Texas Hold Em BitPoker @ the BitBetter

[bitbetter]

Hey guys, as you can see I'm a newbie to the forums. However--been working on a site that congregates all the fun bitcoin services into one site. We have actually been working pretty hard on this, so your consideration or time (even if it's just a glance) is really appreciated. Our BitPoker is up and running now, if anyone would like a game feel free to sign up for an account or PM me. It's all free (except the buy-in of course). Our site's URL is http://bitbetter.org

It works basically like this:

You make a free account at BitBetter (standard wordpress CMS) then use the forms to purchase the BitCoin buy-in. You will be provided instructions on how to access the poker server once the bitcoins have been received. The bitcoins stay in a MyBitCoin account until the game ends, then the winner is paid the entire pot from this account. Games can have up to 10 people, it's somewhat secure and it's fast. This setup means that our members can run games from their own computers, with no involvement from us. The open-source poker software can be downloaded to a USB and played anywhere. If you'd like to just play the poker without betting any bitcoin, feel free to download the software from our site and play away for free!

As a newbie, I was kinda getting frustrated with all these automated games and doublers and such. Wanted to offer a free place to use your bitcoins for fun, but run by a PERSON who you could contact with problems. There will never be a game run (that is bitcoin based) that wont be monitored by a real person. This way, fraud is kept to a minimum, pay-outs are dumped quickly, and people who are having technical issues can get help fast. We put together a ticket system that will allow people to submit issues then check the status of them being fixed.

Feel free to look around the site. We offer a pizza ordering service and also a module to order pretty much anything from the internet using BitCoins. We will never ask for membership fees or take any type of transaction fee for doing nothing. If we make any money it will be from advertising or winning poker games.

We are implementing several other games to play similarly to poker. You can also see a play-by-play of your poker hands after the game is finished.

PM me or use the chat on the site to ask any questions or feedback you might have. The point here is to provide a fun, legal alternative to online gambling and also provide a safe place to use your BitCoins however YOU want to use them. BitCoins (to me) are all about providing an alternative to online transactions, where you don't have to worry about identity theft and the like. We are NOT a bank. We do NOT bank any bitcoins or make any profit. The only time we actually make any BitCoins is when we win (and I kinda suck.)

[PandaMiner]

Way to go. I'll try it.

I'd like to know if we can schedule a poker game, or is there one already set? I'd like lower stakes, too.. especially for my first time testing out your site.  I'd like to know what the pay out percentages are if there are X number of seats filled. Also, do you take a rake?

[bitbetter]

Way to go. I'll try it.

I'd like to know if we can schedule a poker game, or is there one already set? I'd like lower stakes, too.. especially for my first time testing out your site.  I'd like to know what the pay out percentages are if there are X number of seats filled. Also, do you take a rake?

We can schedule any time you like. I responded to your chat at the site with more info, but basically you can play with up to ten people or as few as two. The more people, the bigger the pot. We've started out with .05 buy-ins, but we can go even lower if you want. You can also try out the server for free if you'd like, to get the feel for it. When you're ready we can get some people together and run a game. There is NO rake. Basically, if I'm able to beat you I'll keep the money but whoever wins get the entire pot.

You pay to a MyBitCoin account and the money stays in there until the game ends. I usually post up the stats from the games, so you can see the two we've done so far (and see that I lost  )

We have several people that can host games or you can host one yourself. It's easy to setup and if you win, you get to take everyone's bitcoin! Just for swiftness's sake it's probably easier to load a few coins into MyBitCoin. But the payments are actually pretty fast and they can be pretty much as large or small as you want them. Our aim here really isnt to make a profit, but to have fun. I can attest to the fact that the poker games are, indeed, actually pretty fun. Even funner knowing that your coins are on the line!

[PandaMiner]

Thanks for the info/answers.

Heh, I just thought of something... instead of calling them "chips" we should call them hashes.   We start off the game with 100MH and the blinds are 500Kh and 1Mh. (for a tourney style, not cash game)

[bitbetter]

Thanks for the info/answers.

Heh, I just thought of something... instead of calling them "chips" we should call them hashes.   We start off the game with 100MH and the blinds are 500Kh and 1Mh. (for a tourney style, not cash game)

Sounds good to me! The cool thing about hosting your own is that you can pretty much set any terms you want and also how fast the game goes. It's good times.

[bitbetter]

poker anyone? room is ready!

[dego]

I prefer betco.in for poker. It's fast, transparent and without lags or bugs. And rakes are minimal. I think it's ok for the webmaster to get some bitcents for his service. He carries also some risks (regulations etc.).

[PandaMiner]

I prefer betco.in for poker. It's fast, transparent and without lags or bugs. And rakes are minimal. I think it's ok for the webmaster to get some bitcents for his service. He carries also some risks (regulations etc.).

I've played on BetCo.in before. But there's no tournaments, only cash games.

I've set up a poker buy-in button for .25btc, I just don't know when we should schedule a game.  For today, what's a good time? I'm open for the next few hours.

