Poker in Japan

I know this post will probably be met with mostly confused looks, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with playing poker(of any kind) in Japan? How would you find a game, what type of games do they play,etc. I'm going to be in Japan for a year studying abroad, and i want a source of income. I speak some Japanese and am currently taking classes, so i'd be able to communicate, just wanted to know if anyone had any first hand experience.

Other than that, if i remember correctly, its illegal to gamble online in japan, not sure. I wonder if it would be safe to use a remote desktop program and play via my home computer though? any thoughts? dont want to go broke while there. Thanks in advance

[lehighguy]

Not really related to poker, but I did study abroad in Japan and I'm going on a three week trip in one week. So I'd be happy to answer questions or give suggestions.

Where are you staying?
Host family or dorm?
What are you studying?
Why did you choose Japan?

[Stickmn24]

Tom McEvoy just did a Cardplayer article on poker in Japan. I think it talked about how you can only play for prizes because gambling is illegal.

Article (http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_magazine/archives/showarticle.php?a_id=14875&m_id=65568)

[dogmeat]

I spent a good deal of time in Japan. Gambling might be illegal, but there is a lot of gambling that goes on. There are a ton of Pachinko Parlors where you play a game slightly similar to pinball, you can fish for carp or eels on flimsy sticks, you can pay for a gumball or piece of candy and let fate decide how much you get etc. The prizes in the Parlors can be very expensive, and you can arrange deals for the value of certain prizes.

As for poker, there are a lot of bars all over the islands, and poker games in many just like there were in the US in the 50's and 60's - and just like then, you need an in or escort. Be careful, Japaneese love to gamble, and there are just as many "tough guys" there as in the US.

I don't know about Tokyo, but there were plenty of games in Sasebo, Yokosuka, and other areas.

Dogmeat /images/graemlins/spade.gif

[veganmav]

I am studying abroad right now in Japan. I let party poker know this and sent them a scan with my plane ticket, and passport stamped, and they said it was gravy. I am gonna be here for another 10 months and have been here for 2 already. What school are you going to in what city? (just curious). I dunno if it's illegal or not in Japan, but I do fine. Feel free to PM me if you want

[lehighguy]

Poker is illegal, but I don't think internet poker is.

[einbert]

[ QUOTE ]
I am studying abroad right now in Japan. I let party poker know this and sent them a scan with my plane ticket, and passport stamped, and they said it was gravy.

[/ QUOTE ]

So are you saying that I need to do that to play on PartyPoker from Japan? And you're also saying they're letting you do that now?

Also, does anyone know about the rules particularly regarding playing on the CoralEurobet skin? It's the one I play on because I have the highest rakeback there, so I would really like to be able to play from that account while I'm in Japan.

Well this is interesting news to me. I leave for Fukuoka on September 6 and am going to be spending a year there studying at Seinan Gakuin University. I would love to talk to you guys that are there/have been there/are going (I've been once before, but it was only for a month so this should be a more complete experience I think). My AIM screen name is josh1slim or you can use pm or whatever.

[lehighguy]

You also need to tell your bank and credit cards your leaving. Otherwise they won't let you withdraw money.

If you want to know more about Japan (I did study abroad there), just PM me.

[veganmav]

Do any of you think it's strange that so many of us are college students studying abroad in japan, playing poker on party?

cool huh