After first being reported back in February, it is now time for Full Tilt and PokerStars to merge liquidity. Both poker sites will begin operating on the same network starting on the 17th of May, according to information provided in a recent press release.
Michael Josem, Head of PokerStars and Full Tilt Public Relations, stated that the date was set for the two poker rooms to operate on one network, on the 17th or near the end of the Spring Championship of Online Poker. The SCOOP begins on Sunday and will end on the 22nd of May.
Players of Full Tilt should receive an email over the next few days which will tell how the merger to one network will affect their game play. Josem has stated that the affect will be dependent on different factors. The jurisdiction of the player as well as the PokerStars account status of the player, if one exists, will be a factor.
Individuals who play on both sites will find the transition of the poker rooms moving to one network simple. Loyalty points and bankrolls will be transferred when the merger begins. According to Josem, players who have an account at PokerStars and Full Tilt will not have to update information or transfer assets from their account, such as cash balance and loyalty points. This amount will be transferred automatically to the PokerStars account. Players will then just log in to PokerStars to have access to their benefits.
PokerStars player pool will see a minimal effect with the addition of Full Tilt players. However, players of Full Tilt will have access to a larger range of games and tournaments, with larger guaranteed prize pools on offer.