Party Poker Makes Changes to Rake System

August 26 - A new contributed rake system has been introduced by Party Poker, the online poker arm of Party Gaming, which comes into effect immediately.

The system will affect the way players are able to redeem their bonuses at Party Poker and will result in a bigger deduction from the pot in certain games.  The group most likely to be affected by the changes are those in the mid - high stakes gaming category.

The changes include the online poker room awarding Party Points for the rake contributed by the player to the pot.  This is in contrast to offering Party Points by dividing the rake equally among players sitting at the table, whether they were involved in the hand or not.

The aim of this system is to discourage players from sitting at multi tables without actually making a contribution, and at the same time rewarding active players.

The same number of points will be awarded (2 points for every $1 raked from a cash game or tournament entry fees). However, the main difference is that the points are awarded based on how much the player actually contributes to the game.

Rake Deductions Rise

Another important change to Party Poker's system is that there is an increase in the amount of rake deducted from certain games.

In No Limit Hold 'em cash games, the amount of rake deducted from pots remains the same at 5%.

Changes are seen, however in games where stake levels are between $3/$6 and $15/$30. The rake being deducted from a hand increases from $3 to $5 for six max and full ring games. For 4-handed tables, the amount increases from $2 to $5 and for heads up tables from $1 to $2.

Many online poker experts are scratching their heads when trying to understand Party Poker's motives by hitting a target audience which needs to be wooed right now. With mid - high stakes poker players looking for a new home after the fall of Full Tilt Poker, this is the time when poker sites need to offer better deals, not worse deals for these players.