Message from UltimateBet---Russ Hamilton
Russ Hamilton
Dear RGPers,
As most of you know, I have been reluctant to post on RGP in the past. In
light of recent rumors about UltimateBet, I am going to post some facts
today in response to some negative posts here on RGP about Phil Gordon
getting paid for winning the pro event in Aruba and about UB having to
guarantee a $350,000 event to be a part of the WPT.
Fact # 1 -- Phil Gordon got paid $250,000. PERIOD. He was paid promptly as
were all the winners in all the various events in Aruba.
Fact # 2 -- UB never had to guarantee a $350,000 prize pool to be a part of
the WPT. Some posts on RGP asserted that UB scammed the WPT because they
only gave away $100,000 in prize money while falsely advertising the
$250,000 pro prize in order to meet the WPT's prize pool requirements. This
is FALSE. It is just not true. First off, Phil Gordon WAS paid $250,000.
Second, there was no such requirement from the WPT. There was no set prize
pool required of Charter Members to be part of the WPT. The prize limits are
set by the participants themselves. For example, I believe Costa Rica's
Casinos Europa guaranteed $130,000 for their WPT event.
Ultimate Bet could have run just one tournament with a $100,000 prize and
still have been a WPT member if they chose to do that. UltimateBet did
contract with the WPT to put on a $200,000 event in Aruba. UB set this
number itself and this is what was contracted --a very different number than
the $350,000 guarantee erroneously reported here on RGP.
The WPT is very happy with the tournament that UB just held in Aruba. They
are even more thrilled with the plans for next year's Ultimate Poker Classic
II in Aruba planned for October of 2003. It will be a $1,000,000 estimated
prize pool event with an estimated $300,000 for 1st place. You will be able
to play online for as little as an $11 buy-in and win your $4000 entry plus
airfare and hotel for two for the week in Aruba (a $6,000 value). If you
don't want to win your way online anyone is welcome to just go ahead and
buy-in any time from now until the day of the tournament. UB will still be
giving away 8 Gold Bracelets next year in eight preliminary events for those
players that won their trips online, just as they did last year. They will
also be giving away a Gold Bracelet to the winner of the Championship Event.
We are all really excited about next year's plans.
Fact # 3 -- Here is the money that UltimateBet gave away to its valued
customers in Aruba. These numbers include prize money, air fares, hotels,
gifts, parties, etc.
1 - $100,000 in prize money for the online players main event
2 - $25,000 for a seat to the WPT final event at Bellagio
3 - $10,000 in prize money for the last chance tournament in Aruba
4 - $40,000 in prize money paid out in the 8 preliminary events in Aruba
5 - $5,000 in prize money paid to the participants in the UB beach Olympics
6 - $40,375 in hotel costs
7 - $53,385 for air fares
8 - $13,375 for 10 Gold Bracelets
9 - $10,000 for 2 parties in Aruba
10- $3,500 for souvenir gifts--beach towels,hats,etc.
--------------------------
A total of $300,635 that UltimateBet spent on the WPT Aruba event as a
freeroll for their valued customers.
11 - $250,000 in prize money for the winner of the UB pro event
12 - $14,000 in bonus prizes for top three finishers in the pro event (a
$10,000 tournament seat for 1st and a $2,000 dollar seat for both 2nd and
3rd)
----------------------------
Grand total $564,635 total money given away at the 2002 Ultimate Poker
Classic.
Fact # 5 -- As you can clearly see UltimateBet spent MORE than the amount
than was contracted with the WPT. I'm proud of the great event UltimateBet
put on in Aruba. The email response from the players who went down there was
fantastic. I tried to help make everyone's trip as good a vacation as they
ever had in their life. I worked hard for UB as a host for this event as did
others. UB strives to be the safest online poker experience available on the
net. The site gives back to its players in so many ways through jackpots,
UltimatePoints, freeroll tournaments, seminars, etc. I can only hope that
this response will answer everyone's questions and put a stop to all the
misinformation being posted on RGP.
In addition to posting this here, I have also talked personally with several
people in the poker world. I have told them that Phil Gordon WAS paid in
full and that UB never had a $350,000 commitment to be part of the WPT as
was claimed. The WPT is very happy with the tournament that UB put on in
Aruba and is looking forward to a BIGGER and BETTER tournament next year. Of
course, anyone is welcome to confirm this FACT with the WPT if they so
desire. As you know, and as I stated in the beginning, I don't post here
much and don't intend for this to turn into a 100 response question and
answer session. I have stated all the facts and I hope to see you at one of
the WPT events in the near future. Thanks to all RGPers for allowing me to
respond.
Thank you,
Russ Hamilton
Steve Badger
"Russ Hamilton" wrote...
Poker Pro
I set up an account with UB I was barred because my attempted login name was
originally used by a player accused of fraudulent activities. It was a
relatively easy poker-type name to make up. Probably just a low-level
employee who said "aha! it's him back again", so UB lost a new customer.
susan
"Russ Hamilton" <sp...@spam.com> wrote in message
news:Sv2F9.9509$wS.7...@news1.west.cox.net...
lvdlrs
shows me he is a class act, a true gentleman, and someone you
can believe when he says anything important. Well, believe
everything he says except maybe when you're playing against him
at the poker table. :)
The last I
remember Russ Hamilton coming on RGP was to initiate a charity
poker event for Kory (sp) the coctail waitress who was out of
work recovering from a kidney operation where she donated one
of her kidneys to Steve Strauss a fellow worker.
Aside: You know Mr. Hamilton, if we had you posting here just
a little more often this would be a much better place. Hint, hint.
Gary (...) Philips
Peg Smith
<PlayWinningPoker[REMOVE-THIS]@earthlink.net> writes:
>Thanks for posting this.
