Just a quickie

Just a short post today, as I'm just about to catch up with friends for a few drinks. Still no poker news to report. I've only play a couple of thousand hands the last 2 days so got some catching up to do for the rest of the week. Should be back playing on Pokerstars tomorrow, still chasing that Supernova.

Today's Topic: Poker site safety and precautions:

Today's topic was prompted by today's link below. I see a lot of people finding their funds disappear from their poker account, or getting their account locked by the poker site itself. This can be scary stuff, and with pokersites located in far away tax havens, you very often have little recourse. If you follow the precautions below, then the risks will be reduced significantly.

• Safety and precautions:
  
• Shut down your poker client software after every session you play
  
• Install a good firewall program on your computer (I would recommend Zonealarm security suite)
  
• Don't give your site password to anyone
  
• Don't store your passwords in a file on your computer. Keeping them on a USB flash drive is a lot safer
  
• If you are using a wireless internet connection ensure that it is encrypted to at least WEP standard
  
• Play only on sites belonging to reputable networks. These would include, Pokerstars, Full Tilt, Ultimate Bet, Party poker, Bodog, Pacific, Everest, Ipoker network, Ongames network, and Cryptologic network.
  
• Only keep as much money on any one poker site as you need to. Cash out the excess when it goes beyond a set amount.
  
• Meeting pokersite obligations:
  

  If you don't want to get your account locked and funds possibly confiscated by a poker site follow the guidelines below. You can do some of these things on some sites safely, but your chances of having any problems will be minimized if you try to avoid them wherever possible.
  

• Never open multiple accounts to clear bonuses twice on the one site. If you have a partner living with you, you will normally have no problems opening an account in their name from the same physical and IP address.
  
• Try to avoid large transfers to and from other poker accounts.
  
• Don't play in the same tournament from 2 computers from the same internet connection. Eg If a friend brings his laptop to your place, playing in the same tournament together can often cause problems
  
• Don't use offensive language in the chatbox
  
• Don't install or use prohibited programs while logged on to a poker site. These programs include PokerEdge PokerProphecy, StarSpy, WinHoldem, PokerSherlock, Poker Manager, Sixth Sense, PokerAndroid, PokerBot+, Holdem Hawk, Holdem Pirate, and Gambot. A full list of allowed and prohibited software at Pokerstars can be found here.
  
• Don't withdraw all your money from a poker site instantly after clearing a bonus or making a deposit. You don't need to play a lot more, but a little extra play is always recommended.
  

If you follow these guidelines you should have no problems and little risk with any of the pokersites above.

Today's Link:

Hitler playing poker. If you play a lot of online poker you are bound to find the following link funny. Just be aware there is a lot of swearing in this link. Link here.