the table. One guy played the most obscene disconnected unsuited trash and caught every flop, turn and river to the point people were accusing him of working for Bovada.

It sure was fun...I'll probably play more.

 

[RainmanTrail]

As a resident of one of the states where online poker is illegal, and the only state where it is actually a felony to play, I am envious of people that get to play online. I know a lot of people in Washington still do it, I know the chances of getting caught are pretty low and the chances of it actually being pursued as a felony even smaller.... But still, I have too much to lose to run the risk of being a felon for some low stakes poker.

I freely break many laws throughout the day, I speed on the roads sometimes, I've turned left on red arrows when no one is around since I was 16, my windows are tinted too dark, I don't run a front license plate, before marijuana was legal I happily broke that law, etc etc etc... But man, when the word felony comes into play, ugh. If I ever get caught by an officer and ticketed for running a red arrow I will happily take my ticket (straight to the lawyer's office is where I'll take it ), I've done it hundreds of times, maybe thousands, over the years and I accept the risk of my penalty. To think though that as a mid thirties man I could be in court trying to fight to keep from becoming a felon over a $1 badugi game is enough to not only keep me away, unfortunately, but also to make me want to throw up at how fucking ridiculous it is.

One of the main reasons I moved to San Diego when I did... fuckin WA man, fuckin WA

 

[RainmanTrail]

I've gotten numerous checks from Bovada for both poker winnings and sports betting winnings. I've never once had a check show up in a week. More like a month. The worst I've seen was about 2-3 months. However, the checks are usually from Canadian banks. Which means they usually have to be sent off for "collection" prior to your bank honoring them (which takes another 6-8 weeks AFTER you get your check to get your money). Depending on who you bank with, you'll likely pay anywhere from about $75 to $150 for this "collection fee" just to cash your check if you're in the US. So make sure your checks are large enough for it to be worth it.

When depositing, they now take a 5% rake. They've also recently started accepting Bitcoin as a deposit option, which could be HUGE if they start offering Bitcoin payouts. I also have the ability to withdraw funds to my Visa, but I'm not sure if that's an option for everyone or if I just got lucky (but I believe there's a limit on it). I have some poker friends that are still withdrawing 5 figures per month there though.

That said, I wouldn't put/leave too much money on there. Bovada/Bodog has been one of the primary targets of the US govt for years. They've been trying to extradite Calvin Ayre (the founder) for a few years now under charges for money laundering and who knows what else. I've also had people try to hack into my Bovada account on two separate occasions (fortunately they failed both times).

It seems like it's a moderately safe site right now, but online poker in the US is still definitely not open season. But it's sure as hell a much better option than Carbon Poker. Another option that some of my pro friends are playing on is America's Cardroom, but I haven't played there yet.

 

[trever]

Apparently they do not have a rakeback program at all? That is a huge minus if you want to play regularly.

If the HUD trick mentioned above works (IE let's you identify anonymous players) then it is a must-do. Can you enter player notes into the HUD? I've always found notes to be more useful than pure stats.

 

[manamongkids]

I've gotten numerous checks from Bovada for both poker winnings and sports betting winnings. I've never once had a check show up in a week. More like a month. The worst I've seen was about 2-3 months. However, the checks are usually from Canadian banks. Which means they usually have to be sent off for "collection" prior to your bank honoring them (which takes another 6-8 weeks AFTER you get your check to get your money). Depending on who you bank with, you'll likely pay anywhere from about $75 to $150 for this "collection fee" just to cash your check if you're in the US. So make sure your checks are large enough for it to be worth it.

When depositing, they now take a 5% rake. They've also recently started accepting Bitcoin as a deposit option, which could be HUGE if they start offering Bitcoin payouts. I also have the ability to withdraw funds to my Visa, but I'm not sure if that's an option for everyone or if I just got lucky (but I believe there's a limit on it). I have some poker friends that are still withdrawing 5 figures per month there though.

That said, I wouldn't put/leave too much money on there. Bovada/Bodog has been one of the primary targets of the US govt for years. They've been trying to extradite Calvin Ayre (the founder) for a few years now under charges for money laundering and who knows what else. I've also had people try to hack into my Bovada account on two separate occasions (fortunately they failed both times).

It seems like it's a moderately safe site right now, but online poker in the US is still definitely not open season. But it's sure as hell a much better option than Carbon Poker. Another option that some of my pro friends are playing on is America's Cardroom, but I haven't played there yet.

my most recent checks were received in under 1 week, probably 4-5 checks over the past 9 months.

 

[Ronoh]

If the HUD trick mentioned above works (IE let's you identify anonymous players) then it is a must-do.

I go the other way... if the HUD trick works it should be banned from the site. Of course Ive always been firmly against all HUDs/trackers in online poker.

 

[trever]

I go the other way... if the HUD trick works it should be banned from the site. Of course Ive always been firmly against all HUDs/trackers in online poker.

Yes, they should, but until they do, this is as close to free money as you can get.