Isaac Haxton Leaves Pokerstars

themrsmith

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Just wanted to hear everyones thoughts on Ike leaving PS. I think it's a good thing for poker but just my opinion. This is a quote from Ike on twoplustwo

"As of today, I am sad to report that my PokerStars Team Pro Online contract has expired and I have made the decision not to renew it.

In November, as I'm sure most of you know, Stars announced a number of unpopular changes to their VIP program (details here, if you're not familiar: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/28...-club-1568814/). There have been times when I have not seen eye to eye with PokerStars. I have vehemently opposed certain changes that were made or lobbied strongly in favor of changes which were not implemented. At the end of the day, though, I have always respected that those decisions were not mine to make and remained enthusiastic about endorsing the brand. This time is different. In the past, when I have disagreed with a PokerStars decision, it has been on practical matters of which goals are most important and which policies most effectively advance those goals. This time my disagreement is simpler, and deeper. I believe PokerStars is behaving unethically.

There's a lot not to like about these most recent changes and the way they've been communicated, but there's one aspect that I just can't accept. Announcing in November that players who earned Supernova and Supernova Elite status in 2015 will not receive the benefits they had expected in 2016 strikes me as dishonest and unfair. As a four time SNE, I know what it takes to rake 1M VPP in a year. It's a tough grind. For most of the players who do it, it is an all-consuming commitment more intense than most full time jobs. Many of them have relocated far from their homes and families to pursue it. Finding out, just as you approach the finish line, that your efforts will not be rewarded as you expected them to be is brutal. I cannot in good conscience continue to endorse a poker site that treats its players this way.
This is a difficult day for me and I'm truly sad to be parting ways like this with a company that I once held in such high regard. In 2012, when I first signed with PokerStars, it was one of my proudest moments in my career as a professional poker player. The PokerStars brand was beloved by the poker community and had a well established and well deserved reputation for treating its players well. I felt thrilled and honored to have my name associated with it. And for the most part, my time at the company has been a true honor and it has been an experience I'll always be grateful for. I've learned a lot about how the poker industry works, I've made good money, and I've had the opportunity to meet and work with incredible people, both other sponsored pros and PokerStars employees. I'm proud to call many of these people my friends and it hurts to know that I won't have the chance to work with them in the same way again.

I am, however, happy and relieved to now be able to speak candidly about the recent changes. I have every intention of responding to questions and I'm excited to join the ongoing conversation. Unfortunately, as I'm going to have to actually earn my living by winning at poker this year, I'm on the next flight to Manila. Please be patient with me if my responses come slowly and at irregular intervals. Happy new year, everyone!"
 
MAdesG

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Wow I can Believe it , that's a bad new I don't like but if he did that it means that he have many reasons but I hope to see him again
 
PCK

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What PS did with this changes is not good for online poker.All the respect for Ike and Alex Millar for their decision
 
Figaroo2

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It's a good kick in the nutz for Stars and they deserve it. They have lost Coren and now Ike. I'm hoping DN LB & JC will do the same the company deserves it for abandoning a rewards program that made it great in the first place.
I've always liked and respected Ike since that first great bluff at PCA FT. Rival Companies should be lining up at his door.
 
Frontiere

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I say respect to Ike, they do what other players want say because pokerstars give them money. Negreanu defend new rules on PokerStars on subtitle way. Not good. Pokerstars goes down
 
toots babos

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it's a nice gesture for him to resign but at the same time i imagine his work for stars was already done, i can't imagine a lot of new players were signing up due to Haxton being affiliated with the site as im sure alot of new players wouldn't even know who he is and those that do know who he is will already have an idea about online poker and where to go.

next i think either jake cody or liv boeree will be the next candidates to "resign"
 
Debi

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I don't mind their changes and understand why they are making them - but anyone who worked for those statuses in 2015 with the expectation of receiving specific awards should get them. They can roll out these changes with those players grandfathered in to their original deals and that is what they should do.
 
fubarcdn

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I have to agree 100% that they should have honored their program for the year that was in progress. I also agree that it was too generous to their high rakers and Haxton even accidentally alluded to that with this statement.

