10 replies to this topic

[ddudley]

I've been thinking about joining the USPA.http://foruspa.org/index.htmIs anyone already a member? If so, what are your impressions so far?

[allinbluff35]

I looked on their website but I coudn't find anything worthwhile to even remotely thing about joining this, if someone else can pinpoint the reason(s) for it I am all ears otherwise I would rather donate my money to charity or to my bankroll.

[ddudley]

I think it's important for poker to have a unifying organization to work for the betterment of poker players and poker in general (like the USGA). If you've ever seen the logo's on player's shirts and hats fuzzed out on a TV broadcast you know why this is so important. Anyway, I'm considering putting my money where my mouth is and supporting this organization. If only I could find out if it's worth supporting... :?

[Gamblindude]

I am a member. They have already done impressive things even though they are just starting out. They have been able to entice several big names in the poker world to join the board of directors, they are not for profit, and I agree that poker and poker players need a voice. Their whole goal is to promote poker as a competitive sport. Poker needs an organization like this and they really need everybody's support to be successful. I joined as a professional member for $200 per year so I could qualify for the health insurance and retirement plans.

[MrConceit]

Gamblindude said:

I am a member. They have already done impressive things even though they are just starting out. They have been able to entice several big names in the poker world to join the board of directors, they are not for profit, and I agree that poker and poker players need a voice. Their whole goal is to promote poker as a competitive sport. Poker needs an organization like this and they really need everybody's support to be successful. I joined as a professional member for $200 per year so I could qualify for the health insurance and retirement plans.

I'm interested. How does the health insurance work?If you pay 200 a year to qualify for health insurance (and to be a professonal member), how much is insurance then? I actually emailed them asking for info on insurance and stuff like that, and they never emailed me back.Unless it got caught in my spam folder and I deleted it without knowing. Hmm.

[Gamblindude]

The insurance is just a group health insurance provided by an outside company. The more members, the cheaper the insurance like any other group plan. It also obviously depends on you, age, smoking, etc., and the deductible that you want.I have emailed them several times with questions and have always received a prompt reply. I would try again if I were you, some mistake was probably made.

[ddudley]

Gamblindude said:

I am a member. They have already done impressive things even though they are just starting out. They have been able to entice several big names in the poker world to join the board of directors, they are not for profit, and I agree that poker and poker players need a voice. Their whole goal is to promote poker as a competitive sport. Poker needs an organization like this and they really need everybody's support to be successful. I joined as a professional member for $200 per year so I could qualify for the health insurance and retirement plans.

I am also considering a professional membership, but I have a few questions:1. How long have they been around?2. Do they have meetings?3. Are you on any committees? Is that even possible?4. Do they have the "special member only events such as receptions and hospitality suites at tournaments, etc." that they talk about? If so, have you ever been to one? If so, how many people showed up? We're there any "big name" players there?5. Approximately how many members do they have?If you can answer any or all these questions it is greatly appreciated.Thanks,

[Gamblindude]

I am also considering a professional membership, but I have a few questions:1. How long have they been around?2. Do they have meetings?3. Are you on any committees? Is that even possible?4. Do they have the "special member only events such as receptions and hospitality suites at tournaments, etc." that they talk about? If so, have you ever been to one? If so, how many people showed up? We're there any "big name" players there?5. Approximately how many members do they have?If you can answer any or all these questions it is greatly appreciated.Thanks,[/quote]You would probably have to email them and ask them most of these. I can only tell you that they have been around for more than a year, I know they have board meetings if thats what you're talking about, and I have not been to any hospitality suites, but a friend of mine went to one and said that there were a lot of poker players there. I don't know any names that were there, but I would assume that some of their board members would be there.Rick

[ddudley]

Gamblindude said:

You would probably have to email them and ask them most of these. I can only tell you that they have been around for more than a year, I know they have board meetings if thats what you're talking about, and I have not been to any hospitality suites, but a friend of mine went to one and said that there were a lot of poker players there. I don't know any names that were there, but I would assume that some of their board members would be there.Rick

Thanks, you have been most helpful

[The Ace of Jades]

I think it needs a better name. Like National Poker League, National Poker Association, or Major Legue Poker. What real sport has four letter acronyms? And then they could have a cool logo like MLB or NBA with maybe a Spade, Five cards, or stack of chips in white with red and blue on either side instead of the outline of a person.But besides that it sounds pretty good. As long as the rules that they want don't get too outragious like limiting what you can say at the table and things like that.

[MrConceit]

Gamblindude said:

The insurance is just a group health insurance provided by an outside company.  The more members, the cheaper the insurance like any other group plan.  It also obviously depends on you, age, smoking, etc., and the deductible that you want.I have emailed them several times with questions and have always received a prompt reply.  I would try again if I were you, some mistake was probably made.

Yeah, the first time was utterly my bad. I mailed them again and they not only promptly mailed me, they gave me a forward of the first mail they had sent me. I felt stupid. :(It was going to my spam mailbox and I must have deleted the first one sent. I fixed that now.