Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

Anyone else playing the nervous waiting game here? So far, I haven't heard of any problems yet, but I'd love to hear some success (or even failure) stories of trying to deposit any paper checks from Stars since, say, Thursday.

I'm expecting an "over $1k" check from Stars via courier. I requested it Wednesday night and followed up with Stars support, but got generic, unconvincing responses that sounded as if "nothing had changed".

After seeing the Bodog situation and Full Tilt suspending paper checks, hopefully temporarily, I'm feeling a bit nervous. To be clear, I have yet to hear about any Stars paper checks having problems, but hopefully, this thread can become the depository.

So have at it, any other Stars paper check stories to follow?

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

Venetian,

Would you post in this thread when you receive your check and how easy it was for you to process once you get it?

Also, the cashout amount has to be greater than or equal to $1,000 to be able to get it sent via courier, correct?

Thanks in advance,

Les

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

are stars checks US checks? i've gotten checks from other sites before and they've all been international (hold for week, can't cash). are stars checks the same way?

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I have been getting checks from Stars for the last year now, never a problem. Just deposited one today and no problem also.

Their checks go through chexx. inc. or something like that.No where does it say PokerStars on it. So there is no real reason to have a problem with checks from stars.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I'll definitely follow up, especially if nobody else has a similar story prior to receiving the check.

Prior to all this crap, from what I've been told and read from Stars, the check arrives within 1-3 days of processing. They process Monday - Thursday only. On their site, at the time, it mentioned you should expect a check within seven business days.

Oh, also, there was something about the courier (UPS/FedEx, I believe) calling you prior to delivery, so to make sure your phone number is correct.

I will update if I receive call or check and when I try to deposit and when it clears/is denied.

For the record, I have never used any method other than Neteller to cash out and never had any problems in the past. I have an account with a major bank (I'll reveal at success/fail point).

What really sucks is that I will need these funds for some monthly expenses and I could have easily cashed the amount out anytime since about Christmas.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

Thanks, Dr. Olson, assuming you're the same from Stars. That makes me feel quite a bit better.

Also, yeah, it has to be over $1,000 for courier. Otherwise, regular mail, 15 days.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I got a $300 check from PokerStars about three weeks ago and didn't have any problems. It took about ten days to receive and didn't have any trouble.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
are stars checks US checks? i've gotten checks from other sites before and they've all been international (hold for week, can't cash). are stars checks the same way?

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on the country probably. I know in Canada, when you request in CAD funds, you get a cheque from a major Canadian bank. If you request in USD it comes from a US bank.

Never had any problems the past year clearing Stars cheques. Just the standard 7 day wait.

Stars delivery time. Under 1k = ~10 days, over 1k = 2 days (Fedex).

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

Yes, same from Stars. Stars does mention something about being phoned when cashing out 1k or more. I have never receieved a phone call though. You will need to have someone home to sign for the check, thats about it.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
After seeing the Bodog situation and Full Tilt suspending paper checks, hopefully temporarily, I'm feeling a bit nervous. To be clear, I have yet to hear about any Stars paper checks having problems, but hopefully, this thread can become the depository.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is there new info on Full Tilt? the following was posted in the check thread that started re: Bodog:
[ QUOTE ]

Ross,

One more thing. Are there any issues with Americans cashing paper
checks? I have always thought this was a method of funds transfer that
would not go away, but I hear that a check from BoDog is not cashable in
the US. It obviously made me wonder if the same is true for FTP as I
play here exclusively.


Hello Ryan,

Thank you for concern.

Currently, there is no conflict with issuing American residents with a
check. However, if this happens to be an issue in the future, rest
assured there will be enough information in advance for customers to
adjust.

Thanks again Ryan, and if there's anything else we can help you with,
please let us know.

Regards,

Ross
Full Tilt Poker Support

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please remember that no one will ever ask you for your
password or account information, not even support. Please
use good common sense and keep your password a secret.

Learn, Chat, and Play with the Pros.
100% Initial Deposit Bonus - www.fulltiltpoker.com

[/ QUOTE ]

Also, I emailed Stars today to ask that my withdrawal options be changed so I don't have to withdraw the most recent deposit back to neteller (obv) so that I can request paper checks, and I asked if paper checks were still viable. I'll post a response here when I get one.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I'm pretty sure Stars checks are drawn on a US-based Bank of America account. I don't think you'll have a problem.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

Also, I emailed Stars today to ask that my withdrawal options be changed so I don't have to withdraw the most recent deposit back to neteller (obv) so that I can request paper checks, and I asked if paper checks were still viable. I'll post a response here when I get one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here it is:

Hello Tom,

Thank you for your email.

As you may be aware, Neteller is no longer a deposit or cash out
option.
If this appears as your cash out option, please disregard this, a check
will be send instead.

We appreciate your understanding.

Regards,

Libertad
PokerStars Support Team

--------------------------------------------------

I went ahead and put the request in. It gave the standard "the first $X will go to neteller" message, but based on this email I expect a check for the full amount (not the full amount in my account, the full amount of the withdrawal - I'm not bailing just coincidentally getting a check right now). Will post when I receive it.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

So what's the strategy gents? Hold the money in the sites, or try to get it out now while the check cashing is still available?

