David,

Regarding the 2-6 weeks timeline for checks...this makes total sense by not passing on the cost to the player, however, there are faster check options out there. One of the sites I play on also does primarily check withdrawals, but they DO pass on the delivery charge to the player ($45) to cash out. I have used this method at least 10 times and always the check is in my hands within 48 to 72 hours via UPS/FEDEX etc.

Now obviously this is useless for small 3 figure cash outs because of the fee, but for 4 figure plus cash outs fast checks like this could be an attractive choice for some Merge players that would prefer to pay for the option of a speedy and reliable delivery. Do you see anything possibly like this option happening with Merge in the future?

*Initial Announcement Regarding Spartan 300 $100 playthrough Bonuses*

Players,
I've been working on it and normally I'd be able to sort it out immediately,
but there is an accounting issue due to the way the tournament was set up.

I won't get into much detail, but basically it's a double accounting issue for me to do any changes (bonus was counted as part of the tournament overlay not as a bonus).

That being said, it's not like it can be manually sorted afterwards, but I would really appreciate it if you could give a few more days to actually get these changes in your player account balances (Wednesday please).

But in the meantime here are the options,
you can pick from here and email me at rewards@heropoker.com with your OPTION and user name.

Please note: the $100 was for players who were going to continue to play regardless, so if you've already withdrawn your $100 and your bonus is expired, apologies but these options no longer apply to you.

Option 1: Exchange bonus for two: $10.80 double up sit&go coupons
Option 2: Exchange bonus for one: 21.60 double up sit&go coupon

But you don't need to exchange the bonus now. You can exchange this for the bonus at any time until it expires or if you complete it. If you chose to get the tournament tickets now, then the bonus will be expired.

So you can just email rewards@heropoker.com at any time and by Wednesday, if you chose to exchange it now, the tournament tickets will be issued.

I know it is still crappy because of the requirements on the bonus, but if you chose, you can squeeze as much as you can out of the bonus and then get these tickets. I'm sure I'll have more flexibility after June 1st, but for now this is what I've thought is appropriate.

Thanks & regards,
David

You're saying we could potentially earn $99.99 of the bonus, and still choose from the options, correct?

Yes, correct, but actually I'm saying you 'could earn' 100% of the bonus and still choose from the options, within the 3 month bonus expiry date. The issue is with the RB players, they do generate the bonus at significant slower rate due to how our VIP points are generated and the fact that the bonus is tied to the VIP points (65% opposed to 20% on our site).

But yes, play it through as long as you can, then just exchange whatever is remaining of the bonus within the 3 month period.

They have brought this up in the RPM forum, either more cash for pay outs, or faster pay outs for volume players.

They don't want to do this.

The site that offers this 2-3 day payout for a fee is indeed a Merge skin.

I guess they handle their own cash outs separate from Merge to be able to offer the faster payments for a fee.

So, this is really random, but I don't really know of a more appropriate place since you've been so hands on lately...Anyway, when in ring games and clicking "History" to check out the last hand, lately it's been going into my entire history, so that I have to navigate to the hand I'm looking for through the folders (i.e. 5/22/2011-->Tourney #*******-->Hand #***(usually the most recent hand), and then navigate via the "previous" button to the hand I'm looking for. I don't have as much of a problem with the review function as some seem to, but when I'm multi tabling on 6-handed tables, that is WAY TOO MUCH distraction to try and find the right hand, especially when the ring games are all similarly titled at any given limit. It used to go directly to the most recent hand on the table you clicked "history" from, but now it refuses to---how can I fix this?

that is right; separate cashier.

Dave,
Just saw some more domain names seized by the DOJ in the US, True Poker, Dolyes, etc. Seems like Hero might be ok because of the money flow. Could you comment on any issue that your boutique might have in the future with the American authorities, though? Could be a tough question, but I would hate to build a BR and get jammed again. Also, would Hero make good on any type of charges associated with a check bounced by them? Never had it happen, but I always wondered what a site's policy was in that case. Thanks!

Well as you know, we already announced to pull out of US market and I think a key point is how these sites were directly engaging domestic processors which we haven't and won't do.

And yes, Hero, as a site, would make good on any type of charges associated with a check bounced or any other charges where we were at fault. Again, its not just about the extreme situations but providing that service across the board for our players. I wouldn't be running a boutique site if we just pinched at pennies or ignored legitimate player issues.

Are you stating that you don't think you will have a problem with the US authorities, and that your US player base will be able to deposit, withdraw, and play without disturbance. Sorry to press.

No not at all, I'm happy with all questions, I mean this is the point of the thread and my involvement. But forgive me in advance if I put my comments into context as the most straightforward questions are usually the most difficult to directly respond in kind.

Simply put, there is only so much I can account for and while I have an extremely high option of my managerial and strategic ability, there are simply things that are at such a level that can't be managed. One of those levels is issues at a gov't level. Now governments must be responsible in how they wield their power or else the general perception would lead to an image of abuse of power, but in the case where a gov't body has put the time and effort into researching a case and then publicly announces their intention, at that point it's not a matter of business management.

