Pokerstars VIP/Rake Changes

I should start this by saying that I am a big fan of Pokerstars and the way they have handled themselves since Black Friday, however, at the tail end of last year I was very disappointed in the way they approached changing the VIP and rake system, severely affecting the plans of many of their high volume customers.  Issues such as the shift to weighted contribution rake system (WC) would take money out of the poker economy overall as the distribution of VPPs would be weighted to the lower VIP players, who being able to get less for their VPPs in the store resulted in money leaving the poker economy and into Pokerstars' pocket.  Additionally changes to the rake system meant an increase at some stakes that led to more money leaving the poker economy and going to Pokerstars.  In addition to these there were the perennial issues of some games just having too high a rake system to beat, such as micro stakes (relevant to me and to many others) as well as limit and CAP games.

The main point of contention in the high volume player base was not so much the transfers of VPPs to the recreational players but the fact that money was leaving the overall poker economy.  PS came back with an offer to host a number of representatives from the poker community and I believe to them we owe a great deal:

• xPeru
• Klairic
• Krmont22
• Hood
• Chisness

Here is a quick summary of what they managed to achieve through dialogue with Stars:

1.  2% rake reduction, resulting in a gain for the players and a net loss for Pokerstars.  Every microstakes level has seen a reduction in rake allowing newer players to hold onto their money longer and have time to develop a greater interest in the game and to hopefully bring more money into the economy over time
2. Increase in rake at the high stakes games that have comparatively paid a very low rate of rake, despite having high costs associated with them, including things like policing them, finding collusion etc.
3. Changes to the SN/SNE retention program and one off changes for 2012/2013, more of which can be found browsing the 2p2 SN and SNE threads.
4. New stakes will be introduced into the micro stakes, 3/6c and 8/16c with the possibility of 15/30c being introduced if this is a success.  I am hugely excited about this personally as it allows a more gentle progress up the stakes and will in theory ease the transition and help players move up and feel they are progressing more, turning them into regular players.
5. Regular discussion with players, this process will happen twice a year now to ensure that any changes are discussed and explained to the community to allow for a dialogue between the players and Pokerstars.

There are more points that have been discussed and other features but these I feel cover the main points that affect most players.  I think this sets a great precedent for future action and both Pokerstars and our representatives did a great job in discussing and developing new ideas to move forwards!