Should Full Tilt Players Wear Their Patch at the 2011 WSOP

There has been a lot of debate as to whether Full Tilt pros should have worn their patches during the 2011 World Series of Poker.  Some say that wearing the patch is fine since they are not the ones directly in charge of the company, and others think that they should not since players have not been paid back from the site.  Let’s take a quick look at both arguments.

Matt Jarvis wore his patch on Sunday during his bracelet win, but is that wise?

Players Should Not Wear the Patch

Probably one of the more common sentiments shared, especially by players with money still on the site, is that Full Tilt pros should not wear their patches.  To some, this is a direct slap in the face to some that have part or all of their bankroll on the site.  They really don’t care whether they have a direct say in the companies affairs or not, the pros represent Full Tilt and they want their money back. 

Players Should Wear Their Patch

Other people take the approach that pros still with the site should by all means still wear their patches.  If they are still under contract with the site and confident they will get their money, etc, then there is no reason why they should not wear the patch.  In fact, they may jeopardize their sponsorship by not wearing the patch.  Those that share this view believe that Full Tilt will indeed pay US players back and go back to business as usual.

Personally, I am not a big fan of pros wearing their patch at the WSOP.  It is not because I think they are slapping me in the face, etc.  In all honesty, I have less than $200 on the site and all of that is winnings left on the site to gamble around with.  My opinion is based on public image for the pros involved with the site.  Right now, Full Tilt is public enemy #1 in the online poker world.  Players are mad at the site and anyone representing them.  It seems to me that pros would be more concerned about their image and future marketability than their allegiances to the site.  Yes, that is a very selfish way to evaluate the situation, but that is reality.

Of course, the patches at the WSOP have been sporadic and are actually banned from TV tables.  As such, you will not see any during feature table broadcasts at the WSOP and on ESPN.  I expect that Full Tilt will pay back US players, but in the meantime, Full Tilt pros might have a better time at it by not wearing their patch.

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