FBI seizes domains of pokerstars, full tilt, ub.. (UPDATE: FTP MONIES!!!!!11)

[bigspenda73]

seems ridiculously optimistic from any potential buyer

I'd say maybe 20 cents on the dollar

[BooG690]

AP official statement released today: Absolute Poker and UB to focus on Non-U.S Markets and Software Biz | Gambling911.com

[fjuanl]

I bet Prahlad feels really smart right now

[kiwiMark]

AP official statement released today: http://http//www.gambling911.com/pok...iz-050311.html

l2linkplox

[BooG690]

l2linkplox

Fixt

[givememyleg]

lol i love when press releases say absolutely fucking nothing

[BooG690]

lol i love when press releases say absolutely fucking nothing

Well, it confirmed the email rumors really.

[surviva316]

AP official statement released today: Absolute Poker and UB to focus on Non-U.S Markets and Software Biz | Gambling911.com

my favorite line is:

In addition, the company’s legal counsel is in continuing discussions with the U.S. Attorney’s office to formalize an agreement that would facilitate the return of funds to U.S. players.

lolol riiiiiiiiight

[bigspenda73]

I bet Prahlad feels really smart right now

should have practiced avoidance

[givememyleg]

should have practiced avoidance

BOOM

[philly and the phanatics]

just got my 1150 check from stars

[supa]

Sweet, I'll be checking my mailbox then.

[supa]

Sweet, I'll be checking my mailbox then.

[BooG690]

More Cereus news: the OIJ raided what's left of the Cereus office in Costa Rica with a warrant for the owners' arrests.

Tao of Poker: Dr. Pauly's WSOP Poker Blog and Sports Betting Discourses
Costa Rica OIJ raids PokerStars and AP/UB offices in Costa Rica - Poker News - News, Views and Gossip

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

what's the latest @ FullTilt?

Stars got me my money 2 weeks ago. Fuck you FullTilt

[Zorkion]

latest at FTP is....

the just processed my Take 2 bonus money. I know compared to mostly everyone else here, the 25$$ bonus is like chump change, but it's nice to see that they honored it. Hopefully it's a good sign, and they'll be processing withdrawals soon.

[kmind]

Yeah what is the $25 they sent me? For the Take 2 bonus or for just being shitty?

[Roid_Rage]

The Take 2 for sure.

[Donachello]

They sent me 5 dollars.... nice job with prorating there FTP

[lolzzz_321]

Full Tilt announced on the 5th their making an announcement on the 15th

Online Poker at Full Tilt Poker - Common Non-navigable content: US Player FAQ

[supa]

Stars check for seven-fiddy recieved and cashed.

[unclesteve]

Don't see this posted here yet

New AP press release: Agreement reached with DOJ. « J. Gary Wise

AP reach agreement w/DOJ aobut return of US players money

[givememyleg]

how bad would it be if ap/ub paid back players before tilt? i mean realistically not going to happen but what ifffff

[lolzzz_321]

could happen

[rowhousepd]

They sent me 5 dollars.... nice job with prorating there FTP

Yeah, wtf? I was one day shy of the $25 which i would have easily cleared. Didn't I hear that they were pro-rating Take 2? I know I did somewhere.

[Donachello]

Yeah, wtf? I was one day shy of the $25 which i would have easily cleared. Didn't I hear that they were pro-rating Take 2? I know I did somewhere.

This exactly. But honestly I'm still way more concerned with my limbo withdrawal that hasn't been addressed yet...

[BooG690]

GOGOGO CEREUS!

[Shotglass]

We are starting to see more of the truth behind who or what enterprises were behind black Friday:

AGA to Push Its Own Federal Online Poker Bill | Pokerati | Texas Hold'em and Las Vegas WSOP Poker Blog

[rpm]

interesting. is that a good thing? i mean obviously legal online poker for US citizens is good, but i've heard speculative talk of hugely increased rake etc if poker was legalised/regulated by the US gov for US citizens.

[BooG690]

I'd rather play with an increased rake than not play at all.

[philly and the phanatics]

depends how much they increase the rake imo

[BooG690]

depends how much they increase the rake imo

The lack of competition in the US is bringing an end to rakeback (in the US). We're effectively paying more rake already. I don't see a difference.

[kiwiMark]

7 is more than 3. BUT 5 is also more than 3. therefore 7 is not more than five

logic itc

[BooG690]

The poker in the United States is basically non-existent. I can't see regulation making anything worse.

Obviously, as Kiwi so articulately pointed out, the rake CAN be so outrageous that it outweighs the lack of rakeback we now have in this country. However, we won't know until regulation happens.

