Deposit Saga

The deposit saga continues. I went to the "all access" VISA web site to determine where I can purchase a card. The place closest to me was one of those shady cash advance places. I went to open the door and it was locked in the middle of the day and had to be manually opened by the teller. So, I'm already uncomfortable and I tell them I want a "pre-paid 'ALL ACCESS' visa card" and then the fun starts. They go on and on trying to determine if the card they sell is "ALL ACCESS" and as coincidence would have it, some guy came in earlier and bought their card to play poker and it wouldn't work and he was mad. "Sir, you're not trying to play poker are you?" They make some phone calls trying to sort it out and one person says their card ISN'T "all access", but someone else says it is. They also make it sound like they can only give me a temporary card and the real one would arrive in the mail - everything I read said it was one card you could set-up in minutes after you got home.

Wow. Needless to day, I didn't get a card and now I'm more confused. I thought I was going to waltz in there, get my card and go on my way. I'm hearing all kinds of stories about some people can get Visa cards to work from gas stations and others can't get anything to work.

Can anyone shed light on the situation? What exactly does "ALL ACCESS" mean? I assumed it was a type of card indicating levels of privileges to use it, but the teller said it was a company. There should be an easy way to tell what cards can be used to deposit and which ones can't.

Now I'm thinking Western Union may be my best bet. The fees are steeper, but if I can just do what I want to do hassle free and anonymously, it's probably worth it at this point. The main thing about the transaction, however I do it, is that I want it to be private and discreet.

I'm going out of town Friday and was hoping to be able to play this weekend on my laptop.

Any comments, answers, or opinions? I'm trying to deposit into Stars, so any help would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by Jason

Any opinions? I'm trying to deposit into Stars, .

maybe get in irc and ask people there.
Or e-mail stars support for advice

maybe easier to move to europe though

I would definitely suggest using the e-check option if it is available to you. It is immediate, easy and free. Can't ask for more than that.

How do you know if it's available? I have a checking account. Is that all I need?

I've considered using an eCheck, but I've asked several times how they work no one has explained it. From the research I did on eChecks, they say it works just like a regular check, but electronically. The main thing I want to know is if the institution the check goes to is "PokerStars" or is it their bank or something else? I don't want my bank knowing my money is going to a poker site.

So any further explanation about eChecks would also be appreciated.

EDIT: I saw eChecks requires your SSN - that doesn't exactly give me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

Yup, you need to use eChecks.

How to use it we rest-of-the-world donks do not know, but its what you need to use though. Follow details on pokerstars website on how to use them.

I know HOW to do eChecks, but I'd just like to know more details about the behind the scene processes - namely exactly where the EFT goes TO and if withdrawing where it comes FROM. If it's my bank to PokerStars bank but the word "PokerStars" doesn't show up anywhere, that sounds like good news. If it's deposited to "PStars" or "PokerStars", that sounds like bad news and something that my bank would either not allow or call me about.

My suspicion is that it's the good, former situation or else it wouldn't be legal or as easy as some claim. On the other hand, I read that if you ever got the Visa to work, it would show up as "PStars" in your statement, so who knows?

I don't think it matters, as long as the money you want gets into your poker account.

Rest assured you will not see "poker" or "stars" anywhere though. And even if somebody somewhere slips, there is no problem for you.

eChecks uses a third party bank to "wash" the transaction. So you should see an EFT to something other than Pstars or PokerStars on your statement.

Thanks for the replies, but at the moment, I'm leaning towards giving Western Union a try. Sure the fees are high and it takes about 30 minutes to clear, BUT it looks like a great way to remain anonymous where my money is going as far as my bank is concerned and I don't think I have to give up my SSN to use it. Those two factors are definitely worth the fee to me if I can do it.

I'm just trying to think of any way they could block or deny the transaction. If the the name, email, location, or whatever information PokerStars gives you is ALWAYS the same, then I could see a potential problem. But, if they vary or mask it or Western Union doesn't care, hopefully I can do it hassle free.

:: fingers crossed ::

So, if anyone wants to weight in on any potential problems with Western Union BESIDES the fee and time to clear, let me know.

Quick update: I attempted to use my credit card to deposit money to Western Union and then have them wire it as needed, but I found out you can't do it that way. You HAVE to go to the Western Union store and pay with cash. So, it's another hurdle to jump. We'll see what other crazy, unexpected things happen when I try to send it in person. :: fingers crossed ::

Wow, I can't believe it, but the saga for now seems to be over and it finally worked. I just went to Kroger where they have customer services for Western Union, filled out the paperwork (not very long), turned it in, payed for it in cash, and got my receipt with the MTCN #. I entered that # into my account online and in 10 minutes or less (although they say it could take as long as 60), I was all set and playing.

Like I said before, there was a $15 fee, which is a little steeper than I'd prefer and it's not instantaneous, HOWEVER it is so worth it to me because you don't need a bank account, credit card, or sensitive information like your SSN. You don't have to GUESS if it will work, although make sure you do it in person with a teller, not online, and use cash. The only paper trail is that you sent money to someone, but it's just a person's name and not an organization. The teller didn't ask what the money was being used for or anything like that. It probably took 10 minutes tops to fill out the form, turn it in, process it, and get my receipt.

The only slight snafu to be aware of is that the name they gave me had two last names and they tell you they are not middle names. However, on the form, there is a spot for two types of last names - the paternal last name and the maternal last name. I tried putting both last names under paternal, but had to actually put the first last name under paternal and the second part of the last name under maternal.

I would definitely NOT recommend this method for anything other than a reputable site like Stars, but for someone reputable, I definitely do recommend it.

The last time I made a deposit on Poker Stars I went to the local Walmart which is a Money Gram agent. I gave them $310.00 in cash for a $300.00 deposit to my PStars account. It was in my account and ready to play by the time I got home from the store. (15 minutes) I was satisfied with the result. I have been building my bankroll on the site so I have not withdrawn any money, but when I do it will be by check from Stars.