It's been a wild ride but ChanPoker.com is closing its doors on Aug. 21.
Chan Poker, which is fronted by back-to-back WSOP world champion Johnny Chan, was launched in 2006 with a great deal of fanfare and snappy interface.
A part of the popular Ongame Network, Chan Poker future looked bright with numerous sites entering the market and succeeding. Unfortunately little more than a few months later the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed and it's becoming apparent that Chan Poker was one of the online rooms hit hardest.
There wasn't much news from the Chan Poker camp in the last year and yesterday the site left a message for their customers on their front page.
An excerpt from the letter:
"We are sad to inform you that Chan Poker will be ceasing operation effective this Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. Effective immediately we will no longer be accepting deposits. On Aug. 21 our poker clients will be disabled."
The letter went on to say that customers can rest assured that every withdrawal will be honored although it's possible there will be delays. As soon as players make their final withdrawal their account will be automatically closed.
Interesting the letter also said the room was in the process of seeking a new partner to provide a new home for Chan Poker players that will honor their player point balances.
What the Chan Poker Support didn't mention was what the next stop for their leading man, Johnny Chan himself, will be.
It's likely that the big two, Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, would both have interest in signing the 10-time WSOP bracelet winner although one has to wonder if Chan still has the clout in the poker world to make it on the elite Team Full Tilt.
There is also a chance of smaller room signing Chan to a deal, he had a deal with DoylesRoom prior to ChanPoker, and rooms like Everest, Bodog, Titan and 888.com are always trying to expand their online presence.
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008
By Arthur Crowson