Once April arrives, the gaming software of Full Tilt Poker will be removed and online poker game play will merge with PokerStars. This will include cash games and tournament options. Players will continue to be able to enjoy the Full Tilt brand but the platform will be integrated with PokerStars, giving players a larger number of opponents and new software features.
As the merger takes place, the player pools of each site will be combined. The software of Full Tilt Poker will be replaced with the skin of the PokerStars network. Players of Full Tilt will be able to play on the site after but will need to update their gaming account.
Players need to understand that a single account will be able to be used across all platforms of gaming within Amaya. This will include Full Tilt, PokerStars, Duel, StarsDraft and BetStars. Players will have a screenname that will be associated with their account. This can be the PokerStars username if one is available. If not, players will have the option to use their username from Full Tilt, if the name is available.
Once the consolidation is complete, the account history of Full Tilt will not be available. This should happen on the 1st of April. Players who want to have access to account history of Full Tilt will need to request a copy of their history via the Requests menu. This will need to be completed before the 1st of April.
To be able to play at Full Tilt once the merger is complete, you will need to have updated your account at Full Tilt Poker. This will be an option to complete once the new software is provided in April. Players will then be able to update the gaming software via a mobile device or desktop. As the update takes place, players will be asked to confirm details of the PokerStars account that already exists.
Players who do not have an account at PokerStars will need to provide Full Tilt details to create a new account with PokerStars. All details will need to be confirmed to make sure the brand has all the accurate information. Banking details will need to be updated and funds will need to be withdrawn before the upgrade of software takes place if players are not going to update accounts. Players in Italy will not have the option to update accounts.
Once players complete the updating process, the assets of Full Tilt will be transferred to the new account within PokerStars. Players who have an existing account at PokerStars will see this information added to their account if needed. Cash balances will be transferred as US dollars and if funds are currently in EUR form, a separate wallet for USD will be created for funds of Full Tilt.
With the transfer, players with any bonuses or ring game tickets that were not used will see these options turned to real money and the amount added to the account. Any unused Edge Rewards will be converted as well and will be added to the gaming account. Points of Full Tilt will be converted to PokerStars currency, StarsCoins. Players will see 2.5 Full Tilt points converted to 1 StarsCoin. Tournament dollars and tournament tickets will also be converted.
Amaya seems to be trying to make the merger as painless as possible. It seems that no rewards or bonuses will be lost during the transfer and the brand is making it easy for players to change over to PokerStars from Full Tilt. It will be interesting to see how the brands fair once the merger is complete.