Pokerstars caused a bit of an uproar to mark the turning of the calendar when last week (which was also last year) the site announced certain changes to its VIP program and its rake structure.
In a Bank of America style backlash, PokerStars players came out to the online forums by the scores to protest the actions.
One of the two controversial changes was from the former “dealt” method of calculating VIP Player Points (VPPs) to a new “weighted contributed” method. In the dealt method, all players dealt cards in the hand received an even share of the VPPs for that hand. In the weighted contributed method, those same number of VPPs are distributed, instead, according to how much money each player put into the pot. Players who fold before the flop will now receive none of the share. All of this obviously disadvantages tighter players by encouraging lots of action.
The other controversial changes were to Poker Stars’ rake structure. Designed to simplify the process on PokerStars’ end, the changes that include lower rake percentages and new rake caps seem only to reduce the amount of rake most players will be able to get.
By the same token, even a Poker Stars representative admits that the new VPP calculation method will have the effect of reducing the number of VPPs awarded in any given period as well.
PokerStars’ reaction to the protest? Poker Stars is moving forward still with the change to the VPP calculation method but has decided to put its rake structure changes (including the caps) on hold pending further study.