PokerStars Launches Split Hold’em

Running it twice just got a whole lot bigger as PokerStars release their latest innovative variant on poker to draw in the masses – Split Hold’em their newest offering, which will see players face two flops, two turn and two rivers simultaneously!

The variation on a popular home game version of Texas Hold’em is “an example of the new variants we've been working on at PokerStars," said company rep Dan Price on the official PokerStars blog.

"We think they provide engaging challenges and opportunities for players to test their wits in a fresh format that is new for everybody."

The rules for Split Hold’em are fairly simple: If you want to win the entire pot, you have to show a winning hand on both boards (or get rid of the opposition before showdown). If you win on one run out, you get half the pot. Pretty straightforward.

"Split hold'em has already provoked a lot of internal discussion around the best strategy”, said Price, “so we can't wait to see how players adapt. You may know how to play 88 and AQ — but what about when you have two boards to consider?"

Price added of the new offering:

“Also noteworthy is that, for the first time, we will be using the Seat Me system on our global liquidity player pool.”

Basically, you choose the stakes you want to play at and the software seats you – you don’t choose, which is Stars attempt to reduce bumhunting.

What the players think

The introduction of Split Hold’em has already sparked some fierce ‘rake grab’ opposition from the trusty members of the 2+2 forum, still raw from last week’s ‘rake increase’ announcement by PokerStars.

Yasuo: ‘Stars introduces another rake trap to protect recreational players’

Pikaberdort: ‘Huge split pots means nobody wins except the casino...’

Foreva More: ‘Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse :/’

Although it did have at least one defender, former PokerStars man Michael Josem posting:

“… it has certainly been a fun game to play for a few orbits around here for a very long time amongst various folks in the local poker industry.”

As usual, the debate about ‘Split Hold’em’ tried its best to descend into mud-slinging, Josem on the receiving end of it, but he steadfastly refused to be bullied:

“It's true that I'm not here for the 'everything PokerStars does is evil' pity party." He added: “I'm not inclined to incoherently rant that PokerStars is the devil, and get angry at people who look at things in a moderate and sensible manner.”

Time will tell whether Split Hold’em is a success or not, although it appears the new variant will only run on a trial basis for an unspecified length of time – Dan Price stating:

“The game will not be a permanent addition to the PokerStars offering so play while you can”.