Just got an email from Stars about this...rake changes at Stars are obviously old news and the Zoo has been up in arms about it, but 50/100+ players look to be getting a pretty raw deal. I doubt much will come from this post (although I'll offer myself up for a free Isle of Man vaca to discuss), but I think something that's going to take 4-figures+ out of the pockets of others who play 50/100 should probably see the light of day in front of an HSNL audience. To those who play HU: gg.
OLD RAKE
Heads Up: $0.50
3 handed: $1.00
4-5 handed: $2.00
6+ handed: $3.00
NEW RAKE:
Heads Up: $2.00
3-4 handed: $3.00
5 handed: $5.00
Rationale from email:
Quote:
There will continue to be no charge for hands that end preflop.
We believe it is appropriate to make this increase to align the rake at $50/$100 more closely with the rake at $100/$200 instead of aligning it with $25/$50 as it has been in the past. There is a big difference between the pools of players at $25/$50 and $50/$100. Many would consider this the dividing line between ‘High Stakes’ and ‘Nosebleeds’.
Even after this rake increase for $50/$100, we believe that our rake at these stakes is competitive within the industry. We encourage any interested players to perform an independent review of $50/$100 rake at other online poker rooms that offer action at these stakes.
This rake change is being made as a part of a package of rake changes recently agreed to with a panel of player representatives who visited us on the Isle of Man for a week to discuss possible improvements to the site. The result of the changes was overall rake cuts that are expected to result in a reduction in ring game rake site-wide of almost 3% if play remains the same as in the past.
Most rake reductions went to micro and low stakes players, which in turn will benefit the whole poker ecosystem on PokerStars. All other rake changes went into effect yesterday (February 1), but we decided to delay this change for two weeks to give you advance notice.
As a $50/$100 player you may not be in favor of a change that will result in higher fees at a game that you play. However, I hope that after this explanation you find this change to be understandable and reasonable and made with the best long-term interests of all poker players in mind.
Best Wishes,
Steve Day
Manager of VIP, Team Online, Ring Games and Sit & Go Tournaments
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p.s. did HSNL have any representation among the IOM panel, or did we get thrown under the bus by microdonks?
Two Plus Two
Holy crap: Stars raises rake at 50/100-NL by 50% - 300%
Linear Mode
