That seems to be the case. Apparently the rumor is (I have to report this as a rumor but when I get information it usually a well placed source) that UB will have the same look and feel while Absolute will maintain their look and feel. How they will handle multiple screen names and such like that I have no idea. At first glance it would appear that this will be good news for a network that seems to be continuously stabbing itself in the heart.

UB is the site that I first began to play online and for about a year four years ago I did some consulting for them. So I wish them nothing but the best, I still think their software is some of the best in the space. When Absolute took over I thought this would be a very good thing for UB and that has not turned out to be the case.

Moving forward my fear for their network is that they are constantly looking for the quick fix that will make them a player again. Their marketing is effective as is evidenced by the growing numbers of players that inhabit their lower games. They lost the attention of the higher stakes players with many of the recent scandals. I think they can get all of that back if they continue to focus on quality and stay away from scandals.

Many people will not give them a second chance (or in many cases a 5th or 6th chance) and maybe they are right. I have a different view; I know and have worked personally with many of the good people that suffer the consequences for the few idiots. Unfortunately a lot of the good people have left UB and the few that remain deserve a lot better than what they are getting. Ultimately I think they need to work to hire the most competent people and quit focusing on quick fixes and do the hard work. That will be the only way that their network will be able to regain its standing in the poker community.

I hope this is a step in the right direction because if anything goes wrong with the release the few customers that still have their back likely will not be able to justify that loyalty any longer.