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

requested $1100 check yesterday to NJ in the US...I'll let you know when/if I get it.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
So what's the strategy gents? Hold the money in the sites, or try to get it out now while the check cashing is still available?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a sufficient roll on Stars and the rest of my bankroll in my checking account at the moment. By sheer luck of timing, I withdrew all my funds from Neteller last week, just before the [censored] hit the fin.

Anyway, I'm planning on maintaining status quo for now. Play on Stars with the money I have in that account and just wait to see what the options are after things settle down.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
So what's the strategy gents? Hold the money in the sites, or try to get it out now while the check cashing is still available?

[/ QUOTE ]

It seems like a lot of people are taking their money out because they think it'll be stolen / locked up forever. It is looking more and more like we are in a week-long / month-long window of inconvenience, and not looking down the barrel of the second great depression.

If I didn't need access to some of the cash I had tied up online, I can't imagine that I'd want to wait in line, sit in the sites' lines, sit in the new processor's queues, wait for a check, or put any of it "at risk" by trying to transfer it right now.

On the other hand, if I really did need access to that money, I can't imagine I would let what's going on this week stop me from doing what I needed to do, in accordance with how badly I needed the money.

Taking it out just to take it out is a bad idea. From everything we've heard, it's going to be harder to get it back in than get it out again.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

Hey, I found this post in the Legislation forum

Success!

Actually, you might have to go up like 2. Sorry.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So what's the strategy gents? Hold the money in the sites, or try to get it out now while the check cashing is still available?

[/ QUOTE ]

It seems like a lot of people are taking their money out because they think it'll be stolen / locked up forever. It is looking more and more like we are in a week-long / month-long window of inconvenience, and not looking down the barrel of the second great depression.

If I didn't need access to some of the cash I had tied up online, I can't imagine that I'd want to wait in line, sit in the sites' lines, sit in the new processor's queues, wait for a check, or put any of it "at risk" by trying to transfer it right now.

On the other hand, if I really did need access to that money, I can't imagine I would let what's going on this week stop me from doing what I needed to do, in accordance with how badly I needed the money.

Taking it out just to take it out is a bad idea. From everything we've heard, it's going to be harder to get it back in than get it out again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really think there's no reason for any kind of panic. If you have excess money on Stars and need it or want to move it to an interest bearing account (make a regular withdrawal), there's no reason not to. I just did so yesterday. Otherwise, there's no reason to take money off. Taking money off might take a bit longer to process right now because others are panicking, but there shouldn't be a run-on-bank effect because Stars holds all funds in segregated accounts.

I agree that withdrawing everything is a bad idea because it may be harder to get money on later.

It sounds like paper checks are a pretty straightforward and easy option; I have no idea why people are freaking out so much about Neteller; there may be more issues down the road but for now I don't see why anything changes. Keep playing, request a check when you need money. Or use epasseporte or another option when it becomes available. I think it's hilarious that there's that long "epassporte is the only option!" thread when paper checks are so simple. I know internet money movement is convenient, but paper check is a fine option. I guess I'll have to see how long it takes for my check to arrive before I really get a sense for the new state of things, but when Stars says a week max I believe them, and that should be fine.

Based on the way the law is written, cashing out paper checks should always be an option (Neteller is choosing to eliminate transactions in both directions, that doesn't mean the law is focused on withdrawals. It isn't; it is focused on deposits). If depositing gets more difficult for everyone then we'll have a broad poker economy issue, but maybe not as bad as it seems given that there are plenty of non-U.S. losing players.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I cashed out over 1k from Stars on Wed. of this week. It was at my house via Fedex Friday morning. They did not call me, I just had to sign for it at the door. I went to US Bank on Saturday morning and cashed the full check, no holding in my account. I had no problems at all FWIW.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I want to ask from what bank and where did Stars cut the check.

But perhaps because the DOJ is so hyper these days it might not be such a hot idea to post the name of the bank. The walls have eyes you know.

That's good to hear that it was so convenient for you.

I really didn't think the paper-check thing was ever going to be a problem. But the issues that Bodog and FT seemed to be having with all this did have me a bit concerned.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I used to get checks from a trust bank in Chicago and a few times from a bank in Miami.

Don't know if it helps. I don'r remember the names of the banks.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

It was "US Bank" Bob.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I'm thinking the checks are more likely to come from outside the U.S. now.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm thinking the checks are more likely to come from outside the U.S. now.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I don't think so because:

1) It would cost Stars a fortune to pay for US$ checks from outside the States
2) It would cost Americans a fortune to cash those checks from an outside US bank.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

I thought I had received a check from Quebec one time and it didn't cost me a thing.

I'm not positive on that though.


Pretty sure the check that was sent to me from Caribbean Sun a few months ago was from some island somewhere.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

You may be right, I was thinking more about European banks, as Stars do offer the possibility to send check in European currencies to Europeans.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Pretty sure the check that was sent to me from Caribbean Sun a few months ago was from some island somewhere.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cyprus, probably.

Re: Stars Paper Check Monitoring Thread
 

The first time I recieved a check it was from a bank in Canada (I live in the U.S.). This was in 2005 and I don't know if they changed banks recently.