In March 2013, the Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas became one of the first companies to be granted an online poker license in Nevada. Shortly before that, 888 Holdings entered into a joint venture with Avenue Capital Group to create the All American Poker Network (AAPN). The first poker room on the network was to be one from Treasure Island, but it didn’t launch. As time went on, WSOP.com cropped up in Nevada and then Nevada signed an agreement with Delaware to merge the two states’ liquidity. At that point, it was believed that WSOP.com, the three Delaware poker sites, an upcoming Treasure Island site, and a separately-branded 888 poker room would all form the AAPN, covering two states to start. That didn’t happen, either. But now, with little fanfare, Treasure Island has finally launched an online poker room, though it is taking on a different form that originally thought.
Treasure Island’s poker room, ti-poker.com, is a subscription poker room, not your traditional internet poker site like WSOP.com or PokerStars. Players signup on a monthly basis and then play for free for a chance to win various prizes. It does not use the 888 software, either, but rather a platform developed by Australian firm Strategic Entertainment.
It appears that the launch of Treasure Island’s site was timed to coincide with the start of the 2016 World Series of Poker, which begins next week. Since thousands of poker players will converge on Las Vegas, TI likely sees it as an opportunity to try to grab players.
Players can actually subscribe for free using the “Free Basic” plan and have access to Members Games. In these games, players can win entry into Weekly and Monthly tournaments to try to win cash and prizes. Those who want a little extra can pay $9.95 for a Gold Premium Membership or $14.95 for a Platinum Membership. Each gives access to additional tournaments and freerolls as well as more perks like casino coupons and message board access.
Games on the platform include Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and something called Ozzie Poker, game specific to Strategic Entertainment. Ozzie Poker initially plays the same as Hold’em, but after the flop, plays can post a additional “high blind” (likely a big blind) to receive a third hole card. The extra chips will be added to the pot. Players who opt for the extra card will then have a time limit in which to discard one of their hole cards. If a player does not make a choice within the time limit, that new card will be the one tossed away. Play then continues as normal.
Upon initial registration, TI Poker players will automatically be given Platinum Membership free for 30 days. New players are also entered into a drawing to win a three-night stay at Treasure Island, including $300 restaurant credit and two tickets to the Mystère by Cirque du Soleil show.
It is unknown if Treasure Island will ever launch a traditional online poker room.
OMG, no need to reinvent the wheel with nonsense.