In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
Partypoker’s new rake cap for high stakes cash games
Major operators across the online poker front have been increasingly competitive in recent years with newcomers and modern additions shifting the player market share altogether. Alongside exciting games and more tempting promotions, two-decade long partypoker is keeping up with today’s challenges by updating its rake cap system for its high stakes cash game tables.
In its announcement, changes to No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games $25/$50, $50/$100, $100/$200, and $200/$400 have been implemented since, whilst keeping the rake percentage the same at 5%. Increased figures of the recent changes are seen below for both poker variants.
No-Limit Hold’em Rake Cap Changes
Pot-Limit Omaha Rake Cap Changes
Winning Poker Network launches Play It Safe feature
After its introduction of a staking feature over two weeks ago, US-friendly Winning Poker Network has rolled out another interesting surprise for its budding user-base. The network’s latest update sees the extraordinary Play It Safe feature which allows players to “collect the value of your hand without having to play your hand to its conclusion”, as stated in Americas Cardroom’s website. Launched last October 27th, the Play It Safe feature is available on sites PokerKing, Americas Cardroom, and Black Chip Poker.
Play It Safe Payout = (pot size – rake) x probability of winning
The all-in insurance module gives players the option to either minimize their own risks and take a calculated payout before the runout is shown, or carry on normally as one would. The feature comes into play when an all-in situation occurs and hole cards are revealed following the formula above. Additionally, a 1% fee is collected by the site for every insured pot, already deducted from the presented payout.
PokerStars requires Russian market to play on dedicated Sochi client
In accordance with local regulations, players located in Russia were greeted with an announcement just before the month of October ends. The notice made it known that a move to the PokerStars Sochi client was required beginning November 2, 2021 for all online games available to the country. The dedicated Sochi client was first launched in December 2018 to cater to players looking for a more affordable way to qualify for major festivals in the region.
While this may ultimately mean an end to casino games from the standard platform, players luckily do not have to go through the hassle of creating new accounts or withdrawing existing funds. As reported, the switch would not affect login details, balances or game histories in any way. News however, on whether a shared player pool with the international market or an independent one for Russia will be adapted remains to be known.
