Yes the games are free and the money is the unspendable kind but the new online poker website launched by a consortium of California based organizations may help fill the gap between the fall of the Big Three and the passing of American based online poker legislation. This new website, Calshark.com offers American poker enthusiasts a place to polish their game, network with other poker fans and try out new techniques all without having to worry about federal indictments. Calshark.com offers players the chance to either download their software or play the game through their browser, an option not often found at online casinos. So for those with memory space issues or virus paranoia you can still play poker. You receive 1000 chips for signing up. Another great feature for many of us is the no credit card required option. I for one hate to use anything but PayPal when online and this site saves you from financial worry. Yes the games are free and you aren't going to get rich over night playing at Calshark.com. You will have a chance to improve your game and establish yourself at a site that may one day offer real money games. You know when the online poker legislation is finally passed. You may remember that several of the companies involved with Calshark.com were the first to refuse Pokerstars offers of sponsorship for California tournaments after the events of April 15, 2011. This site may be the beginning of a new way of looking at online poker or it may end up as more of the same. Either way I’m signing up as I for one miss the online game.