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In case you haven't heard, PokerStars has just made some important rule changes as it celebrates nearly 25 years online. The news broke during EPT Barcelona on Monday.
What Are PokerStars New Game Integrity Rules?
Answer: In part, at least, PokerStars is hoping to address some recent controversies, especially as it applies to GTO-solvers and charts while it's goal is also to improve the game.
- Shotclock time will be reduced on first action in the hand to 15 seconds instead of 30.
- Timebanks will still be worth 30 seconds each.
- Dealers will be taught to slide cards instead of pitching over the course of the next EPT's.
- No more redraws at final 2/3 tables.
- No use of GTO-solvers/charts or similar anywhere in the whole tournament area at any time, also not for spectators.
Addressing the GTO-Solvers Controversy
World Seres of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo was accused of consulting solver outputs on a laptop being used by his rail. This sent much of the poker community into an uproar.
Tamayo has since said that his rail was only helping him with "in-game adjustments" and that he wasn't looking at any solver outputs.
Gambling911.com reached out to some of the pros about what some went as far as to refer to as the "WSOP Poker Cheating Scandal".
Jordan Griff, who finished as the Main Event runner-up to Tamayo, gave his take on the scandal.
“I saw him calling things out,” Griff said. “I saw him going to the rail, but you know, at no point did I see what was on the laptop or try to eavesdrop on what he was saying.
“In any sport, you don’t go over to the other team’s sideline, the other team’s dugout, and say, ‘Hey, what film are you guys looking at? You know, can I take a look?’
“So now there may have been suspicions in my mind. I thought that if there was anything nefarious going on, as we saw, there was cameras that caught it. I think using RTA (real time assistance) is going to give an advantage. Everyone can debate how large that is, and how much it will really help a person. I think it’s hard to quantify that.”
Per the PokerStars new rule: "Players are not permitted to use at the table or anywhere in the tournament room area at any time game theory optimal (GTO) solver software, GTO charts (whether used on an Electronic Device or otherwise) or any AI tool or similar algorithmic software that is capable of affording the user a competitive advantage in the Tournament."
"We also don’t allow any spectator to make any use of electronic devices with solvers inside the poker tournament area," it continues.
What the Poker Community Thinks of These New Integrity Rules
LuckyStuey offered: "Good changes and hopefully will be adopted elsewhere (i.e. North America), but nothing about head coverings? My opinion is one type of face covering can be allowed but not multiple, selecting from hat, scarf, sunglasses, hoodie, mask or over the ears/round the neck headphones."
Katie Stone: "Wow you guys are really going for it with the card slide - I was wondering if anyone was going to do this right away, I should have guessed it would be you guys - impressive!!!!"
Tyler Brown: "Random breaking is a good idea. Most of these changes are positive. Makes me wonder why WSOP or other operators don't do it... Oh right it takes too much work."
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