[joelreymont]

Russell,

I can't take a cut of the pot or ante as that will convert me into a gambling site, of the type that are illegal in the US.

I'm all for letting people play for free but I would like to make at least enough money to support the site and cover development cost.

I have an idea for a Mac/Win/iPhone client built with Unity [1] but I need to launch something first and let people kick the tires. This is where the Flash client comes in.

What about letting people replenish their balances, for a fee, e.g. pay $5, get $1000 in play money?

[1] http://unity3d.com

[Russelldb]

>I can't take a cut of the pot or ante as that will convert me into a gambling site, of the type that are illegal in the US.

Ah. I wasn't aware of the legal implications in the US.

>What about letting people replenish their balances, for a fee, e.g. pay $5, get $1000 in play money?

That sounds good and quite normal too. Probably both ideas together will net you most returns: Pay a monthly sub and get free transfer in of funds but if you just want to play now and again then pay to transfer in playing money. And still have play for free if no money involved? Or is there no point to that do you think? Maybe an initial freebie?

[joelreymont]

Initial freebie sounds good. $1000 to start or something like that.

[apsurd]

People can already play unlimited hands for free at any major for-money poker site. I can't conceive how anyone would possibly pay $5.00 to play for free, especially when you can enter "sit and go" tournaments on for-money sites for the same price, all with a chance to win back real money. They also have 1 and 2 cent poker rooms so again .... simply can not see how this can be taken seriously.

[joelreymont]

Can you set up a private table at any major for-money poker site?

[jasonwatkinspdx]

I did private tourneys with friends at pokerstars before the 2006 law.