IS SEALS WITH CLUBS DONKDOWN??? (Update: Micon charged with a felony in Nevada)

[Crowe Diddly]

Anyways your explanation is good from a tech perspective but not a marketing one. If u want your product to blow up, as we know Micon dreams about every day, you dont design the installer to where a major browser warns people it's dangerous and uncommon. If the Pokerstars programmers did this, upper management would walk in and slap them upside the head! I realize the average btc user is more tech savvy than the average Stars player, but still.

Chrome would warn you about the download whether it was an exe or an msi file. Chrome is basically telling you they have no idea if SWCpoker is legit, they cannot vouch for the downloaded file, and you should be careful. Considering this is a new client on an entirely new domain, this should not be too surprising. The fact that your browser warns you about this file should be the least worrying thing about this whole deal, considering this is a new poker site under new management with absolutely no history of anything, and an apparently new tech team who nobody knows, with no safeguards for anything at all if you get fucked, on a platform nobody has played on yet.

[4Dragons]

Anyways your explanation is good from a tech perspective but not a marketing one. If u want your product to blow up, as we know Micon dreams about every day, you dont design the installer to where a major browser warns people it's dangerous and uncommon. If the Pokerstars programmers did this, upper management would walk in and slap them upside the head! I realize the average btc user is more tech savvy than the average Stars player, but still.

Chrome would warn you about the download whether it was an exe or an msi file. Chrome is basically telling you they have no idea if SWCpoker is legit, they cannot vouch for the downloaded file, and you should be careful. Considering this is a new client on an entirely new domain, this should not be too surprising. The fact that your browser warns you about this file should be the least worrying thing about this whole deal, considering this is a new poker site under new management with absolutely no history of anything, and an apparently new tech team who nobody knows, with no safeguards for anything at all if you get fucked, on a platform nobody has played on yet.

It's literally 1 extra step to wrap an msi in an exe jacket to keep it warm.

[Texter]

My laptop refused the download altogether to protect itself...ha

[abrown83]

My laptop refused the download altogether to protect itself...ha

Presuming you are running Windows 8 click the more information drop down and click run anyways.

That should do the trick.

[Dan Druff]

I think Cokehead has a point. Everyone knows EXE files if they download any programs off the net, but they are not familiar with MSI files, and between that and the browser warning (even if it's not related to the filetype), people can be turned off, even if there is legitimately nothing wrong with the software.

A big challenge that software companies face is making something appealing/usable to the average user, and to test it from that standpoint. You basically test as if you're a regular person, not a programmer, and not a tech genius. If you can't do that and put yourself in the average user's shoes, then you need to get some average users to test for you.

I used to work in software, and I had this argument frequently with other programmers when I would be testing their stuff. I would point out what is confusing/scary/inconvenient, and I would usually get back a response of, "No, but it's so simple!", or "Only a moron wouldn't understand that!", because these guys were programmers and couldn't put themselves in the shoes of non-programmers using the software.

[Texter]

My laptop refused the download altogether to protect itself...ha

Presuming you are running Windows 8 click the more information drop down and click run anyways.

That should do the trick.

Well it downloaded then deleted the file automatically so I don't think that will work...bovada it is!

[NoDoxPoker_Chairman]

can we talk about how a fucking bitcoin poker site doesnt even have SSL enabled?

He's got AES-128. Not sufficient?

[zealanddonk]

He's got AES-128. Not sufficient?

More like AIDS-128

[4Dragons]

More like AIDS-128

I'm going with shitthebed-365 but hell.

[Dan Druff]

can we talk about how a fucking bitcoin poker site doesnt even have SSL enabled?

He's got AES-128. Not sufficient?

FYI this guy isn't Micon.

He claims to run another bitcoin poker site called NoDoxPoker.

[Matt The Rat]

The Chairman speaks some more...

