Full Tilt to Announce Big Changes for 2010
As 2009 barrels to a close, all of the major online poker networks are gearing up for a BIG 2010, and the rumours are swirling! The major thrust of the changes that will be announced in the coming weeks are changes to the VIP reward systems. They are rated on a yearly measure (Supernova Elite program @ pokerstars) so it is expected that they would be first on the list of announcements. But there are a lot more changes in store. Specifically for Full Tilt a brand new VIP system will be announced, and a new buy-in structure for cash games is in the works for early 2010.
VIP Rewards
Currently Full Tilt is running the Iron Man Promotion. The rumored change to their VIP program is not something that will eliminate the Iron Man, but instead be an additon to what’s already there. There isn’t much to know yet, as it’s still in the planning stages, but it is expected that Full Tilt will let the other online poker networks announce their VIP system revamps and then top them. This seems to be confirmed by the 45 day extension of Iron Man bonus clearing time.
Buy In Structure
For most of 2009 Full Tilt has been dealing with an influx of “short stack” players (players who buy in for the minimum and have a “push or fold” mentality). Due to these short stackers style of play, and their tendency to “Rathole” (immediately leave the table after doubling up) the other players, regular Full Tilt players have become frustrated. To combat this problem Full Tilt spokesperson “FTPDoug” posted on twoplustwo that Full Tilt would be raising the minimum buy in on it’s standard tables. “That’s not all we’re going to do, but that’s the biggest change. And that’s all I can say about that until the update.” – FTPDoug
Despite not being able to say more, the thought going around is that instead of the 20 big blinds required as the minimum, they would now require 40 big blinds, and leaving the cap-game tables to buy in for 20 big blinds (cap-games have a limit to how much money you can lose in a hand. An example would be a $2/$4 table would have a cap at $120), thereby eliminating short stackers from the no limit tables and enabling a more pure game (with less wanting to throw your mouse at the keyboard because you can’t win back the money you lost).
So, if you’ve never given Full Tilt a try, Head on over and give it a try!
