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Robb
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11-26-2008, 12:42 PM
Post subject: UB & Absolute Merge
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#1 (permalink)
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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UB and Absolute just merged their poker rooms. Both brands remain active. Some changes include:
1. Absolute has a max 200bb BI for cash games which UB now also uses. UB was overrun with short-stackers at FR, Absolute was not. Was the big max BI the reason? IDK, but it will be interesting to see.
2. Absolute did not have 2nl, UB did. Now they both do.
3. Absolute was fishier and more passive. UB was still fishy but lots more LAGs. Should be a great mix.
4. Neither site had much (any) traffic at 50nl and above. Combined, they still don't.
UB's problems are well publicized. I doubt this merge fixes UB long term. I've most of my roll off those sites, but I will probably play over there a bit in the next week just to see what's happening. The fishiness level is solid at both sites. If it weren't for their other issues, those sites would be a perfect place for a noobie/micro grinder who's at 25nl or lower.
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flomo
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Full House
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: mashing potatoes
Posts: 878
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superusers vs. superusers
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigred
Protect dog
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sinky
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Flush
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SCOTLAND
Posts: 295
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I was looking at UB last week for grinding the sign up bonus at 1/2 FL. Throw in 30% rakeback and cashback for Ultimate points and it seemed to good to be true. Then I logged in and there was only 1 table running for 1/2 FL
Don't think the merger will improve it much.
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Yeah, they're a micro grinder site. Neither site has much traffic at those levels.
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spoonitnow
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Straight Flush
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: IRC Chat Room
Posts: 5,406
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I'm of the opinion that at this point if you play there and get fucked over in any way, shape, or form, that it is absolutely 100% entirely your fault.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ripptyde
I only have 2 simple rules when I am coaching a new student.
Rule # 1: don't ask questions
Rule # 2: don't ask questions
I have no interest in discussing strategy with a protege'. Your job is to remain quiet and listen. I have a very systematic approach that I will share with the right candidate and I promise that I will turn you into a force of nature and show you elements of the game of poker that you never knew existed.
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by spoonitnow
I'm of the opinion that at this point if you play there and get fucked over in any way, shape, or form, that it is absolutely 100% entirely your fault.
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That's true. That's why less than 25% of my poker roll is there. Since I've still got a bit there, I thought I'd share what's happening.
By the way, my user login no longer works at Absolute. I had the same SN at both sites before the merge. Wonder if they had a database merge issue? UB works fine.
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sinky
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Flush
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SCOTLAND
Posts: 295
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Robb
Yeah, they're a micro grinder site. Neither site has much traffic at those levels.
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As I speak 3 1/2 FL tables (full ring)
About 25 0.50/1 FL tables (full ring)
A bit strange seeing as you get double the points at 1/2. MAybe I'm missing something in the terms and conditions, or is 0.5/1 busy because it is the lowest stake for the Jackpot tables ?
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sinky
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Robb
Yeah, they're a micro grinder site. Neither site has much traffic at those levels.
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As I speak 3 1/2 FL tables (full ring)
About 25 0.50/1 FL tables (full ring)
A bit strange seeing as you get double the points at 1/2. MAybe I'm missing something in the terms and conditions, or is 0.5/1 busy because it is the lowest stake for the Jackpot tables ?
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None of the mid-stakes or high-stakes grinders will play on UB since the superuser cheating scandal. The microstakes were never a target since they couldn't make enough $$. That's one of the reasons the site is fishy. None of the poker regs will play there. I stayed there over a year through the worst of the scandal 'cuz I'm a US player, and moving $$ is quite a pain. I'm liking Stars and FT, tho.
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sinky
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Robb
Yeah, they're a micro grinder site. Neither site has much traffic at those levels.
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As I speak 3 1/2 FL tables (full ring)
About 25 0.50/1 FL tables (full ring)
A bit strange seeing as you get double the points at 1/2. MAybe I'm missing something in the terms and conditions, or is 0.5/1 busy because it is the lowest stake for the Jackpot tables ?