A bit of new info in this Antiguan newspaper article: $20K in electronic equipment? And boy does he sound like he's trying to butter up those Antiguans.

http://antiguaobserver.com/ousted-ga...-for-business/

Ousted gaming company owner considers Antigua for business
February 25, 2015

The chairman of Seals With Clubs, a Bitcoin Poker gaming operation which US authorities suspect has been operating illegally, said he’s is considering moving his business to Antigua permanently after his Las Vegas home was raided on February 11, 2015.

The businessman, Bryan Micon who also confirmed to OBSERVER media that he is already in Antigua, denied reports he “fled” to this country to hide from US investigators who, in a search warrant, said his business is in violation of the Nevada Revised Statutes NRS 463.750(10b).

The warrant further alleged the gaming site does not have the appropriate licenses as required by State law NRS 463.160(1a).

In an exclusive interview, Micon said, “With the recent development with Seals With Clubs, my former partners didn’t want anything to do with it anymore for whatever reasons. Some of the guys we’re still working with are re-launching a server in Europe and are going to start offering Bitcoin poker to the world and they are very interested in settling here in Antigua and opening an office here,” he said.

The investor said he hopes they would succeed in setting up business here and he’s encouraged that Antigua has been fighting the US, through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in a decade old dispute.

The entrepreneur added, “I have been watching the new Antigua government and it looks very positive to online gaming and tourism businesses and employing Antigua and creating new Antiguan jobs. So, it seems it is such a wonderful place to live and work and I’m considering to go through the motions to see what it’s like to base everything here.”

Micon said he became chairman of the company after his partners quit and “handed over all the assets” immediately following the raid.

He also said he is not suspicious of his partners who wish to remain anonymous, although they readily handed over everything to him, and have decided to walk away from the company without a fight.

Speaking about the online media reports that he’s evading prosecution by US authorities, Micon said he came to Antigua about a week ago, but added his trip was planned long before the recent raid.

The entrepreneur, however added that although it was planned for a later date, it was brought up by a few weeks to give his family “a break” from the trauma of the experience, during which his electronic equipment, valued at over US$20,000 and his wife’s phone, among other items, were allegedly taken from the family.

If you read the comments of the online newspaper article most of them want to "send him back home" etc, etc, etc. I especially like a comment by a user named "Phantom" It reads: "I just had a video chat with his attorney...It was very revealing" SOLID FUCKIN GOLD!

[jsearles22]

He's got AES-128. Not sufficient?

FYI this guy isn't Micon.

He claims to run another bitcoin poker site called NoDoxPoker.

Whatever you say Cokehead

[v12cl]

I think Cokehead has a point. Everyone knows EXE files if they download any programs off the net, but they are not familiar with MSI files, and between that and the browser warning (even if it's not related to the filetype), people can be turned off, even if there is legitimately nothing wrong with the software.

A big challenge that software companies face is making something appealing/usable to the average user, and to test it from that standpoint. You basically test as if you're a regular person, not a programmer, and not a tech genius. If you can't do that and put yourself in the average user's shoes, then you need to get some average users to test for you.

I used to work in software, and I had this argument frequently with other programmers when I would be testing their stuff. I would point out what is confusing/scary/inconvenient, and I would usually get back a response of, "No, but it's so simple!", or "Only a moron wouldn't understand that!", because these guys were programmers and couldn't put themselves in the shoes of non-programmers using the software.

I'm guessing the average bitcoin user is a bit more tech savvy than the average moron

[BeerAndPoker]

I just figured the file would be called swcpoker.bat

[phantom]

If you read the comments of the online newspaper article most of them want to "send him back home" etc, etc, etc. I especially like a comment by a user named "Phantom" It reads: "I just had a video chat with his attorney...It was very revealing" SOLID FUCKIN GOLD!

that wasnt me but still

[tyde]

[Charham]

I remember the discussion in here a while ago about how this was going to end. The only question really was who shuts it down first, hackers stealing the bitcoins or the feds. According to the article his house was raided. How would you like to explain that to your wife? were the kid and wife in the house during the raid?? Its like the wolf of wall street nerd version, without the cheap hooker and cheap blow (I guess).

