I have seen people suggest this several times in recent weeks and I wonder if people think if this could actually work ?

The suggestions for an Online Poker Players Union have been in response to the some unpopular decisions made by Amaya since they purchased Pokerstars such as -

Closing down affiliate accounts overnight

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...ounts-1477531/

Banning many countries with no advance warning to the players

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...-area-1478565/

Launching the Spin and Go format

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...ormat-1480774/

Changing the currency exchange rates to give players a far worse deal

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/28...rates-1484001/

While each instance mentioned above may not be so bad on its own, when combined together they give me cause for concern what other changes Pokerstars will introduce in the future.

I am not convinced that players attempting to form a union would actually work but I do think its an interesting idea in theory. If it was possible to form a united group of a few thousand players, who collectively rake millions of $$$'s per year, this would create the ability to lobby for significant change in the industry.

What exactly could this "Union" do to change any of the new/future policies? Its not like Stars is unaware that these changes will be looked at negatively within the community, they have us by the balls.

The reason why anyone starts a union and what was posted in the OP: lobbying

I like the idea. Im willing to lobby against them entering the US if they keep this up.



They also added a PCA tournament called double bubble. Which is a massive rake trapped cash game essentially.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...ormat-1469898/

Nah

Somebody would run off with the dues. Then someone would have to make a thread about it. It's just too much.

lol gl getting a bunch of selfish greedy pigs to sacrifice money in an effort to come together for a common good.and even if it worked watch as stars laughs in your face.

I'm all for it.

Something has to give here.

I'm in!

But only if the guy who did this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyD032ZvwuU (Socks + laminate floor = WIN)

does the same to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdOCWUgwiWs


(seriously though 2+2 is a kind of a union, shouting and outing)

Yeah you are right... better keep giving the money to that one monopoly pokersite instead of trying to move something to better our position...

What he is saying is exactly right.

It's not about what should happen or whether or not this happening would be a good thing - it's about what can and will happen. And poker players in general looking beyond their own short term gain to join something like this is not happening - this has been proven time and time again.

Poker players couldn't even boycott ub after the scandal but kept them in business because "OMG SOFT GAMES!".

This would never work because of 2 reasons:

1. Poker players are notoriously awful at organising things collectively.

2. Poker players are greedy and selfish people by nature.

I am with that union if it is going to give players more power.

im in.

How would the union function? Who would be the top decision maker(s)? How would a union make things better?

It's a great idea in theory, but in practice, with no major alternative sites from Amaya, and people having bills to pay and/or gambling vices, is the unions threat going to be to tell it's members to cash out and not play?

What you need is another alternative to threaten the oppressors with. Amaya knows there is no competition, they have almost all of us by the testicles (or ovaries).

good idea

Since I created an account on Pokerstars back in 2004, I'd like to use my union seniority to exchange my bronze star with a SNE who created their account in 2009.

I'm sensing that a lot of high volume regs who never deposit are under the delusion that Stars needs their business.

I sense you underestimate how much Regs generate in income through rake and word of mouth/exposure that aids to new deposits.

I get so tired of NVG posters

When the PPA was starting they offered a T Shirt along with a deposit bonus at Pokerstars if I recall properly. I actually still have the T Shirt!

I suggest the union offer something similar.

To those with 6 posts who are happy to be "in" you should also be clear how much you are willing to pay in annual dues to be part of this union. Everyone can scream on the internet in a thread, but to do actual work I suspect the people behind it will want to be paid.

What leverage would the union have over Stars? Over its members? Over its non-members? Have you even tried asking yourself that question, OP?

As someone who hasn't played on Stars since 4/15/2011 and/or much online poker since then, How much should we pay? There are tons of 100NL/PL players out there paying absurd rakes when there is no reason not to be raked that much.

PPA is a joke, but then again, not much to be expected from them.


It is quite clear that the most important thing in politics is money. The players of poker don't need a union (although it would be nice). What they need is a lobbyist (or group of lobbiers) whispering in the ears of house representatives (while slipping them a few hundred thousand) to vote upon the legalization of online poker in the United States and have it regulated and taxed fairly.

OP Also this:

WCOOP main event selling image

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/61...tions-1450251/

And this:

2015 Pokerstars VIP changes

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/28...anges-1481864/

it's better to live in the real world and realize this crap will never work especially in the current poker climate where stars has you by the balls.

I'm in .. Only if it maintains a degreee of professionalism and respect for all players and the gaming sites.

Stars has the poker players by the balls?

Funny. I thought that was the US Congress that has us by the balls.

Keep thinking this is Stars fault and not the politicians that run this world.