A friend of mine closed their PS account and the reason the stated is that when they first signed up years ago they used their real full name and have since realized this was not a good idea. People they know immediately recognize them, but the worst is that everyone can see how much they've lost in SnG and MTT. They play fairly low stakes and are only down about $4k in 2+ years (from what I gather - they may be down a bit more in cash) and I have told them that as an entertainment expense it's not all that bad. I think I erred when I showed them some of my stats and profits, which I grant you are not that substantial, but just seeing me in the black bothered them.

My question to you all: Is there any semi-legitimate way for them to sign back up to Pokerstars using a different screen name and not have to be concerned when withdrawing? I have suggested if they decide to sign somewhere else to let me know and I'll make sure they get a decent deposit bonus, and I think that is they way they should go.

Knowing Stars support, I'm guessing they could email their (valid) concerns and get a good response. No reason to try to backdoor something when Stars is usually more than willing to work with you.

yeah, if there is one site that will do this for the player, its PS.

In the email make sure you write you don't really want to play b/c of the name on your acct. (like you want to keep your privacy, or you think sharscope has too many hands on you, or make up some bull shit)

I'm sure if PS senses you will stop playing, they will change it. Hell, you can even add in the fact that Party allowes you to change your SN every few months.

Stars are renowned for not allowing a change of screenname EXCEPT when its a case that someone used their real name, in which case they seem to allow a change.

Stars allows people to ban their accounts. I've never heard of someone being denied after security check if they take a certain amount of time before starting a new account.

I'm pretty sure that Epassporte accounts can't be linked to more than one account, though.

wait why wouldnt you want your real full name? you cant get a deposit in your name can you then? so how would you be able to cash out and still you have the money?

just withdraw your bankroll, close your account or just create a new one and reload no ?

Ping means having your name AS your screen name...the one available to all the player's eyes.

Right now I'm on self-ban from PS until October but I'm hoping that when I can play again, I can just have them delete the account and let me open a new one. I'll be at a new home/different address and will also tell them that I would prefer it if I had a screen name without my name in it.

We'll see.