Glenn Spicher

Internet Poker: 5 Questions I would Ask the U.S. Federal Around the Poker1001 Shutdown

1. People are dying in wars, so why don't you stop that?

The online poker boom started in 2003. That same year, the U.S. invaded Iraq. Soldiers have been dying in Iraq ever since, yet you chose to go after online poker. Less people have died playing cards. Let's not forget the illegal guns and drugs that run rampant across the country. Maybe you should concentrate on those issues first?

2. Why not let us take on the world at poker?

Since 2000, more Americans won the Worlds Series of Poker than any other nationality. Apparently, we are pretty good at poker. Why not let us take on the world?

3. How exactly have you helped me?

For most people, poker1001 is a pastime. People play it to have fun and relieve stress. There are also professionals who play poker for a living. You have effectively cut us off from poker in one swift motion. Please tell me how I am benefiting from this.

4. Is this really financial protection?

Are you protecting us from losing money? Do you really have our financial interests at heart? Well why didn't you protect us from the Enron Corporation, the subprime mortgage crisis and Bernie Madoff? That all happened on our own soil. Besides, professional poker players are pretty good at managing their own money. That's a skill that all pros develop. I don't think I want help from someone who barely avoided a full government shutdown on April 9, 2011.

5. Did you suffer a bad beat?

Did your four kings lose to four aces? Are you tilting? This is probably the only way I can make sense of what you have done. You are clearly not on your "A" game.

I am a big fan of online poker. It's played all over the world. But now it's no longer played in the greatest country in the world and I don't understand why. I hope it returns soon.