Partypoker to "level playing field" with poker ecology changes
Decision to restrict tracking software and name players only after first hand is dealt is aimed at attracting more casual players
Partypoker plans to roll out the “most significant” set of changes to its player ecosystem yet as the bwin.party brand bids to “level the playing field” and attract more casual players.
The changes, which are expected to come into effect within the next few weeks, will restrict the use of tracking software such as HUDs, seating scripts and the sharing of hand histories as the operator attempts to revive the struggling vertical.
Under the changes, players will no longer be able to download and save their hand histories, although they can be viewed within the ‘Mission’ icon in the partypoker software.
Players wishing to wait for a cash game will join the room-wide waiting list and be randomly seated when a seat matching their preference becomes available.
Finally, players joining a cash game will only see the names of their opponents once their first hand has been dealt.
The changes form part of the operators ‘Poker for the People’ campaign, which launched back in February aimed at attracting land based players to its online offering.
“As part of our Poker for the People campaign, the partypoker team is committed to providing all poker players, regardless of experience or skill levels, with trusted poker products that are fair, ethical, and fun,” Golan Shaked, bwin.party director of games, said.
“We will continue working with the wider poker community on developing a mutually beneficial, trusting relationship,” he added.
Partypoker’s decision to overhaul its poker economy comes just months after Full Tilt announced a raft of changes to its ring game lobby and rewards system in a bid to attract more casual players.
What will become of partypoker following GVC Holding’s £1.1bn acquisition of bwin.party remains to be seen, with some expecting Amaya Gaming to snap-up the brand and platform.