Steve,
I am one of the highest volume grinders on your site. I earned SNE this year on an abbreviated playing schedule due to Black Friday. Prior to yesterday’s annoucenment I had big plans for my play on Stars in 2012. In light of this, I hope you will take the time to read this post.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
Much good faith effort was put into designing rake changes, with the intention of improving the rake balance.
What is meant by rake balance? Ambiguous phrases like this tend to scare people who make their living at the mercy of Stars’ rake structure and VIP program. Which games does Stars feel are raked too high? Which ones should be raked more?
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
This would have resulted in decreases in rake, both overall and for most individual players.
That is nice to hear, but we were given no breakdown of how specific games and typical regulars at those stakes would be affected. To say “most players” in this sense does not apply to most people reading this forum or going for Supernova+. “Most players” play microstakes; so that statement doesn’t allay any fears.
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
The response of many players to the announcement was not to ask for an explanation, but instead to plan a strike based around incorrect conclusions about the rake changes.
This line was frustrating to read. No Stars reps have been in these forums to clarify things or provide additional information. It is abundantly clear that numerous players asked for explanations in these forums. Stars was utterly mute on the issue. All the players had to go on was a chart with some examples that didn’t give a full representation of how our rake would be affected based on the different games we play. I’ve read that sentence several times and shake my head every time trying to comprehend why you wrote it. I don’t mean that disrespectfully, I’m just being honest.
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
After seeing players' unexpected negative reactions, we felt the right thing to do was to cancel the changes.
So, you are claiming that the proposed rake structure would have been an improvement for players. When some players on an internet forum voice displeasure and confusion, no one from Stars came and explained the changes. You mentioned that there were many inaccuracies in the numbers that some people posted. But you didn’t come in to the forum and correct any erroneous claims. Stars just took it’s proverbial ball and went home.
If the changes would help the players, why not show us how? People are working hard writing postgres scripts, custom PT3 and HEM forumlas, and doing all kinds of other number crunching to try to figure out what this all means. Stars hasn’t assisted us at all. Why not? Many people’s livelihoods hinge on these types of decisions. I know you understand this as I read that you are a former grinder yourself. Why not allay people’s fears by giving us more info or at the very least staying in communication with us?
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
We will still engage in dialog with players over the coming days about the rake change, including explaining the impact more thoroughly.
Again, I never saw a “dialogue” here in the first place between Stars and the players. I would be shocked if any reader of these forums felt that way.
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
We look forward to further discussions with the community about the change to the weighted contributed method, which will not be reversed to the dealt method.
I think the majority of people (not all) have accepted that the dealt method is here to stay. However there are no offsets to compensate for the extra money that PokerStars will be taking out of the games. When Full Tilt Poker switched from dealt method to weighted contributed they created the "Black Card" program to offset the negative impact the change had on it's most valued players. If a site like FTP is willing to do that for it's most valued players, then I would be surprised if PokerStars would not do something similar.
I imagine you would say the new rake structure was meant to be the offset the players are seeking. However, the players (justifiably) aren’t going to blindly accept that without some evidence. Since Stars’ is so confident the new rake structure is better and is unwilling to give any evidence, why not just let it happen and prove to the posters in these forums that they are wrong?
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
Contrary to some posts, this method does provide a benefit to a large number of players.
I know lots of readers are frustrated with language like a “benefit to a large number of players.” Who are these players? Are they 2cent/4cent bronze stars? Are they $2/4 limit grinders? Are they 25/50 CAP regs? The concern amongst players is obvious: many believe that some recreational players will see a marginal benefit, but the real winner will be PokerStars who will end up raking even more from the poker economy.
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Originally Posted by PokerStars Steve
We will also be happy to host a few representatives from the poker community on the Isle of Man to review numbers in much more depth, provided that they agree to sign appropriate non-disclosure agreements regarding sensitive data.
I understand it must be tilting for you to read these forums. I imagine you and your colleagues believe Stars made a good-faith effort to help out and everyone is still complaining. If that is the case then please communicate with us more. After your initial announcement I only saw you reply once, and that was to cancel part of the plan. I guarantee the players would be much more at ease with any changes if we felt Stars were actively working with us, rather than imposing things from afar and then merely observing the ensuing forum madness.
If you’d have me, I’d be happy to come to the Isle of Man if for no other reason to have a beer with the guy who is in charge of the doomswitch.
Thanks,
Duckslayer2k