The online poker rooms keep adopting strategies in order to attract new players in 2019, which nowadays is not an easy task as more and more rooms launch new promotions every day. In this article, we'll check the last movements of the biggest online poker rooms.
PokerStars is reducing time bank in cash games
PokerStars is bringing a live-poker scheme to its online tables: the time to act will be reduced, which according to PokerStars management "it will improve the player's experience". The new time bank structure at PokerStars cash games tables (SnG, MTT, Spins remain unaffected so far) is the following one:
| Case | Current structure | New structure |
|---|---|---|
| Preflop not facing a raise | 18 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Preflop facing a raise and post flop | 25 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Street | Initial time bank | Time bank increments | Maximum time bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preflop | 15 seconds | 5 seconds every 10 hands | 30 seconds |
| Postflop | 15 seconds | 5 seconds every 10 hands | 60 seconds |
Last year PokerStars also limited the simultaneous tables to 6, which in accordance with this measure, it's a sign that PokerStars keep fighting regular players and multitabling.
PokerStars to ban automated seating scripts from March 1st, 2019
Since March 1st, 2019, PokerStars will introduce new restrictions to its policy software:
- Software that simplifies the table selection according to players statistics will be forbidden;
- It's forbidden to adjust pending bets automatically or make bets of a random size;
- It's not allowed to change HUD stats automatically depending on stack size or table position.
The first prohibition is related to automated seating software, the second one cuts out the functionality of software like StarsCaption, StarsHelper, Time Mojo, and the third one restricts the Hand2Note positional HUD. In short, after March 1st, 2019, PokerStars will not only be the room with the lowest rakeback on the market but also will turn into a room with more restrictions to regular players.
Other poker networks have functional software which makes easier the regs life, and even add poker clients a lot of extra features:
As for table scanners (or automated seating scripts), the offer is not very wide. TableScan Turbo hasn't been updated in the last two years and it isn't compatible with poker rooms such as 888. We recommend you check the following options:
- PokerMaster - Worldpokerdeals Pokermaster Tools and Sort n Seat Me;
- iPoker Network and 888 Poker - Smart Table Scanner;
- Winning Poker, iPoker, Chico and partypoker - NEED4SEAT.
partypoker adds "Diamond Club Elite" to its VIP program
partypoker launched two years ago its current VIP program which increased rakeback from 20% to 40%, a great movement for regular poker players. At the same time, for players making over $100,000 per year, the Diamond Club was created, which increased the maximum rakeback to 50%.
From February 1st, 2019, partypoker decided to introduce another VIP level for its best grinders — Diamond Club Elite, which comparing it, it's similar to the now abolished Supernova Elite: $200,000 in rake are needed during the year to get Diamond Club Elite and receive 60% of rakeback.
In addition to the improved rakeback, Diamond Club Elite members receive almost $50,000 in additional prizes:
- $16,000 VIP package to the Caribbean Poker Party in The Bahamas;
- $10,300 entry to the MILLIONS Online to be played in November 2019;
- $20,000 bonus when the player hits the $200,000 mark. When reaching the $100,000 mark, a $10,000 is paid too.
In honor to the launch of the program, the first two players who get the Diamond Club Elite will receive 100% fixed rakeback until January 31, 2020.
Conclusion
partypoker and PokerStars are adopting different strategies for the future. On the one hand, partypoker is trying to draw the attention of regular players, offering massive rakeback and allowing support software at its tables.
On the other hand, PokerStars, which firmly holds the lead in terms of traffic, is continuing with its strategy to support recreational players (banning software, restricting the multitabling, low rakeback). 2019 will be definitive in order to establish which strategy works better on the market.
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