I'm going to have to actually earn my living by winning at poker this year.

I don't know how much it would have cost poker stars to honor their commitments but from some of the comments here and else where they have created an image issue that they could have avoided and can still make right.

It reminds me of Christmas Vacation the movie where Chevy Chases boss revoked the bonuses and then reinstated them when he was called out on it.
 
Vladimir Smugly

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If such players leave then maybe this will cause PokerStars to listen to the voice of the poker community. In any case, I respect this decision. As a player who plays mostly in freerolls for me, these changes also do not like.
 
naruto_miu

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I never made Platinum let alone SN or SNE, but I honestly don't understand the Issue with the changes. I mean I thought It was to make It easier for players to make such levels In the game and thus would be better over all In the end no?
 
scorpion1367

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Interesting read thanks for sharing.....scorp
 
themrsmith

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I don't mind their changes and understand why they are making them - but anyone who worked for those statuses in 2015 with the expectation of receiving specific awards should get them. They can roll out these changes with those players grandfathered in to their original deals and that is what they should do.

I believe they are making the changes so they won't have to payout the frequent grinders (or people that earn a living), allowing them to increase 'enticing' opportunities for people that play less. AKA putting more $$ in their pockets IMO. Also, I would agree that they should have kept their word and it just leaves a bad impression of what PS represents by not keeping it. I have never played on PS due to where I live but would be skeptical to support the company after a shady move like that (if I ever had the opportunity to play on their software).
 
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Announcing in November that players who earned Supernova and Supernova Elite status in 2015 will not receive the benefits they had expected in 2016 strikes me as dishonest and unfair.

Kind of sums it up. Does the Trades description Act apply to Poker :rolleyes:
 
Daniel72

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A precondition for beeing a team online member was the supernova elite title.
Now this supernova elite status no more exists.
Is the team online now superfluous and will be closed?
 
bitowl

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I'm glad that ike has had enough success to be able to walk away after stars crossed the line.

Pulling the rug out from under the people attempting super nova elite is so scummy it's hard to believe a public company would attempt such a thing. They're a monopoly and they're acting like it.
 
iflylight

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Ike Haxton and Kanu7 resigning from Pokerstars

Very sad to hear but from the looks of it they didnt like the direction the Amaya was going with pokerstar. Whats your guy's opinions on this. Do you think Amaya is ruining pokerstars?
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/2...ne-poker-report/resigning-pokerstars-1579285/
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/2...llar-shows-integrity-his-resignation-1576675/
https://www.highstakesdb.com/6441-ike-haxton-resigns-from-pokerstars.aspx
https://www.highstakesdb.com/6403-alex-kanu7-millar-parts-ways-with-pokerstars.aspx
 
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That's it, this guy just became my favourite poker player!
He actually threw away all the comfort that came from Poker Stars in exchange for his beliefs and that's something. Not to mention the material world that we live in...
Thanks for posting!
 
Poker Orifice

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I never made Platinum let alone SN or SNE, but I honestly don't understand the Issue with the changes. I mean I thought It was to make It easier for players to make such levels In the game and thus would be better over all In the end no?

You don't understand the 'issue' with the changes? I'm guessing you haven't read any of the recent articles over the past month regarding this? (ie. Danny Stern's stuff or even Daniel 'company man' Negreanu).
 
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Nice fold Ike!

honestly, i have not heard any positive from the changes!
 
BigJamo

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Yeah he seems pretty smart really.
I think we will look back in a few months and it will all be just in the past.
 
FanatsLV

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Its bad news I like watching when he play on high stake tables.
 
V

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if its true RESPECT!
but something tells me he can continue playing under a new nick :):)
 
naruto_miu

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You don't understand the 'issue' with the changes? I'm guessing you haven't read any of the recent articles over the past month regarding this? (ie. Danny Stern's stuff or even Daniel 'company man' Negreanu).

Meh, you should know me by now, I don't keep up with all these changes, I'm just a degen gambler with dreams:D
 
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