Op, no need to go crying.

Pokerstars has done nothing wrong. If you read their terms and conditions you will see it clearly says they reserve the right to change their promotions and VIP system.

Pokerstars are just trying to help out the dwindling number of recreational players. If you dont like it go somewhere else. Oh wait, pokerstars is still the best poker site out there....good look with that.

Stars just upgraded Jaime Staples to Team Online, clearly they don't need you anyways man.

(Much respect, site is an absolute joke now)

Youve always been one of the players who I respect the most. Maybe with guys like you and Kanu deciding to part ways with stars, it might make stars re-evaluate their position here. Either way, big ups and respect.

Although Ikes statement is admirable, I would be very curious to know if Stars actaully offered an identical renewal. Also, a contract renewal is completely different from a contract extension.

Much respect for stepping down and walking away with your head still high.

As for the point that Bakes brought up... it's a valid question, but not for this thread.

u really are

a "special one"

.

Well, thats intelligent. I take it you agree with all I said.

Pokerstars is a business. They owe you nothing. As long as their actions are legal they are entitled to run their business in a manner that looks after their own interests.

They are not obliged to look after the interests of these guys who decide to grind out 24 hours a day.

VIP rewards does not equate to cash. Its an ever changing system that must move with the times.

"I like Ike. My bike likes Ike." - The Fonz.

Good call Ike, you made the right decision

Respect

Possibly waiting to see if they reconsidered anything before the new year.

lol, stop with your ****ing whining already.

ike-

Think you made the right decision. Thanks for the well-thought out and candid response and for fighting for the players/integrity in the industry. GL this year

Looking forward to when Daniel does the same now.

The Scheinbergs would have phased the changes in and if it meant taking a small hit to keep SNEs happy for a year well they have huge reserves to dip into. They would have avoided the negative PR altogether - after all they built the site from scratch and understand the value of the relationship with their customers.

Amaya on the other hand bought the company, didn't build it, so they have little affinity with their customers. They are also in financial difficulties. They overpaid for Stars and are up to their eyeballs in debt repayments. The Kentucky judgement is just another in a recent series of financial slaps in the face. The recent share price downturn reflects generally negative online poker industry news.

Finally, Amaya or lets just say Baazov, may just not have been inclined to reverse a board decision. He bought up Stars and obviously feels like the new head honcho in the industry, he is probably not ready to allow his decisions to be overturned by player opinion, and certainly not the group of players he feels are bleeding the site of revenue.

A decision worthy of respect.

Stars had until Jan 1 to reverse their SNE decisions. Now is the time to bale if you want to make a stand, not when they were initially leaked and later confirmed a couple of months ago.

+1

this isnt the place

+1

Solid move man. I really look up to you a lot

I'm sure it was not an easy decision to make, respect!

I was going to give my Ali G like respek nod but was a tad reluctant as the "witch hunters" ie : people bringing up the whole hastings / no comment on anything stuff etc etc did / do have some valid points + Ike had not posted the above information yet.

That said the above quote clears one part and I'm pretty sure Ike will address the issues he held back on sooner than later. He also has never come across as scummy / unethical. Even if 20% of his post or motivations to post what he posted somehow were for PR/image and whatnot I'd see nothing wrong with that as it would make sense given he is a human being who plays poker professionally who is and will likely remain in the spotlights for some time to come.

That said props / respeK Ike. Looking forward to hearing what you do actually have to say bout' all this when you feel ready.

Well Said Bakes.



Maybe if you & other PS Pro's that new about BH multiaccounting had spoke up at the time then that would have led to getting a better poker ecology.
This move has self-interest written all over it.
Knowing about BH gets you an edge, losing SNE benefits loses you an edge.

LOL. Was going to say something like this as well but never gonna happen. TMM.

ITT "spitting on chickens"