Microgaming Poker Network to Allow Name Changes
8 years ago
12 Sep
The Microgaming Poker Network has announced plans to allow players to regularly change their screen-names in a bid to keep recreational and weaker players from being âruthlessly pursuedâ by more experienced regular players.
The move is seen as a way to combat the use of tracking software and HUDâs (heads up displays) which are used to identify and exploit soft targets amongst players new to the game. Known as âbum-huntingâ, it is considered to be part of the reason behind the decline in numbers of recreational players sticking with the game.
MPN Head of Poker Alex Scott said that the new feature will allow players to change their screen names every 30 days, or after every 1,000 real-money hands.
âThe intention behind this is simple,â explained Scott in an interview with Pokerfuse. âWe want to stop parasitic players from ruthlessly pursuing weaker players.â
The rise of HUDâs and tracking software has led to an increased competence amongst players even at the lower stakes, who now have a marked advantage against those just starting out in cash play. Scott explained:
âIn order to target and exploit a player, you need to know enough about them. Just playing 50 or 100 hands with a player isnât enough to understand their playing style and make good decisions based on it.â
There are already âanonymous tablesâ available on certain networks, including MPNâs sites, and Full Tilt last month decided to remove certain game-selection features in what was seen as a âdramaticâ move by some. Although PokerStars has yet to introduce such restrictions, there have been hints that they would be âsignificantly more restrictiveâ in the near future.
The new feature announced by MPN had been expected back in July, but due to technical problems it has been delayed until the end of the month, although some of the networkâs âskinsâ will see it in play by the 22nd of September.
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