Online poker room AbsolutePoker.com has introduced a new feature allowing a tournament's final table competitors to enter into deals with one another.
A new button is automatically displayed on screen once a game reaches the final table. A deal-making process begins if, and only if, all remaining players agree to make a deal. The game then pauses and a tournament manager enters a chat interface to monitor the players as a deal is discussed and to provide information if needed.
If an agreement is reached, the pot is divided according to the agreed terms. If no agreement is reached, the game continues.
"We're making it easier for players to facilitate deals so that everyone can walk away from a big tournament with a healthy win," stated David Clainer, senior vice president of AbsolutePoker.