Sportsbook.com and PlayersOnly.com, two of the largest remaining USA-friendly online poker rooms, announced today that they would be leaving the USA poker market. This move will go into effect May 1st, 2011, and will signal another major blow to the online poker market in the USA.
Sportsbook and PlayersOnly were the two most important rooms on the Merge Poker Network, as they provided almost all of the casual players (fish) to the network. Without this influx of casual players, Merge will be comprised mainly of grinders, most of which will eventually decide to stop battling against each other and will quit playing.
It is unclear whether or not current USA players at Sportsbook and PlayersOnly will be able to continue playing – that is something to keep your eyes on over the next few days. It may be worth creating an account at Sportsbook.com before May 1st, as there is some speculation that current USA players will be able to continue playing there, and the move will only affect new signups after May 1st.
The USA poker outlook is pretty bleak right now – the best option remaining for USA players is Bodog.com.
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Written by Bill Nye on April 26th, 2011
The Casual players have been leaving online poker for years. Leaving better and better players to battle each other. The new best place to find the casual player is Vegas baby!!! Lookd for a Vegas boom.