We have removed cash game tables at stakes of 4p/8p and 20p/40p. These are the least popular stakes as and we believe this will help liquidity at similar stakes as well as decluttering the lobby.
There were usually 3/4 8NL games going during peak hours with a few regs. I always found the 8NL games filled up quite fast if i sat at an empty table. They usually offered great value and entertainment and I am dissapointed they have been removed.
This has been done on a trial basis and is not necessarily a permanent move. James will monitor performance of the games and act accordingly. We will as always take into account player feedback as well.
This has been done on a trial basis and is not necessarily a permanent move. James will monitor performance of the games and act accordingly. We will as always take into account player feedback as well. Posted by Sky_SamT
For a company that is rumoured to be in the pipeline for an IPO at some stage in the near future, I often wonder if Sky have any commercial nouse. So you remove NL40 despite tables running pretty much anytime and it being a natural progression from nl30 (some people don't like the jump to nl50).
Then look at the effect of removing these tables, yes there are a lot more nl30 tables running and NL50 remains pretty much the same numbers wise. Please reconsider, there is no comparison between nl8 and nl40. And having nl40 doesn't clutter the lobby up in fact it gives sky a USP as most other sites offer only nl20 and nl50.
I can't see how you can say the NL40 tables cluttered the lobby, there was usually between 1 and 3 tables of it late in the evening. Just looked at the mid stakes lobby and currently 27 tables with 1 of 2 players sat there. If you want to de-clutter the lobby maybe look at the spawning of the HU tables.
Like someone posted above it is a big jump from NL30 to NL50.
In Response to Re: Cash tables removed at 4p/8p and 20p/40p : For a company that is rumoured to be in the pipeline for an IPO at some stage in the near future, I often wonder if Sky have any commercial nouse. So you remove NL40 despite tables running pretty much anytime and it being a natural progression from nl30 (some people don't like the jump to nl50). Then look at the effect of removing these tables, yes there are a lot more nl30 tables running and NL50 remains pretty much the same numbers wise. Please reconsider, there is no comparison between nl8 and nl40. And having nl40 doesn't clutter the lobby up in fact it gives sky a USP as most other sites offer only nl20 and nl50. Posted by ACEGOONER
8nl & 40nl are great transitional levels. Are you sure about 8nl? Always action at that level. As smart goat says, the tables filled up quickly, also at whatever time I played. Also is a big jump from 4nl to 10nl as it is from 30nl to 50nl.
In Response to Re: Cash tables removed at 4p/8p and 20p/40p : What is this 'IPO' you talk of? Posted by 68Trebor
IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. Basically it means that the owners of SB&G who are a venture capitalist group called CVC partners are considering putting SB&G on the stock market as a listed company. Venture capitalists buy private companies fatten them up, then look to put them on the open market for a profit.
The last thing you want to do is alienate the player base. I know a few regs that I spoke to on NL50 last night that where not happy with this.
If Sky Poker want to declutter the cash lobby they can start by removing the spin up tables, which have their own section at the top of the lobby anyway. There is no point in duplicating tables.
So, Sanj, I assume you also intend to lobby for 60nl? While you're at it 70nl? 80? These additions should each have the same effect as 40nl, i.e. they'll attract players from 50nl (as 40 does from the 30 pool) while keeping the volume @ 100nl the same. I don't know how you can say, with any certainty at least, that the 40nl player pool will all fall back to 30nl rather than jump to 50nl. Added to that is whether that's even much of a problem since 30nl games undoubtedly rake more, and if not, well, the difference is almost certainly negligible.
James made very clear with his post that the main reason for removal is lack of popularity, so your comment regarding spin-up games, potentially the most popular cash-game variant, seems misplaced. Sure, they clutter the lobby, but that point seems secondary in James's reasoning. Also, I know you're a business guy Sanj, but claiming 40nl tables give Sky a USP is absurd.
'hey guys, yh, guess what? Sky offer these 40nl games. usually about 2 running @ prime time. think I might make the move from stars'
This is a bumber! 8nl & 40nl are great transitional levels. Are you sure about 8nl? Always action at that level. As smart goat says, the tables filled up quickly, also at whatever time I played. Also is a big jump from 4nl to 10nl as it is from 30nl to 50nl. Not a great move IMO. Posted by suneel7
It's a bigger jump from 50nl to 100nl but there has never been a call for 70nl. The games ran yes but not as much as they should.
I can't see how you can say the NL40 tables cluttered the lobby, there was usually between 1 and 3 tables of it late in the evening. Just looked at the mid stakes lobby and currently 27 tables with 1 of 2 players sat there. If you want to de-clutter the lobby maybe look at the spawning of the HU tables. Like someone posted above it is a big jump from NL30 to NL50. Posted by GREGSTER
That's the nature of heads up games. Not along ago we reduced the spawning of these at the higher stakes. In any case you can filter HU games out.
So, Sanj, I assume you also intend to lobby for 60nl? While you're at it 70nl? 80? These additions should each have the same effect as 40nl, i.e. they'll attract players from 50nl (as 40 does from the 30 pool) while keeping the volume @ 100nl the same. I don't know how you can say, with any certainty at least, that the 40nl player pool will all fall back to 30nl rather than jump to 50nl. Added to that is whether that's even much of a problem since 30nl games undoubtedly rake more, and if not, well, the difference is almost certainly negligible. James made very clear with his post that the main reason for removal is lack of popularity, so your comment regarding spin-up games, potentially the most popular cash-game variant, seems misplaced. Sure, they clutter the lobby, but that point seems secondary in James's reasoning. Also, I know you're a business guy Sanj, but claiming 40nl tables give Sky a USP is absurd. 'hey guys, yh, guess what? Sky offer these 40nl games. usually about 2 running @ prime time. think I might make the move from stars' 'WOW 40nl?!?!? NO WAY' Posted by percival09
I don't really get this post at all.
James mentioned two things. Liquidity and decluttering. I didn't see one as secondary.
The leaps at smaller stakes have always been smaller. There didint appear to be any need in Sanjs or a few others opinions to remove the 20/40.
I didn't see Sanj lobbying for further levels to be introduced. Just for the ones that have always been there to remain.
I'll add that liquidity is the most important. Getting more players used to playing the same stake as each other should result in more games starting. Decluttering is just a bonus.
Comments
Like someone posted above it is a big jump from NL30 to NL50.
Keep the constructive feedback coming please, & remember, this is a trial move, as Sam explained above.
8nl & 40nl are great transitional levels. Are you sure about 8nl? Always action at that level. As smart goat says, the tables filled up quickly, also at whatever time I played. Also is a big jump from 4nl to 10nl as it is from 30nl to 50nl.
Not a great move IMO.
'hey guys, yh, guess what? Sky offer these 40nl games. usually about 2 running @ prime time. think I might make the move from stars'
'WOW 40nl?!?!? NO WAY'