In the very least, can stars look at each players zoom table limits on a case by case basis like for normal tables? Increase tables if meet threshold requirements and decrease # of tables if they are slowing down games too much.

Hi all -
I'm back. Let's see...

Q: Zoom?

A: As you're all aware, we've deployed up through $2.50/$5.00 NLH (PLO still tops out at $.50/$1.00). We'll keep monitoring it and see how it makes sense to expand it.

To those who have suggested that we go "All Zoom, all the time" at higher stakes, as Steve told you, we're seriously considering that. Please understand that Steve and his team don't make these decisions quickly - there's too much at stake. But we understand the arguments for doing this and are looking closely at it.

Q: What came out of the player meetings?

A: I wasn't there for most of them, but I got the sense from the 2+2 and PokerStrategy visitors that they felt it was time well spent. I had a great time meeting the representatives (both from 2+2 and PokerStrategy) and we had some excellent discussions both at and away from the official sessions.

I think we should let the representatives prepare their trip reports, clear them through Steve (for NDA purposes), and report back. Then I'll be happy to discuss anything that comes up from there.

Q: Anything you want to discuss right now?

A: Yeah, there is one thing. The idea of a auto deal software for the final table of MTTs (and perhaps SNGs) came up both at the player meetings in Isle of Man and at a PokerStrategy party I attended over the weekend. There seems to be critical mass of support for that and I sense that the decision-makers at PokerStars are beginning to like the idea more (they didn't much in the past). No promises, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that feature come out in the not-too-distant future.

Couple of self-generated Q/A's:

Q: What's the status of your battle with Poker Table Ratings (PTR)?

A: We've gone to considerable effort to track down the companies and individuals associated with PTR. Ultimately, we sent "Cease and Desist" letters to the people and companies behind the site. We have told them that they must immediately cease infringing our intellectual property rights and breaching the terms and conditions of our software. This is not an idle threat; we've assembled a team of lawyers in multiple jurisdictions to follow up.

Obviously some of you are frustrated at how long it's taken us to act, but the people behind PTR have taken considerable steps to hide their activity and shield themselves from action. But we are on their trail now and will keep at it. We'll keep you informed as we make progress.

Q: So, those are legal steps, great. Are you not taking technical steps against them?

A: Yes, we are, and we will be taking more. I'm still finding out exactly what I can say and what I can't, but this is a personal hot button of mine and I assure you I will stay on top of it.

Q: Is it true that your house is rigged?

A: Apparently so. We had the visitors over to my house, along with a bunch of PokerStars staffers, for a poker game on Friday night. The first game that started was a 10p/20p NLH game.

First hand, a PokerStars employee, (hereinafter "C") opens to 60p. Gets one caller, then visitor "S", in the SB, squeezes to £2. "C" thinks briefly and says "I'm all in" (for a full stack - £20). Cold-caller bails and it's back to "S". He hems and haws, verifies that "C" has him covered, and calls. "C" promptly turns over aces. Board runs out blanks, "S" still hasn't revealed. Finally he shrugs and turns over pocket kings.

Much hooting and hollering ensues. I feel so bad I rebuy for him (fortunately he started with a half stack so it only cost me a tenner). [1]

One final note: I'm going to be at the Monte Carlo EPT at the beginning of the week (tentatively April 22-25). If you're there, please find me and say hi.

As always, keep the cards and letters coming.

Warmest regards,
Lee Jones

[1] I got the tenner back with interest when I made a 4-card six on the first draw against ShaunDeeb in PL Badugi. Of course, I misplayed the hand because I "cleverly" smooth called his bet. Second draw, he drew one, I stood pat, and he check-folded to my bet. He and Adanthar were quick to point out I could have stacked him because he was never bet/folding after the first draw. I suck at poker.

yes plz remove 2-4 and 3-6 standard tables since its dead anyway , so everyone will have to play 2-5 ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

??? please wake up from your dream.

there are more 2/4 3/6 tables than zoom player in total. completely ridiculous

no , and there is also huge waiting lists

LETS FINISH UP THE BUMHUNTERS

remove the waitlists, good idea
sit out one - sit out all, good idea

but leave poker poker, and dont force everyone to become a 2mio hand/year rakeback grinder

That makes a lot of sense, there aren't many 2/4 or 3/6 tables running anyway. Might as well merge those players into the 2.5/5 game so there is a larger player base.
With the additional players it might even be enough to get 2.5/5 Full Ring running.

zoom takes completely away the table dynamic, and this is where the regs who dont play 16tables make their money.

obv the mass tablers only want zoom so that noone can exploit them anymore in that way

lol zoom is the same as any tables and if you cant exploit anyone there ur bad

yeah, oc, you must know what you are talking about.

on the other hand, you might not even have a clue that there are several better regs out there who change their preflop range dramatically depending on table conditions. no way see this in zoom, just one of many examples. zoom is like playing vs average ranges, horrible.

but hell, what do i say, i am a bad bumhunter and you are the master.

perhaps remove 1-2 and 2-5 , and replace with only nl300

There is a thread saying cheques to Canadians have been discontinued, is this permenant or just temporary? it seems a bit worrisome.

I know I'm pointing out the obvious here but this is a patently bad idea. There are undoubtedly players (recs and regs) who will not play zoom under any circumstances and if these tables are removed will simply switch sites.

Please don't replace normal tables by Zoom. It is a horrible idea

ETA on Zoom for mobile app ??

The rake is just way too high in SSNL games. Either rake should be reduced or VPP multiplier raised.

only either 2-5 sh or 2-5 fr is running

What's auto-deal @the final table?
Is it a I'm ready button during the sync breaks.

plz fix ratholing , these shortstacks are terribly annoying always leaving and buyin minimum again

I was at the March IOM meeting and there was an awesome solution to the problem that the players and Stars seemed to think was good. I have no idea if it will be implemented and not sure if I can say exactly what it was due to my NDA.

Just a few updates...

No, it's the ability for the final table of a tournament to make a chop/deal without intervention by the support staff. We may move that up the development queue.

That said, the "I'm ready" button did come up and most of us think that's a cool idea. It's just a question of prioritizing it against other things.

Mobile: We've released mobile to some other countries - you can read more in Jeffrey's post here (he posts as "Poker Tatsu"). Jeffrey also has some cool stuff lined up for the Monte Carlo EPT Grand Final. If you're in town, be sure to check out the mobile booth.

Regards, Lee

Please don't prohibit those ratholing fishes to do just that only because you can't adjust. Some are not so bad, but most of them are very terrible. There is anyway not that much action on NL500, please don't scare them off or it's just regs playing against each other.

less ratholers is healthy for the game and will attract more players in the long-run

Lee as a result of the meeting, I am sure the reps pushed for 6x vpp for all. Will that be implemented. If not, why so and how can we get it implemented?

The reports say there are things stars will implment but can't say. Can you say?

I think it's in Stars's best interest to throw your most loyal players a bone and give us some hope that a decent promo or change is soon on the way.