PokerStars suspends operations in Russia.

[tikay]

Important update: we are suspending all our services in Russia.


I believe this was effective at around 2am UK this morning.

Presumably, it's down to the economic sanctions, which would expose the 'Stars (ditto Flutter) execs to legal action?





https://twitter.com/PokerStars/status/1501640076928983047

[tikay]

How long before Party, GG & 888 etc follow suit?

HUGE ramifications for Online Poker.

[4KSuited]

What proportion of online players do Russians represent?

Is there a significant bias between formats? (Cash/Comp, NLH/PLO, Micro/Med/High)

[Doobs]

What proportion of online players do Russians represent?

Is there a significant bias between formats? (Cash/Comp, NLH/PLO, Micro/Med/High)

Will make a big difference to the O8 I play.  Am guessing a third of players in the O8 $50+ MTTs were Russian.   Not unusual to see 3 or 4 at your table 6 handed anyway.  I think it was probably lower at Party, going by the names and style of play.

[4KSuited]

Wow, that’s higher than I expected. Lots of people talk about crazy Russians, but I can’t say they play any more wild than any other nationality, from my own limited online experiences on Party.

Would you say this ban is + or -EV to your O8 games? Or makes no real difference (other than to the size of the field)?

[Marky147]

Tony G must have had a word.

[doubleup]

I wasn't happy playing against Russians and said I wouldn't play at the site while they were.  Obv unlikely that that the loss om rake from 25c plo made any difference , but happy with the ban.

[TightEnd]

How long before Party, GG & 888 etc follow suit?

HUGE ramifications for Online Poker.

party withdrew from Russia on 14th Feb, as part of the strategy to only operate in regulated markets. Then Putin invaded Ukraine....

[tikay]

How long before Party, GG & 888 etc follow suit?

HUGE ramifications for Online Poker.

party withdrew from Russia on 14th Feb, as part of the strategy to only operate in regulated markets. Then Putin invaded Ukraine....

Ahh yes, of course, I'd forgotten that.

Thanks Tighty, & I hope you are keeping well.

[Doobs]

Wow, that’s higher than I expected. Lots of people talk about crazy Russians, but I can’t say they play any more wild than any other nationality, from my own limited online experiences on Party.

Would you say this ban is + or -EV to your O8 games? Or makes no real difference (other than to the size of the field)?

Missed this, but makes for more relaxing games and better variance in NLO8 I think.  I think a higher proportion of the most aggressive players were Russian.  I don't know about EV.  The games are still running when I have played.