This afternoon was my annual trip to the optometrist. I was dreading this visit, because I was fairly certain of the outcome. Unfortunately, I was correct.

"Russell, you need bifocals."

My father never needed glasses. My mother doesn't need glasses. My brother still has perfect 20/20 vision. I, on the other hand, have lousy eyesight. And my optometrist told me that both my eyes got worse last year at distance vision.

So in a week I'll have a new set of progressive glasses for indoor use and new prescription sunglasses.

---

Back in October, I received this email:

Hi this is Doyle Brunson,

I know many of you will be concerned and dismayed about the bill signed into law by the President today.

I want to confirm to all existing and potential poker players that it’s business as usual here at Doyle’s Room and we continue to accept players from all over the world including the United States of America.

We at Doyle’s Room have taken extensive legal advice and believe that it is far too early to fully understand the implications of this bill on our industry. Based on the legal advice we have received, the new bill does not make internet poker expressly illegal nor does it take aim at players who enjoy online poker. However, there are some U.S. States that have existing regulations in place that may prohibit online gaming, so we encourage all of our U.S. players to review the laws of the State in which they reside.

Until such time as the law becomes clearer, Doyle’s Room will operate as normal with our full exciting range of games and tournaments at all limits.

And finally, please rest assured your money is completely secure at Doyle’s Room. I personally guarantee it.

I guess the law is now clear, as Doyle's Room is officially exiting the US market.

---

I think the question that online poker players need to consider is not if the last four sites taking US customers will exit the US market, but when will they exit the market. Those last four are PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet, and Bodog. (If I've missed one, let me know.)

On 2+2 today, there was a post that implied that PokerStars is about to form its own bank to service US customers. (I tried to get to that post, but I'm unable to get into the 2+2 forums right now.) While in the extreme short-term, that's a solution to their problems, it won't work once the UIGEA regulations come into play.

(Update below)

I now have found two references to the "Bank of PokerStars." In this post, there's discussion about it. This post is copied word-for-word on 2+2 here.

I think this rumor--that PokerStars will have its own bank--is just that, a rumor. If they do put a bank on tribal land in Canada, and they accept deposits from outside of the tribe, they would probably become subject to Canadian law. If they interface with the US banking system, they definitely would be subject to US laws, including the UIGEA.