PokerStars Monitors Mobile Icon Effects on Game Experience

In the latest client update, PokerStars added an indicator to reveal mobile and tablet users. This surprised the community and many try to exploit the feature to find recreational players.

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Recently, PokerStars has updated its client software and added the feature to signal smartphone and tablet users at the tables [4]. The move caused a stir in the poker community, as it is considered a good way to reveal recreational players; this stems from the notion that fish are more likely to use such a device to play than regulars, who prefer desktop solutions, where they can play on multiple tables and use their utility software.

Even though the indicator is enabled by default, all players have the options to turn it off both for others, so as not to see who is playing from a mobile device, and for themselves, so as not to indicate that they are using the mobile platform.

Reacting to the community’s remarks, PokerStars announced that they would keep monitoring the effect of the indicators on the general game experience and act accordingly if required.

“When deciding whether to implement the icon, PokerStars did consider the possibility of an impact on gameplay. It was our view that the potential impact was likely to be small, and further, players have the ability to turn off the icon if they wish,” a room representative stated, adding that “PokerStars introduced the icon to help make our players aware of the option to play on PokerStars on mobile devices, and it is doing a good job of that. The team will continue to monitor the situation and will adjust the default settings if and when appropriate.”