Online Poker

There was an interesting turn of events at the Full Tilt Online Poker Series XV Main Event, when the last 7 players struck a deal to divide the remaining prize pool. This saw 4 players take away prizes worth more than $200,000 each and the remaining three players all got more than $150,000.

Tournament deals are a fairly recent addition to Full Tilt Poker, and this is probably the highest profile usage of them. While I suppose everyone involved in the deal is probably feeling pretty good right now, I can't help but think that deal making seems just a little off in a tournament as important as the FTOPS Main Event.

I understand that the players must have weighed up the level of competition and the likelihood of taking the top prize in the face of that. However, it wasn't as if anyone was looking at a tiny prize if they were the next player eliminated, as 8th place 'vice67' got $42,337.50 and 9th place 'trojancountry' took $29,636.25. In a major online tournament series like FTOPS, I expect that many players are in it for the competitive challenge just as much as the money. Making a deal just feels... off.

Let me make it clear that I don't judge the players for this decision. It's perfectly understandable, and it was an option on the table. I also don't blame Full Tilt, as I doubt they expected this was going to happen. No one is at fault, but I hope that in future the FTOPS Main Event will not allow deals. I don't think it is an event that should only be about the money, and disallowing deals may make players think of it more like a competitive title rather than just a really big prize pool.

What do you think? Are deals acceptable in every tournament or should they not be allowed in the biggest events? Tell us your opinion in the comments.

-Shad