[Shotglass]

interesting. is that a good thing? i mean obviously legal online poker for US citizens is good, but i've heard speculative talk of hugely increased rake etc if poker was legalised/regulated by the US gov for US citizens.

It would depend greatly upon several things: Specifics of the legislation; The amount of rake and rakeback (if any); specifics of the software (games spread, etc.) but IMO the most important would be contained in the legislation which would determine if the US was a closed market, i.e. only US based sites could have access to US based players or if the international sites could apply for licensing. It would not surprise me if the US decided to ignore international trade laws again.

Hopefully, (but I'm prolly wishing upon a star) the court system will realize that poker is a game of skill prior to any legislation being passed and the entire situation become a moot point.

[philly and the phanatics]

The poker in the United States is basically non-existent. I can't see regulation making anything worse.

Obviously, as Kiwi so articulately pointed out, the rake CAN be so outrageous that it outweighs the lack of rakeback we now have in this country. However, we won't know until regulation happens.

yea it was kiwi who pointed it out -___-

[Donachello]

logic itc

God I love you Markest of the Kiwis.

[baudib]

should we be nervous about FT yet

[lolzzz_321]

I think they'll eventually pay. I'd be willing to wager on Sunday they make an announcement that reveals they are making another announcement in two weeks.

[lolzzz_321]

Some rumor - Half of Full Tilt For Sale for $200 Million according to QuadJacks - Poker News - News, Views and Gossip

[Shotglass]

Another bad sign:
Andrew Robi publicly tweeted that he's selling 125K frm FT for $0.95 on the dollar.

[bikes]

selling 95c/$1 online to live cash is a totally std vig.

[drmcboy]

yeah I think it's a good/neutral sign, if he knew something bad why would he go with .95?

[Shotglass]

Yeah, I kinda gathered that after looking into it a bit more; came back here to delete my stupidity and discovered that I was already found out.

[philly and the phanatics]

didnt know where to put this so i figured this was as good a thread as any

[Sorcery11]

Do any of you guys have an idea about how long it will take for online poker to be regulated in the US?

[jyms]

Don't hold your breath. Even if they started now, it'll take them a few years to get anything done.

[Shotglass]

@jyms I think a few years is the earliest.

@ Philly - cheers Looks like a good alternative 'professional booze hound'

Originally Posted by Sorcery11
Do any of you guys have an idea about how long it will take for online poker to be regulated in the US?

Like jyms wrote, a few years at least, but who knows...with Ceasar's and Harra's pushing and dumping monies to greedy politicos it could be quicker.

[daven]

seems that moneybookers is back up for FTP withdrawals

[rpm]

(thread derail) is budweiser as popular in the US as it appears to be to outsiders? or is it just the US' most exported beer, giving us outsiders the impression that it's basically the only beer made in the United States? (/thread derail)

i personally think it's relatively bland and flavourless. but then so are many of the more popular australian beers.

[Shotglass]

It's actually bud light. Most Popular Beer in America

Personally, I dislike the after-taste of regular Bud and Bud light tastes watered down.

[drmcboy]

(thread derail) is budweiser as popular in the US as it appears to be to outsiders? or is it just the US' most exported beer, giving us outsiders the impression that it's basically the only beer made in the United States? (/thread derail)

i personally think it's relatively bland and flavourless. but then so are many of the more popular australian beers.

it's terrible but most people start on super bland watery beers and then their tastes are set. also they along with Miller and Coors spend huge sums on ads. and it's cheap.

plenty of great domestic beer here though, i think there is a beer thread running around. a few are even made by those companies, but none of them sell like bud light.

[a500lbgorilla]

(thread derail) is budweiser as popular in the US as it appears to be to outsiders? or is it just the US' most exported beer, giving us outsiders the impression that it's basically the only beer made in the United States? (/thread derail)

i personally think it's relatively bland and flavourless. but then so are many of the more popular australian beers.

It's the McDonalds of beer. Advertise well, be cheap, people want to consume it anyway - huge success!

[baudib]

My Japanese gf really likes Bud. I like sake.

[rpm]

It's the McDonalds of beer.

i suspected that may have been the case. i'm always surprised to see that the only australian beers available abroad (not that i want australian beer when abroad) are the more popular, yet boring beers. i'd have thought a country would be more inclined to export their more premium, "classy" or whatever, range of beers. instead of the stuff that all tastes largely the same. oh well. back to the more serious issue of these poker sites.

[BooG690]

i suspected that may have been the case. i'm always surprised to see that the only australian beers available abroad (not that i want australian beer when abroad) are the more popular, yet boring beers. i'd have thought a country would be more inclined to export their more premium, "classy" or whatever, range of beers. instead of the stuff that all tastes largely the same. oh well. back to the more serious issue of these poker sites.

