On Tuesday, just three days before its inaugural event, Federated Sports and Gaming’s (FS&G) Epic Poker League has released its policies regarding logo use by players. While the rules are strict, they are laid out clearly and not left open to interpretation.
Of particular note are rules for online poker logos. As one would expect, only free-to-play online poker sites, typically those with a “.net” suffix, will be allowed. Epic Poker is taking this a step further, though, and not allowing any “.net” logos if the site is associated with a real money poker room that accepts U.S. customers. The league is apparently not taking any chances that it might attract any negative attention from law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the “.net” suffix must be the same size, font, and color as the rest of the site’s name and must be lined up horizontally. This rule is likely in place to avoid any possibility of the site name looking like like a “.com” and not explicitly like a “.net.”
Like the World Series of Poker, the Epic Poker League is limiting the number of players at a final table that can wear the same entity’s logo. Rather than just three players, though, the Epic Poker League is allowing four players to be sponsored by the same company. The policy adds more detail, though, requiring that if more than one player is wearing a logo for an identical sponsor, the sponsor must “provide each player with alternate colors and design in clothing, so that each player has a distinct look.” Of course, if more than four players are sponsored by the same entity, it is up to the players and the sponsor to determine who is the odd man out.
Players do not have to stay with one sponsor throughout an entire tournament. They must, however, stick to the logos they are wearing at the start of the day until that day is over.
There are many restrictions, aside from online poker, on the types of sponsors players may accept. Most won’t come as a surprise. Players may not wear logos promoting hard alcohol, pornography, weapons, illegal gambling, and online dating sites of questionable morality (for instance, there is a website in which married men and women can search out other married men and women for liaisons).
Up to four patches for a primary sponsor can be worn by a player, as long as they are spread out. One is allowed on the chest, back, and each shoulder or arm, as well as on a hat. If players wish to have multiple sponsors, each additional sponsor may only have a maximum of two logos, provided they are on different parts of the body.
The Epic Poker League kicks off this Friday, August 5th, with the four day Pro/Am Event at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The Charity Event will be held on August 7th, while the $20,000 Main Event will run August 9th through August 12th. There will be three other Epic Poker League tournament series, plus the Season One league championship in February.