Show HN: HTML5 Bitcoin Poker website

[volitek]

http://playbitpoker.com

Hey, this is my first startup project and I'm pretty excited. I've got to the point where I feel I've got something solid, and I don't know what to do next. I haven't had masses of people using it and testing it with the test-network bitcoins. I have tested it a fair bit with friends and it seems there's no major problems. What should I do? Is this a minimum viable product? Should I try and promote it while it's still in testing, or should I switch over to using real bitcoins before doing that? I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have.

P.S. I had https going with a self signed certificate but the browser warnings were annoying so I turned it off. I'm waiting on a proper certificate, and I'll enable it as soon as I have it.

[nooron]

Hey! I talked to someone at the Bitcoin Conference about something similar, I think at the Hackathon. Was that you?

Props on all your work. Since you've asked, I would say you should wait on using real bitcoins.

[volitek]

Nah, wasn't me, but thanks!

[devonbarrett]

I've play around with it and like it, there's a few things which I think you could improve, if you want to email me and chat, my email is in my profile.

[codemonkeymike]

There are some real issues in handling bitcoins. I worked on a bitcoin exchange that was never finished because of security issues and that was a team of 6+.

[Proleps]

Untraceable money and gambling, you're going to be rich!

[dholowiski]

Is that legal?

[volitek]

I don't see why not, it's not real money and hey, everyone else is doing it. I'm going to talk to a lawyer if people start using it.

[codemonkeymike]

In America it is illegal to make a currency that competes with the USD. Congress will eventually rule that Bitcoins do compete with the USD and then yes it will be illegal.

[ethanbond]

Yeah, you're considered a money transmitter under FinCEN. There are regulations, look up the memo from FinCEN.

[asselinpaul]

link for BitBargain is broken

[volitek]

Thanks for letting me know, fixed!