If you'd like to make some money off your gaming skills, but the Major League Gaming or Global Gaming League scene isn't quite for you, you could always try some one-on-one action at a site called Gamer Saloon. The site lets console players match up in head to head competitions and place a wager on the outcome. Apparently, because the outcome of a video game is based more on skill than on luck, this type of gambling isn't illegal the way online poker is. You can choose games on PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox, 360, or DS.
At the end of each match, one player posts the results, which the other player must then verify. In case of a dispute (hoo, wouldn't you love to know how often that happens?), GamerSaloon admins will
"review any evidence" and decide the winner. Come out on the wrong side of a dispute more than three times in a month and you get kicked from the service.
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, you have to be 18 or older to participate, so hopefully the people playing are adult enough to make sound financial decisions. On the other hand, people are pretty awful online when there's nothing more at stake than bragging rights--I fear that adding money into the equation will only bring out the absolute worst in gamers.
