In January of 2019 another bad news from PokerStars arrived. The room decided to expand the list of prohibited for use during the game software. Soon it will be against the rules to use scripts and programs that allow you to automatically sit at the tables and select them based on information about your villains. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2019.
Worth noting, that the developers of the corresponding software were the first to find out about the upcoming changes. PokerStars sent them letters with a new version of the rules for third-party software.
For several years, PokerStars has been trying to solve the problem of table selection in one way or another. In the Italian and Spanish pools there is the «Seat Me» system, in which there is basically no such thing as table selection. This system randomly places all players at the tables of the selected limit. It is quite possible that in the future this system will be implemented in the international pool.
In addition to the programs for table selection, PokerStars decided to ban any software that has the following functionality:
- randomization of betsizings;
- automatic HUD update based on stack sizes and positions at the table;
- delay of an action for a specific time.
Types of programs for table selection
Programs that allow you to select tables based on information about your opponents can be divided into 2 categories:
1) those that use your database to search for fish players;
2) those that use the color labels you have placed on your villains.
The first category includes software like TableScanner and TableScan Turbo, and the second category includes auto-seat scripts like Magic Seat.
Rooms where table selection is prohibited
PokerStars is not the first room that has decided to prohibit the programs for table selection and auto-seat scripts. Similar restrictions already exist in rooms such as partypoker and 888poker.
In the last couple of years, poker rooms have put a lot of effort into improving poker ecology through limiting the use of professional software. Who knows, maybe even HUDs will be banned in a couple of years.
Where to play with table selection
Luckily for us, there are many other rooms besides PokerStars, partypoker and 888poker.
If you don’t want to play without the programs for table selection and auto-seat scripts, then it makes sense to look in the direction of less popular poker networks, which currently don’t prohibit such software:
- Microgaming Poker Network
- Winning Poker Network
- iPoker
- Chico
Let’s look at the benefits of each of these networks.
The iPoker Network
This network has been working for more than 10 years. It includes dozens of different skins.
All skins use the same poker client developed by the Playtech company. All trackers and programs for table selection work without any problems.
The iPoker network is famous for good traffic and a great rakeback. The most noticeable disadvantage of the network is a relatively high rake, but a good rakeback allows you not to worry too much about the rake.
PokerProDeals offers the best conditions for playing at the following skins of the iPoker network: Betfair Poker , Winner Poker and Coral Poker.
For example, if you play at Winner Poker through PokerProDeals, your rakeback can reach 70%.
There is actually another room that deserves special attention – iPoker.it. This is an Italian reservation with very soft fields. Almost all action is focused at NLHE cash tables in the evening in Europe.
The Microgaming Poker Network (MPN)
The Microgaming Poker Network has been working for more than 15 years and has always been amongst the industry leaders. The network has a pretty good cash game traffic (especially at low and mid stakes) and a solid MTT schedule.
The client has lots of different settings for the most comfortable grind. Trackers and programs for table selection work directly.
The best skins for of the MPN: RedStar Poker, PokerLoco and Betsson Poker. If you play at any of these rooms through PokerProDeals you can receive up to 50% rakeback.
The Chico Network
This is a relatively young network, which began to gain its popularity since 2014. Chico is one of the few networks that allow you to play with fish players from the USA.
All rooms of this network offer great first deposit bonuses, exchange of points, and if you play at any of these rooms through PokerProDeals you can receive up to 60% rakeback.
The deal is available at the following rooms: TigerGaming, BetOnline Poker and SportsBetting Poker
The poker client used by the Chico network doesn’t have lots of settings.
Trackers are not supported, so you will need a special converter that works only for cash games.
The Winning Poker Network(WPN)
This is another poker network that accepts players from the USA. It was established back in 2012. Over the past few years, WPNhas been able to increase traffic almost 3 times.
The peak hours happen at night in Moscow, but the ability to play with fish from the USA is totally worth it.
PokerKing is the most popular room of the MPN. It has a Russian site and Russian-language support. If you play at PokerKing through PokerProDeals you can receive up to 70% rakeback.
The PokerKing client is pretty standard. The only disadvantage is that you can’t see hands mucked by your opponent. The client can be customized by using third-party software. Trackers work directly.
Resume
The biggest poker rooms continue to fight with regulars. The list of prohibited software is getting bigger, and bonus programs are getting worse. However, there are still many networks and rooms that are ready to offer decent conditions to all players, including regulars.
Just contact us and we will find a suitable poker room for you.