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			{{short description\|Online poker card room}}
	]
			{{Infobox company
	'''Full Tilt Poker''' is an ] card room launched in June 2004 with the involvement of a team of ] professionals, among them ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="pokerdynasty">{{cite web \| url = http://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-magazines/65595-team-full-tilt-19-15/articles/15597-team-fulltilt-the-world-39-s-first-poker-dynasty \| title = Team FullTilt: The World's First Poker Dynasty \| accessdate = 2010-06-30 \| last = Friedman \| first = Michael \| date = 2010-08-08 \| work = CardPlayer.com}}</ref> It is the second largest online poker card room in the world, after ].<ref>http://www.pokerscout.com/</ref> On April 15, 2011, Full Tilt Poker was one of several online card rooms seized by United States law-enforcement authorities as part of a series of indictments of the sites' owners, which replaced its home page with a notice of the seizure.
			\| name = Full Tilt Poker
			\| logo = Full Tilt Poker.svg
			\| caption =
			\| type = ]
			\| predecessor =
			\| successor =
			\| foundation = {{Start date\|2004\|06}}
			\| founder = Raymond Bitar and 9 others<ref name="founders0">{{cite web\|url=http://www.gamblingsites.com/bio/full-tilt-poker-founders/\|title=Full Tilt Poker Founders\|work=Roger S.\|publisher=gamblingsites.com\|access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="history0">{{cite web\|url=http://www.gamblingsites.com/history/full-tilt-poker/\|title=History of Full Tilt Poker\|work=Roger S.\|publisher=gamblingsites.com\|access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref>
			\| defunct =
			\| location_city =
			\| location_country = Ireland
			\| location = <!--] and France (registered countries) <= only licensed in Alderney now -->
			\| locations =
			\| area_served = Worldwide
			\| industry = ]
			\| products =
			\| operating_income =
			\| net_income =
			\| aum =
			\| assets =
			\| equity =
			\| owner =
			\| num_employees =
			\| parent = TiltWare (2004–2012)<br />] (2012–2021)
			\| divisions =
			\| subsid =
			\| homepage =
			\| footnotes =
			}}

			'''Full Tilt Poker''' is an Irish ] card room and ] that opened in June 2004. Formerly privately owned by Tiltware, LLC and later by the Rational Entertainment Group, the site was acquired by ] (then known as Amaya Gaming Group) in a deal where Amaya acquired all of Rational's assets, including ]. A statement by Amaya said the takeover would not affect the activities of Full Tilt Poker.<ref name="PokerStars">{{cite news\|title=Canada's Amaya acquiring PokerStars owner Rational Group for $4.9bn\|url=http://www.montrealnews.net/index.php/sid/222889445/scat/71df8d33cd2a30df/ht/Canadas-Amaya-acquiring-PokerStars-owner-Rational-Group-for-49bn\|access-date=13 June 2014\|publisher=Montreal News.Net\|archive-date=26 July 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726210131/http://www.montrealnews.net/index.php/sid/222889445/scat/71df8d33cd2a30df/ht/Canadas-Amaya-acquiring-PokerStars-owner-Rational-Group-for-49bn\|url-status=dead}}</ref> The deal was closed on August 1, 2014.<ref>{{Dead link\|date=December 2022 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
	Full Tilt Poker is registered in ],<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://news.bluffmagazine.com/federal-grand-jury-possibly-investigating-full-tilt-poker-10075/ \|author=Jessica Welman \|date=2010-04-05 \|accessdate=2011-02-21 \|work=Bluff \|title=Federal Grand Jury Possibly Investigating Full Tilt Poker}}</ref> regulated by the ] under the name Filco Limited.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.gamblingcontrol.org/licensees2.php \|accessdate=2011-02-21 \|title=eGambling Licensees \|publisher=Alderney Gambling Control Commission}}</ref>

			Just prior to the close of the purchase, Full Tilt Poker redirected and rebranded its domains from FullTiltPoker.com and FullTiltPoker.eu to '''FullTilt.com''' and '''FullTilt.eu'''. A company spokesperson stated the change reflected the fact Full Tilt had "expanded to offer a range of single and multi-player variations of casino games".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bluffeurope.com/poker-news/en/Revamp-for-Full-Tilt_14438.aspx\|title=Revamp for Full Tilt\|website=www.bluffeurope.com\|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>

			Full Tilt has gaming licenses in ] and the ].

	==Games offered==		==Games offered==
	Full Tilt offers both play and real money ] ~~(also known as "cash games")~~ and tournaments. ], satellite, ], and multi-table tournaments take place throughout the day and often ~~include~~ participation from Full ~~Tilt’s~~ sponsored professionals.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Čeština \|url=http://www.playwinningpoker.com/guides/full-tilt-poker/ \|title=Online Poker - Play Online at Full Tilt Poker Room \|publisher=Playwinningpoker.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/full-tilt-poker \|title=Full Tilt Poker Bonus Code & Download - Full Review plus Exclusive Freerolls \|publisher=Pokerlistings.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> The site offers the following poker variations in limit, pot-limit, and no-limit: ], ], and Omaha 8 or Better (a.k.a. ]). The site also offers limit ], ], Stud 8 or ~~Better~~, ] and mixed games such as ]. Stakes ~~range~~ from $0.01/$0.02 blinds to $~~3000~~/~~$6000~~ blinds.<ref>{{cite web~~\|author=Čeština~~ \|url=http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/pokerGames.php \|title=Poker Games \|publisher=Fulltiltpoker.com \|date~~= \|accessdate~~=2011-03-02}}</ref>		Full Tilt offers both play and real money ]s and tournaments. ], satellite, ], and multi-table tournaments take place throughout the day and often included participation from Full Tilt's sponsored professionals. The site offers the following poker variations in limit, pot-limit, and no-limit: ], ], and Omaha 8 or Better (a.k.a. ]). The site also offers limit ], ], Stud 8 or better, ] and mixed games such as ]. Stakes offers ranged from $0.01/$0.02 blinds to $500/1000 blinds in big bet games and up to $2000/4000 limits in limit games.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/pokerGames.php \|title=Poker Games \|publisher=Fulltiltpoker.com \|access-date=2011-08-11}}</ref>

