The news that PokerRoom is getting ready to reopen has the poker world talking. The poker site was one of the original online poker rooms to offer real money games. It was founded in 1999 and soon became one of the most popular destinations for players. During the poker boom years, PokerRoom became one of the largest sites to offer real money games.

When the UIGEA was passed several companies decided to withdraw from the U.S. market. PokerRoom was one of those sites that exited the U.S. market. This ended up causing them to eventually fold due to lack of business. During the time that PokerRoom and others were absent from the U.S. market other sites became dominant.

PokerStars and Full Tilt were able to swoop in and grab a huge market share. Even thought PokerRoom eventual folded, the domain was kept and Ongame retained the name. Recently, a flurry of activity suggests that PokerRoom is preparing to reopen and offer cash games.

The Tweet that set off the speculation came from bwin SEO manager Josef Rantamäki. He said that PokerRoom was going to soon offer cash poker games. This came as a shock to many in the poker world. However, he soon retracted his statement.

Nevertheless, there were more signs that his original statement was correct. A new website was created for PokerRoom. They also have new Facebook and Twitter profiles. This has led many to conclude that they are surely reopening. The question is when and to what extent?

There are some who believe that the new PokerRoom is being used to increase the value of the Ongame network. Others believe that the European poker rooms are readying for U.S. poker legislation. Should legislation favorable to online poker pass in the U.S., PokerRoom is going to be uniquely situated to benefit.

As one of the sites that voluntarily withdrew when UIGEA hit, PokerRoom is not going to be on a list of sites prohibited from getting licenses. This, along with the fact that they have a strong name within the online poker world, suggests that they are prime to regain a top spot as soon as they launch.

This is great news for poker players. PokerRoom was untouched by any of the various poker scandals that have hit in recent years. There was never a Superuser scandal, never a failure to pay out player funds, or any of the other problems that hit so many sites. It stands to reason that as soon as they are allowed into the U.S. market they will return to top form.