Feds call FTP a ponzi scheme

[Jets GM]

forbes link

As someone who's followed/played poker since I was 17, I'm finding this entire Full Tilt scandal to be disheartening. Two of the players named (Lederer and Ferguson) were considered before this as "legends" or at the very least, ambassadors for the game of poker. For those who live in the US, has there been any sort of coverage of this story on TV? I watched a clip of Tom Dwan on FOX business today, it was awesome:

'I've been told your a top 5 player in the entire world, have made millions...is this true?'

"I've made a bit."

#kingofvagueanswers

[TorontoGM]

Does this mean I get back all the money I lost on FTP? hahaha

But that is pretty disheartening. I just love how popular holdem/poker got and how far its fallen.

[Jets GM]

Does this mean I get back all the money I lost on FTP? hahaha

But that is pretty disheartening. I just love how popular holdem/poker got and how far its fallen.

I don't think the popularity of poker has fallen to much, or at least I hope but stuff like this doesn't help the "online poker is rigged" stigma. If owners/board of directors were using player funds to pay out dividends to shareholders (which in this case means players that owned FTP payed other players that were sponsored by FTP with FTP players money) it's hard to argue the against the possibility of other moral/scummy acts going on. I truly believe nothing liked rigged outcomes or FTP pro's being able to see opponents whole cards will come out of this story, but this is seriously going to deter your average person who plays poker as a hobby from depositing online.

[GoJetsGo]

I heard about it from a co-worker and checked it out myself on the internets. Don't think it's been brushed under the rug in the States at all. Very surprising that big poker names like Ferguson and Lederer would have the faulty site. Especially when the increased interest has brought the game an increased amount of suckers.

On second thought, they might have "played" a good portion of these people.

[Montreal Canadiens]

Big Poker sites were shut down in the States long ago. Or atleast they were temporarily.

[Femur]

Jesus Ferguson? nobody...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTqP58o1iw&NR=1

[SabresGM]

I had recently switched to Stars when the fiasco started. Glad I didnt have a dime on that site

[GM Office Q]

[Montreal Canadiens]

^haha yeah that video surfaced a few weeks back when Pratt was fired from 1040.

That little video clip is a good enough indicator that Pratt has some shrewed opinions. It's tough mentally to play Poker but come on Pratt lol. I loved Don Taylor's responses......"Where is the physical element" "sitting on your ass" lol.