	In early 2010, Full Tilt introduced a new poker variation called "Rush Poker" designed to increase the number of hands a player ~~receives~~. In "Rush Poker" players do not remain at a specific table. Instead, they join a pool with hundreds of other players. ~~When~~ they fold, they are instantly transferred to a new table and dealt a new hand.<ref>{{~~cite~~ web\|url=~~http~~://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-introduces-poker-variation-rush-poker-7663/ \|~~title~~=~~Full Tilt~~ Poker ~~Introduces~~ ~~Poker Variation “Rush Poker”~~ \|~~publisher~~=~~Pokernewsdaily.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011~~-~~03-02~~}}</ref> Full Tilt ~~have~~ ~~added~~ a ~~mobile~~ ~~version~~ of ~~their~~ ~~software~~.		In early 2010, Full Tilt introduced a new poker variation called "Rush Poker" designed to increase the number of hands a player can play per hour. In "Rush Poker" players do not remain at a specific table. Instead, they join a pool with hundreds of other players. Whenever they fold their hand, they are instantly transferred to a new table and dealt a new hand.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Burton \|first=Earl \|date=2010-01-19 \|title=Full Tilt Poker Introduces Poker Variation "Rush Poker" \|url=https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-introduces-poker-variation-rush-poker-7663/ \|access-date=2024-03-30 \|website=Poker News Daily \|language=en-US}}</ref> Full Tilt Poker also launched Rush Poker Mobile for iOS and Android devices.

			==History==
	==Members of Full Tilt==
	Full Tilt's ~~team~~ of ~~professionals~~ is an ~~integral~~ ~~part~~ of the ~~company's~~ ~~marketing~~ ~~strategy~~, ~~its~~ ~~slogan~~ ~~being~~ ~~"Learn~~, ~~Chat~~ ~~and~~ ~~Play~~ ~~with~~ ~~the~~ ~~Pros~~."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.~~pokernews~~.com/full-tilt-~~poker~~/ \|title=~~Full~~ ~~Tilt~~ Poker ~~Bonus~~ ~~Code~~ ~~100%~~ - ~~FullTilt~~ ~~Reviews~~ & ~~Download~~ \|~~publisher~~=~~PokerNews~~ \|date= ~~\|accessdate~~=~~2011~~-03-02}}</ref>		Full Tilt Poker initially opened as an ] card room with the involvement of ] professionals ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="pokerdynasty">{{cite web \| url = http://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-magazines/65595-team-full-tilt-19-15/articles/15597-team-fulltilt-the-world-39-s-first-poker-dynasty \| title = Team FullTilt: The World's First Poker Dynasty \| access-date = 2010-06-30 \| last = Friedman \| first = Michael \| date = 2010-08-08 \| work = CardPlayer.com}}</ref>

			Full Tilt Poker was launched by parent company TiltWare, LLC in June 2004 and began full operation on July 10, 2004.<ref></ref> The license of Full Tilt Poker was suspended by the ] on June 29, 2011, and revoked on September 29, 2011.<ref name='a'>{{cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/business/full-tilt-poker-says-license-revocation-threatens-repayments.html\|title=Full Tilt Says License Revocation Threatens Repayments\|last=The Associated Press\|work=The New York Times \|date=29 September 2011\|access-date=7 August 2017\|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
	"'''Team Full Tilt'''" is composed of fourteen noted professionals who play regularly on the site and are considered full-fledged members.<ref name="FullTiltOurTeam">{{cite web \| url = http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/our-team \| title = Our Team \| accessdate = 2010-06-26 \| publisher = FullTiltPoker.com}}</ref>

			===Legal Issues===
	In addition to Team Full Tilt, several other pros are "Full Tilt Pros," who are sponsored by the site but are not full-fledged members made up of two teams, '''"CardRunners"''' and '''"The Hendon Mob"''', there are also an additional 164 '''"Full Tilt Pros"''' and 41 non-members made up of Authors, Celebrities, Announcers, Commentators and the 2007 Main Event Champion ], they are known as '''"Friends of Full Tilt"''' whose names are also highlighted in red text on the site.<ref name="FullTiltOurTeam"/>
			In late 2008, Full Tilt was sued in Nevada by ], prominent poker professional and former Full Tilt endorser. She claimed that during Full Tilt's formative year of 2004, she was offered a 1% ownership in the company in exchange for her promotional efforts. The suit was dismissed by a trial court, but later partly reinstated on appeal.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jun/13/appeals-court-ruling-partial-victory-professional-/\|title=Appeals court ruling a partial victory for professional poker player\|date=13 June 2011\|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>

			On April 29, 2009, James B. Hicks filed a civil complaint against Tiltware, LLC (] FullTiltPoker.com), TiltProof, Inc., and ] generally alleging unfair and unlawful business practices including illegal Internet gaming and violations of the UIGEA.<ref name="pokerati.com">{{cite web \|title=Hicks v. Tiltware, LLC, et al., US Dist. Ct., Cent. Dist. West. Div, Case. No. CV09-03009 FMC PJWx \|url=http://pokerati.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/los-angeles-federal-usdc-central-district-of-california-042909-180435-209-cv-03009.pdf\|publisher=pokerati.com}}</ref> Hicks sought to prevent Full Tilt from operating its website, soliciting players, or funding or accepting payments for illegal gambling in California.<ref name="pokerati.com"/>
	In March 2008 Team CardRunners (including ] and ]) were announced to have been signed as Full Tilt pros.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://pokerworks.com/poker-news/2008/03/11/full-tilt-signs-7-cardrunners-pros.html \|title=Full Tilt Signs 7 CardRunners Pros \|publisher=Pokerworks.com \|date=2010-07-09 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> On December 21, 2009, Pokernewsdaily.com reported that Townsend's Red Pro status was suspended for a month for using another player's hand histories to study high stakes player ], from whom he won $3m in a single day earlier that month.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/brian-townsend-full-tilt-poker-status-suspended-for-isildur1-controversy-7118/ \|title=Brian Townsend's Full Tilt Poker Status Suspended for Isildur1 Controversy \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/full-tilt-suspends-brian-townsend-14503 \|title=Full Tilt Suspends Brian Townsend \|publisher=Pokerlistings.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

			On September 11, 2009, Full Tilt was sued civilly in Nevada by Jason Newitt in the case of ''Jason Newitt v. Tiltware; Full Tilt Poker; Pocket Kings Ltd.; Pocket Kings Consulting Ltd.; Ray Bitar; Howard Lederer''. Newitt alleges that he was unfairly fired and that his distribution payments were unfairly ceased.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://pokerati.com/2009/09/14/jason-newitt-sues-full-tilt-lederer-et-alanother-ex-ftp-employee-suits-up/ \|title=Jason Newitt Sues Full Tilt, Lederer, et al.Another Ex-FTP Employee Suits Up \| Pokerati \| Texas Hold'em and Las Vegas WSOP Poker Blog \|date=14 September 2009 \|publisher=Pokerati \|access-date=2011-03-02}}</ref>
	{{Multicol}}

