This is currently a rumor, but it seems to have legs and if it proves to be true it would be the biggest news since Black Friday (and the best news in years for poker).
Full 2p2 thread, cliff notes in the original post (statements from GBT regarding their deal falling through, PokerStars statement that doesn't confirm nor deny anything and some insider sources talking details of an agreement that may already be in place).
I have to stress, this is a rumor, not officially confirmed, but it is quite promising.
Note: PokerStars logo there for image purposes only, this is not a PokerStars statement or message, just a piece of rumor news involving them.
A bit informal, so I authored it myself. And I know we don't usually post rumors, or rumors not directly involving the HUSNG community, but this news is quite a bit larger than the usual general poker news, so lets hope it pans out and stay informed.
full 2p2 thread links to frankthomas blog lol ;D
Fixed, not sure why, but my copy paste takes two tries sometimes.
What does PokerStars stand to gain? They already have good software and FTP's players are coming to PS anyway.
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jeeez just when we had good news than FTP was hiring, new bombshell : deal is off. And now this! Hopefully this is true and work out this time!Having a second big poker Site (even if owned by the same people) would be good for the poker economy. There are still lots of people out there missing FTP. Hopefully 2 big brands will atract more people into the game.would love to hear, what daniel negreanu will have to say. LOL . That's going to be a bit of an issue for him
Doesn't matter what DN thinks, he's just a poker celebrity/entertainer, and while he's probably one of the most successful, this type of deal is still worth a lot more than any poker player's winnings or opinion. Plus, if DN is the nice guy that is reported (jury is out imo, he's done some good things and he agrees with many of us when he blasts people like HL or Annie Duke, not that those are rare opinions to share, but his behavior on the 2p2 incident was very childish and dramatic), he should be happy that the company he is the face of is potentially bailing out online poker players around the world (hell he could even grandstand this, nobody cares, people just want to get paid from FTP's disasterous company of cards).What does PokerStars gain? Perhaps a discounted settlement with the DOJ, litigation in the USA is gone and they can repartner up with Wynn or some other US based casino in the future with regulated USA online poker.Also a huge overseas advantage with the Full Tilt brand under their helm. Full Tilt in the hands of GBT or anybody else could threaten PokerStars competitively, but if PokerStars buys them they just further their market dominance. PokerStars would likely remain #1 in players either way, but the difference between 45% and 75% of the market is huge (just estimates, not accurate figures).Lots of other more speculative guesses of what could be in this for PokerStars, but the ability to close this USA legal action before regulation occurs, allowing them to partner up with a US based casino could be the major one (that would be my guess at least). If the 750 million purchase price rumored is true, and if it includes the 300m+ they owe players as rumors suggest, that would mean PokerStars pays 450 million in fines to get out of their lawsuit. Considering it was 1.5 billion charged, and considering the 450 million might include previously seized funds, that could be quite a favorable place for them to end up.
Cliffs: Pokerstars wins all poker, gg
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Thou shalt not tilt.
My dream of a really competitive market with 3 equally sized big poker houses is shattered.Imagine that, 3 big companies competing for the market. Good for the pros, good for the recreational players.I´m so delusional sometimes.
Thou shalt not tilt.
Doesnt look like a rumor anymore
I don't know, until PokerStars formally announces this, I would consider it a rumor. The pieces are much too large to think otherwise here. DOJ, Full Tilt, those are complicated entities.