PokerStars’ $30k offer to Joe Ingram sparks controversy

Pokerstars have ignited controversy with their latest marketing ploy after offering popular podcaster and long-time critic Joe Ingram a $30,000 Platinum Pass to the PCA.

Controversial why? Well, for starters, PokerStars pro streamer Arlie Shaban only gets HIS Platinum Pass to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure if Ingram accepts his, making the offer much more difficult to turn down.

Arlie Shaban PokerStars’ $30k offer to Joe Ingram sparks controversy

One poker Twitter commentator explained it in some detail…

Ingram, a PokerStars SuperNovaElite player himself twice over, has been outspoken about the changes PokerStars made to the program back in 2015.

PokerStars’ $30k offer to Joe Ingram sparks controversy Ingram

The site removed the rewards for SN and SNE players mid-term, resulting in huge protests, highstakes legend Ike Haxton one of those angered by the move.

Why is this connected? Because some feel that Ingram accepting the $30k offer to play the PSPC Main Event would tie his hands if or when future problems arise with the site – his ‘independence’ would be compromised.

Ingram himself refutes this, and Phil Galfond added some weight to the debate by stating: “Assuming there are no strings attached that involve you doing something you don’t believe in, I’d definitely go play. I don’t even see how someone could argue that you’d be doing anything wrong.

There were certainly those who disagreed…

https://twitter.com/sagedonkey/status/1076336731983630336

…though it’s fair to say that the majority of the poker community think Ingram should just take the $30k trip to the Bahamas if he wants to.

Ingram’s old friend Doug Polk was among them, although he had a seriously harsh message for PokerStars at the end…

Arlie Shaban, the man whose trip to the Caribbean depends on Ingram’s answer, was naturally on the ‘snapcall the $30k Platinum Pass’ side…

…but the problem many have with the PokerStars plan is that it’s putting good people in difficult situations. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t!

Pokerstars themselves have been silent on the Twitter furore that has erupted, despite being tagged in to most of the comments.

David Lappin, the Irish poker pro and host of the popular TheChipRace podcast even went as far as to call the whole thing a plan hatched between PokerStars and Ingram…

…a move which sparked a whole new line of discussion, despite it being a conspiracy theory too far.

PokerStars’ $30k offer to Joe Ingram sparks controversy David Lappin

It is highly likely Ingram will accept the offer from PokerStars, but only time will tell if it affects how he views the poker giants in the future.

Given his past record, it’s unlikely Ingram will tone down his approach to sites who step out of line, but therein lies the problem. If he does at some point ‘go easy’ on PokerStars, it is likely people will point to this very moment.

Filed Under: VIP-Grinders News Poker Promotions Poker Gossip Poker News

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