			On October 1, 2009, Lary Kennedy and Greg Omotoy filed suit against Full Tilt Poker, Tiltware and several individual members of Team Full Tilt alleging fraud, libel, slander, false advertising, and racketeering.<ref name="o825">{{cite web \| last=Welman \| first=Jessica \| title=Full Tilt Poker Sued Over Bot Use \| website=Poker News Daily \| date=2009-10-04 \| url=https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-sued-over-bot-use-5376/ \| access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref> Kennedy and Omotoy filed suit following unsuccessful attempts to have Full Tilt refund $80,000 which it had seized from Kennedy's and Omotoy's accounts asserting a violation of Full Tilt's Terms of Service for using ]. On October 17, 2009, Full Tilt responded to Kennedy's lawsuit by claiming the suit was baseless and frivolous and stating that it "has never knowingly allowed ‘bots’ to play on its site."<ref name="s578">{{cite web \| last=Welman \| first=Jessica \| title=Full Tilt Responds to Poker Bot Lawsuit \| website=Poker News Daily \| date=2009-10-17 \| url=https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-responds-to-poker-bot-lawsuit-5686/ \| access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref>
	===Team Full Tilt===
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]

			After the case was removed to the ], on April 26, 2010, Judge Margaret Morrow dismissed the case with leave stating that Kennedy had failed to "detail many portions of her case regarding state violations and, in particular, there could be no claim under the RICO Act. However, as the case was dismissed with leave, Kennedy may re-file the complaint in federal court if she is able to correct the deficiencies in her original complaint.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-wins-dismissal-on-court-cases-in-california-and-kentucky-10609/ \|title=Full Tilt Poker Wins Dismissal on Court Cases in California and Kentucky \|date=27 April 2010 \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|access-date=2011-03-02}}</ref>
	{{Multicol-break}}

			On April 5, 2010, the '']'' reported that a federal grand jury in ] was investigating Full Tilt Poker and individuals associated with the company, including ] and ], for violations of gambling and money-laundering laws.<ref name="menn">{{cite news \| url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e159faf4-404a-11df-8d23-00144feabdc0.html \| title = Court Probe into Poker Internet Site \| access-date = 2010-07-18 \| last = Menn \| first = Joseph\| date = 2010-04-05 \| newspaper = Financial Times}}</ref> Although neither the Manhattan United States Attorney nor officials with the ] (DOJ) would comment on the matter, it was reported that such an investigation "would fit the federal law enforcement strategy by trying to make an example out of prominent targets".<ref name="menn" /> The DOJ maintained that online poker violates the ] (Federal Wire Act),<ref name="menn" /> but later changed their opinion on that matter.
	===CardRunners===
	There are a total of 10 Card-runners members<ref name="FullTiltOurTeam"/> which includes:
	* ]
	* David Benefield
	* Taylor Caby
	* ]
	* ]
	* Eric Liu
	* ]
	* Haseeb Qureshi
	* ]
	* Andrew Wiggins
	{{Multicol-break}}
	''']'''
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	{{Multicol-end}}

			On April 15, 2011, the DOJ unsealed an ], dated March 10, 2011, against two of the owners / employees (Ray Bitar and Nelson Burtnick) of Full Tilt Poker, along with some of the owners / employees of ] and ].<ref name="justice"> {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419230512/http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/April11/scheinbergetalindictmentpr.pdf \|date=April 19, 2011 }}</ref> The defendants were charged with fraud, money laundering, and violation of United States federal gambling laws, and certain domain names for the sites were seized by the ].<ref>{{cite news \| title=Internet gambling sites owners charged with fraud \| author=Katz, Basil \| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poker-fraud-idUSTRE73E6SF20110415 \| newspaper=] \| date=April 15, 2011 \| access-date=April 15, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/04/15/goes-versus-online-poker-sites/ \| title=Feds Go 'All In' Against Online Poker Sites \| author=Egan, Matt \| newspaper=] \| date=April 15, 2011 \| access-date=April 15, 2011 }}</ref> The Full Tilt Poker homepage was reinstated six days later on April 20, 2011.
	'''Full Tilt Pros'''
	{{Multicol}}
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Joao Barbosa
	* Aaron Bartley
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Sascha Biorac
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* David Bradley
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Lynette Chan
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Nikolay Evdakov
	* Andrew Feldman
	* ]
	* Flavio Ferrari Zumbini
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Markus Golser
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Jared "TheWacoKidd" Hamby
	* Matt Hawrilenko
	* ]
	* ]
	* Alessio Isaia
	* ]
	* Niki "KaiBuxxe" Jedlicka
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Jonathan Karamalikis
	* ]
	* Martin Kläser
	* Christiane Klecz
	* Erich Kollmann
	* Søren Kongsgaard
	* ]
	* ]
	* Christian Kruel
	* ]
	* ]
	* Markus Lehmann
	* ]
	* Andrew Lichtenberger
	* Marco Liesy
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Greg Mascio
	* Daniele Mazzia
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Jordan "iMsoLucky0" Morgan
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Adam Noone
	* ]
	* ]
	* Raul Oliveira
	* ]
	* Raul Paez
	* ]
	* Stuart Paterson
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Caio Pimenta
	* Leandro "Brasa" Pimentel
	* ]
	* ]
	* Felipe Ramos
	* Stefan Rapp
	* Claudio Rinaldi
	* ]
	* ]
	* Esther Rossi
	* Damian Salas
	* Ali Sarkeshik
	* ]
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Alexander Schwab
	* ]
	* Keith Sexton
	* Matt Sexton
	* Paul Sexton
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Johan Storakers
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Roland Specht
	* Frank Thompson
	* ]
	* ]
	* Michael Tureniec
	* Jon "PearlJammed" Turner
	* ]
	* Jani Vilmunen
	* ]
	* Jens Voertmann
	* Hans Martin Vogl
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Christoph Wolters
	* Steve Wong
	* Steve Yea
	* ]
	* ]
	{{Multicol-end}}