I'll second my thanks. I wonder what Daniel will say now that a UB spokesperson
has called him a liar.
I'll make another $5 bet with anyone here: Daniel won't say anything.
Peg
Linda Johnson
Hamilton
>shows me he is a class act, a true gentleman, and someone you
>can believe when he says anything important.
Gary,
You have a very good "read" on Russ Hamilton. He is an awesome man, and truly
classy, generous, and fun-loving. The world could use more people like him.
Linda Johnson
http://cardplayercruises.com/
Robert Ladd
Maybe you should talk to Daniel, Russ and find out why his story is quite
different than yours. Maybe just the two of you sit down over lunch and
iron this out. Then the one whose story is incorrect could come on RGP and
explain what the discrepancy was.
Most people on RGP, whether they like Daniel or not, probably believe he is
a straight shooter and probably wouldn't lie. And you are garnering
testimonials from some of the big names in poker, so obviously those that
know you are willing to back your credibility. Obviously, one of you has
the story wrong.
If what you say is true then Daniel repeatedly made a mistake in what he
contended. On the other hand, if what Daniel says is true then what you
posted might not be totally correct.
Sit down with Daniel Russ. Maybe the two of you can find where your stories
divert and see why they went opposite directions.
Robert Ladd
"Steve Badger" <PlayWinningPoker[REMOVE-THIS]@earthlink.net> wrote in
message news:%B2F9.37$qM...@tornadotest1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
Rob Oldfield
--
For real reply address, lose the cash.
I told Russ
>spokesperson
>has called him a liar.
>
Daniel told the truth. He isn't the liar about what happened. Everything may be
fine now, but it wasn't this way originally.
>I'll make another $5 bet with anyone here: Daniel won't say anything.
>
>Peg
>
This bet you'll win, unless Daniel wants to cut his throat for the last time.
I Told Russ
Jan Fisher
for Kori and he was the first to step up and say "I'll do it". He now
is planning to do something for Jack Slatter, who needs the heart
transplant. He is one of the most honorable men I know and his word is
golden.
Happy Holidays Russ (H) as well as all of the rest of you, my fellow
RGPers.
;-)
Jan Fisher
Card Player Cruises
Cardplayercruises.com
Chet
the UB staff have been nothing but Top Notch as far as I am concerned. I
had he opportunity to meet Russ at the Four Queens Classic this past fall
and as Gary, Linda and Jan have eloquently stated, Russ Hamilton is one of
the Good Guys (unless you are across from him at the poker table, then he is
BAAAAAAAADDDDD). :-)
I am not going to address the differences between what Russ has said here
and what it is alleged Daniel has claimed. As far as I am concerned they
can "agree to disagree" and that should be the end of it. If Daniel no
longer wants to be associated with UB, that is perfectly fine, it is his
choice, it is a free country and he is able to associate with whom he
chooses. I hold nothing against him for those views.
However, there are a few around here that would bitch if they were hung with
a new rope and some are already represented in this thread. Unless you have
some FACTS to dispute what Russ has presented here, please do us a favor,
discuss them on the phone, in person, between yourselves, etc., etc., etc.,
but spare RGP any more of this incessant drivel.
Again, Thanks Russ and Good Luck to you, the UB Staff and the owners and
investors.
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US, the rest of you "Have a Nice Day".
Diane from Green Bay
Ditto.....Linda's comments above.
I know Russ only slightly, but during my limited contact with him, he
has been gracious, professional, and very forthright. He is one that
ranks my "good guy" designation and I don't hand those out lightly.
Any time I have asked Russ questions regarding UB, I get a
timely,clear, and concise answer. The way he has responded to these
allegations here on rgp only increases my sense of confidence.
I too, appreciate his posting here and wish he would be a more
frequent contribtutor to this newsgroup.
Diane
Chet
stars of Ghost Busters, you and I cannot see things that are not there.
NOBODY got ripped off. As I have stated previously, all we have are
allegations and innuendo, NEVER any FACTS, NEVER any names, etc.
Soooooooooooo, to make the story short, you don't need to have your eyes
checked, you can't see what isn't there.
Chet
the up and up? How are other players supposed to know that you and the
supposed cheat were not one and the same? I think your reason for not
playing is rather shallow and unfounded. But to each his own.
"Poker Pro" <poke...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:0J2F9.116845$ka.27...@news1.calgary.shaw.ca...
Chet
put up with all the crap from Rowdy, William Coleman, GROAN and who knows
else?
I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. As a matter of fact, I think it is
a pretty good idea.
ParadiseLost
winnings. Since an American Phil Gordon won the $250,000, it's almost
certain
U.B. was not involved in any scam. If they were, U.B. would've
arranged for a Canadian to win the $250,000. Or someone from the
U.K.
_________________________________________________________________
Posted using RecPoker.com - http://www.recpoker.com
Poker Pro
"Chet" <chet...@nospam.merr.com> wrote in message
news:6KhF9.32925$Hs2.4...@kent.svc.tds.net...
> And you are PO'ed at UB, because they tried to keep the place clean and on
> the up and up? How are other players supposed to know that you and the
> supposed cheat were not one and the same? I think your reason for not
> playing is rather shallow and unfounded. But to each his own.
I'm PO'd because I didn't get as far as trying it out as a play account. I
was instead required to MAIL IN a copy of my passport or driver's licence
and a copy of my credit card. Yeah right. I could have simply been told that
this name had already been used and to choose another one. They could have
watched me closely after that if they wished. But the site doesn't look busy
enough for me to have played with real money anyway.
Steve Lomax
"ParadiseLost" <anon...@yahoo.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
qjkF9.110602$6N5....@post-03.news.easynews.com...