888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

From their website:

Thursday, October 5, 2006

888.com deeply regrets the decision of the US Congress to ban gaming sites from accepting bets from US based customers. As a responsible public company we would like to update you on the decisions we have taken and to inform you of the changes to our gaming products and services in light of this event.

For Existing Members:


Until the legislation takes full effect, US based members are permitted to play for real money as usual. Members can deposit, place bets and cash out at 888.com's Casino-on-Net and Pacific Poker until the new law comes into effect. We can assure you that any funds that you hold in your Casino-on-Net or Pacific Poker account are safe and secure as always.
Once the new law takes effect, 888.com will no longer be able to accept deposits from US based members.
The new legislation does not apply to cash outs. US based members will be able to request cash outs even after the new law comes into effect.
Casino-on-Net and Pacific Poker's Practice Play versions will continue to be available for your gaming enjoyment.
US based members may keep their accounts open as we plan to launch new Money Play games in the near future that will be legal under the new legislation.

For New Members:


New US based members are welcome to register for 888.com's Practice Play versions.
For the time being, new US based members will not be able to open a Money Play account.
In the near future, 888.com plans to launch new Money Play games that will be legal under the new legislation.

It is our promise to you, our valued members, to continue providing the very best possible products and services in the online gaming industry. We will update you in advance with any new developments regarding the US legislation.




I am especially interested in this line:
In the near future, 888.com plans to launch new Money Play games that will be legal under the new legislation.

Wonder what they have up their sleeve???

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

I think they meant to say "play money games."

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

[ QUOTE ]
I am especially interested in this line:
In the near future, 888.com plans to launch new Money Play games that will be legal under the new legislation.

Wonder what they have up their sleeve???

[/ QUOTE ]

Party Poker has said something similar (new offerings coming for US players)

Is online backgammon for money illegal?

How about chess?

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

I don't think so, since their name for play money games is "practice play." However, as this was posted on their site a week ago, there was a big thread on it already. Try searching for it, there may be some good info in there.

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

[ QUOTE ]
US based members may keep their accounts open as we plan to launch new Money Play games in the near future that will be legal under the new legislation.


[/ QUOTE ]

They are planning something here.

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

Games Not subject to chance....obviously

Same as Party

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

If they truly are going to let you play with existing funds in your account post-signing, then the only thing that makes sense in their later statement about the future, is that agree with the legal interpretation of TruePoker CEO and others that online poker isn't illegal by virtue of a company not accepting a bet or wager or having a stake in an outcome, but are concerned that existing means of depositing might nonetheless be viewed as illegal, and thus will be offering new options for same. However logically if one takes the attitude that online poker still isn't illegal, then transactions relating to same can't be either.

If they just had some intention to offer some hoakey form of poker or gambling different than what they offer now, then they wouldn't let US players continue to use existing balances to play post-signing.

However, whatever they plan, might be planned by Party as well, which is why they said US players don't need to close their accounts.

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am especially interested in this line:
In the near future, 888.com plans to launch new Money Play games that will be legal under the new legislation.

Wonder what they have up their sleeve???

[/ QUOTE ]

Party Poker has said something similar (new offerings coming for US players)

Is online backgammon for money illegal?

How about chess?

[/ QUOTE ]

My strong suspicion is it will be something like this:

SKILL-BASED POKER

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

who is to say, until its online and available, your guess is as good as mine

Re: 888.com/Pacific Poker has something up their sleeve
 

I have a hard time believing these companies are just going to pack up and go home, especially a site with the brand value of party poker.

If it were me, and I was the majority shareholder at PP, I'm buying the coming back, getting privite investors if needed, the saying F' the US government and opening back up.

The only reason PP and 888 have to pull out is because they are public.