Player traffic at FullTilt Poker has been on a rapid decline as measured by their cash game traffic according to the stats found on Pokerscout an independent poker traffic stat tracking site.
The once popular poker room Full Tilt, find themselves occupying the number four spot in global poker traffic stats since being reopened under the control of PokerStars.
When FullTilt Poker reopened back in November 2012, albeit without their USA players, they immediately catapulted back to their original second place spot that they had occupied prior to closing and it certainly seemed like Full Tilt were back on track to maintaining steady traffic flow once again, however this traffic was short lived as many players simply cashed out their funds (USA players can only cashout now) and moved on to greener pastures including the likes of PartyPoker, 888 Poker and iPoker (Titan,Winner).
To a large extent, FullTilt Poker have created their own demise by offering players below par bonuses and thinking along the lines of PokerStars management who offer little in terms of player rewards.
One could always argue that PokerStars deliberately intended to crash Full Tilt Poker, doing so would surely improve their own position in the market with less competition.
PokerScout Current Traffic rank (7 day average):
- Pokerstars – 23,600
- PartyPoker – 3,300
- iPoker (Winner, Titan) – 3,200
- Full Tilt Poker – 3050
- 888 Poker – 2,450
This will not be the case, when FullTilt returns it will be under the ownership of PokerStars.
We can however thank PokerStars for saving FullTilt and refunding a large percentage of players from around the World.
The choices are very limited for Americans at the moment until legislation eventually gets approved if and when it ever does.
The DOJ is hot on the heels of many of these poker rooms still open to the USA and while many poker-rooms have succeed so far in getting around to paying their players it certainly is risky business.
USA Poker Players can still play at:
Merge – Carbon Poker or Aced Poker
Revolution Gaming – Lock Poker or Cake Poker
Bodog – Under the Bovada Poker label also has a Casino and Sports Betting.
Winning Poker Network – Americas Cardroom
The latest Full Tilt Poker news update regarding PokerStars buying FullTilt is IGaming post recently reported that following a US court hearing between Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars and the DOJ.
The parties involved are set to make an announcement some time during the last week of May 2012, which should contain a schedule for repayment of all Fulltilt Poker USA players and those from the rest of the world.
Both Isai Scheinberg the owner of PokerStars and Paul Tate Director of Payments may be expected to vacate their positions at PokerStars as part of the deal.
The deal reached by PokerStars buying FullTilt Poker will be fully approved by the USA DOJ who are then expected to announce that both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker will be allowed to apply for licenses in the USA once poker is legal in America.
There are also rumors circulating that Wynn may have a part to play in the Full Tilt Poker deal.
PokerStars must be pleased with the outcome of their dealings with the DOJ and even more so that no prejudice will be held against them when applying for a license in the USA sometime in the future.