			On September 20, 2011, the DOJ accused certain Full Tilt principals of defrauding poker players out of more than $300 million. The U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York filed a motion to amend an earlier civil complaint to allege that company directors Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, ], and Ray Bitar operated what the DOJ claims was a ] that allowed the company to pay out $444 million to themselves and other owners, which included other famous poker players.<ref name="WSJ2">{{citation \| url = https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/FullTiltAmendSuit_Sept20_2011.pdf \| title = VERIFIED FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT 11 Civ. 2564 \| author = United States of America \| publisher = UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK \| date = September 20, 2011 \| access-date = 2011-09-26}}</ref><ref name="WSJ1">{{cite news \| last =Berzon \| first =Alexandra \| title =U.S. Alleges Full Tilt Poker Was Ponzi Scheme \| work =The ] \| date =September 20, 2011 \| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904106704576582741398633386?mod=djemalertNEWS \| access-date =September 20, 2011}}</ref> Jeff Ifrah, a lawyer for Ferguson, denied the allegations, suggesting that the issues may have been the result of mismanagement rather than malice.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/09/20/full_tilt_poker_ponzi_scheme_jesus_ferguson_howard_lederer_among.html \| title = Full Tilt Poker Denies it's a Ponzi Scheme \| author = Greg Howard \| publisher = The Slatest \| date = September 22, 2011 \| access-date = 2011-09-26 \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110923191141/http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/09/20/full_tilt_poker_ponzi_scheme_jesus_ferguson_howard_lederer_among.html \| archive-date = September 23, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	{{Multicol}}
			\| last =Berzon \| first =Alexandra \| title =Poker Site Fires Back at U.S. \| work =The ] \| date =September 22, 2011 \| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111903791504576585390448785426#ixzz1Yh0uUWHg \| access-date =September 26, 2011 }}</ref> Bitar surrendered to authorities on July 2, 2012, to deal with the civil and criminal case that is pending against him in New York .<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2012/07/02/feds-arrest-full-tilt-ceo-ray-bitar/\|title=Feds Arrest Full Tilt CEO Ray Bitar And Again Call The Online Poker Firm A Ponzi Scheme\|first=Nathan\|last=Vardi\|website=] \|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> On April 15, 2013, Bitar reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to criminal charges, and was sentenced to time served and ordered to surrender his assets, rumored to include various homes and $40 million in cash.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Holloway\|first=Chad\|title=Ray Bitar Pleads Guilty; Sentenced to Time Served and Must Forfeit Assets\|url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2013/04/ray-bitar-pleads-guilty-sentenced-to-time-served-and-must-fo-14764.htm\|work=PokerNews.com\|date=15 April 2013 \|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref>
	'''Friends of Full Tilt'''

			===Full Tilt Relaunch===
	* Mario Adinolfi
			PokerStars, having acquired the assets of Full Tilt as part of its settlement with the DOJ, reopened Full Tilt Poker on Nov. 6, 2012<ref name="n602">{{cite web \| last=Jones \| first=Nick \| title=Full Tilt Poker Opens for Real Money, Players can now Withdraw \| website=Pokerfuse \| date=2012-11-06 \| url=https://pokerfuse.com/news/poker-room-news/full-tilt-poker-opens-for-real-money-06-11/ \| access-date=2024-11-12}}</ref> to players from most of the world. Customers from the United States could not either sign up for new accounts nor play from their existing accounts. The new Full Tilt Poker remained a standalone site with its own software and player pool separate from that of PokerStars.
	* Johan Brolenius
	* ]
	* ]
	* Yongsuk Chang
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* ]
	* Jay Greenspan
	* Niklas Heinecker
	* ]
	* ]
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* ]
	* Stephan Kalhamer
	* ]
	* Brian Koppelman
	* ]
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* Maxi Müller
	* Rich Muny
	* ]
	* ]
	* Marco Sander
	* ]
	{{Multicol-break}}
	* Jeremiah Smith
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Yueqi "Rich" Zhu<ref name="FullTiltOurTeam"/>
	{{Multicol-end}}

			On August 1, 2014, Amaya Gaming Group completed the purchase of Rational Group, the owner of PokerStars and Full Tilt, for $4.9 billion.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/amaya-completes-acquisition-of-pokerstars-and-full-tilt-poker-515194841.html\|title=Amaya Completes Acquisition of Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker\|website=www.newswire.ca\|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> Both poker sites continued to operate as separate entities until May 17, 2016. On that date, the user base of Full Tilt gained access to the global player pool at PokerStars,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Spiller \|first=Cliff \|date=2015-09-30 \|title=PokerStars and FullTilt Poker Licensed in New Jersey and DGE Chairman David Rebuck Explains Why \|url=https://www.legaluspokersites.com/news/dge-chairman-david-rebuck-discusses-the-long-delay-on-pokerstars-licensing/4875/ \|access-date=2024-07-29 \|website=Legal US Poker Sites \|language=en-US}}</ref> and the old Full Tilt platform was retired.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.onlinepokerreport.com/20661/full-tilt-pokerstars-merger-coming-later-this-month/\|title=Full Tilt Player Pool To Merge With PokerStars On May 17, Platform To Be Retired \|date=6 May 2016\|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
	In late 2008 it was alleged that Full Tilt Poker owned a number of ] names, including ones incorporating the names of rising players – even some of those who are not affiliated with the cardroom. These domains redirect to Full Tilt Poker's main site.<ref>{{cite news \| first= \| last= \| coauthors= \| title=Full Tilt Poker Buys Domain Names of Rivals, Players \| date=2008-12-11 \| publisher=Poker News Daily \| url =http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-buys-domain-names-of-rivals-players-809/ \| work = \| pages = \| accessdate = 2009-04-16 \| language = }}</ref>
			===Ex-members of Team Full Tilt===
			Full Tilt's team of professionals was an integral part of the company's marketing strategy, its slogan being "Learn, Chat and Play with the Pros." "'''Team Full Tilt'''" was composed of fourteen noted professionals who played regularly on the site and were considered full-fledged members. In addition to Team Full Tilt, several other pros were "Full Tilt Pros," who were sponsored by the site but were not full-fledged members made up of two teams, ] and ], there were also an additional 164 '''"Full Tilt Pros"''' and 41 non-members made up of authors, celebrities, announcers and commentators, they were known as '''"Friends of Full Tilt"''' whose names were also highlighted in red text on the site. Paul DeRosa was last added.

