Now that another year is in the books, I get to bring out my prognosticating skills once again and dazzle you with my ability to see into the future. What will we expect to happen in 2011 in the world of poker? Read on to find out.
Black Card Adjustments
This is hardly a bold prediction, as we’ve been told on both the TwoPlusTwo and PocketFives.com forums by Full Tilt site rep “FTPDoug” that an adjustment for the Black Card promotion is coming, most likely in the middle of January. The site underwent heavy criticism for altering its rakeback method, which was to the detriment to the vast majority of the player base, while rolling out what Full Tilt officials felt was a compromise in the Black Card program.
What we might see is another tier added to the Black Card program, perhaps something like a “Red Card” that rewards another Full Tilt Point multiplier for those who average 1,000 points per day. Either way, we’ve been promised that this adjustment will be an improvement for players.
PokerStars Will Kill Short-Stacked Games
Maybe this is more wishful thinking, but the clamoring of many on the forums hasn’t gone on deaf ears. When PokerStars decided to forge a compromise between the short-stackers and everyone else by offering three tiered games (Short, Regular, and Deep) the site did what many thought would happen and that’s kill the small- and mid-stakes full ring games.
Right now, the games are as bad as they have ever been, but by eliminating the Short buy-in tables, all will be right again with the world and the SuperNova and SuperNova Elites of the world will continue their grind. PokerStars is aware of how its main base of regulars feels, so something will be done.
Another Merger?
We saw the merger between two superpowers in online gaming, Party Gaming and bwin, finally complete, with the two set to come together in 2011. One trend we’ve continued to seen, given worldwide legislation, is that smaller sites aren’t growing, but rather staying the same or shrinking. According to various industry reports, the online poker industry is shrinking at 1% annually.
According to PokerScout.com, notable gainers year-over-year include the Merge Gaming Network (up 134%), 888 (up 8%), and PokerStars (up 7%). Notable losers include Everest Poker (down 64%), Cake Poker (down 59%), the iPoker Network (down 31%), and the CEREUS Network (down 31%). It’ll be very hard to imagine some of the smaller networks not going belly up or merging with others in order to survive today’s shrinking market.
More Live Events
Although some casinos may not like to admit it, online poker does a great job of getting them exposure when special tournaments are held. The PokerStars-backed North American Poker Tour (NAPT) has been a huge success in its first year, with many at PokerStars pleased at the response the series has received from their player base. Online poker players, contrary to belief, do like to get out of the house and travel. Expect more live event tie-ins in 2011 and perhaps the start of something new with Full Tilt in the United States.
Isildur1’s Identity Revealed
In 2011, we’ll finally know the true identity of PokerStars sponsored pro Isildur1. Everyone has speculated for over a year that it’s Viktor Blom and there’s been nothing to make us think it’s anybody else. Although I have met quite a few big name pros who claim to know his identity and refuse to spill the beans, someone will slip up or PokerStars will pull a publicity stunt to let us all know it’s Blom.
No Legislation for the United States
With the recent election, there’s no real hope for legalized and regulated online poker in the United States in the next two years. Just expect more talk, no action, and continued reports of payment processors being targeted by the Federal Government. Meanwhile, there’s potential in New Jersey and California for intrastate internet poker.
