PartyPoker’s announced intention to make changes in order to ensure a level field for all players continued to progress this week with the completion of the first phase of the plan it has titled Poker for the People.
The release of a software update on Thursday heralding the completion, and included restrictions on third party software to prevent seating and table manipulation.
Players wishing to wait for a cash game will now join a room-wide waiting list and be randomly seated when a seat that matches their preference becomes available, and players joining a cash game will see the names of their opponents only once their first hand is dealt.
PartyPoker ambassador Mike Sexton commented:.
“As a professional poker player, I understand players who seek out games with weaker players, but they must realise that those being ‘stalked’ will most likely quit playing if the same user names continually show up at their table when they opt to play. Losing these players is not good for the everyday player or the site. Personally, I think it’s great that recreational players are being protected from those using third party software.”
The next phase will involve hand histories, which will no longer be saved on the players’ machines or be available in downloadable format; instead players will be able to view their individual hand histories via the PartyPoker client. The intention here is again to restrict the use of third party software such as PokerTracker 4 and Holdem Manager 2.