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None of the mid-stakes or high-stakes grinders will play on UB since the superuser cheating scandal. The microstakes were never a target since they couldn't make enough $$. That's one of the reasons the site is fishy. None of the poker regs will play there. I stayed there over a year through the worst of the scandal 'cuz I'm a US player, and moving $$ is quite a pain. I'm liking Stars and FT, tho.
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ChezJ
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Full House
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 1,456
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All i can say is thank god! UB always had a sucky interface as far back as 2004. And the place has been ultra dry lately. This should make it possible for me to start winning consistently again.
Before you scorn me for playing at superusers-r-us, the only reason I have been playing UB is that I have no way of getting money online anywhere else. UB let me convert some points into $100 for free (which is now $550).
That is all.
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ChezJ
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Full House
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 1,456
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Damn i just realized i hate absolute's interface even more than UB's. if you want to bet 75 cents, you can't type .75 you have to type 0.75.... augh
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grinner5
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SWMargaree,N.S. Canada
Posts: 3
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i play the 50-1 and 1-2 alot there and have some mixed results.overall tho i'm up quite abit on ub unlike other sites.merge with AP will be good in long run still kinks to work out tho.
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meeloche
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,131
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I can't believe people still play on UB/Abosolute...
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by meeloche
I can't believe people still play on UB/Abosolute...
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For US players, not lots of options.
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meeloche
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,131
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Umm pokerstars or full tilt? How are they two biggest online sites for options?
No reason to endorse companies that cheat imo.
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ChezJ
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Full House
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 1,456
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the ub company did not cheat, they tracked down the cheaters who hacked into their system. slight difference.
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oskar
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: in ur accounts... confiscating ur funz
Posts: 2,452
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I think you guys are underestimating the value of fish
I've played a little bit of 25NL at party yesterday. It's fun, because it's a challange. Full-ring is ridiculously weak-tight - lol blind-stealaments. And 6-max has some pretty tough players. lol-resteal & floataments.
Sites that have bad rakeback or no attractive bonuses - or some scandal that affected maybe 0.01% of their players can be a good thing. I'm happy to sign up at places that are very unpopular around here. I'll definitely look into UB in the near future. - maybe once I can get the full signup bonus.
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The strengh of a hero is defined by the weakness of his villains.
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AnTman_69
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Flush
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 463
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i like ub. I built my roll there starting from 10nl - 100nl and i thought it was ok. Bonus's + rakeback there are wayy better then stars. Ivee been playing 50nl for a month now at PS and im only gonna be able to get a $50 bonus...thats so gay.
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bode
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Straight Flush
Join Date: May 2006
Location: slow motion
Posts: 4,270
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ChezJ
the ub company did not cheat, they tracked down the cheaters who hacked into their system. slight difference.
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maybe you need to look a bit further into this, because from what i've read this is 100% false.
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Quote:
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eeevees are not monies yet...they are like baby monies.
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by bode
Quote:
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Originally Posted by ChezJ
the ub company did not cheat, they tracked down the cheaters who hacked into their system. slight difference.
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maybe you need to look a bit further into this, because from what i've read this is 100% false.
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UB had subcontracted site security, and the subcontractor (as I understand the press releases I've read) housed the cheating ring. So UB has "plausible deniability." Problem is, the UB top dogs were good friends and long time associates of the principals in the security company. Pretty tangled.
The other thing that happened at about the same time is that Absolute bought UB out. But then there was a cheating scandal at Absolute - much less widespread.
The company that now owns both sites had a complete audit of all hands played during the cheating scam and have (in their own estimation) repaid all/most of the losses. They also won a $15 million law suit against the security subcontractor about a month ago and paid out more damages.
To reply to Meeloche - I don't endorse UB or Absolute. I started this thread just to update folks. I also agree with Spoon - don't trust them. If you play there, Oskar, make sure it's a small part of your roll that you can afford to lose. There's more risk than variance there, imo.
