Online poker room PokerStars has recently announced that it will be taking measures to curb bumhunting and the use of seating scripts. A special new functionality will be tested in a single market and if it proves effective enough, it will be launched in other markets later on.
The online poker operator has explained that the Seat Me functionality has been created to facilitate and improve the seating process in ring games. It will prevent players from using seating scripts to pick their tables and their seat at the tables. Instead, they will be directed into action immediately after they have chosen the game type and stake.
PokerStars has announced that the new functionality will first be tested in Spain on the poker room’s .es website. Results from the trial period will then be analyzed and if Seat Me is found a helpful tool in the card room’s efforts to limit the use of unauthorized software that gives players unfair advantage, it will be implemented in other markets, as well.
As pointed out by PokerStars Director of Poker Room Operations Severin Rasset in the operator’s corporate blog, the new functionality will restrain bumhunting, prevent the use of seating scripts that make it easier for sharks (players of proven skill) to find fish (less experienced opponents), and impose time penalties to those who change tables frequently, thus disrupting the action. PokerStars has also described its move as one that aims to provide online players with experience that mimics live poker.
The information about the new functionality has evoked mixed reactions in the online poker community. Some players have noted that PokerStars should have introduced Seat Me much earlier. Others have been less enthusiastic, arguing that the functionality will affect negatively short-handed play.
Bumhunting is an issue that a number of online poker rooms have tried to deal with, although this has proved to be quite a challenging task. Last fall, the partypoker brand, owned by Isle of Man-based iGaming operator GVC Holdings, announced the implementation of further measures to improve its ecosystem and provide all its players with even chances.
The online poker room banned completely the use of seating scripts. As from October 5, 2016, all players caught using such scripts were to be given a warning notice. Those breaching the rules twice were to have their accounts frozen.
