To Be Calimquim

April 15, 2011, Black Friday, will be a day remembered when online poker in the USA ended abruptly.  The FBI seized the three major online poker websites – PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Ultimate Bet/Absolute Poker.  A day after the seizure, all three online poker websites ceased all operations with USA players.

Foreign players still have access to real money games, however it is unknown whether the poker websites will ultimately cease to exist for all players.

What started in 2003, after online player Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 WSOP Main Event, the online poker boom during the decade of 2000’s saw unparalleled success.  Millions of players joined these online poker rooms either as recreational players or those who made it their primary source of income.

All good things must come to and end.  Short term-wise, the live poker rooms may see an uptick in business.  However, long term-wise, USA players will have to wait until the U.S. Government officially regulates/taxes online poker, before they can get back into the online poker rooms.

Shuffle up and deal!  With “play money” chips, of course.

For the official press release and civil complain files, please visit My Files.