Sun Poker Decreases Top Prizes in “Sick” Promotion

Back on December 1, 2006, Sun Poker began its "One Sick Promo," in which it was to award one hundred players World Series of Poker packages. The packages were to be awarded to the players who earned the most MPP’s through May 31, 2007.

The promotion is still going strong, but to the dismay of at least one player, the values of the top five prizes have been lowered. Originally, first prize was $15,000 in WSOP chips, $5,000 in cash, and ultra-luxury travel and accommodations, valued in total at $50,000. The next four players won less cash, ranging from $4,000 on down to $2,000.

It appears that this month, however, Sun Poker changed the top five awards. According to a player by the screen name of “shahmat,” who is currently in fourth place, Sun Poker e-mailed the top five, asking if they would rather receive cash instead of the travel and accommodations part of the package. While according to Sun, some of the people did want the money, shahmat had not decided and was actually interested in the prize as it was offered. But, because some wanted the cash, Sun modified the prize packages for all five players to include $20,000 cash instead of the travel and accommodations. What this did, in effect, was reduce the prize values by $10,000, as the implied value of the travel and accommodations was $30,000.

In fact, Sun still says the first place prize package is $50,000 on the promotion website, http://www.onesickpromo.com. On the promo details page, it reads, “…our top package will win $50,000 for sure…” In the previous incarnation of the Leader Board (it has since been edited to reflect the new prizes), the top five values were listed at $50,000 on down to $47,000. They are now $40,000 to $37,000.

To be fair, Sun Poker may have recalculated the value of the travel and accommodations and realized they were not worth $50,000, but considering the total package values had been listed at $10,000 higher than they are currently (and the top prize is still promoted as $50,000), it seems rather unfair to decrease the prizes so significantly. Plus, not everyone had agreed to take the cash option.

The player shahmat said he protested, but had not received a response.

Originally published 12:45 AM Thursday, March 22, 2007