*** PokerStars Stud Q&A Thread ***

[PokerStars Nick]

Hello,

At Joe Tall's invitation, I've started this thread to discuss any features/changes you would like to see in PokerStars Stud games.

To start it off, there were two suggestions in the LC thread:

Originally Posted by Joe Tall

Has PokerStars considered adjusting its ante & bring is structures for cash games? Specifically the 1/2, 5/10, 10/20 structures that have low ante?

I'm more than happy to discuss it. Do you have any suggestions as to what you'd like to see them changed to?

Originally Posted by camz2895

implement an 'autobringing/fold' feature like FTP had. Having to click twice to post the bringin and then go back to your table to click 'fold' was super annoying.

Is anyone against this feature?

[SGspecial]

my 2 cents:

In the olden days, players had a choice between two roughly equivalent sites on which to play stud games, one of which had relatively high antes (1/6 to 1/5 of a SB) at all limits and Stars which had relatively low antes (1/8 to 1/12 of a SB) at most limits. Now that Stars is the only site that has a high volume of stud players, maybe it's time to reevaluate the ante structure of the games.

imo the biggest problem is the significant difference in structure between the 2/4 limit and 3/6 limit, which both have $0.25 antes and $1 bring-in. The incentive to get involved in the pot on 3rd st for $2 is much stronger than it is to get involved for $3, so either players have to choose one of these limits that suit their style best or switch styles depending on which limit is running or is "good" at the time. Players who enjoy the extra action of a high ante game have only two options unless they're microstakers: play 30/60 or play on another site (or not at all. Wait, that's three options).

If Stars is truly interested in revising the ante structures of their stud games to best serve their customers, I'd suggest first figuring out whether the players would rather have consistent structures at most limits (either high ante or low ante) or a mix of structures so that both preferences are accommodated. A mix would probably require some additional limits to be added to the lobby, like 8/16 and 15/30, but adding limits like that has been a good suggestion made several times over the years as well.

[camz2895]

i'm not sure how the stud traffic is on Stars but wouldn't addming more tables/ante structures further dilute the already withered player pool? I say just put all limits/structures modeled exactly after FTP

[kaspydonk]

auto bring in/fold would be a good thing.
although theres an auto ante feature i still see alot of players who i join hu and somehow avoid the forced ante.I have no clue what script they use so just give everybody an option to change auto ante settings in the lobby.
also 8-16 15-30 with bigger antes .

[EbutDrool]

I believe at around the beginning of the year you sent a message out to the higher limit stud games in the chat box Nick and I got in touch requesting an auto bring in/fold check box so I am definitely in favour of this. So long as it's implemented in the mixed games as well.

So +1 to auto bring in and auto fold when selecting "fold to any bet".

[SleeveOfWizard]

Hmmmm... several things:

1. Ante and Bring-in stuff: Fix the antes (make them WAY bigger), in ALL levels except maybe 30 60. Also, lower the bring-in in 2-4 to make it play out a little more "normally". The current structures just encourage people NOT to play more hands, which I don't think helps you guys.

2. Table limits: Kaspy makes sense - no reason not to have limits like 8-16 and 15-30.

3. HUSNGs: Hyperturbos? Why not? Also, add HU Triple Stud SNGs, Turbos and Normals, having them available can't hurt. Finally, any reason $300, $500 and $1,000 HU Razz SNGs can't be added? Enough creatures will play them without going bust.

4. Cap the Chinese players to 1 per tbl: Old issue, but shady stuff DEFINITELY still goes down. Either a statement detailing why the current cap of 2 stays, with good reason, is given, or the integrity of your games is protected.

5. PL Stud Games (the long-shot): Even LOLMERGE has these games. Any plans?

[Banzai]

+1 to HUSNG Hypers.

I think these were the busiest of all Razz games on FTP.

Also can the lobby filters to allow more misregs

[ceegee]

The stud hi games are definitely compromised. We have all discussed this issue ad-nauseam. They restricted the Chinese players to one a table, but now they can sit together again?? I'm not even going to go into all the details about their collusion, there is a whole thread on it somewhere around here. I will never play stud hi on stars because of this obvious collusion and account sharing between the changle/fuzhou Chinese players and neither will anyone that knows about them.

[Davdob]

I quit playing stars before black friday for the reason ceegee sites above (well and rakeback . . .). It was totally obvious to me that there were a group of Chinese guys running stud collusion in a room somewhere trying to mine these games like an mmog gold farming operation. I just think you are going to have to figure out a technical way to not let this happen. Stud Hi is unfortunately uniquely exploitable in this fashion. This issue is FAR more important than your ante/bi structure which has been well covered already.

[As2s3s4s5s]

I am actually against higher antes.

[marshallj]

Originally Posted by As2s3s4s5s

I am actually against higher antes.

+1

I loved the structure.

I would like to have seen fast razz tables and Heads up tables/shorthanded as options.

[Banzai]

Originally Posted by marshallj

+1

I loved the structure.

I would like to have seen fast razz tables and Heads up tables/shorthanded as options.

There are HU tables from 1/2 to 5/10.

[marshallj]

Originally Posted by Banzai

There are HU tables from 1/2 to 5/10.

thats good to know and thanks for the KITN

I should have prefaced my comments "As an American, I have not logged in for well over a year so there maybe changes that I an unaware of, but this is what I would have hoped for pre BF"

[Banzai]

Oh, and the HU tables are fast too!

[ChipsAhoya]

hey, maybe if Stars buys FTP, they can use their ante structure!!