support
If you have any questions about our site, please read through the following frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that are not answered below, please do not hesitate to Contact Us for a prompt and complete response.
Please click one of the topics below and scroll the questions and answers.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GAME
I'd like to start playing now. What's the fastest way to get in on a game now?Simply download the free software. From the lobby, go to any table and select a seat. You will then be given the option to create a new account. Fill out the brief form and you will be ready to play!
What if I just wanted to try out the games for free? What information do I need to supply to open my Choke Out Poker account?
To start with Choke Out Poker, you are only required to enter your Name, City and Email Address. In less than a minute, you'll be at a table playing against poker players from all over the world. AN ABSOLUTE BLAST AND ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Is Choke Out Poker really free and can I play right now?
Yes, it's absolutely free! Download our application and you'll be playing in minutes! Once you gain the confidence you may want to join in on our lower limit games starting at only .25 - .50. It's your choice to play for fun or for cash and you move at your own pace!
All new players receive 1,000 play Choker Chips. If you run out of play money Choker Chip, you can get more by clicking on the "More Chips" button when you attempt to buy-in. Good luck, and let's see how good your poker skills are!
In the lobby, click the game titles on the tab bars to select between each type of game. The available tables for each game are listed vertically -- simply double-click on the table you wish to join, or press the "PLAY" button.
What do I do if the game freezes or the Internet disconnects?
If you are disconnected during a hand, the software will automatically attempt to reconnect you to the Internet and return you to your table. If you return in the allotted time, you will find yourself still in your same seat with the other players waiting for you to continue the hand as if you had never left. If you return after the allotted time limit, the software will have put you "all in" and, through our hand history function, you will be able to see what happened on the hand that got frozen. If your hand was winning hand, you win the main pot of that game.
What happens to my hand if I get disconnected and I cannot return back in time?
If you do not return in time, you will automatically be all in. Each player is granted a specific number of all in's per day to protect their hands in the event of disconnects. If you have already used your daily all in's and do not return to the table in time, then your hand will automatically be folded. We do not suggest playing if you've used all your allotted all-ins for that day. We suggest paging the Host and advising him of the situation so that he can make a decision if he can reset your all in's for that session. On play money tables, you have an unlimited number of all in's.
The server crashed in the middle of a hand. What happens when a hand is restarted? What happens to my money?
Transactions are posted to players' accounts at the completion of every hand. If a hand does not complete for any reason, then all players' accounts are restored as they were at the beginning of the hand. All bets are off and a new hand is dealt.
If a table you select is currently full, press the Wait button and you will be added to the wait list. The lobby screen will show you where you are on the list. For example, "4 of 5" means that you are fourth on the list of the five people that are waiting. When a seat becomes available, you will automatically be summoned.
We suggest you do. It is our goal to have you play the game you want to play. Chances are, you'll be able to get your desired game going, even if you're first one to take a seat. Other players will most likely arrive shortly.
What does Avg. Pot and Plrs/Flp in the Lobby mean?
Avg. Pot is the average pot size for the last 20 hands. Plrs/Flp is the percentage of players, averaged over the last 20 hands, who "see the flop".
The Choker Chips are clearly stacked and are easily read. In addition, a Choker Chip counter will be displayed at the table.
What does "game number" mean?
Every hand played is given a unique game number. This game number (also known as "hand number") can be used when requesting player hand histories or when there is a problem with a specific game that you would like to review or report. If there is ever a question or a problem with a particular game, note the game number and reference it when contacting us. If you missed the game number and the next game has already started, check under "previous game" in top right corner of screen.
How do I get my hand histories?
You can get access to the hand histories from the Host menu in the Lobby. Just click on Host and select "Request Hand History".
I keep getting disconnected or frozen. What can be done?
This is normally caused by Internet conditions beyond our control, having to do with your Internet service provider. We can suggest using an alternate provider if you have one. An inconsistent Internet connection can be caused by any number of things, and is difficult to diagnose at times. This problem may also be caused by slow dial up connections. Our technicians may be able to suggest ways in which you can improve your connection, and thereby improve the game performance for you.
In an emergency, such as if I need to call a Host or the game has locked up for everyone at the table, how do I contact someone for an immediate response?
On the Host Menu screen you will see an option for "Private Chat". This notifies a Host you need immediate attention and he/she will be right with you via private messaging.
Can anything be done to stop harassing, abusive or offensive chat at the tables?
While allowing a player to speak freely, we want to keep games clean and fun. we do not allow offensive or abusive language in the chat. Nor will we tolerate harassment of our players at the table. If someone is behaving contrary to this policy, this person is automatically entered in a database along with his Username, game number and the exact word or phrase used. Also, please let us know about it by e-mailing support. We will promptly take appropriate corrective action to insure our games remain fun for all our members.
How do I change my nickname?
We discourage nickname changes, as this is the only way in which players can identify each other in the virtual card room. If you have a compelling reason to change your nickname, you must e-mail your request to the general manager for consideration. Again, we discourage changing nicknames.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCOUNT STATUS AND MONEY TRANSFERS
What is the minimum buy-in?
As in most cardrooms, the minimum buy-in is ten times the small bet. For example, you need 100 to enter a 10 - 20 game, 50 to enter a 5 - 10 game and 20 to enter a 2 - 4 game. Upon entering each table, the software will advise you of the minimum buy-in for that particular table.
Can I buy-in for less than the minimum?
This is called a short buy-in, and players are allowed one short buy-in during a playing session but not on the initial buy-in. If you do not have enough money on deposit for the initial buy-in to enter a game, you are allowed to get action on your remaining account balance at the lowest limit table in the card room.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT TECHNICAL ISSUES
I'm worried about the security of the game? What is collusion?
This is a major topic of debate when it comes to Internet poker and we take this subject very seriously. Our software has built-in security features to insure all games are played honestly and safely. Plus our hosts screen all poker tables constantly and monitor all games to insure a fair game.
How do I get a history of the hands I have played?
Click on the “Table” tab and scroll down to “Search Hand History”, then type in the hand number you wish to review or just click on “last hand” at the bottom right of the table. If you do not know the hand number please contact our Customer Service Department with the table name and an approximate time and we will be glad to help you.
Who can answer my specific technical questions?
Please email our technical support staff if you have any specific technical questions. They will forward this information to our Tech department and have an answer for you ASAP.
Can more than one family member in same household have an account?
Players are not allowed to have more than one active account. If more than one player in the same household wishes to play, then you will need to contact customerservice@chokeoutpoker.net for assistance to set up the accounts. Although two players from same household can play at same time, they will not be permitted to play at the same table at the same time. This will be strictly enforced.
I can't seem to get the program to run, what can I do?
This problem is typical of computers with AOL. If you use AOL on your computer, follow these simple steps: AOL users must start up under AOL and connect to the Internet. On AOL go to "Internet" menu and click on "Go to Web". Now run Choke Out Poker's Poker software.
I'm having problems getting connected, what can I do?
Please email support for assistance. You may also speak to a customer service representative live by pressing the live person link. We are always happy to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I have WebTV. Can I play at poker at your site?
At this time, WebTV users cannot play poker online. The reason for this is that WebTV does not allow users to download software, since they do not have any kind of storage media (hard drives) to download to. When this changes, we will notify players. Please leave us your email address here so that we can send an email at the time this becomes possible.
I do not have Windows operating system. Can I play on any other operating system?
Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have software for operating systems other than Windows. The software is only compatible on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. A Java version will be offered shortly. This will not require you to download and will allow you to play regardless of your computers platform.