In general, I think the cheating scandal at UB was good for the poker world. I personally believe site security is better now at sites like FT and Stars and on Prima because they saw what could happen. I also think the online casinos learned how much the poker playing community (like the 2+2 guys who discovered/nailed the cheaters) can police itself. They know cheating will come out, so they have a bigger incentive to clamp down internally. Like any disease does for the immune system, surviving the UB scam made the entire online poker community stronger.
What it means for UB and Absolute, we'll have to wait a couple more years to know. I hope they can turn it around and become more reputable if only because they both have stood up since UIEGA, never considering banning US players. I can respect that, since I think other no-US networks and sites are total pussies.
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ChezJ
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Full House
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 1,456
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I stand by my earlier statement that UB was not behind the cheating.
The full story is on the cover of today's washington post and will be on CBS's 60 minutes in about 10 minutes.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...112901679.html
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ChezJ
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Here's a quote from the article you linked (emphasis mine):
AbsolutePoker released an e-mail acknowledging that it had identified "an internal security breach that compromised our systems for a limited period of time." It added: "The cause of the breach has been determined and completely resolved."
The company's statement did not detail how the breach occurred, how many players were cheated or how the cheater was able to spy on cards without being noticed.
Unbeknown to the players, AbsolutePoker had already cut a secret deal with the cheater, whom it characterized as a "consultant with managerial responsibilities." The company agreed not to release his name in return for a "full and detailed explanation" of how he cheated, according to company officials and other interviews.
Pretty clear it was an inside job.
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ChezJ
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Full House
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 1,456
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I stand by my earlier statement that UB was not behind the cheating.
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FlowJoe
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3-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 83
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Rogue employee, not the company, OK. However....WHo Really KNOWS!!
Peace,
FLOW
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What MUST be, most surely SHALL be!!
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Miffed22001
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Straight Flush
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Marry Me Cheryl!!!
Posts: 8,181
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bump
Not for the first time i get a phonecall today
Dear Miffed22001
We just want to check your email address is and we want to send you our VIP offer.
Turns out Ub are now offering the same package sme guys got 6 montsh ago from AP - deposit like $4k get $100 free, entries to a bunch of the major online mtts for free, games look very fishy (although only 6-10 tables of fr running at GMT peak hours)
Sigh - tempted to try it out even if they are bent as fuck
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BigDnuts
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12-11-2008, 02:25 PM
Post subject: UB Freerolls
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#26 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 3
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Whats up with UB getting rid of all of there FreeRolls? Thought they were a waste of time when they were there but helped to past time when I didnt have anything else better to do!
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mrhappy333
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Full House
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,078
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More Problems at Ultimate Bet/ Absolute/ Cerius
This time involving Phil Hellmuth and a Software issue
WTF?
http://www.poker-king.com/poker-king...hp?article=574
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...anyway-369065/
Copied from Poker-king.com
December 21st, 2008 3:54 am EST
Ultimatebet Awards Pot To the Wrong Player
I can't even believe this.
I mean, I believe it - but I still can't believe it.
Here is the story:
Sometime early Saturday morning, a hand was played on Ultimatebet involving "DoubleBaller" and Phil Hellmuth. The hand # in question was 1162170993. The two were playing $200/$400 Limit Hold'em.
After a bunch of raising pre-flop, the flop came J-K-K. More betting.
The turn was the 2 of hearts. More betting.
The river was the nine of clubs. "DoubleBaller" bet, and Phil Hellmuth called.
"DoubleBaller" showed K-Q offsuit to win the pot, and Phil Hellmuth mucked.
The only problem?
PHIL HELLMUTH was awarded the pot!