This will end in either permanent exile if he keeps doubling down. may be too late. Does he have any friends/advisors who he listens to? flaunting his plans in the media is a very bad idea.


found this in an article: Micon says that he was with his wife and their two-year-old daughter at the time of the raid. He now says that he and his family have fled to Antigua. Micon says that he still doesn’t entirely understand why he was targeted by authorities.

[Sanlmar]

Anyway let's get away from this political argument about regulation, because it's cluttering what is otherwise an intelligent and thoughtful discussion of the Seals thread .

We have a lull in the action.

How you enjoying your net neutrality regulation win Druff? Unintended consequences. Time Warner Comcast merger etc, etc. government never helps. Some catch on a little slower than others. Thought Obamacare woulda driven this point home for you.

Got a fresh example of regulation, light touch or otherwise.

How those online poker players in NJ & Nevada enjoying government protection?

Do you think they would rather be playing on unLicensed ACR or SWC now?

[Belly Buster]

[Dan Druff]

Anyway let's get away from this political argument about regulation, because it's cluttering what is otherwise an intelligent and thoughtful discussion of the Seals thread .

We have a lull in the action.

How you enjoying your net neutrality regulation win Druff? Unintended consequences. Time Warner Comcast merger etc, etc. government never helps. Some catch on a little slower than others. Thought Obamacare woulda driven this point home for you.

Got a fresh example of regulation, light touch or otherwise.

How those online poker players in NJ & Nevada enjoying government protection?

Do you think they would rather be playing on unLicensed ACR or SWC now?

You're joking, right? I'm sure you realize I was against net neutrality, so it's not a "win", though perhaps you're trying to demonstrate that I'm being contradictory with wanting regulation of online poker and none for the internet.

I already explained that, though. Government regulation is a must with online poker, because it involves player money and the extreme importance of fairness and honesty in the game. There is no way that the free market can effectively regulate it. Full Tilt might be still stealing from us to this day (and still sitting with everyone's respect) if Black Friday hadn't happened in 2011.

The NJ/Nevada legalized rooms are failing for three reasons. First, they are being run very poorly. I don't know if you read Melissa Burr's essay about the various reasons the NJ poker rooms were struggling, but she was on point. They just aren't doing things right. Second, the regulations were written by idiots, and are burdensome to the sites. But honestly, the troublesome regulations are more of an excuse for the site managers to use for their own failures. Third, and most importantly, everyone involved underestimated the huge population requirement necessary for online poker to succeed. Nevada's population is far too small, and even New Jersey's is too small. One-state poker rooms won't work, except in large states like California, where still there will only be room for 1 or 2 rooms/networks to thrive. This is simply because only a very small fraction of the population wants to regularly play online poker, especially with all of the hurdles to get verified and make a deposit.

Anyway, I never said government regulation of online poker would be easy. It has to be done right, or it will be a disaster, and so far it hasn't been done right. But it has to be done. The brick and mortar casinos are regulated, and while there's plenty of corruption, for the most part the casinos operate freely and the average patron doesn't run into obnoxious hurdles while attempting to gamble, nor is there much interference in the free market. Regulating online casinos needs to be done similarly, but they can't just use the same blanket procedures because online is a completely different animal.

If the government(s) wanted to do it right, they would consult with various people in the industry, including longtime online poker employees and longtime players like me. The problem with bureaucrats is that they don't do smart things like this, and instead think they can read a brief on the industry and then write their own effective regulations without help.

The above might sound like I'm arguing against regulation, but I'm not. Regulation IS necessary. Without it, online poker will continue to be a disaster, filled with scams, scandals, cheats, and thefts. But if regulation isn't done right, it will also be a disaster. So we will have to see what happens. Hopefully they correct their course before online poker is completely choked out of the US.