Best payment, site options for U.S. players

If the poker forums are any indication, there are lots of concerned American poker players out there wondering how they can keep playing online and what the best way is to go about it. Here at PokerListings.com, we saved them some trouble and did all the digging and research to find out the sites best suited to American players along with the available payment methods.

NETeller and Citadel may have left U.S. online gamblers in a lurch amidst all the turmoil with the arrests and new legislation in America, but there are still plenty of payment options for Americans to use.

U.S. poker players who are looking for an ewallet that will take their online gambling business can try ePassporte, eWalletXpress and EcoCard. Details for each service are:

ePassporte

Many poker sites open to U.S. players use this or recently added them
Instant deposit
Daily transfer limit of $300 with a standard account ($600 for upgraded account)
No fee for transfers to and from poker sites
2-5% charge on deposited amounts
$5 annual fee after first year
Offers a card for ATM withdrawals ($2 transaction fee)
eWalletXpress

No registration or annual fees
Accepted by a few popular poker sites
Fees range from free up to 15% depending on deposit method
No fee for transactions to poker sites
Maximum $150 deposit amount per depositing method
EcoCard

Not many poker sites using it yet
No registration or annual fees
Limited deposit options
Transactions to online merchants are free
1.5% fee for transfer to another EcoCard ad $10 fee for bank wires
Click2Pay is also an option for U.S. poker players who already have an account with them. They aren't taking any new U.S. customers, but those already registered with the site can use it to make deposits and withdrawals from poker sites.

Aside from an ewallet service, players can also use Western Union or do a wire transfer from their bank to make a deposit. However, both of these methods are slower, have high fees and require the local payment provider's physical location.

Payment options are only one side of the equation for American players who want to keep playing poker online. The other side is finding a poker site that offers them easy ways to deposit and withdraw so they can continue playing.

Though there are hundreds of poker sites out there to choose from, the bigger, brand name sites seem to have made the best transition after the loss of some payment options.

Here is our analysis of the top sites for U.S. players in order of best to worst for smoothest and fastest payment and withdrawal processes:

1. UltimateBet
With its fast and reliable deposit and withdrawal options, UltimateBet is one of the best sites for U.S. players. Their deposit options include ePassporte, Click2Pay, credit cards and Western Union for deposits. Withdrawals can be made with Click2Pay or via check. Add to that UltimateBet has no plans to withdraw from the U.S. market and they offer the complete package for the American poker player.

2. Bodog.com
Bodog.com is a good choice also for U.S. players since it too offers several payment methods. On top of Click2Pay, eWalletXpress, and credit cards, the site recently added Western Union and bank wires as deposit options. Withdrawals are made through your original payment option or by check. One drawback is that you'll need to send in proof of ID before your first withdrawal.

3. PokerStars.com
PokerStars.com has always been top-tier at withdrawal and deposits, which is why they're one of the largest sites out there right now. With options like ePassporte, credit card, Western Union, bank drafts, money transfers and cashiers checks as deposit methods for Americans, they offer plenty of choices, and they recommend using eChecks or ePassporte for withdrawals.

4. Absolute Poker
Absolute Poker had their payment options cut in half with the pullout of NETeller and other Internet wallet options last week from the U.S. market. However, they've recovered quickly by adding ePassporte and Click2Play to their list of deposit options for U.S. players. Their withdrawal options include ePassporte, InstaDebit (only until Feb. 1) and a check.

5. Full Tilt Poker
Although they heavily relied on NETeller for their U.S. players, Full Tilt Poker also has alternatives such as ePassporte, Click2Pay, credit cards and cash transfers. Withdrawals will be made via the player's deposit method or by check.

6. DoylesRoom.com
ePassport is the major deposit option at DoylesRoom.com, and players can use a wire transfer or Click2Pay. Withdrawal options include depositing back through the original payment method or by check. An added bonus at DoylesRoom.com is that they will honor VIP-status from all major poker rooms if you want to switch to them.

7. VIP Poker
VIP Poker wasn't able to recover quite as quickly with the NETeller and Citadel news last week. They're left with Click2Pay and Western Union for their U.S. customers, and withdrawals can only be made via check or Click2Pay. They also offer SurePay, a prepaid card that can be loaded with your credit card and then used to make deposits and withdrawals on the site.

8. Mansion Poker
Customer service at Mansion Poker said that the site is still open to U.S. players. They aren't accepting deposits from U.S. customers at the moment though while they search for a payment option that will accept U.S. customers who want to make online gambling transactions.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 25 January, 2007

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