Here is the hand history from 2+2 (link to the thread in question below):
Stage #XXXXXXX: Holdem (1 on 1) Normal $200/$400 - 2008-12-20 04:15:23 (ET)
Table: FIR AVE (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 4 - PHILHELLMUTH ($4495 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOUBLEBALLER ($7494 in chips)
PHILHELLMUTH - Posts small blind $100
DOUBLEBALLER - Posts big blind $200
*** POCKET CARDS ***
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $300 to $400
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $400 to $600
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $400 to $800
DOUBLEBALLER - Calls $200
*** FLOP *** [Js Kc Kh]
DOUBLEBALLER - Checks
PHILHELLMUTH - Bets $200
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $400 to $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $200
*** TURN *** [Js Kc Kh] [2h]
DOUBLEBALLER - Bets $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $800 to $800
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $800 to $1200
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $400
*** RIVER *** [Js Kc Kh 2h] [9c]
DOUBLEBALLER - Bets $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DOUBLEBALLER - Shows [Kd Qh] (Three of a kind, kings)
PHILHELLMUTH - Mucks
PHILHELLMUTH Collects $5599 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($5600) | Rake ($1)
Board [Js Kc Kh 2h 9c]
Seat 4: PHILHELLMUTH (dealer) (small blind) won Total ($5599) HI: ($5599) [Mucked] [2s 10s]
Seat 6: DOUBLEBALLER (big blind) HI:lost with Three of a kind, kings [Kd Qh - B:Kh,P:Kd,B:Kc,P:Qh,B:Js]
"DoubleBaller" apparently got booted from the table right after the hand, and took a few minutes to try to figure out what had happened. Phil Hellmuth responded with some pretty weird comments given what had just taken place. The player "DoubleBaller" apparently had "part" of the money sent to him by Ultimatebet, with the rest being promised "later".
I'm sure you're thinking - this can't be real. That's what I thought too, until Ultimatebet (Paul Leggett) actually addressed the situation on the Ultimatebet.com blog. Here is the link:
Hand #1162170993
Here is what the statement says, just in case it gets deleted or something:
"Earlier today we learned about a poker hand where our system paid out the losing player instead of the correct winning hand. The hand number is #1162170993.
We are investigating this software malfunction as our absolute top priority.
This is the first incident of this kind we have encountered.
We are currently examining the poker system and the application logs in order to pinpoint the cause of this malfunction.
Paul Leggett"
What the *@#$ is going on here?
Ultimatebet, you've got some 'splaining to do... we'll obviously keep following this story and update this site as more details come in. Ultimatebet is apparently releasing another statement on the situation later today.
Obviously there are many questions that need to be answered..
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3 3 3 I'm only half evil.
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allabout
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Flush
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: VA USA
Posts: 277
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Ya I was reading about this. Pretty retarded. I can't believe people still play there. Even if it was an isolated incident and totally some computer glitch error, because of the new Cereus software or something, its completely unacceptable! I'm sure the gaming commission will come down hard on them (ya right).
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"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Elmer Letterman
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Robb
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
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Got my last cashout check from them this month. I've got like $7 left there and haven't looked back. The software sucks. They have the worst of both sites grouped into one unusable glitch fest they call a poker client. No wonder it blew up. This BS about the site being fishy - well, there's plenty of fish at Full Tilt. Maybe not at every table, but enough to make the games pretty soft, imo. Let's just gamble elsewhere and let UB/ABS wither on the fine.
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bikes
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a hot damn mess
Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,468
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Can't believe people still play there. Wtf is wrong with them?
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"the world def needs more bikeses"
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mrhappy333
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Full House
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,078
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Cause I get rakeback?
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3 3 3 I'm only half evil.
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triumphant cracker
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Straight
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!!
Posts: 184
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ChezJ
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AbsolutePoker and UltimateBet operate out of a shopping mall in Costa Rica, run their games on computer servers housed on an Indian reservation near Montreal, and are licensed by a Mohawk tribe that has no background in casino gambling and does not answer to federal or provincial regulators.
wtf? a shopping mall in costa rica???
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triumphant cracker
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Straight
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!!
Posts: 184
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bbickes
Can't believe people still play there. Wtf is wrong with them?
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i only play the freerolls...and thats it...its just a way of me playing poker when i want to play poker...thats all...
i withdrew money already...i only had like 5 buks outa 50...cuz i was suckin out a lot...
oh well.....time to go to somewhere else....
any one know of a place that has freerolls?/ i like those...
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