Wynn and PokerStars Changes Show Player Input Matters
Poker players sometimes feel unheard. They complain into the social media void and wonder why nothing ever changes. Others, however, loop the focus of the complaint into the social media post or forward it, and that well-reasoned and considerate concern then makes its way to the people who can make decisions.
In the past, the World Poker Tour and even the World Series of Poker have heard player concerns and made changes to structures, buy-ins, and schedules. It shows that they’re listening and that they care about their players. Online poker sites have done this as well, PokerStars, partypoker, Unibet, and WPT Global among them.
The latest poker entities to make changes in policy to accommodate players and broaden their appeal are Wynn Poker in Las Vegas and the PokerStars LIVE.
PokerStars LIVE: Numerous Changes
Since PokerStars hosted its last European Poker Tour stop – EPT Monte Carlo in late April and early May – the company has been planning some changes to its tour action. Some of the feedback they received came from players at the PokerStars LIVE events and some online, but the team also watched other poker tours. In particular, PokerStars watched the confusion at the 2024 World Series of Poker this summer in Las Vegas.
By the time organizers were ready to kick off EPT Barcelona, PokerStars LIVE Event Advisor Kenny Hallaert had changes to announce.
The last of those rules, the one pertaining to solvers and charts, appeared to be a result of the WSOP Main Event final table, at which eventual champion Jonathan Tamayo consulted with friends on the rail as they ran numbers and used solvers to dictate decisions at the table. Other incidents from the past year likely influenced the new rule as well. And the result was a solid, clear mandate.
The consideration of removing phones had similar roots but was primarily a result of the potential cheating allegations. As dealers pitching cards can present a millisecond of an opportunity for someone with a camera to capture the identity of said cards, dealers will implement the sliding of cards instead of pitching.
As for the redraw and shot clock rule changes, player input was the primary inspiration.
The full list of PokerStars LIVE rules is available online.
Wynn Cash Game Changes
As the Wynn Signature Series played at the Wynn Las Vegas poker room and ahead of the Wynn Fall Classic in October, management decided to implement some new rules for their cash game players. Tournaments are certainly popular at Wynn, but it is also widely recognized as a favorite place for cash games in Las Vegas.
The new rules apply to No Limit Hold’em cash games at the $5/$10 and $10/$20 stakes.
The big news was the elimination of straddles in the games. The straddle has become more popular in the last few years as a way to create more action and bigger pots. Essentially, it keeps players interested and putting more on the line. But the unintended effect was that it discouraged some recreational players, as they had to risk more just to play at stakes for which they initially believed their bankrolls could handle. It can also confuse some newer players, making the games simply overwhelming in many respects.
The implementation of the big blind ante in cash games, on the other hand, is meant to inspire more action but in a way that includes recreationals. It gives them more incentive to enter pots but not at the rate or player discretion of a straddle.
Players inspired the other changes as well, including the new buy-in ranges.
TDA Changes from Summer Summit
Every two years, the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) hosts a summit in Las Vegas for poker industry professionals and players. The schedule usually puts it at the end of June – during the World Series of Poker but before the Main Event. It is an opportunity to discuss poker tournament rules that most poker rooms around the world adopt as their standards.
Any proposed changes deemed necessary by a majority of attendees receive a vote and, if approved, become a part of the TDA rules.
This year, it appears that the major rule change pertains to big blinds when the big blind ante is in play. Essentially, a short-stacked player who cannot post both the big blind and ante will simply post the big blind first.
The 2024 changes have yet to be formalized and posted on the TDA website. The last version of the rules is dated September 1, 2022. When the new ones appear, they will become a part of the official TDA rules.
*Wynn photo credit: Melissa Haereiti via PokerNews
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