			===Sports sponsorships===
			Full Tilt was a major sponsor of the ] racing team, ].<ref>{{cite web \|last=Burton \|first=Earl \|title=Full Tilt Sponsors Virgin Racing Team \|publisher=pokernewsdaily.com \|date= May 8, 2010 \|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-sponsors-virgin-racing-team-11144/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.virginracing.com/partners/ \|title=Virgin Racing \|publisher=Virgin Racing \|access-date=2011-03-02 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305221629/http://www.virginracing.com/partners/ \|archive-date=2011-03-05 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>
			It also sponsored a driver in ] Joon Maeng along with the Bergenholtz Racing crew, as well as Taylor Barton Racing<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://tbartonracing.com/ \|title=Taylor Barton Racing \|publisher=Tbartonracing.com \|date=2010-10-22 \|access-date=2011-03-02 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127185720/http://tbartonracing.com/ \|archive-date=2011-01-27 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>
			and the ] of the ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/ \|title=Official Site of the Sydney Roosters \| Sydney Roosters news, video, fixture, results, tickets \|publisher=Sydneyroosters.com.au \|access-date=2011-03-02 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220045529/http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/ \|archive-date=2011-02-20 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	==Full Tilt on television==		==Full Tilt on television==
	Full Tilt Poker is or has been the principal sponsor of a number of poker television programs, including:		Full Tilt Poker is or has been the principal sponsor of a number of poker television programs, including:
	* '']''		* '']''
	* '']''		* '']''
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			* '']''
	==Legal matters==
	===Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act===
	On September 29, 2006, the U.S. Congress passed a harbor security measure, the ], which included a last-minute amendment known as the ] While the law does not outlaw online gambling, it does make it illegal for financial institutions, such as banks and credit card companies, to transfer funds to online gambling sites.<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,220496,00.html \| work=Fox News \| title=Bush Signs U.S. Port Security Act; Contains Ban on Internet Gambling \| date=October 13, 2006}}</ref>

	In response to passage of the UIGEA, ], owner of ], left the US market, creating a vacuum largely filled by Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.gambling911.com/poker/pokerstars-still-keeping-full-tilt-poker-distant-2nd-123109.html \|title=PokerStars Still Keeping Full Tilt Poker a Distant 2nd \|publisher=Gambling911.com \|date=2009-12-31 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	===Clonie Gowen===
	In late 2008, Full Tilt was sued in Nevada by ], prominent poker professional and former Full Tilt endorser. She claimed that during Full Tilt's formative year of 2004, she was offered a 1% ownership in the company in exchange for her promotional efforts. PokerNewsDaily.com reported that Ms. Gowen's claims were dismissed (many with prejudice) by the US District Court in Las Vegas on April 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/clonie-gowen-lawsuit-against-full-tilt-poker-dismissed-2287/ \|title=Clonie Gowen Lawsuit Against Full Tilt Poker Dismissed \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date=2009-05-04 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	===James Hicks===
	On April 29, 2009, James B. Hicks filed a civil complaint against Tiltware, LLC (d/b/a FullTiltPoker.com), TiltProof, Inc., and Chris Ferguson generally alleging unfair and unlawful business practices including illegal Internet gaming and violations of the UIGEA.<ref name="pokerati.com">Hicks v. Tiltware, LLC, et al., US Dist. Ct., Cent. Dist. West. Div, Case. No. CV09-03009 FMC PJWx; http://pokerati.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/los-angeles-federal-usdc-central-district-of-california-042909-180435-209-cv-03009.pdf</ref> Hicks is seeking injunctive relief to prevent Full Tilt from operating its website, soliciting players, or funding or accepting payments for illegal gambling in California.<ref name="pokerati.com"/> No monetary damages are being sought save reasonable costs and attorneys' fees.<ref name="pokerati.com"/>

	The Plaintiff, Hicks, is a Los Angeles lawyer and a partner in the lawfirm representing him in his case against Full Tilt. Hicks has previously been disciplined by the California Bar Association which resulted in a suspension of his law license and a requirement that he complete ethics classes.<ref>California Bar Association Attorney Records for James B. Hicks; http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=109117</ref>

	===Jason Newitt===
	On September 11, 2009, Full Tilt was sued civilly in Nevada by Jason Newitt in the case of Jason Newitt v. Tiltware; Full Tilt Poker; Pocket Kings Ltd.; Pocket Kings Consulting Ltd.; Raymond Bitar; Howard Lederer. Mr. Newitt alleges that he was unfairly fired and that his distribution payments were unfairly ceased.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://pokerati.com/2009/09/14/jason-newitt-sues-full-tilt-lederer-et-alanother-ex-ftp-employee-suits-up/ \|title=Jason Newitt Sues Full Tilt, Lederer, et al.Another Ex-FTP Employee Suits Up \| Pokerati \| Texas Hold'em and Las Vegas WSOP Poker Blog \|publisher=Pokerati \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	===Lary Kennedy===
	On October 1, 2009, Lary Kennedy and Greg Omotoy filed suit against Full Tilt Poker, Tiltware and several individual members of Team Full Tilt alleging fraud, libel, slander, false advertising, and racketeering.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-sued-over-bot-use-5376/ \|title=Full Tilt Poker Sued Over Bot Use \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> Kennedy and Omotoy filed suit following unsuccessful attempts to have Full Tilt refund $80,000 which it had seized from Kennedy’s and Omotoy’s accounts asserting a violation of Full Tilt’s Terms of Service for using ]. On October 17, 2009, Full Tilt responded to Kennedy’s lawsuit by claiming the suit was baseless and frivolous and stating that it “has never knowingly allowed ‘bots’ to play on its site.”<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-responds-to-poker-bot-lawsuit-5686/ \|title=Full Tilt Responds to Poker Bot Lawsuit \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	After the case was removed to the ], on April, 26, 2010, Judge Margaret Morrow dismissed the case with leave stating the Kennedy had failed to "detail many portions of her case regarding state violations and, in particular, there could be no claim under the RICO Act. However, as the case was dismissed with leave, Kennedy may re-file the complaint in federal court if she is able to correct the deficiencies in her original complaint.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-wins-dismissal-on-court-cases-in-california-and-kentucky-10609/ \|title=Full Tilt Poker Wins Dismissal on Court Cases in California and Kentucky \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	===Grand jury investigation and indictment===
	{{main\|U. S. v. Scheinberg et al. (10 Cr. 336)}}
	On April 5, 2010, the ] reported that a federal grand jury in ] is investigating Full Tilt Poker and individuals associated with the company, including ] and ], for violations of gambling and money-laundering laws.<ref name="menn">{{cite web \| url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e159faf4-404a-11df-8d23-00144feabdc0.html \| title = Court Probe into Poker Internet Site \| accessdate = 2010-07-18 \| last = Menn \| first = Joseph\| date = 2010-04-05 \| publisher = Financial Times}}</ref> Although neither the Manhattan United States Attorney nor officials with the ] would comment on the matter, it was reported that such an investigation “would fit the federal law enforcement strategy by trying to make an example out of prominent targets”.<ref name="menn" /> The Department of Justice maintains that online poker violates the ] (Federal Wire Act).<ref name="menn" />