Regardless of how long Hero has been around, the actions stated in both indictments taken by those sites now and previous, is not something that Hero has been engaged in or will be engaged in. Along those lines, yes, we've taken on US players in good faith for them to use Hero Poker as they would any other site. That being said, given the current environment and our company objectives, is why we've pulled out of being active in the US market.

Hey Dave,

let me start by saying I think it's wonderful that you take such a hands on personal approach with your customers, I really wish the other merge skins would follow suit and do the same (unfortunately I passed the New York deadline to switch over to your skin or else I would have switched over from carbon.)

I know you mentioned Hero will stop servicing new US customers on May 25th but I just wanted to confirm, will that at all affect the service of US customers who already currently have money on the merge network?

Dave,
I understand that much is out of your control, and these aren't necessarily easy questions for someone in your position to deal with. Let me see if we can cut to the chase, though, with what I hope can be close to "yes" or "no" queries. It is clear from your previous posts that the US players currently playing, and those who can get in by 5/29, I think I remember 5/29, should be able to keep playing. That is cool, but here is what I would like made very clear. Should Hero have to suspend service to US players, would you be able to give some sort of guarantee that we will get our balances, and any other value associated with our accounts? Yes, I think that compound question gets it done. In other words, you might not be able to help getting shut down in the US market; and I think we would all understand not being able to play any longer on Hero. The thing that we would take issue with, though, if I can speak for the crowd, is not being able to get what is ours, and hopefully get it in a reasonable amount of time, say about the same time it takes to get a check currently. OK! I hope that moves us along, and it is a pleasure to attempt to iron this out. Also, like the site so far. I would like to see some changes, but that is secondary for the moment. Good job to this point in any case. Thanks!!!

No their accounts will be unaffected.

No worries:
1. May 25th was the date actually and if I could have done it on the day I deemed it necessary, I would have but again, I'm not one to be reactive and whether players recognize it or not, I put in a lot of consideration and deliberation into how and when I do act.
2. The very act of us having already announced our exit from the US market was to provide that further level of upgraded service across the board-now I'm repeating myself for a purpose- upgraded service means putting our players in the best position the company can put them in.
3. If we compare PS & FPT, I think what defines them both in the actual action they took was because one had more thoughtful professional management as well as had a more broader scope of operations. In the case of Hero, we have an extremely focused scope of operations and with all the events that have occurred and my background, perhaps the best position to make a judgement call. And of course that judgement call was to make an exist and its well documented that the intent was there before this recent indictment.
4. I would think that all sites will give you a guarantee that you will get what is owed to you, but the difference between stating that and actually owning up to that is totally different. And I'll be perfectly frank at this point as I think we are all getting down to that level here, if I look at a case of UB/AB, from a purely business and past history point of view; nothing of what they have done or how they have reacted or what has come out is not at all surprising the least to me throughout the entire events and with a peak liquidity of 195 at this point, I don't think I need to finish that statement. In the same way, you're going to have look at what Hero's actions are and what we are representing and if they correspond to each other.

If I say, we are running this business for the long term and I want to still head this company 10 or 20 years from now, then our obvious response would be to do everything in our power to ensure that not only what is owning to players is taken care of but also all the fees associated with that for the time and good faith given to us. For me, these are all actions that as the CEO I will and would take. But I'll say this: words right now are very very cheap and so are hiring pros to act as shills when all they should be doing is playing their game. I honestly can't be more clearer in how I say things, but I'd recommend that you don't take my word or anyone's word on the matter. Forget about the temptation of fish, of bonuses and rakeback, does Hero or any site, even without this market environment have really acted to deserve your business and good will? I think that is yes, or no answer that really only you can definitively answer.

Dave,
Fair enough. We've kicked it around pretty good. I will keep a positive attitude while being cautious. Hope to keep playing at Hero for years, but time will tell. Looking forward to more exchanges, but will leave it here for now. Take it easy!
MR_UNOWEN

Hey Dave since we will be a limited group here for the time being at least I guess your American players will be kinda special huh?

lol, very much so as always. Lets see how really good I can make the service though, I have some big plans.

i am guessing nothing on the aussie front means no rb for us with the end of the month rapidly coming down?

Dave,

I appreciate you answering all these questions personally. Here's some more. I am a US player and have a rakeback account on another Merge skin. If I open an acct on Hero, whether I deposit or not Immediately, can I have a rakeback acct at a later date if my other Merge acct remains dormant for 60 days? This will put it past the June 1st deadline.

Thanks

Hello David,

Are there any details available how Merge payment processing can be differentiated from the seized poker site operators? I understand that you said they were using domestic processors. I would assume you're saying that Merge uses overseas payment processor.

Guys in transit between Korea Macau will respond in 8 hours. Flight atttendant is taking away my phone now.

Earlier in this thread there is a post explaining the process. The good news is that, yes, you can do this. The bad news is that you have a limited time and I am on my phone so I can't quote the post. Just read back a bit though and get yourself set up!

where exactly 's your physical office locate ?

gah, thought May 25 was last day (just re read now). Oh well.. wouldnt work just now...