Pokerstars Removes Regluar Heads Up Tables

Posted 8 years ago

Quote from Stars:



You are receiving this message because you have played Heads-Up cash games on PokerStars within the last 3 months.

We are writing to inform you that as of Friday 12th February No Limit Hold'em, Fixed Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha Heads-Up regular tables will be removed and will be replaced with Zoom pools.

Heads-Up Zoom is already in place at most stakes and will be added at $50/$100. We will also be adding Zoom No Limit Hold'em Cap games at stakes up to $25/$50.

This change is part of our commitment to reducing predatory behaviour and improving the recreational player experience.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.



What do you think about this for the future of poker? I'm expecting to see HU games removed on most sites before the end of the year, 6-max getting a little softer and perhaps 9-max tables springing back to life.


Archinator

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Archinator

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Posted 8 years ago
Good!

Said 5 years ago this should be all the heads up allowed online. Still tons of fish to spread out and forces these bum hunters to have to battle it out. Also as a player it will improve their game playing with so many types every hand.

Posted 8 years ago
Don't they only have HU tables at $50NL and higher? How many recreational players is this really going to help?

Seems they really are in the mood for big changes, and I hope you are right about 6 max getting softer, and FR making a come back. There's plenty of FR action on Stars under 200NL anyway. It's off Stars and 888 where it's a bit thin.

Posted 8 years ago
Do you not think all games should be zoom? Like if the only option for cash online was zoom would this be better for the economy?
Posted 8 years ago
Jon-PokerVIP: Do you not think all games should be zoom? Like if the only option for cash online was zoom would this be better for the economy?


Tough for me not to be biased, as I've played almost exclusively Zoom for the last 4 years.

I think there would be some percentage of the player pool that would refuse to carry on with cash, if this was the case. IMO there has to be some cross over with the live scene, otherwise we might end up with players who will only play one or the other, as they see themselves as a player type based on reads, and psychology. These guys are the sort who will view Zoom as just clicking buttons by HUDtards.

Having thought about it further, I'm not sure I like the sound of a heads up Zoom pool. Isn't that getting away from what that niche is all about? Even a recreational player understands that if the guy he's up against is better than him, he can lose his money fast.

All this talk of protecting players seems to be leading to a state of affairs where it might end up impossible to be a long term winner. Removing options for pros to increase their edge, with rake increases, and super low edge games such as Spin n Go isn't the future I was hoping for with poker.
Posted 8 years ago
Jon-PokerVIP: Do you not think all games should be zoom? Like if the only option for cash online was zoom would this be better for the economy?


I think this would be the best and biggest move for the online poker economy!
Posted 8 years ago
Jon-PokerVIP: Do you not think all games should be zoom? Like if the only option for cash online was zoom would this be better for the economy?
I think so, regs and pros may not like it as there edges would be smaller as they can no longer table select.

I consider myself as a rec as I don't play often but when I do, I go straight to Zoom because it's the most fun format out there.
Posted 8 years ago
If you grind heads up cash games on Stars or just anywhere at all I just created a thread highlighting the best sites to play on Here
Posted 8 years ago
I'll admit to being an old man, but I've only played Zoom for a few minutes, and I honestly don't understand the appeal of not getting to know the players at your table.
Posted 8 years ago
Harvie:
Jon-PokerVIP: Do you not think all games should be zoom? Like if the only option for cash online was zoom would this be better for the economy?
I think so, regs and pros may not like it as there edges would be smaller as they can no longer table select.



What about the new Party Poker system where you just join a waiting list for that stake and get seated at a random table, and don't get to see the names of your opponents until after you've played the first hand
Posted 8 years ago
CycleVancouver: I'll admit to being an old man, but I've only played Zoom for a few minutes, and I honestly don't understand the appeal of not getting to know the players at your table.


I was the same until 2012, but with a database that grows at such a quick speed you'll find yourself knowing quite a lot about the players you run into.

It's also something maybe more attractive for players who enjoy the technical side of the game but feel weak in psychology.
Posted 8 years ago
The reason they ditched the heads up tables comes down to the poker economy.

They found by analysing their data that new players that played Hu were far less likely to have an enjoyable experience and therefore they often didn't play again.

making it zoom stops bum hunting, making it more enjoyable for the recreationals who are then more likely to play again in the future.
Posted 8 years ago
Archinator: The reason they ditched the heads up tables comes down to the poker economy.

They found by analysing their data that new players that played Hu were far less likely to have an enjoyable experience and therefore they often didn't play again.

making it zoom stops bum hunting, making it more enjoyable for the recreationals who are then more likely to play again in the future.


I think we all knew why they did it buddy haha
Posted 8 years ago
oh right lol, at least it was worthy of a point in the comp haha