The internet poker forums are abuzz with rumor that PartyPoker is preparing for a surprise return to the United States in early 2007. Though we here at PokerBlog have many good friends at Party (at least for a little while longer, as they gave us the chip you see at the top of the blog), we have nothing resembling confirmation from headquarters.
Take a look at the original RGP post, and you might find it suspect. After all, not only does the poster call himself "Neal the REAL DEAL", but also his email address is daytrader28@... so he could easily be a "day trader" trying to start a little buzz to see if he's capable of pumping up the stock demand over the weekend. He also happens to be the same guy who posted that Sen. Bill Frist is set to be indicted "this week" ... but looking through the political blogosphere, I find nothing mentioned of an actual indictment. Even the political wonks talking about Frist (scroll down to the bottom) mention nothing of legal developments.
But again, the forums sure are chattering ... more here [pocket fives], and here [pokernews forums]. And though I haven't talked directly to any of our good friends at Party (they drink, too, of course, so they've long-started the Euro-weekend) um ... uh ... well, like I said, they drink too. So we should hear something, and we'll let you know what we can.
Circumstantially speaking, it all seems plausible ... even beyond the suddenly amped-up presence of Kirk Kerkorian on the gaming-biz scene, there's bits of gossip about recent Party big-whig canoodling in Las Vegas, so we'll see.
But on the flop, we're saying: coinflip.
