Partygaming

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.

POKER STOCKS seem to be coming back, as you can see ... and today the big talk is about a possible merger between PARTYGAMING and 888. [thisismoney.co.uk]

More here. [Reuters]

Estimated merger value: $3 billion. [Forbes]

Add SPORTINGBET to the mix and ... "Such a merger would allow each to bring to the table their own specialisation - Sportingbet (Sportsbetting), 888 (Casinos) and PartyGaming (Poker) - in the process creating an online super group." [bettingmarket.com]

But for now, officially, Party is merely "considering" the merger. Other possible bedfellows include GAMESYS and VICTOR CHANDLER. [BBC]

Meanwhile, the spread of poker to ASIA (semi-direct from Texas) is underway. (Note: AKHIL GUPTA is not his real name.) [Asia Times]

Oh, also, must-click ... an interesting analysis of PARTY ECONOMICS with a particular look at SPORTINGBET'S different approach to weathering the UIGEA storm. [Freakonomics.com]
Thanks, April, for the link!

TOM SCHNEIDER and KARRIDY discussed similar quetions about Party's business decisions with YOUR BELOVED PB EDITOR on "BEYOND THE TABLE" (starting at 3:40). Click here to open the podcast. [HoldemRadio.com]

As always during this era of Poker Reconstruction, more to come ...

As loyal readers know, we love PartyPoker here at PokerBlog ... and even though they've left the United States, the goings-on at PartyGaming are still a major part of the worldwide poker equation. Here's the latest on our good friends at PRTY.L:

Stock price opens in the HIGH 20s today (Tuesday) ... and [UPDATE] starts the day up about 4 percent..

At least one European investment bank -- DRESDNER KLEINWORT EQUITY -- still believes Party to be a good buy.

Here's more on what FINANCIAL ANALYSTS are saying.

Story in The Sunday Times (London) about two PartyGaming BOARD MEMBERS who suddenly can't travel to the United States without FEAR OF ARREST.

The American office that spearheaded this reality claims they are doing a good thing while apologizing for turning more law-abiding individuals into criminals out the other side of their mouths.

The man behind The Agitator has a good piece on FoxNews about why the Republican-led assault on overseas online gaming companies is bad for the GO-Party.

Party released its 3Q FINANCIAL STATEMENT on Friday, spelling out new realities, including the $250 million cost in shutting down American operations.

PartyGaming's CEO MITCH GARBER explains Party's recent moves and his belief that there's a 50 percent chance that Party will be welcomed back (legally) in the United States within three years ... and says to expect more industy changes in the next 30-60 days, all while Party aggressively pursues new acquisitions.

GAMBLING911, however, doesn't share so positive an outlook. (We think they're still hurting in the feelings.)

Meanwhile, PartyGaming's favorite American senator BILL FRIST has announced he's leaving the Senate, has restored the good standing of his temporarily questionable medical license, and has been named "America's Most Outstanding Leader" by an organization that at least 10 million Americans obviously now can't take seriously.

Covering the current poker-world tumult like a horse race is about as effective as, say, covering a poker tournament like one. But still, have to admit feeling a little pleasure seeing that PartyGaming's stock is an early leader on the FTSE this morning, up 11 percent in the first hour or so. Also glad to hear that Party is joining other online gamers to work with the Antiguan bobsled team to challenge the U.S. on some sort of international trade law issue and is thinking about playing the legal technicality card.