Just because a company is inclined to export a beer doesn't mean there'll be a market for it abroad.

[rpm]

good point. i guess brand name > quality/uniqueness in this case. and in most cases for many people in parts of the world who can afford the choice, now that i think about it.

[drmcboy]

McDs is waaaay better than bud light

[Shotglass]

McD's & Bud Light

[kiwiMark]

This ad's aight YouTube - Bud Light "The Magic Fridge" Super Bowl XL Commercial

[supa]

I'd assume budwieser there is like fosters here. As far as I know fosters is the only beer made in australia. I don't know if they're played anywhere else but the catch phrase for fosters commercials in the US is "Fosters, Australian for beer."

Although I'm sure bud is consumed more there than fosters here but I'd rathers have a fosters over a buttwiper anyday.

Someday I'd like to go to australia and share a few fosters with a bunyip.

[kiwiMark]

And I'm sure they look forward to sharing a vb with you

[boost]

(thread derail) is budweiser as popular in the US as it appears to be to outsiders? or is it just the US' most exported beer, giving us outsiders the impression that it's basically the only beer made in the United States? (/thread derail)

i personally think it's relatively bland and flavourless. but then so are many of the more popular australian beers.

Ya, I mean before I knew better, I thought the only beer Australians drank was Fosters... In the US the micro brew scene has become really big, so there are tons of craft breweries, often only distributing on a regional, or even sometimes local level. As for mass produced cheap beer, I'd say PBR is probably dominating Budweiser in urban markets.

[Lukie]

had one of these the other day: 13th Century Grut Bier Beer in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles

it was quite awesome, although maybe a slightly overpowering ginger flavor

[lolzzz_321]

"Since April 15th and the days immediately following, Full Tilt Poker faced numerous challenges and hurdles to ensuring the smooth operation of its international business and the orderly return of US player funds. FTP has worked tirelessly to address these issues and has made significant progress on both fronts.

FTP's international business operations are returning to normal while we focus on ensuring the safe and orderly return of US player deposits. We are absolutely committed to making sure that US players are refunded as soon as possible. We apologize for the delay and the fact that we underestimated the time it would take to work through these issues. We will update our US players when we have more specific information to provide."

this is standard

[daven]

For reference, previous answers thread:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/28...-28-a-1029329/

First, the two big questions for US players:

When are we getting our money back?

- Here's the official statement about where we currently stand on US withdrawals:

"Since April 15th and the days immediately following, Full Tilt Poker faced numerous challenges and hurdles to ensuring the smooth operation of its international business and the orderly return of US player funds. FTP has worked tirelessly to address these issues and has made significant progress on both fronts.

FTP's international business operations are returning to normal while we focus on ensuring the safe and orderly return of US player deposits. We are absolutely committed to making sure that US players are refunded as soon as possible. We apologize for the delay and the fact that we underestimated the time it would take to work through these issues. We will update our US players when we have more specific information to provide."

And what's going to happen with our points?

- We will be opening up the FTP Store to US players again. All of the details haven't been worked out yet, but this is how you will be able to use your points. It's expected that everything in the store will be available for purchase except for bonuses and tickets. We will be sure to keep everyone updated when we know more, including when the store will re-open.

Where we're at in terms of reconciling US player accounts:

• All promos have been paid out. That includes Take 2, Tournament Leaderboards, Cash Back, and the FTOPS Satellite Challenge payments.
• T$ and Ticket conversion has started, but is a slower process and will continue through next week.
• Pending rakeback payments should also happen next week, but only after all of the store purchases that need to be refunded have been refunded.
• Iron Man medals have been distributed for April's play. Iron Man freeroll tickets will be converted to medals before all medals are converted to FTPs.

Other answers for US players:

1. what bout my cashout on april 15th that obviously hasn't come AND has not been put back into my account?!

- All cashouts that were never received (or checks that were received but couldn't be deposited) should be placed back into your Full Tilt account this coming week.

2. Can there be an "opt-out" for the medals/points conversions? Since it looks like there won't be a forced cash-out for relocating players, can we just keep our accounts intact?

- There is no opt-out for the medals conversion, but we won't be forcing anyone to use their points if they'd prefer waiting until they can play again to use them.

3. what about FTP store purchases made prior to April 15th, but weren't sent out yet and put on hold. Are we going to get FTPs back for those or are you going to start sending those out soon?

- We are going to cancel and give the FTPs (or medals) back for any store purchases that have not yet shipped.

