Still trying to sort out what it means for US players, not having much luck. I imagine we will be reimbursed our player balances, but this doesn't mean we're clear to play anytime soon...or does it mean we're back to that limbo area of poker legality?

I think theyre two entirely separate problems

Looks like Pokerstars might be getting you a Wedding Present, AAC.

Agreed

That would be one hell of a gift, I have to admit.

Then again, it's like a gift that I got myself a year ago.

I thought you were like 24 or something....


Get well soon!

25 (turning 26). And he's not my birth son, but my GF's son. He's 8 and awesome...just not at tennis =P

That sucks man. Take care of yourself.

sounds a lot like you

Acknowledge my offering of bacon, you ungrateful birthday bastard

rofl. and thanks gman

I acknowledge, I had bacon for lunch (well not all bacon, it was more of a condiment on a salad), and plan on having braised pork belly for dinner.

Thanks for the wishes.

+∞

The thing mpethy posted about the DOJ procedure where we PROVE we have a claim was depressing. FTP is like a bank (somewhat) and nobody blew up the bank so presumably they could just look at the player account DB and see what we are owed. If I have to do the paperwork equivalent of going to trial I may just write off my 2k-3k FTP owes me.

If PS rides in on a white horse and promises to pay players then I will breath a sigh of relief.

+1.

Mind if I do some wild speculation?

Why would PS even want to do this? They already have a large majority of former FTP players who can still play online. What do they have to gain by taking on the this debt? FTP has been out of commission for a year now, and expecting ANY goodwill from that name is lolbad business.

So, this leads me to believe that PS knows something we don't, and this move is strategic positioning by a company fully expecting to re-enter the US market. If PS steps in a makes US players whole, they just purchased an immediate and extremely loyal US base. One that would be willing to abandon WSOP.com and the like if they enter the market a year later.

Either that, or it's all just a bunch of bull**** rumor-mongering. I lean towards the latter.

My $.02

I would imagine that it's some combo of getting a site cleaned/cleared to enter USA upon legislation, and allowing for Isai Scheinberg to travel the world without looking over his shoulder.

Goodwill probably comes into play but is likely a distant third. This is about cash money.

Cue up the one times - for like the ninth time.

PokerStars in talks to buy Full Tilt Poker - WSJ/Reuters

I think this is it. Part of PS's deal with the DOJ was that they'd leave the US market obviously. What I don't remember hearing was whether or not there was any allowance for PS to reenter the market if there was regulation of online poker in the US. If not, then this deal could make sense. PS wanted to settle quick with the DOJ originally in order to get their business back open and running. As part of that though, they got banned permanently from the US regardless if regulation occurs (not sure if that is the case or not). With the FTP deal, PS wants to negotiate that FTP can reenter the US market once regulation occurs. This deal would then essentially gives PS access to the US market. This is the only logical reason I can think of why PS would want to buy FTP.

The third paragraph doesn't seem to allow for them to come back at all.

DOJ Agreement

It doesn't seem to for FTP either though....unless as part of the sale the DOJ deems FTP to be a "new company" not constrained to the previous agreement.

or a new agreement is being negotiated.

DOJ does have interest in making US Players whole. (as much as we like to diss them, they do want to help out US citizens).

So PS may believe its worth the money to be able to enter the market, have two brands, and new technology (RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!, I MISS RUSH SOOOOO MUCH!). There also may be some stipulation that the US players pool must be separated completely.

There seems to be a lot of smoke around Online Poker in the US lately. Not rumors but activities by different corporations (California Casinos, Nevada Casinos, Pokerstars and Party Poker), that leads me to believe they know something we don't.

Birthday dinner Food Pron, as requested by Spring:



Amuse: Tempura Avocado with smoked mushrooms and lemon grass:


Appetizer: Live Spot Prawns (yes the head was still moving)

First Course: Chilled Carrot and Fennel soup with Pana-Cotta



Second Course: Sirloin End-cap with Bone-Marrow reduction and spring sweet peas


Third couse: Souve-vi seabass wrapped in ramp or braised pork-belly with strawberry gnocchi




Dessert: Trio of deserts.

For some reason I've just discovered the 'MS PAINT....' thread in NVG. Only a year late in getting there but damn it's epic.

epic indeed. "AK AIPF lost, unbelievable" is my favorite.


Who is that? Isildur1?

LOL Ameridonks This is Manuel Neuer, the keeper of Bayern Munich who just beat Real Madrid on penalties in the semifinals of the Champions League. He's also Germany's national goal keeper.

All germans look a like to me. Can't tell the difference between any of them.


getting my home office dialed in. Would be a nice set up to 12 table for 4 hours straight......to bad I am doing work in it.

Just got a new wireless Mouse/Keyboard combo. Microsoft Desktop 7000. I have the 4000 keyboard at my office at work and love it. I know people like the Logitec Revolution series better, but this one seems to work better for my giant girl hands. (I have girl hands, I will admit it....nothing wrong with it, they are just hands that would be a on 7' girl).