Sponsorship is a big part of poker today, both in online poker and offline poker. Online poker rooms like Full Tilt Poker use their list of poker pros as one of their main marketing devices. They are called the “red pros” as their usernames or nicknames are in red on the Full Tilt Poker software, while all other usernames are in black.
If you’ve watched any poker on television, you’ll notice a lot of sponsorship of poker players too. It’s hard to turn on a WSOP event without seeing a table full of people in Pokerstars hats and t-shirts.
Sponsorship of poker players is on two different levels. The first sponsorshop is the like of Daniel Negreanu at Pokerstars or Phil Ivey at Full Tilt Poker. These poker professionals are expected to play exclusively at that poker room, and allow players the chance to play with them. It’s a marketing method – want to go heads up with Chris Ferguson? Then head on over to Full Tilt Poker.
What they get in return can vary. 100% rakeback is most likely for when they play online poker, and they also get bought into the majority of tournaments, in return for wearing that online poker rooms merchandise. They will also be involved in commercials for the company and get paid. Many poker rooms also pay the poker players for actually plating at their website, and will often play at lower stakes so the players who play micro limits can still have their chance with the pros.
The other form of sponsorship is one that you can win – by entering a satellite tournament. For example, if you win a World Series of Poker satellite tournament at Full Tilt Poker, you’ll get your buyin and entry fee covered to the tournament. You may also get expenses for hotel and airfare. When you get there you will meet up with the people at Full Tilt Poker and get some other perks, like a free meal with the pros, some merchandise, possibly some electronical equipment.
So win some Full Tilt Poker ipods today! Head on over to Full Tilt Poker.
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