	On April 15, 2011, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment, dated March 10, 2011, against two of the owners (Raymond Bitar and Nelson Burtnick) of Full Tilt Poker, along with some of the owners of ] and ].<ref>http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/April11/scheinbergetalindictmentpr.pdf</ref> The defendants were charged with fraud, money laundering, and violation of United States federal gambling laws, and certain domain names for the sites were seized by the ].<ref>{{ cite news \| title=Internet gambling sites owners charged with fraud \| author=Katz, Basil \| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/15/us-poker-fraud-idUSTRE73E6SF20110415 \| newspaper=] \| date=April 15, 2011 \| accessdate=April 15, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news \| url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/04/15/goes-versus-online-poker-sites/ \| title=Feds Go 'All In' Against Online Poker Sites \| author=Egan, Matt \| newspaper=] \| date=April 15, 2011 \| accessdate=April 15, 2011 }}</ref>

	A companion civil case, U.S. v. PokerStars, et al. (11 Civ. 2564)<ref>http://www.scribd.com/doc/53170382/3bb-Civil-Complaint-DOJ-vs-PokerStars-Full-Tilt-UB-AP-et-al</ref> was filed on April 14, 2011, and includes Full Tilt and its related entities as defendants. The U.S. government is seeking the forfeiture of approximately $3 billion in defendants' assets as a remedy.<ref>http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/April11/scheinbergetalindictmentpr.pdf</ref>

	===Phil Ivey===
	On May 31, 2011, Phil Ivey announced that he has filed suit against Tiltware, the software and marketing provider for Full Tilt Poker, as a result of Full Tilt's failure to reimburse online account holders following Black Friday.<ref name="espn"></ref> Ivey further noted that he will not compete in the ] since it would not be fair for him to compete when others cannot as a result of Full Tilt's failure to reimburse account holders.<ref name="espn"/>

	==Full Tilt Online Poker Series==
	{{Main\|Full Tilt Online Poker Series}}
	The '''Full Tilt Online Poker Series''' (FTOPS) is Full Tilt's premier tournament series.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.poker-king.com/poker-king-articles.php?article=635 \|title=210k Overlay in FTOPS Main Event \|publisher=Poker-king.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> It was established in August 2006 <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokersite.org/poker-tournaments/ftops/ \|title=Full Tilt Poker FTOPS - Qualify for the FTOPS \|publisher=Pokersite.org \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> and is held approximately every three months.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/ftops-schedule-explained-by-howard-lederer-1008/ \|title=FTOPS Schedule Explained by Howard Lederer \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date=2009-02-06 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> The FTOPS consists of multiple tournaments in a variety of different poker games and formats, each of which is hosted by a different Full Tilt professional.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/ftops-xv-schedule-announced-7341/ \|title=FTOPS XV Schedule Announced \|publisher=Pokernewsdaily.com \|date=2010-01-06 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> Throughout the series, Full Tilt offers a number of challenges and prizes that reward players for accomplishing certain feats.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.onlinegambling.com/poker/news/FTOPS_XV-601008.html \|title=Ftops Xv \|publisher=Online Gambling \|date=2010-01-08 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	Full Tilt also sponsors a Mini FTOPS, which takes place one month later and features the same events at 1/10 the buy-in.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/17-million-on-the-line-in-upcoming-ftops-xv-56327 \|title=$17 Million On the Line in Upcoming FTOPS XV \|publisher=Pokerlistings.com \|date=2010-01-08 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	==Records==
	On July 19, 2009, Full Tilt attempted to beat the world record for the highest number of players playing in an online poker tournament.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2009/07/pokerstars-retains-guinness-world-record-online-mark-6968.htm \|title=PokerStars Retains Guinness World Record Online Mark \|publisher=Pokernews.com \|date=2009-07-20 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref> This event was part of their fifth anniversary celebration. They broke the old record of 35,000 by hosting a tournament with 50,000 players, but this record was surpassed later that day by ].

	According to the hand history database at Pokerlistings.com, Full Tilt, known for hosting the highest stakes games in online poker, was site to the 100 biggest online pots of 2009, including the ten largest pots in online poker history. On November 21, 2009, Team Full Tilt Professional ] beat the Swede Viktor "]" Blom for a $1,356,947 pot in a hand of Pot Limit Omaha: the largest online poker pot to date.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/market-pulse/biggest-pots \|title=Biggest Pots Won in Online Poker \|publisher=PokerListings.com \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	==Motor Sports sponsorship==
	Full Tilt is a major sponsor of the Formula One racing team, ].<ref>Burton, Earl, ''Full Tilt SponsorsVirgin Racing Team'', PokerNewsDaily, May 8, 2010; http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/full-tilt-poker-sponsors-virgin-racing-team-11144/</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.virginracing.com/partners/ \|title=Virgin Racing \|publisher=Virgin Racing \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	Currently Full Tilt Poker sponsors a Driver in Formula D Joon Maeng along with the Bergenholtz Racing crew. The sponsored car is a Mazda RX8 built to 600 Horsepower using a 3 rotor motor from Japan.

	Full Tilt is also the major sponsor for Taylor Barton Racing.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://tbartonracing.com/ \|title=Taylor Barton Racing \|publisher=Tbartonracing.com \|date=2010-10-22 \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	==Rugby League Sponsorship==
	Full Tilt is a senior sponsor of the ] of the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/ \|title=Official Site of the Sydney Roosters \| Sydney Roosters news, video, fixture, results, tickets \|publisher=Sydneyroosters.com.au \|date= \|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist\|2}}		{{reflist}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Commons category}}
	*
	*		* {{Official website\|http://www.fulltilt.com/}}

	{{Team Full Tilt}}		{{Team Full Tilt}}

	]		]
	]		]
			]
	]		]
	]

	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 20 November 2024

Online poker card room

Full Tilt Poker

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Online poker
Founded	June 2004 (2004-06)
Founder	Raymond Bitar and 9 others
Headquarters	Ireland
Area served	Worldwide
Parent	TiltWare (2004–2012) The Stars Group (2012–2021)
Website	fulltilt.com

Full Tilt Poker is an Irish online poker card room and online casino that opened in June 2004. Formerly privately owned by Tiltware, LLC and later by the Rational Entertainment Group, the site was acquired by The Stars Group (then known as Amaya Gaming Group) in a deal where Amaya acquired all of Rational's assets, including PokerStars. A statement by Amaya said the takeover would not affect the activities of Full Tilt Poker. The deal was closed on August 1, 2014.

