Partypoker has taken steps to legitimize the process of backing players by implementing a new system designed to clear up any disputes.
The issue of players reneging on staking arrangements is almost as old as tournament poker itself, and one that still sporadically sets temperatures soaring. Although many of the old guard still consider a handshake enough assurance that someone will honor a poker debt, times — and perhaps, the players — have changed.
As the community has grown and relationships have developed over the internet rather than in person, establishing trust can be tougher than it used to be.
Partypoker Brings Structure to Staking
https://twitter.com/partypokerlive/status/1214880435592937472
The tournament team at Partypoker is addressing this issue by bringing backing deals out of the shadows and into the light. Acting as an intermediary, the operator will let backers and players settle their payouts via an official cash desk.
Available for all Partypoker Live events, the “joint instruction form” should clear up any issues regarding splits and missed payments.
Prior to a tournament, the backer/s and player must download the form and fill in a selection of details, including:
- A backed player’s name, date of birth, email address and the event they’re playing.
- The name of each backer.
- A nominated backer’s name, date of birth, email address and contact number.
- Details of the player’s share of any prize money, what the backer/s will receive and whether any costs are to be subtracted before the funds are shared out.
Once the form is complete, it can be emailed to vip@mypartypokerlive.com or printed out, signed and handed in at the tournament venue.
Partypoker’s terms and conditions make it clear that joint agreements aren’t obligatory. However, with staking a common practice and problems not unheard of, some type of structure is a step in the right direction.
Clearing Up Confusion with Contracts
Such a step could have helped 2019 WSOP Main Event finalist Nick Marchington. Before sitting down to play the $10,000 tournament, Marchington sold 10 percent of his action to two investors. However, after finishing seventh and picking up $1.5 million, it emerged the backers weren’t getting a cut.
Initially I offered to refund with Pokerstars (how the piece was paid) then PayPal. Finally we settled on cash. My efforts to refund began BEFORE the Main Event; the refund got collected before my day 2 of the Main Event.
— Nick Marchington (@NickMarchington) August 3, 2019
Taking to Twitter, Marchington said that he cancelled the deal before registering for the Main Event. A refund was completed, but not until the tournament was underway. Based on this, Colin Hartley and David Yee filed lawsuits in an effort to get what they believe they deserve.
Partypoker’s joint instruction form provides a contract of sorts that could help in similar situations. Whether it holds up in court will only be known if a legal challenge presents itself. However, if nothing else, it provides a clear and, if necessary, public overview of a deal between backers and players.
In a time when security is paramount, and operators are trying to attract recreational players, clarity and transparency are important. Although Partypoker isn’t the first operator to introduce a backing system – GGPoker provides onsite staking options – it is the first major brand to try and legitimize live staking.
