Canadian poker players are passionate about the game of poker. The explosion of local card rooms, expanding poker rooms in casinos and the growing volume of play at poker websites are all testament to the game’s increasing popularity. Poker players from Vancouver to Toronto, Calgary to Quebec and further afield, appreciate the convenience of playing poker from home factoring in the extended winters and conditions that are unique to Canada. Online poker sites have taken notice and are working hard to make the online experience as welcoming, easy-to-navigate and enjoyable as possible for players.
Best USA & Canadian eCheck Poker Site 2012
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Bet Online |  |
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n/a | Betonline.com |  |
One of the biggest concerns that poker players have is the ease of transfer of funds on and off the poker sites. Traditionally credit cards, bank wires and money orders were the dominant modes for moving money on and off the poker sites, but in recent years a new, more efficent and less costly method has appeared – eChecks.
eChecks, sometimes also called “instant checks,” work like an electronic check moving directly from your bank account to the poker site. The poker player looking to make a deposit gives the poker site the same information that you find on your paper checks (i.e. account and routing number) and the poker room contacts your bank to get it approved and complete the transaction. The Canadian eCheck poker sites even extend trust that the funds will arrive, extending your credit immediately while they process the bank transaction that takes some time. There shouldn’t be any major concern for players as the financial information revealed is the same as is available on your physical checks and the transmission is even more secure (e.g. using SSL encryption technology, ID verification and secure connections).
There are several advantages to using eChecks to play online poker:
- Convenience – You don’t have to write out a check, mail it, arrange a money order, or manage a credit card. It takes a few minutes to fill out the information and you can often deposit as little as $CAD10.
- Cost – There are no additional fees charged like a credit card/debit card or money orders through Neteller, Skrill or bankwire.
- Speed – The online poker rooms will immediately credit your deposit, well before they receive the funds from the transaction from your bank (up to 7 days in some cases).
- Safety – Sites and banks employ 128-bit SSL data encryption, ID verification and traceability of transaction which leads to vastly superior security compared to physically mailed or manually processed solutions.
- Convertability – An eCheck can be made out in most major currencies, which then can be easily converted into the currency accepted by the poker site thus avoiding currency conversion transactions.
Each online poker room may have a slightly different methods of soliciting the necessary instant eCheck information, but all sites will require the key information of account number, serial number, branch transit, institution ID, amount you wish to send along with the receiver’s name.
There are three factors to keep in mind when considering eCheck deposits. Not all Canadian online poker rooms accept eChecks as a deposit option, although that list is increasing with time. Some banks are prohibited from facilitating financial transactions to online gambling sites and won’t be able to process eChecks to an online poker site in Canada. Lastly, and most importantly, make sure to have sufficient funds in your account to cover your intended eCheck or you could potentially face overdraft charges from both the bank and the poker site.
Canadian Online Poker Sites that Accept eCheck Deposits
We’ve researched four reputable online poker websites where Canadian poker players can deposit using the convenient eCheck method.
- PokerStars – Any poker player who plays online poker knows of PokerStars. They are the world’s largest poker room by a considerable amount. That size and traffic translates into superior game selection and allows PokerStars to offer tremendous promotions, customer service and security. They are constantly improving their product and reacting to player feedback. eChecks have become one of the most popular methods for players to deposit money on PokerStars.
- PartyPoker – The international poker room has been a major player since the virtual inception of online poker. PartyPoker also has the distinction of being the largest publicly owned poker room in the world, which adds public accountability and credibility for players. Continually battling with the iPoker network for the distinction of being the second largest poker room in the world means there is always plenty of action going, many games to play at whatever level you feel comfortable. The site is known for catering to individual country players offering to track a player’s bankroll using Canadian currency instead of the standard U.S. dollars.
- 888poker – The last several years have seen a tremendous upswing in fortune as one of the industries pioneers languished for several years. The software has been greatly improved and player promotions have been prioritized which has led to considerable traffic gains and customer satisfaction in their online poker experience. 888poker are known to give away free money to new accounts and happily accept eChecks in their cashier options.
- BetOnline – With software powered by the Hero Poker Network, BetOnline is a newer poker room that is aggressively carving a name for themselves online. The provide 24/7 customer support via email, live chat and toll free service to some countries. The site has lesser traffic than the above listed sites, but it’s affiliation and connection to a sportsbook and casino ensure you will find many loose and aggressive casual players from which to profit. BetOnline proudly offers a 25% instant bonus for new players when they make their first eCheck deposit. Their minimum eCheck deposit is $50.
Any Canadian poker player who is looking for an edge in their poker experience would be wise to utilize the eCheck option the next time you plan to deposit money on an online poker site. Take advantage of the convenience and avoid the extra fees associated with other deposit methods. There is hope that in the near future, the same efficient eCheck method will also be available for withdrawals.
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