The quarterly PokerStarsSunday Million took place this past weekend, which meant a $1,050 buy-in and the presence of some of the biggest stars in online poker. After 1,712 entrants battled it out, a bombshell was dropped. Poker Room Manager Lee Jones, one of the most visible and amiable personalities in the online poker world, announced in the tournament chat: “And all four people still reading this will be the first to learn that this is my last Sunday Million final table as Poker Room Manager at PokerStars. I'm moving to a role at the EPT. Details on a forum near you shortly.” PocketFives.com caught up with Jones as well as some of those whom he has affected for their thoughts on the news.

“Details on a forum near you shortly” meant the this letter, which was posted on PocketFives.com shortly after the final cards in the Sunday Million had been dealt. PocketFives.com Co-Owner Adam Small comments on Lee Jones’ departure: “Lee Jones has been one of the most visible and important figures in online poker throughout the growth of the industry. I think it’s safe to say that online poker tournaments would not be what they are today if Lee had not been involved. I was sad to hear Lee was leaving, as he’s been such a steady and positive presence at PokerStars.”

Some of the best online poker players anywhere and PokerStars regulars explained to PocketFives what Lee Jones meant to them and the industry as a whole. His profound impact can be seen in their responses. We thank each one of them for providing insightful and inspiring quotes on Lee Jones’ monumental impact.

Top 10 ranked player phatcat on Lee Jones: “Lee Jones was great. There has never been an online poker site representative as involved as Lee was. He's also a great guy who seems to have the players’ concerns in mind and was always willing to listen. I met Lee at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2006 and he even sweated a final table I was at in one of the side events. He seemed truly interested in what I had to say or any comments or concerns I had regarding the PCA. He will truly be missed and I hope that whoever replaces him follows his lead and continues to strive to make PokerStars better for the players just as Lee did. It only seems appropriate for the obligatory Lee Jones-esque corny parting shout out: We’re sorry to see you exit this final table, Lee. But your legacy as the greatest online poker room manager in the history of the world is nothing to sneeze at! We can only hope that your replacement will attempt to keep up with Joneses. Oh, and take the bad beat switch with you, please.”

PocketFiver Paul “beanie” Nobles comments on Lee’s impact on PokerStars itself, focusing on his desire to include the interests of all players on Stars: “Lee changed everything. He brought an environment to PokerStars that was player-friendly and respected the player base.”

Recent PocketFives Podcast guest and CardRunners pro aarobeen on Lee’s importance within the industry: “I always saw him do the right and fair thing for people even if it cost PokerStars in the short term. By being so well in touch with people, he not only gave PokerStars a good reputation, but he made people trust all of online poker.”

Shane “Shaniac” Schleger discusses how Lee helped legitimize online poker as a whole: “I think making Lee Jones the Poker Room Manager of PokerStars was an amazing decision, not just for Stars, but for online poker as a whole. As a figurehead, his presence really helped legitimize poker and Lee had the perfect temperament for the job. By legitimizing online poker, I mean that Lee helped make the game more accessible and less mysterious.”

Jordan “iMsoLucky0” Morgan, who placed second in the U.S. Poker Championships, tells what Lee meant to the online poker world: “Lee Jones has probably been the largest single positive influence on online poker while he was working with PokerStars. He understood how the community and industry worked and should work, and he never hesitated to do the right thing for the little guy, even if he had to bend the rules a little. He will be missed.”

Top ranked player Imper1um comments on the daunting task that PokerStars now faces in finding a replacement: “It's not going to be easy to fill the shoes of such a great Poker Room Manager. He has helped turn PokerStars into the number one customer-oriented poker site on the net. His kindness, genuineness, and quick wit at Sunday Million final tables will be greatly missed.”

SamENole echoes Imper1um’s comments as well: “While Lee was easy to blame for countless bad beats on PokerStars, nobody can debate the job he did as their Poker Room Manager. PokerStars' customer service has become the industry leader on Lee's watch and will almost definitely stay that way long after Lee is gone.”

Finally, Eric “Rizen” Lynch, sums up what the entire online poker world is currently thinking: “To many people, the name ‘Lee Jones’ is synonymous with online poker. His enthusiasm for the game we love has made the game much more enjoyable for thousands of players both online and off. He has enriched the poker community and positively influenced many of the people (including me) he's come in contact with through poker. Lee is a great representative of poker and an even greater person. I have no doubt his future will be full of continued success.”

All is not lost. Lee will continue to serve in his role until April 1st. After that, he’ll join the staff of the European Poker Tour, whose primary sponsor is PokerStars. On behalf of the staff and members of PocketFives.com, I would like to send a big thank you to Lee Jones, former Poker Room Manager of PokerStars, for his professional, sincere, hands-on involvement at PokerStars. Additionally, we wish Lee the best of luck in his new endeavor at the EPT.