Just prior to the close of the purchase, Full Tilt Poker redirected and rebranded its domains from FullTiltPoker.com and FullTiltPoker.eu to FullTilt.com and FullTilt.eu. A company spokesperson stated the change reflected the fact Full Tilt had "expanded to offer a range of single and multi-player variations of casino games".

Full Tilt has gaming licenses in Malta and the Isle of Man.

Games offered

Full Tilt offers both play and real money cash games and tournaments. Freeroll, satellite, sit-n-go, and multi-table tournaments take place throughout the day and often included participation from Full Tilt's sponsored professionals. The site offers the following poker variations in limit, pot-limit, and no-limit: Texas Holdem, Omaha, and Omaha 8 or Better (a.k.a. Omaha hi/lo). The site also offers limit Razz, Stud, Stud 8 or better, Draw poker variants and mixed games such as H.O.R.S.E. Stakes offers ranged from $0.01/$0.02 blinds to $500/1000 blinds in big bet games and up to $2000/4000 limits in limit games.

In early 2010, Full Tilt introduced a new poker variation called "Rush Poker" designed to increase the number of hands a player can play per hour. In "Rush Poker" players do not remain at a specific table. Instead, they join a pool with hundreds of other players. Whenever they fold their hand, they are instantly transferred to a new table and dealt a new hand. Full Tilt Poker also launched Rush Poker Mobile for iOS and Android devices.

History

Full Tilt Poker initially opened as an online poker card room with the involvement of poker professionals Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, Andy Bloch, Mike Matusow, Jennifer Harman and Chris Ferguson.

Full Tilt Poker was launched by parent company TiltWare, LLC in June 2004 and began full operation on July 10, 2004. The license of Full Tilt Poker was suspended by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission on June 29, 2011, and revoked on September 29, 2011.

Legal Issues

In late 2008, Full Tilt was sued in Nevada by Clonie Gowen, prominent poker professional and former Full Tilt endorser. She claimed that during Full Tilt's formative year of 2004, she was offered a 1% ownership in the company in exchange for her promotional efforts. The suit was dismissed by a trial court, but later partly reinstated on appeal.

On April 29, 2009, James B. Hicks filed a civil complaint against Tiltware, LLC (doing business as FullTiltPoker.com), TiltProof, Inc., and Chris Ferguson generally alleging unfair and unlawful business practices including illegal Internet gaming and violations of the UIGEA. Hicks sought to prevent Full Tilt from operating its website, soliciting players, or funding or accepting payments for illegal gambling in California.

On September 11, 2009, Full Tilt was sued civilly in Nevada by Jason Newitt in the case of Jason Newitt v. Tiltware; Full Tilt Poker; Pocket Kings Ltd.; Pocket Kings Consulting Ltd.; Ray Bitar; Howard Lederer. Newitt alleges that he was unfairly fired and that his distribution payments were unfairly ceased.

On October 1, 2009, Lary Kennedy and Greg Omotoy filed suit against Full Tilt Poker, Tiltware and several individual members of Team Full Tilt alleging fraud, libel, slander, false advertising, and racketeering. Kennedy and Omotoy filed suit following unsuccessful attempts to have Full Tilt refund $80,000 which it had seized from Kennedy's and Omotoy's accounts asserting a violation of Full Tilt's Terms of Service for using "bots". On October 17, 2009, Full Tilt responded to Kennedy's lawsuit by claiming the suit was baseless and frivolous and stating that it "has never knowingly allowed ‘bots’ to play on its site."

After the case was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California, on April 26, 2010, Judge Margaret Morrow dismissed the case with leave stating that Kennedy had failed to "detail many portions of her case regarding state violations and, in particular, there could be no claim under the RICO Act. However, as the case was dismissed with leave, Kennedy may re-file the complaint in federal court if she is able to correct the deficiencies in her original complaint.

On April 5, 2010, the Financial Times reported that a federal grand jury in Manhattan was investigating Full Tilt Poker and individuals associated with the company, including Howard Lederer and Chris Ferguson, for violations of gambling and money-laundering laws. Although neither the Manhattan United States Attorney nor officials with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) would comment on the matter, it was reported that such an investigation "would fit the federal law enforcement strategy by trying to make an example out of prominent targets". The DOJ maintained that online poker violates the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 (Federal Wire Act), but later changed their opinion on that matter.

On April 15, 2011, the DOJ unsealed an indictment, dated March 10, 2011, against two of the owners / employees (Ray Bitar and Nelson Burtnick) of Full Tilt Poker, along with some of the owners / employees of PokerStars and Absolute Poker. The defendants were charged with fraud, money laundering, and violation of United States federal gambling laws, and certain domain names for the sites were seized by the FBI. The Full Tilt Poker homepage was reinstated six days later on April 20, 2011.

On September 20, 2011, the DOJ accused certain Full Tilt principals of defrauding poker players out of more than $300 million. The U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York filed a motion to amend an earlier civil complaint to allege that company directors Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, Rafe Furst, and Ray Bitar operated what the DOJ claims was a Ponzi scheme that allowed the company to pay out $444 million to themselves and other owners, which included other famous poker players. Jeff Ifrah, a lawyer for Ferguson, denied the allegations, suggesting that the issues may have been the result of mismanagement rather than malice. Bitar surrendered to authorities on July 2, 2012, to deal with the civil and criminal case that is pending against him in New York . On April 15, 2013, Bitar reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to criminal charges, and was sentenced to time served and ordered to surrender his assets, rumored to include various homes and $40 million in cash.

Full Tilt Relaunch

PokerStars, having acquired the assets of Full Tilt as part of its settlement with the DOJ, reopened Full Tilt Poker on Nov. 6, 2012 to players from most of the world. Customers from the United States could not either sign up for new accounts nor play from their existing accounts. The new Full Tilt Poker remained a standalone site with its own software and player pool separate from that of PokerStars.

On August 1, 2014, Amaya Gaming Group completed the purchase of Rational Group, the owner of PokerStars and Full Tilt, for $4.9 billion. Both poker sites continued to operate as separate entities until May 17, 2016. On that date, the user base of Full Tilt gained access to the global player pool at PokerStars, and the old Full Tilt platform was retired.

