Probably a Disappointment

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Everyone:

Concerning Absolute Poker, we have been working behind the scenes. Wednesday (10/24/07) evening we sent them our official proposal which was to send a fact finding team put together by our attorneys to their offices in Costa Rica.

Anyway, we do not have an official response yet from Absolute Poker, but in a short preliminary conversation we did have on Friday, the indication was that they would probably not have us. Of course, this may change, and as soon as we at Two Plus Two have more specific information, I will post in more detail.

Best wishes,

Mason Malmuth
Owner and Publisher
Two Plus Two Publishing LLC
www.twoplustwo.com

[Dan87]

posted in wrong forum?

w/e BBV wut it do

[RiverFenix]

What is 2p2s motivation for getting involved? To determine whether they should ever run ads on the website in the future?

[absoludicrous]

I really don't understand why anyone from 2p2 is involved in this. Why? What can 2p2, Nat, and his colleague possibly do? I don't get it. Explain plz.

[skillgambler]

BAN!


j/k

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
I really don't understand why anyone from 2p2 is involved in this. Why? What can 2p2, Nat, and his colleague possibly do? I don't get it. Explain plz.

[/ QUOTE ]

They are an independant third party. They can report back what they were shown and what they were denied access to. The second bit is the key piece, and is reason they may even be able to get to see more stuff than AP intended if they do infact get invited.

The goal of such a visit is really to take unexpected tacts that force AP into either revealing something they would not otherwise reveal or flat out deny you the information. Neither is good from AP's perspective. AP of course games the whole thing beforehand to prepare. You can bet they have already had several meetings trying to figure out what questions may be asked and how they would answer them. (Not in response to 2p2 specifically, but in preperation for the audit and anyone else they invite down, e.g. Nat, to try to shore up their credibility.)

I would guess that AP would much rather have someone like Nat (25, not likely experienced in auditing or grilling people) than a small team with a lot of expertise and experience.

[timmay28]

[ QUOTE ]
I would guess that AP would much rather have someone like Nat (25, not likely experienced in auditing or grilling people) than a small team with a lot of expertise and experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup.

[Raxxmataxx]

[ QUOTE ]
They are an independant third party. They can report back what they were shown and what they were denied access to.

[/ QUOTE ]I can see how you can claim 2+2 is trustworthy, but as they've done quite a bit of business with AP "independent" just isn't true. Especially as clear evidence of cheating would be pretty bad for 2+2 indirectly.

The incentives there are for 2+2 clearly biases them to prefer this thing being fairly small. You may argue that they're above being influenced by that, but clearly there interests isn't served well by blowing the lid of a gigantic cheating scandal from someone they have done a lot of business with.

Someone truly independent wouldn't be depending on the poker industry for their income. Unfortunately that excludes most people willing to bother, so we should probably just look at someone who is known for having impeccable character. Barry G anyone?

[Phil153]

[ QUOTE ]
I really don't understand why anyone from 2p2 is involved in this. Why? What can 2p2, Nat, and his colleague possibly do? I don't get it. Explain plz.

[/ QUOTE ]
Mason and those he works with have been around in the gambling industry for decades, and have seen all kinds of shady operations, from the early days of dodgy underground cardrooms to the Planet Poker scandal to casino operations run by organized crime. There are very few people who have that kind of experience, and the fact that Mason has offered is a plus for online poker.

As far as I'm concerned, if Absolute denies this investigation they're basically admitting to still having criminal elements in their organization and/or significant undisclosed activities.

[daca]

Yeah this is a good idea. If it gets more backing here absolute are almost forced to have them.