Player Panel Comes to Terms With PokerStars Over Rake Structure Change
After weeks of planned player boycotts and outrage in the online poker community over PokerStars change in its rake structure, a panel assembled by members of the popular poker forum TwoPlusTwo.com have arrived at a compromise.
From PokerFuse.com:
After meetings were extended from three to five days, panel members have reported today that an accord was reached. Along with rake reductions that result in a net gain for players, the requirements for maintaining VIP club status will be relaxed, concessions were agreed upon for high-VIP players in 2012, and new microstakes levels will be introduced.
Due to the switch from the “dealt” method of calculating rake to “weighted contributed,” (WC) which affects who receives rewards and for how much, the player panel confirmed that it results in an increase in PokerStars cash game revenue by 1.5%. New rake structures, to be implemented on February 1, will result in an estimated overall rake reduction of 2%. The result is a net revenue loss for PokerStars and a gain for players.
The microstakes games will see the biggest rake reductions. All NL and PL games at 10c/25c and below will be impacted, according to PokerFuse.com, with 40 percent of all rake cuts focused on these games.
Rival poker room, Americas Cardroom, announced Monday it will continue embracing the more popular “dealt” method of calculating points.
On Monday, January 30, 2012, Americas Cardroom announced its largest monthly Points Race yet—a $100,000 test of endurance that includes a $60,000 monthly Points Race and four weekly races worth another $40,000. The $40k Points Race, exclusively for cash game players, will use a dealt rake method to calculate leaderboard points. It's a system that hardcore grinders will love.
"This month, we've got something for diehard tournament players, and something big for those who love to do damage exclusively in Ring Games," stated Michael Harris, spokesman for Americas Cardroom. "And with $100,000 in free money on the table, just for playing, Americas Cardroom is the place to play this February."
Americas Cardroom’s embracing of the dealt rake method is in stark contrast to the moves made by competing rooms like Stars and others.
Americas Cardroom does allow US players to join, with payouts typically within a 7 to 14 business day period, way above the industry norm.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
