Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond is one of U.S. finest high stakes players. Phil has won almost 8 million dollars at various poker sites online, however, the most of his winnings come from Full Tilt Poker's nosebleed tables.
Just like many other U.S. poker players, Phil's daily life has been turned upside down since Full Tilt & PokerStars (just to mention 2 sites) were forced to close down in U.S.[...] Read more » Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond comments on Black Friday
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 4827
Considering emigration as a possible option because of online poker rooms closing is something that can be beyound many regular low buy-in players thoughts, like me, but it makes all sense among pro players who earn life using this sites. Its a complex decision, but if they intend to maintain their jobs, perhaps the only way in the nearest future is to go play to other countries. Tough phase pro online poker players are passing these days. I saw this happen in Portugal few decades ago because "there's no job for you". The only option is to emigrate.
Joined: Jan '10
Location: Germany
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1379
This post does make it really clear for me for the first time what it really is like in the US now and how much the pros are in danger there to really loose not only a true hobby but their real job. Really Scary!
Joined: Nov '09
Location: Canada
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 2387
Phil Baby! All you have to do is drive a few hours north to the land of maple syrup and play all the online poker you want, 100% legal! Just get used to people saying "eh", the taste of maple syrup, eating beaver tails, winter tires on your car nine months out of the year and you'll be fine! Lumberjack jacket will help you fit right in too.
Joined: Mar '11
Location: Denmark
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 48
Really a great post that tells the true story of the US players situation at the moment. But like he says.. You have to be prepared for not playing online poker for several years, if you stick to living in US..
Joined: May '09
Location: India
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 4873
Surely a bad situation for the pros as it’s a matter of millions for them. They can move to another country but hard to leave ur life behind and settle again in other country. And most of the midstake players for whom poker makes half of their living will find it hard to leave their jobs.
Joined: Dec '09
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 42 (M)
Posts: 2087
Posted by GIOMi6: Well emigration is the option there is for poker pros like Phil, but he can afford it, what about the other thousands who can't afford it.
Joined: Feb '10
Location: Canada
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 197
In my opinion. If you are financially comfortable enough to play online poker for a 'living / profession" then you shouldnt have any problem moving to Canada to continue your online poker career. They are all just a bunch of rich degenerates anyway cheers
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
It's nice to see top online players have finally official reactions after the black friday. It's clear to all that player like Phil Galfond, Phil Ivey, Scott Palmer or Tom Dwan durrrr to name a few could easily move to Canada or any other country in the world and continue start playing poker as usual. As all said Canada seems to be the perfect country to move for all US players but again i'm not sure if Canada has taxes for online gambling activities. I really hope Canada would not inspire from their US brothers to start a investigation of their own regarding poker platforms... The situation for all US players that live out of poker but don't have a million dollar or more bankroll the situation is pretty grim indeed. I assume they could also move but the fact that their bankroll for now was forfeited is bad because those money were their way to make money for a living. In US there must be over 10.000 or even more people that live out of poker. I really hope they'll find the strenght to pass this problem. Good luck to all US players!
Posted by cuonthefelt: In my opinion. If you are financially comfortable enough to play online poker for a 'living / profession" then you shouldnt have any problem moving to Canada to continue your online poker career. They are all just a bunch of rich degenerates anyway cheers
that's what I said in an another thread about this topic (moving country option) before... I mean for US players to move to a nearby country such as Canada where english is one of their main language is not gonna be that expensive for them... and for sure they'll settle there quicker than in Europe or Asia...
Joined: Jan '10
Location: Germany
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1379
will be very intresting to see who really is going to leave the country. Will there be great stars moving and where to? In which places they think they are free to act?
Joined: Feb '11
Location: Romania
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 2
Hope i'm not giving anyone bad ideas... but the question is: is it forbidden for us residents to play online poker? for us citizens? should the computer connected to the game site be located in a different country? should the payment be made from a different country? there must be flaws to the law...
Joined: Mar '11
Location: United States
Age: 69 (M)
Posts: 7
Posted by Calmplay:
Posted by cuonthefelt: In my opinion. If you are financially comfortable enough to play online poker for a 'living / profession" then you shouldnt have any problem moving to Canada to continue your online poker career. They are all just a bunch of rich degenerates anyway cheers
that's what I said in an another thread about this topic (moving country option) before... I mean for US players to move to a nearby country such as Canada where english is one of their main language is not gonna be that expensive for them... and for sure they'll settle there quicker than in Europe or Asia...
Canada is certainly one option but It's F_ckng cold up there. One might be better advised to consider the Caribbean. Much nicer climate, with casinos filled with tourist, both fish and whales for live games at night. And, I understand with the current US economic condition many time shares are being converted to Condos which are being sold at bargain-basement prices. Oh I should mention the views. There's a scenic array that includes every thing beautiful in nature except show and ice. "SKIN". No need for energy-drinks here. The bikini clad babe's will have you arteries bulging . It's rumored many women go to the Caribbean to live out the dreams and fantasies away from prying ears and eyes.( My wifes a Vamp), (My mom's a Tramp),...(So that' what it Taste Like).
