Is PokerStars Ruining The Chance to Legalize Poker Nationwide in The US?

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MstrBlast3r

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This is a rather simple question that I would like to hear others thoughts.

Is poker stars(and other sides that are following their example) ruining any possibility of getting online poker legalized in the US?

By introducing games like spin and go's and basically taking skill out of the game and introducing more of an element of luck, are they actually hurting themselves long term by permanently locking out the whole of the US market?

I understand Poker Stars (and others) desire to "make fun poker games" for recreational players who would normally lose. They want to make more money and to do that they need more players. The argument has always been that poker is a game of skill and should not be lumped in with other gambling. By introducing these quirky luck based games are they not hurting that argument.

I think if the Online Poker industry would make a more concerted effort to get poker legalized at a federal level in the USA, more poker players would no longer be the biggest issue facing sites.

Just my thoughts on the subject I would be interested to hear yours.
 
Iryna Stryzheuskaya

Iryna Stryzheuskaya

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I do not understand why banning poker. In any country.
 
OzExorcist

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I don't see what the big deal is - if Spin and Go's are a legal problem in America then they can always just agree to not offer them to the American market.

They've proven very willing to adapt their platform to the requirements of all the other jurisdictions around the world, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't do the same thing again.
 
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Axboy

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Did not follow the logic behind that statement OP, I get that you dont like the fact that PS has intro a shorter duration spin and go but to make it seem like there is no skill involved would be unfair against the specialists who live off just this type of structure.
 
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MstrBlast3r

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Did not follow the logic behind that statement OP, I get that you dont like the fact that PS has intro a shorter duration spin and go but to make it seem like there is no skill involved would be unfair against the specialists who live off just this type of structure.

I can't play on Poker Stars(well not for real money) but my understanding is you play a set number of hands and then it spins all players left essentially throwing any and all skill out the window. It's a pure gamble like a slot machine. By presenting them as poker games you undermine the notion that poker is a game of skill and not a game of chance. This kind of thinking will only hurt poker IMHO.

The reasoning for these changes has been primarily to give rec players more of a chance to win even if they do not have the skill, thus bringing more players to the sites. My contention is a real effort on the part of all legitimate online poker sites lobbying congress in the US to legalize poker would have a better effect and keep poker ... well poker ... and not turn it into a carnival game. If poker was legalized across all states in the US I don't think player acquisition would be much of a problem for sites.

It is possible that the online poker industry is making these efforts and I just don't know it. It was just an idea I had and would like to hear others opinion.
 
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Axboy

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I can't view it from a US perspective as an outsider.
But atleast to me, i find that there are several sites all ready on the US market which handle the same or close to the same kind of structure that pokerstars has on it's current program (mimics from PS in some form).

I can agree with you on the "Why take the risk" side of the things.
And your clarification about rec players certainly makes more sense reading it twice.

For me as a outsider, my best guess would be that Pokerstars will bend over backwards to get back into the US market (There are alot of you guys and gals that enjoy poker).
We are just not seeing the Meetings, loobying etc that is happening.

If i read you correctly, then i would hope to assume that you want it (PS) back in and want to play with the rest of us.
My plan of action would be to check out what the casino or cardrooms are saying about their stance towards Legalized gambling, spesificly not giving any money to those that are in bed with Sheldon Adelson etc.

(If there are any grammatical errors, please know that English is my second language).
 
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MstrBlast3r

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Absolutely it is not just Poker Stars ... They are just the biggest fish in the pond and tend to drive the trend.

I am definitely in favor of poker being made legal in all of the US and have actually had a chance to discuss it with my congressman in the past. I just wish it would happen at a much faster pace ... lol
 
OzExorcist

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I can't play on Poker Stars(well not for real money) but my understanding is you play a set number of hands and then it spins all players left essentially throwing any and all skill out the window. It's a pure gamble like a slot machine. By presenting them as poker games you undermine the notion that poker is a game of skill and not a game of chance. This kind of thinking will only hurt poker IMHO.

So that's absolutely not how a Spin and Go works. Here's what they actually are: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/spin-and-go/

Short version: they're three-player hyper-turbo SnGs with a randomised prize pool. The size of the winner's prize is a pure gamble, but once the game starts it's just a normal poker game.
 
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Aparajit

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Online poker always will have loopholes and some govts let them pass. Some are strict,
 
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MstrBlast3r

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Fastone2

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I think that the government needs to get involved to regulate the poker scams. Make it legal and safe for us to play poker. And to monitor all poker sites, at all times.
Pokerstars is not my interest. I don't play on their sites. Honestly, its the bad poker sites that make the game, less attractive for corruption reasons.
 
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22meandu

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Happy to see the Good Old US of A languishing in the online pokerless quagmire they created .
Not only did you kill progressive competitiveness ,you allowed PokerStars to become a monolith that sold out to a gambling institution.
Poker is now no different to black jack and other games of chance.
Dont get me wrong : would love to see a US poker only site flourish, but ,sad to say this wont happen because as previously stated , PS will connive their way into the market and then continue to squeeze out everything great about the game of poker .
Lederer ; Ferguson , you started the rot . I dont know you but i dislike you immensely.
 
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22meandu

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Happy to see the Good Old US of A languishing in the online pokerless quagmire they created .
Not only did you kill progressive competitiveness ,you allowed PokerStars to become a monolith that sold out to a gambling institution.
Poker is now no different to black jack and other games of chance.
Dont get me wrong : would love to see a US poker only site flourish, but ,sad to say this wont happen because as previously stated , PS will connive their way into the market and then continue to squeeze out everything great about the game of poker .
Lederer ; Ferguson , you started the rot . I dont know you but i dislike you immensely.
 
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zannie27

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I've never been a fan of Pokerstars even before the ban.. It seems to me though that a lot of the sites that were banned were the better sites,like party poker,Full tilt,Titan,and Absolute poker just to name a few.. I never understood what the ban was about and who has the right say what site you have to play at.. But yep I agree Pokerstars does now and always has sucked..
 
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exodusj

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In all honesty the argument can be made that there is an equity edge in skill in those games. Granted the rake kills you, there are still edges to be made by some players. When that is the case Pokerstars could make the claim of a skill game even then. However, I would agree with previous sentiments that more than likely they could just agree not to offer such games like they don't offer the casino option in all versions of Pokerstars.

Pokerstars is needed to further the poker market in America again. Full Tilt was the big black sheep and Pokerstars going back after purchasing and paying back players is a good way to showcase themselves and advocate positive advancements in a legal poker market in America.
 
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