Instant eChecks, or just eChecks, are quickly gaining popularity among American poker players and US friendly poker sites. Why? Necessity really. With the passing and enforcement of the UIGEA, it has become more and more difficult to simply deposit money onto an internet poker site. First some of the large processors, such as Neteller, pulled out. Now, credit cards are becoming more and more unreliable as deposit options. The one saving grace for American poker players is eChecks.

If you have never used eChecks to deposit, it really is quite simple and very safe. eChecks work by transferring money directly from a checking account into your playing account. It works using a process called Automated Clearing House, or ACH. This is the same process used by many retail and grocery stores when they scan your check and give it back to you. If you aren’t familiar with this, basically the transaction is simply processed using the information on the check, not the check itself. In that way, poker sites can take a check for deposit, without actually needing the check.

There is a loophole in the UIGEA that allows for ACH transactions (which is what eChecks are). To this point, most banks are allowing the transactions without issue, although this, as anything in online poker these days, is subject to quick change. However, for the time being, eChecks are definitely the fastest, safest, and most reliable way to get money into your online poker account. Fortunately, some of the best online poker sites in the world use eChecks to process payments every day!

Why start small when you can start with the largest poker site in the world, PokerStars. PokerStars accepts eChecks from almost anywhere, including throughout the United States (a few states might have some issues). They simply call their eCheck deposit process “Instant eChecks”. Just click on “Buy Chips” from the Cashier and choose Instant eChecks and within minutes your cash will be in your account.

The second largest poker site in the world, Full Tilt Poker, also accepts eChecks. They call their version of it Quick Deposit (powered by Instant eChecks), but it is exactly the same thing. Choose Quick Deposit from the Full Tilt deposit screen to process this payment and be on the tables building stacks in no time.

The CEREUS Networking, consisting of UB and Absolute Poker also gladly accept eCheck payments. They also use the Quick Deposit version, which is the same as Instant eChecks. UB also has an option called eCheckUS, which is an instant eCheck deposit method especially for US players.

eCheckUS is also an option at many Merge Network sites. Merge has been around for years but is now the fastest growing network of poker sites in the world. They are anchored by Carbon Poker but newcomers Gr88 Poker and Overbet Poker are also viable Merge Network options accepting eCheckUS payments.

While making a deposit to an online poker site from within the United States is not as simple a process as it was at one time, the use of Instant eChecks has made life a little easier for many. The procedure for making an eCheck deposit is safe, reliable and very fast. Many sites offer cashouts right back into your checking account as well, provided you have made eCheck deposits previously. With a little luck, eChecks will continue to be viable options for deposits and withdrawals at many of the best poker sites on the net.