PokerStars to Simplify Lobby with Merger of “Regular” and “Fast” Tables
Time to act unified across games and stakes.
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By Jocelyn Wood
January 17, 2013
In a move signaled last August, PokerStars has announced changes to ring game table speeds. The separation of Fast and Normal speed tables will end across all games and stakes.
The time allowed to act will now be based on only two factors: The game type, and the previous action. Preflop decisions in unraised pots will be allotted less time, with more complex preflop and all postflop decisions having more.
The previous timings allowed 15s for Fixed Limit and 18s for Big Bet games on fast tables and 25s and 35s respectively at Normal tables.
The warning that players are running out of time will now go off when there are eight seconds remaining. Previously Normal tables allowed 15 seconds.
If the option to “auto-muck” is not activated, players will have two seconds to decide whether to show before the hand is mucked.
The changes will be implemented this week and lobby banners will warn players to expect the new timings. Currently the lobby shows fast and normal tables. The timings are being implemented first on the “fast” tables, and then when normal tables are phased out next week the “fast” moniker will be dropped.
One contentious issue is the treatment of both PLO and NL tables as the same. PokerStars stated that they did consider giving PLO players longer timings, but, following subsequent analysis, decided that the same times were appropriate.
Some PLO players argue the additional complexity of the game deserves increased time to consider actions. PokerStars supported its decision by stating that, though slightly more time is used in PLO, the difference is small. In addition, more actions take place post-flop in PLO, so the total time for action will increase on average with the new system.
Pokerfuse first reported the proposed changes back in August, but PokerStars opted to delay the rollout as it consulted more with players.
Time to act unified across games and stakes.
Share:
By Jocelyn Wood
January 17, 2013
In a move signaled last August, PokerStars has announced changes to ring game table speeds. The separation of Fast and Normal speed tables will end across all games and stakes.
The time allowed to act will now be based on only two factors: The game type, and the previous action. Preflop decisions in unraised pots will be allotted less time, with more complex preflop and all postflop decisions having more.
The previous timings allowed 15s for Fixed Limit and 18s for Big Bet games on fast tables and 25s and 35s respectively at Normal tables.
The warning that players are running out of time will now go off when there are eight seconds remaining. Previously Normal tables allowed 15 seconds.
If the option to “auto-muck” is not activated, players will have two seconds to decide whether to show before the hand is mucked.
The changes will be implemented this week and lobby banners will warn players to expect the new timings. Currently the lobby shows fast and normal tables. The timings are being implemented first on the “fast” tables, and then when normal tables are phased out next week the “fast” moniker will be dropped.
One contentious issue is the treatment of both PLO and NL tables as the same. PokerStars stated that they did consider giving PLO players longer timings, but, following subsequent analysis, decided that the same times were appropriate.
Some PLO players argue the additional complexity of the game deserves increased time to consider actions. PokerStars supported its decision by stating that, though slightly more time is used in PLO, the difference is small. In addition, more actions take place post-flop in PLO, so the total time for action will increase on average with the new system.
Pokerfuse first reported the proposed changes back in August, but PokerStars opted to delay the rollout as it consulted more with players.
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