4. you tell us we'll get our pending rakeback, but what about reimbursement for rakeback hits for store items that haven't and won't come?

- We will make sure any MGR hit is reversed on any store shipments that have to be cancelled. This is one of the reasons the final rakeback payments were delayed.

5. if we final tabled a FTOPS or MiniFTOPS event in the last series, will people in the United States still receive the jacket that they are supposed to get?

- Yes, these will still be sent out.

6. Posting to make sure you dont forget about PMI doug. Also an update on that would be nice as last week you said people were still working on it.

- We have confirmed that the recurring charge will not happen again. As far as we can tell it didn't happen in April, so that's a good sign. There is still an ongoing investigation into exactly what happened and how.

7. just noticed the "my promotions" page doesnt work either. not sure how they can get the academy, iron man stuff right without these pages functioning.

- I'm looking into this.

Answers for non-US players:

8. Moneybookers?

- Moneybookers has been turned back on for some countries. Once it's confirmed everything is flowing smoothly more countries will be added.

9. CAN YOU PLEASE INCREASE THE MAX BUYIN FOR RUSH.

- There are no plans for this at the moment, sorry.

10. I think the tournament time shifts are definitely a good idea. However, you need to shift more than just a few of the majors. By shifting just these few tournaments it actually makes the tourney schedule considerably more inconvenient.

- What "normal" tournaments do you feel are missing from earlier times? Most US prime time tournaments have a Euro prime time equivalent already, so we didn't think shifting the entire schedule was necessary. If there are particular tournaments you think the Euro friendlier schedule is still missing, though, let us know and we can shift the later version or just add a new version of it at an earlier time.

11. Will this effect Iron Man freerolls as well

- Yeah, Iron Man freerolls will start a few hours earlier than they used to.

12. Whats going to happen to the Cash Back Bonus for those people who are planning to be in the US for the whole of the WSOP? Are FTP going to make a 1-time exception so we don't lose it?

- We'll figure something out to make sure you don't lose it.

13. I see the 150 seats to the WSOP has been removed. Are you planning on doing something like a 50 or 75 Gtd?

- No plans for that, no. The entire WSOP promotion has been scaled back, and that larger qualifier was one of the casualties.

14. Not sure if this has already been posted; but if you select this option [Auto-Close SNGs] & play a matrix, when 1 table closes the whole tourney shuts down?

- One of the small updates last week was to address this bug. It should work fine now, sorry about that.

15. Can you please give back some incentives for table starters

- I'll look into it again for sure.

Doug

x

[Roid_Rage]

Jesus fuck, how about a straight answer concerning US players cashouts? -____-

[drmcboy]

It would be nice if they'd have said May 23rd for more updates, just so this wouldn't have less content than the last update.

[baudib]

My head hurts from slogging through the 2+2 threads; can someone confirm that FTPDoug previously said that tournament tickets and FPPs would be converted to cash, and now that doesn't appear to be the case?

[bikes]

It would be nice if they'd have said May 23rd for more updates, just so this wouldn't have less content than the last update.

all i want them to say is 'we have really bad accounting and lots of player funds are frozen we'll get them back to you as soon as we figure shit out however we have no idea when that may be.'

i'd be so content with some honesty relating to 'we fucked up' but i cant think of many companies in the world that they would admit they screwed up.

[daven]

My head hurts from slogging through the 2+2 threads; can someone confirm that FTPDoug previously said that tournament tickets and FPPs would be converted to cash, and now that doesn't appear to be the case?

1 - FTP points. They have never said these would be converted to cash.
2 - $T and tickets, converted to cash = yes, process underway.

[baudib]

ok thanks, i thought we were going backwards for a min.

[baudib]

is it ok to worry now?

I'd sell for .75/1

[daven]

re being worried, sure. I'm not 100% with still having money on there and have pulled most of it off.
As it stands i will be pulling my entire roll off ftp before i head to europe next week. If they're still trading when i get back in August I'll simply use my FTPs to grind back a roll there

[daven]

also, i guess baudi is referring to 8.9 of FTPs T&Cs - it makes Mpeth's analysis seem spot on
www.mpethypoker.com
Online Poker at Full Tilt Poker - General: Terms and Conditions

copied below, apparently US people can only see up to 8.6?
-----------------------
8.9. We do not extend credit to any of our players and, in respect of play for money games you may not participate in or play the Games unless and until you have deposited sufficient funds in to your account. We do not allow accounts to become overdrawn and if your account balance is less than the minimum buy-in for a selected Game, you will not be permitted to sit at the table.
Customer funds are not segregated from company funds, but it is the intention of Filco Ltd to meet its liabilities as they fall due.