Cereus Poker: Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet Join Forces
Two online poker leaders owned and operated by the same parent organization, Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, have merged to form the Cereus Poker Network, making them the third-largest online poker network worldwide.
Expected to launch in August, the Cereus Network will integrate the players and gaming platforms from both online poker rooms. The tournament lineup, currently being reorganized by UltimateBet poker star Annie Duke, will be the same for both sites.
This move is in part an effort to rebuild both sites’ good names as their reputation suffered serious blows from cheating scandal allegations making headlines throughout the previous year. The integration of the two sites is also an effort to compete with the reigning King and Queen of online poker rooms – PokerStars and FullTilt Poker.
Of course, if Team UltimateBet and AbsolutePoker really want to compete with Poker Stars and Full Tilt, though, what they need to do is match those sites’ commitment to accepting U.S. players. That, along with the creation of the Cereus Poker Network, should be enough to take them over the top.