Ex-members of Team Full Tilt

Full Tilt's team of professionals was an integral part of the company's marketing strategy, its slogan being "Learn, Chat and Play with the Pros." "Team Full Tilt" was composed of fourteen noted professionals who played regularly on the site and were considered full-fledged members. In addition to Team Full Tilt, several other pros were "Full Tilt Pros," who were sponsored by the site but were not full-fledged members made up of two teams, CardRunners and The Hendon Mob, there were also an additional 164 "Full Tilt Pros" and 41 non-members made up of authors, celebrities, announcers and commentators, they were known as "Friends of Full Tilt" whose names were also highlighted in red text on the site. Paul DeRosa was last added.

Sports sponsorships

Full Tilt was a major sponsor of the Formula One racing team, Virgin Racing. It also sponsored a driver in Formula D Joon Maeng along with the Bergenholtz Racing crew, as well as Taylor Barton Racing and the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League.

Full Tilt on television

Full Tilt Poker is or has been the principal sponsor of a number of poker television programs, including:

Learn from the Pros
Full Tilt Poker Championship at Red Rock
Poker After Dark
Pro-Am Poker Equalizer
Face the Ace
Late Night Poker
Poker Million

References

"Full Tilt Poker Founders". Roger S. gamblingsites.com. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
"History of Full Tilt Poker". Roger S. gamblingsites.com. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
"Canada's Amaya acquiring PokerStars owner Rational Group for $4.9bn". Montreal News.Net. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
Wall Street Journal: Amaya Completes Acquisition of Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker
"Revamp for Full Tilt". www.bluffeurope.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
"Poker Games". Fulltiltpoker.com. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
Burton, Earl (2010-01-19). "Full Tilt Poker Introduces Poker Variation "Rush Poker"". Poker News Daily. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
Friedman, Michael (2010-08-08). "Team FullTilt: The World's First Poker Dynasty". CardPlayer.com. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
Full Tilt Poker Unveils Official Site
The Associated Press (29 September 2011). "Full Tilt Says License Revocation Threatens Repayments". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 August 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
"Appeals court ruling a partial victory for professional poker player". 13 June 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
^ "Hicks v. Tiltware, LLC, et al., US Dist. Ct., Cent. Dist. West. Div, Case. No. CV09-03009 FMC PJWx" (PDF). pokerati.com.
"Jason Newitt Sues Full Tilt, Lederer, et al.Another Ex-FTP Employee Suits Up | Pokerati | Texas Hold'em and Las Vegas WSOP Poker Blog". Pokerati. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
Welman, Jessica (2009-10-04). "Full Tilt Poker Sued Over Bot Use". Poker News Daily. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
Welman, Jessica (2009-10-17). "Full Tilt Responds to Poker Bot Lawsuit". Poker News Daily. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
"Full Tilt Poker Wins Dismissal on Court Cases in California and Kentucky". Pokernewsdaily.com. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
^ Menn, Joseph (2010-04-05). "Court Probe into Poker Internet Site". Financial Times. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
justice.gov Archived April 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
Katz, Basil (April 15, 2011). "Internet gambling sites owners charged with fraud". Reuters. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
Egan, Matt (April 15, 2011). "Feds Go 'All In' Against Online Poker Sites". Fox Business. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
United States of America (September 20, 2011), VERIFIED FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT 11 Civ. 2564 (PDF), UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, retrieved 2011-09-26
Berzon, Alexandra (September 20, 2011). "U.S. Alleges Full Tilt Poker Was Ponzi Scheme". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
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External links

Official website

v t e Team Full Tilt
The Professionals	Gus Hansen Viktor Blom
Tour Ambassadors	Martins Adeniya Dermot Blain Rafael Caiaffa Robert Cezarescu Tom Grigg Ben Jenkins Jonathan Karamalikis Leonardo "Toddasso" Martins Carlos Mavca Sinem Melin Larissa Metran Andras Nemeth Liam O'Rourke Hana Soljan
Ex-Members (Team Full Tilt)	Allen Cunningham Andy Bloch Chris Ferguson Erick Lindgren Erik Seidel Howard Lederer Jennifer Harman John Juanda Mike Matusow Patrik Antonius Phil Gordon Phil Ivey Tom Dwan
Ex-Members (Red Pros)	Aaron Bartley Adam Noone Adam Schoenfeld Alan Boston Alessio Isaia Alexander Schwab Alfredo Leonidas Ali Sarkeshik Amanda Baker Andrew Feldman Andrew Lichtenberger Andy Black Annette Obrestad Artie Cobb Ben Roberts Berry Johnston Beth Shak Bill Edler Bill Gazes Billy Argyros Brad Booth Brandon Adams Bruno Stefanelli Caio Pimenta Carlos Mortensen Chip Jett Christian Kruel Christiane Klecz Christoph Wolters Cyndy Violette Claudio Rinaldi Cole South Craig Marquis Dag Mikkelsen Damian Salas Daniele Mazzia David Benyamine David Bradley David Chiu David Colclough David Grey David Oppenheim David Pham David Singer Denes Kalo Diego Cordovez Eddy Scharf Eli Elezra Eric Froehlich Erich Kollmann Erik Cajelais Esther Rossi Farzad Bonyadi Flavio Ferrari Zumbini Frank Thompson Gavin Smith Greg Mascio Greg Mueller Hal Lubarsky Hans Martin Vogl Huckleberry Seed James Akenhead Jani Vilmunen Jared Hamby Jeff Madsen Jens Voertmann João Barbosa Johan Storakers John Cernuto John D'Agostino John Phan Jon Turner Jordan Morgan José Luis Velador Josh Arieh Julian Gardner Justin Smith Karina Jett Keith Sexton Kelly Kim Kenny Tran Kristy Gazes Leandro "Brasa" Pimentel Lee Watkinson Lynette Chan Marc Karam Marco Liesy Marco Traniello Mark Vos Markus Golser Markus Lehmann Martin Kläser Matt Hawrilenko Matt Sexton Melanie Weisner Michael Gracz Michael Tureniec Nick Schulman Mihai Manole Niki Jedlicka Nikolay Evdakov Pascal Perrault Paul Sexton Paul Wolfe Peter Feldman Perry Friedman Praz Bansi Rafe Furst Raul Oliveira Raul Paez Richard Brodie Rob Hollink Robert Williamson III Roberto Romanello Roland De Wolfe Roland Specht Roy Winston Ryan Dreyer Sascha Biorac Scott Clements Scott Fischman Scott Montgomery Sigi Stockinger Soraya Homam Søren Kongsgaard Stefan Rapp Steve Brecher Steve Wong Steve Yea Steve Zolotow Steven Begleiter Stuart Paterson Svetlana Gromenkova Thomas Bihl Trond Eidsvig Vitaly Lunkin Vivek Rajkumar

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