My Skype name (for IM) is: PandaMarketer if you want to play a game.

[bitbetter]

I prefer betco.in for poker. It's fast, transparent and without lags or bugs. And rakes are minimal. I think it's ok for the webmaster to get some bitcents for his service. He carries also some risks (regulations etc.).

hah, but how can you prefer betco if you haven't tried this yet? I'm gonna have to check out betco. I think it's fairly similar, but as panda mentioned above I think we'll be able to run tournaments and such.

[bitbetter]

I prefer betco.in for poker. It's fast, transparent and without lags or bugs. And rakes are minimal. I think it's ok for the webmaster to get some bitcents for his service. He carries also some risks (regulations etc.).

I've played on BetCo.in before. But there's no tournaments, only cash games.

I've set up a poker buy-in button for .25btc, I just don't know when we should schedule a game.  For today, what's a good time? I'm open for the next few hours.

My Skype name (for IM) is: PandaMarketer if you want to play a game.

So I'm setting up the tournaments. I think it's actually going to be fairly easy.  I've put up a sign-up sheet (see link below), it's open for anyone so you don't have to register at the site for the tournaments.

As for the structure of the tournaments and the site itself, would it be useful to keep ranking stats based on number of games won, points, tournament wins, etc. so that when we are creating the tournaments later on we can more accurately match skill levels?

For example--if we have a 50 man tournament, there is bound to be a difference in skill level. Should we try and pair these skill levels with each other or just pair up randomly? Obviously, in a multi table tournament with 50 people you wont always have an even number of players at every table.

OK--one more question....should the table matches be run back-to-back or would you guys appreciate a longer tournament with schedule tables? I'll set up a tournament page where tournament specifics can be entered (like payout structures, if you want to allow rebuys, etc) and maybe all of this stuff can just be specific to the tournament.

Lemme know your suggestions or comments.

[pokermon919]

The link doesn't work.
Do not pair ppl for tourneys, if they can afford the buy in they should all play together.

[bitbetter]

The link doesn't work.
Do not pair ppl for tourneys, if they can afford the buy in they should all play together.

ahh thanks for that http://bitbetter.dyndns.org/wordpress/poker/tournaments/poker-tournament-sign-up/

[anisoptera]

Dynamic DNS and wordpress in the URL?

Are you manually dealing the games?

[bitbetter]

Dynamic DNS and wordpress in the URL?

Are you manually dealing the games?

No no, just in the process of building the site. I was hosting it from my own pc for awhile but have finally moved to a dedicated server. doing this on the cheaps.

we are using the pokerth open source software for running games. It's similar to what you get at betco.in, but there are a few more features, like voice chat and stuff. Basically, you can use our site to setup and run your games, so you can decide the terms of the game, if you want to take a rake, etc. Everything isn't completely there yet, but it's on it's way. I'm hoping for it to function more like a gaming community for people who like using bitcoin. I am attempting to merge the ideas of P2P gaming with bitcoin as that logically kind of makes sense. We will be adding other P2P games to the site that operate simlarly (and automated) to the poker. This way people are able to find open games, connect to them and win bitcoins. You're not stuck with simply one table to play at. You can also MAKE BTC yourself by setting up games.

It is, indeed, a work in progress. I'm really trying to bring a LEGITIMATE site online that is secure, bug-free and fun. We'll see how it goes I suppose.

[PandaMiner]

Are you manually dealing the games?

There are a few Game Organizers, like myself, that are running the games.  I'm starting off with a Thursday night (7pm Central) 0.25 buy in, max 10 seat game. I'm playing, and I think mr "bitbetter" is too. We need 8 more for this Thursday night.

The buy-in goes to MyBitcoin.com account, and from there I pay the winner(s).  I already tried it out and it works.

[bitbetter]

Are you manually dealing the games?

There are a few Game Organizers, like myself, that are running the games.  I'm starting off with a Thursday night (7pm Central) 0.25 buy in, max 10 seat game. I'm playing, and I think mr "bitbetter" is too. We need 8 more for this Thursday night.

The buy-in goes to MyBitcoin.com account, and from there I pay the winner(s).  I already tried it out and it works.

I've got two more people for our Thursday game.

[done]

Best of luck with the website. Thanks for the contribution to the community.

[bitbetter]

Best of luck with the website. Thanks for the contribution to the community.

I really appreciate that!

[PandaMiner]

Anybody else want to play in tomorrow's .25btc tournament?  (7pm Central)

Goto my organizer/host page and sign up by sending .25btc to the address there. You must have a pokerTh account (its free) and download the pokerTh software (also free) to play.

I suggest downloading it now and get a feel for the GUI.

[bitbetter]

Anybody else want to play in tomorrow's .25btc tournament?  (7pm Central)

Goto my organizer/host page and sign up by clicking the ".25btc" buy in link. You must have a pokerTh account (its free) and download the pokerTh software (also free) to play.

I suggest downloading it now and get a feel for the GUI.

I've got three peoples on my side. Looks like there will be a pretty good pot this time!