Fastest way to withdraw using private key

[dalek]

I have seen several sites and contests that publicly announce a private key for an address. I tried using MtGox to import the key, but it waits for 6 confirmations before it sweeps the inputs into my account. I've never won these because there must be a faster way to import and spend. I tried importing using the bitcoin client, but it took 30 minutes to scan the blockchain and nearly froze my computer in the process. Blockchain.info has the ability to import keys, but I don't see an API for importing. What's the fastest way to import a private key and spend the inputs for that address? This looks like what I want, but it's not yet implemented and not sure how fast that would be anyhow: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=45523.0 .

[Stephen Gornick]

What's the fastest way to import a private key and spend the inputs for that address?

Manually?
 - http://brainwallet.org/#tx  <--- Be very careful to spend every bit of the funds (except the fee), otherwise the unspent balance goes ... to fees.

Also, EasyWallet from a mobile has one-touch scan and redeem (to an EasyWallet).   But I believe it is N confirmations (3 ?) before the funds appear in the wallet.
 - http://www.EasyWallet.org

[Newar]

blockchain wallet works well for me. https://blockchain.info/wallet/

[CurbsideProphet]

Electrum also imports quickly.

[SgtSpike]

I have seen several sites and contests that publicly announce a private key for an address. I tried using MtGox to import the key, but it waits for 6 confirmations before it sweeps the inputs into my account. I've never won these because there must be a faster way to import and spend. I tried importing using the bitcoin client, but it took 30 minutes to scan the blockchain and nearly froze my computer in the process. Blockchain.info has the ability to import keys, but I don't see an API for importing. What's the fastest way to import a private key and spend the inputs for that address? This looks like what I want, but it's not yet implemented and not sure how fast that would be anyhow: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=45523.0 .

FWIW, I received confirmation that MtGox actually withdraws BTC from imported private keys to their own wallet as soon as possible, just without fees - it just won't show up in your account until 6 confirmations are had.  MagicalTux said he may add the option for people to add fees to imported addresses.

[dalek]

FWIW, I received confirmation that MtGox actually withdraws BTC from imported private keys to their own wallet as soon as possible, just without fees - it just won't show up in your account until 6 confirmations are had.  MagicalTux said he may add the option for people to add fees to imported addresses.

Oh, that might explain why I now see some unknown deposits in my account days later.

[ryanAC]

mywallet on blockchain.info ... just enter the private key and do a custom send from that address to another address.