FullTilt's $10 million WSOP gamble?

[2Tone]

FullTilt unveils their overly complex scheme to send their player base to the WSOP. On top of that, they'll add $10 million if the winner did indeed qualify via FullTilt.



Wow. Is the publicity worth that much? Or is it that they are reasonably sure that the winner will qualify via Stars?

[Talking Poker]

The publicity is worth a LOT. But remember, that's not all we are talking about here. How many MORE people are going to try to qualify through FT now that would have without this promo? Quite a few, I'll bet. No, not $10,000,000 in rake quite a few, but even if they send 1000 players this year (and they won't), there's still only going to be a 10-15% shot that the winner will be a FT qualifier and that they'll have to pony up the cash.

What I think is more impressive is that they are giving away 100 Main Event seats for FREE. In order to qualify for the freerolls, you need to play a LOT of raked hands. This promo is costing them $1,000,000. I think they'll make that back with the increased vig in no time...

Edit: Having already won my seat I'm now wondering what their policy is if I were to win another. Is it transferrable, I wonder? Most sites say you have to play the first one.

[BDMK]

well, for one, what are the odds any one person will win a perhaps 7000-plus player tourney? i mean, thats more of a state lotto drawing than a poker tournament. and i never win anything in lotto anyway. (im actually hoping/working to get to the WSOP Prelim events this year; there are at least 5-6 NLHE prelims from 1k buyin on up. ive decided that the main event, at least as it is for the time being, is just too much to bear, odds-wise.)

then, if u read the fine print, ull see the 10M will be paid off one mil per yr for the next 10 yrs. during which time u must adhere to a pretty strict exclusivity contract with tilt. which they, in their sole discretion, have the right to break if they deem u were 'unfaithful' to them.

[Talking Poker]

Some very, very, very interesting fine print. Freaking marketing geniuses:

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FULL TILT POKER'S $10,000,000 WSOP MAIN EVENT MANIA™

All players who earn an entry into the World Series of Poker Main Event through Full Tilt Poker will be eligible to collect $10,000,000 should they win the Main Event.

If a Player reaches the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event, but does not finish in first place, Full Tilt Poker will provide them with a one-time cash payment of $50,000; provided, however, that the player wears the Full Tilt Gear whenever possible during the Main Event, including when playing at non-televised tables, and during any and all interviews. If a player finishes in either second or third position at the WSOP Main Event, Full Tilt Poker will provide them with a one-time cash payment of $100,000; provided, however, that the player wears the Full Tilt Gear whenever possible during the Main Event, including when playing at non-televised tables, and during any and all interviews. A player who collects either $50,000 or $100,000 from Full Tilt Poker will not be required to fulfill any future promotional obligations on behalf of Full Tilt Poker.

Full Tilt Poker will pay out the $10,000,000 prize in equal $1,000,000 installments over a 10-year period. Players must agree to a 10-year exclusive endorsement contract with Full Tilt Poker allowing us to use their name, voice, and likeness in all future online and offline promotions. Additionally, Player agrees to play a minimum of 10 hours per week at Full Tilt Poker.com, and to attend any promotional events or tournaments that Full Tilt Poker deems appropriate. Player will be ineligible to promote any other online or offline poker-related company.

Additionally, Player must agree to only wear Full Tilt Poker gear at the World Series of Poker Main Event whenever possible, including when playing at non-televised tables, and during any and all televised interviews, and at all future tournaments and professional poker-related appearances throughout the duration of this agreement, where allowed by the event organizer.
Full Tilt Poker retains final approval rights in regard to any other endorsements the Player may be interested in pursuing, and will not unreasonably withhold such permission.

[Talking Poker]

Looks like we posted at the same time.

As for the odds, well, in theory, if FT sends 10% of the field, the odds of them sending the eventual winner would be around 10%. So, that $10,000,000 has an EV of around $1 million (over 10 years).

[BDMK]

great minds post alike...or at the same time...or something like that.

seriously tho, my hat's off to them. this is one of the best marketing shticks in online poker ive ever seen/heard of. and i mean this in the most positive way.

i only wish, and still hope to persuade them, to allow ppl who win the WSOP or Winner's Choice 12K pack to opt to play the WSOP Prelims with that money, if they want to. this might also be helpful to those like u, TP, who'd already won their main event seat but want to play the qualifiers again...im sure u wouldnt mind going to a few prelims in addition to the main event, am i right?

[Talking Poker]

If they would let me do that, I absolutely would.

I don't think UB is even going to make me wear their gear, so I'd even wear Full Tilt stuff if I won that seat too (certainly during the preliminary events I was playing in)...

[BDMK]

i knew u would.

and ur not the only one of ur 'caliber' i know who would...FTP could def benefit from having u guys represent them, and all they need to do is just add one more option to their current winner's choice pack.

ill see what i can do. the other week i helped lead an insurrection on FTP and as a result, for the first time ever, they started offering $1 SNGs. finally they listened to economic reason. it took me a few essays and a buncha ppl behind my back to twist their arm.

man, it always boggles my mind how in many cases the powers that be just dont get it even if it hit them straight in the nose.

[Robbie Robb]

See, I would be the perfect person to make this whole thing backfire for FTP should I be lucky enough to a) get in through them and then b) win the big one.

I've told Nikki that if I ever won the main event, I'd be VERY tempted to call it a day and stop playing poker. So if I pulled that off under this promotion, sure I'd be obligated to fulfill the contract (well, if I want the $1M/year that is) so I'd play their 10 hours/week; and I'd play in whatever tournies live or online they wanted to buy me into, but other than that...it would be Rob who?

Since I don't have any money on FTP right now, I'm limited to playing in the daily freerolls. But I'll be playing in those for sure. I don't mind selling my body to FTP for $10M

[Reel Deal]

I would want at least $10M and one of those nifty FT hockey jerseys.... I'm not selling out just for a messy $10M.

[Robbie Robb]

Then you're probably in luck! According to the stuff on the site you get a rack full of FTP gear!