After some controversy in the last WSOP Main Event, where Jonathan Tamayo (the winner of the WSOP Main Event) was getting input from his rail, who was using Solver on the laptop to help their teammate, the poker public was asking for stricter regulations about that.
PokerStars decided to make a few rule changes starting next EPT Barcelona on August 26 till September 8.
New rules that were mentioned by PokerStars Ambassador Kenny Hallaert are:
- Shotclocks: Time will be reduced on first action in the hand to 15 seconds instead of 30. Timebanks will still be worth 30 seconds each.
- They are considering removing all electronic devices from the table and rail for game integrity reasons.
- No more redraw at final 2/3 tables. Instead, random breaking order from 5 tables left onwards.
- No use of GTO-solvers/charts or similar anywhere in the whole tournament area at any time, also not for spectators.
You can read the full rules here.
After Hallaert announced this on his X profile, who else but Dominik Nitsche (the Guy who was using a laptop and helping Tamayo win Main Event) showed up in the comments asking and debating if the implementation of new rules was possible?
Nitsche was saying that if they ban laptops, they have to ban phones and tablets since people who are railing can have solvers on them and pass the information to the players. Nitsche also asked how they are planning to police what people are looking at on their mobile screens and implied that what PokerStars is doing is only to look good and not to Solve the problem.
There was no response from PokerStars or their ambassadors, but one of the players made a suggestion. “You ban anyone caught doing it and the player they’re giving the information to with no refund. Quite simple. So you take your chances if you really think it’s worth it.”
There was also a discussion about reducing the time for first action from 30 seconds to 15 seconds. One player asked if the “first action” is considered somebody opening before them, and they are in a 3-bet spot. But Hallaert cleared it out, saying it’s your first action. Even if you are facing multiple raises in front of you, you still have 15 seconds. This seems a bit rough, especially if we consider ITM situations in the later phase of the tournament. Even with 30 seconds of timebanks, it would be rough.
Hallaert also said they are considering all the feedback, but it’s unlikely they will go back to 30 seconds, but they might add the amount of timebanks.
