Poker history changed forever on 15th April 2011. On that date, which has now been called Black Friday, US poker players were blocked from playing regulated online poker. This changed the gaming landscape completely.
New Jersey's DGE has finally given its approval for PokerStars to start operating. However, the mood is fairly muted. Reaction from Ray Lesniak and the other politicians who asked for the state to allow PokerStars to start running was non-existent as well as Eilers Research, who previously said that PokerStars' entry should lead to a massive growth in poker in New Jersey, seems to have changed their projections.
In addition, the people of New Jersey do not seem to be excited about the prospect. Casual gamers had been waiting for the return of the rooms that they have already played in. But online poker in New Jersey is not booming. The World Series of Poker/888poker room only manages a seven-day average of just 170 players, according to PokerScout.
The reactions in the world's largest poker forum, 2+2, are mixed. A 17-plus page thread has some positive comments. But there are also negative comments. FastBF posted, "With regards to some of the optimism the fellow NJ players have regarding the news, I wish I could share it." And BRm34eva added "(Stars) probably won't even be able to fill SNGs. Wake me when ROW is involved."
PokerStars has hosted the most expensive online tournament to date as part of the WCOOP, the $51,000 Super High Roller, which attracted 46 entries. It attracted many of the biggest names in poker like Daniel Negreanu, Doug Polk attended Daniel Colman attended. Ben Tollerene come out on top, after a three-way deal for $616,518.34.