Once the biggest and most popular poker site available, PartyPoker has in recent years witnessed the rise of Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, but times are set to change.
Now the underdog, PartyPoker is looking forward to making a grand comeback.
Although the UIGEA of 2006 was a major blow to PartyPoker, they continued to operate and only now in recent months have been creating a media frenzy to get their back out there again.
ESPN's Gary Wise, America's biggest sporting voice has been having a look at PartPoker's future, with his official statements all leaning towards a return in PartyPoker's popularity. His opinion is that 'PartyPoker is poised to come back strong in the US when the UIGEA is repealed' (as stated on ESPN).
Party has reloaded its GUNS with their weapons of choice taking form in securing the World Poker Tour and signing well-known poker players Mike Sexton, Kara Scott and Tony G.
Kara Scott
is a Canadian TV personality, journalist and poker player involved in the UK media since 2002.
Scott was also one of the main hosts of the award winning show "Poker Night Live".
She will also co-host the High Stakes Poker season (Season 6) in 2010. PartyPoker expects Kara to bring them into light in Canada again.
Mike Sexton
is an American professional poker player and commentator.
As of 2010, Sexton has won several tournaments, including one World Series of Poker bracelet, and over $3,825,000 in total tournament winnings
He is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. His name is a gaurantee of professionalism in the poker business.
Tony G
is also a businessman and professional poker player, also known as the ’Australian Airbag’. Known for his leisurable attitude and controversial comments.
Tony G has a huge history of tournament winnings behind him.
In November 2006, he won the Asian Poker Tour event held in Singapore, walking away with $451,700 half of which he indicated he will give to Asian and Australian charities
PartyPoker is looking for him to reinforce their name in Europe and Australia.
The selection of players did not happen accidentally: The Party ideology has always considered poker as fun first. The three players are set to combine to send a message of poker as a hobby and remind players of the good times to be had at the tables. They don't bring with them either the ballcap-and-shades cutoff image or the too-cool-for-school attitude that have become synonymous with many circles of professional poker.
More news that has recently put PartyPoker into the media spotlight was the shock announcement of Partygaming founder Anurag Dikshit selling off his remaining 28% stake in the company.
With a whopping 38.8 million shares at a price of 270p per share, Dikshit will definitely have one sweet Party.
With the possibility of the UIGEA act being revised, the gap between Full Tilt, PokerStars and the rest of the business might be narrowing again. PartyPoker will then probably have its second shot at the top.
