Last week, we reported about PokerStars HUSNG regs "going on strike" by ceasing all reg battles, from the $60 division on up, until 11 November to protest PokerStars's recent rake increases. We now would like to present the thoughts of several regs that we've spoken to on the rake increase, the strike, and the game's future in general.

I was very surprised when I heard about the changes, because I was expecting the opposite. Players on different forums were talking about how spin & goes are killing the action, and were writing petitions to Pokerstars to lower the rake and decrease the maximum multiplier (it would have made the variance somewhat tolerable and possibly would have attracted regulars too). Instead, they did the exact opposite while making other formats less profitable too. I think it says clearly that Amaya does not care about skill and hard work, and I'm afraid that their future decisions will further decrease the livelihood of people who don't want mindless gambling. Watch out for the casino formats and battlenet.

Xblackdahlia ($30-$60)

Didn't like the strike idea because I think if some guys can buy something for 5k they can also predict this, so find it somehow pointless - but love the way we are acting as a group.

Was depressed. Well, I still am. Worked so hard to get it here. Almost didn't play recreational players since I'm one of the newest regs and all my profit came from regs. Wanted to get to the nosebleeds. It doesn't feel greatr at the moment.

Yes, I expected a change like this. The poker market will find its balance sooner or later so in my opinion the poker end isn't close. We as poker players are constantly adapting so i guess we gotta keep on doing it even if that means switching to another game.

tinchoarce (HT $300s; T $500)

I like the idea of the strike. It's got the whole HUSNG community acting together to show our disatisfaction at their latest changes.

I was shocked when i heard the news. A friend sent me a link to the 2p2 thread and I didn't even believe it. I thought there was no way they'd implement such severe changes with immediate effect and give no warning, no offical statement or intereaction with the players it was going to affect. It didn't feel like a move I'd expect from Pokerstars and goes against the values they've prided themselves on in the past.

I'm still not overally worried about the future of poker, but it is a bit scary to think what changes they will implement next and how little we can do about it.

adamc1988

We currently strike from reg warring in order to let Amaya know that their increase of rake in Hyper HUSNGs are going to harm them in the long run. While I'm not speaking about other formats, Hyper HUSNGs from 100-1000 are estimated to reg war about 40-50% of the action.

To be honest, I'm not that big of a fan of this strike, but it's probably better than the other options out there. I believe it's only a temporary thing till we get a reply from Amaya.

The future of online poker is declining every year. It's tougher out there compared to few years back but it's still sustainable at the moment. It's known that each year the field is getting tougher as opponents get better and the ratio between regulars/recreationals is increasing.

Amaya can definately go further. We've all felt the changes after they bought out Pokerstars and we also feel less valued to them. Amaya has already announced VIP changes for 2016 from which the majority expect a big hit in comparison to where in 2015 SNE will not get WCOOP ME ($5200). So yeah, I believe things will get worse in the upcoming years unless 1) other poker rooms become big enough to provide real competition with Pokerstars or 2) the market in the USA is open to play on every poker room.

I think ultimately the worst it can get is if battlenet is introduced, rake is further increased, VIP effective rakeback is reduced and lastly a major reduction on recreationals showing interest in poker.

Andy ‘Mightmad’ Lee ($30-$100)

I think it´s important that we act as a group in that case to show Amaya that there´s the need to settle an agreement which fits both interests. After they already introduced the Spin & Goes which significantly decrease the action at probably any game, the rake increase of 20% is another punch in the face for the whole poker community - for the regular players who are making a living grinding as well as for recreational players. The regulars are as dependent on Amaya as Amaya needs us to keep up their profit at a high level. Their profits surely decrease while the strike on reg games at Hyper HU´s and the table block protest at CAP HU-tables goes on. When I first heard about the rake increase I was pretty shocked. It simply lowers your usual ROI and so on each one´s winnings. On the other hand it´s a good opportunity to work harder on your game and increase your ROI therefore. As far as I know, the rake on most platforms combined with the action, which is mainly really dry, is almost the same as on Pokerstars, so the monopole aspect is pretty nonrelevant. But if Amaya isn´t going to change anything, which I hardly believe, everybody would probably welcome some support of other poker websites offering some good deals. If Amaya goes further in 2016, I will probalby have to get my studies done and switch to another area ; )

CaptainCoola ($60)

Naturally I was feeling bad when I firt heard about the rake increase. Even without Amaya's moves poker is going to a bad direction for online professionals and these unexpected changes just make me more worried about the future of my job.

I am rather pessimistic about the close future of online poker since the number of players - fish exclusively - is decreasing. Online poker definitely needs another boom and loads of new players.

Edges are getting smaller as the professionals improve which means variance is increasing to a level most players dislike. We are getting closer to be gamblers I guess.

loveplus (T: $200-$1000)

Playing regs on Stars is sick now with this rake. I think there will not be reg wars on Stars anymore. We are waiting for a response from higher divisions now. They will be decide what to do next and where to play. I think reg battles are dead on Pokerstars after 01.01 (some people need VPPs now).

It's a collective decision. Do I think it will change anything? No. I like that people want to change things and won’t just accept this but Amaya won’t give a shit - They have all the power. It doesn’t affect my bottom line because I just get to play fish. So I’m not complaining. If I was having a successful/serious shot or going for SNE, I would be very angry but the power of the divisons mean you can’t do much, because if you rebel, you risk being excluded.

I suppose it all depends on what happens after the 11th Nov.

Anonymous comment

I like any idea that gives more power to the players. It's a pretty frustrating concept when the situation is such that the sites have 100% control over the way you make your living and in an instant can take it away from you, so it's nice to show them that we still are the ones who provide them so much revenue, and the reason there is always action in the lobbies for the fish, and why HU SNG is such a popular game.

Bryan "PrimordialAA" Pellegrino ($500s)