Sky v Stars Poll.

rabdeniro

rabdeniro

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

Do you want to Sky to stay the way it is with a few tweaks or go down the Stars route ?

Essexphil

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

rabdeniro said:

Do you want to Sky to stay the way it is with a few tweaks or go down the Stars route ?

The key points for me are:-

1. Use of HUDs
2. UK/Ireland or Worldwide base
3. Field sizes

Can't really compare the 2 sites.

Although it is worth mentioning that people who play on Sky have more in common with EVERY other poker site than Stars.

I can see plenty of synergy between SkyBet and Stars. But none between SkyPoker and Stars.

I would like to see SkyPoker sold on to someone more similar, such as Grosvenor.

But of these 2 options...Sky.

rabdeniro

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

Essexphil said:

rabdeniro said:

Do you want to Sky to stay the way it is with a few tweaks or go down the Stars route ?

The key points for me are:-

1. Use of HUDs
2. UK/Ireland or Worldwide base
3. Field sizes

Can't really compare the 2 sites.

Although it is worth mentioning that people who play on Sky have more in common with EVERY other poker site than Stars.

I can see plenty of synergy between SkyBet and Stars. But none between SkyPoker and Stars.

I would like to see SkyPoker sold on to someone more similar, such as Grosvenor.

But of these 2 options...Sky.

Agree with your key points, I used to play on Betfred years ago then it became part of i poker ( I think ) I didn't enjoy it the same.

AB0151

Stars is going (or indeed has gone) way too towards a casino/sports betting site that now has poker as opposed to poker centric platform. This was clearly consistent with their choice to buy Sky Bet. You now can make side bets whilst playing poker - not a fan...I think therefore if Sky Poker can stay as is (ie poker only) but has platform enhancements (would like the time bank doubled, ability to show one or both cards if making hero fold, more functionality via mobile platform such as ability to multi table) then this for me would be optimal.

goldon

Like old pair of shoes, holes in but reluctant to get rid, no brain'er

SidV79

Sky Poker with a few tweaks, without a doubt is the better option imo. I agree with what @Essexphil says and would like to add that HUD's should be banned from EVERY poker site. Poker is supposed to be a game of skill based on a players knowledge of his/her/I am a toasters opponents and not being able to look at a wall of stats giving some an unfair advantage over others

rabdeniro

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

One of the things I like about Sky is the forum, I'm not a facebook, twitter person, I'm quite an introvert, but here I come on and talk a lot of rambling nonsense, but I enjoy it and I think that's what I enjoy about the site the most, I know most people come on the site to make money but I'm a gambler not a grinder, so if I win I win, if not so what, I won't moan if I'm skint for the next week, heho, as Rhett Butler said, Frankly,my dear,I don't give a ****.

Itsover4u

personally would love sky with a similar or improved mtt schedule and segregated player pool separate to stars - but using stars software.

No Huds would be ideal but im not overly fussed if other people choose to use them or not.

SKY is great, the community is great (in general), and it offers something a little unique.

However the software is genuinely worse than some of the poker sites that were around and went bust in 2007

Allan23

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

I actually don't hate the software. You get through hands so quickly as cards dealing/animation is very fast, compared to say ipoker, but yeah obviously has its bugs.

A "Sky poker" for UK players with Stars software would be absolutely amazing but sadly seems too good to be true. I put the "ability to play with UK only players" as highest priority whenever I could in the survey because of this

craigcu12

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

I'm not fussed about having HUD stats during play but 1 tweak I would make is: Enable players to have their HH sent over to holdem manager (HM)

Sites like party poker and GG poker don't allow hud stats but both those sites enable it's players to get their hand history onto HM.

Why not do the same, you will not be able to track opponents because they are anonymous on hand replay. However your own personal hand history data will build up therefore you can evaluate closely where you making the most leaks and where you performance is strongest.

NOSTRI

Essexphil said:

I would like to see SkyPoker sold on to someone more similar, such as Grosvenor.

This would be the worst outcome, for me. Grosvenor's poker client is the worst I've ever used.

I think two things are certain with Sky now: the platform won't be getting any tweaks and we will sooner or later end up on the Stars client.

My main hope is that the player pool stays UK-only.

Essexphil

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

NOSTRI said:

Essexphil said:

I would like to see SkyPoker sold on to someone more similar, such as Grosvenor.

This would be the worst outcome, for me. Grosvenor's poker client is the worst I've ever used.

I think two things are certain with Sky now: the platform won't be getting any tweaks and we will sooner or later end up on the Stars client.

My main hope is that the player pool stays UK-only.

Not defending Grosvenor's current poker client. However, that will have to change as of May 19th, as Microgaming Network shuts then. It is more likely that it will transfer to i-poker, but i would love it if it effectively took over SkyPoker.

With respect, nothing is "certain" with SkyPoker. I'm not sure Stars owners even knew Sky HAD a poker site-it was just wanting SkyBet. I fear people are underestimating the compliance/regulatory hassle for Stars having totally different criteria for Bet and Poker. Chances of a UK/Ireland-only playing pool are slim.

Leaving my personal feelings aside, I know that the likeliest first thoughts for Stars would not have been options that would be popular on here. In any event, the Flutter bid for Stars just makes everything even more uncertain. If it went through, likeliest result would be a transfer to a different Network

madprof

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

Couple of things to add and reinforce...if you are listening Sky bosses ( AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IF YOU WILL HAVE ANY SAY ON THE MATTER ANYWAY...)

HUD? That's what I put up when its raining...

@rabdeniro and @Essexphil have hit the nail on the head, in different ways!

1) The forum and the level of player chat is one of the main reasons why this platform is successful in retaining players. (To get to know people via the game chat, then meet up at SPT events is really great.)

2) UK only?...to enter a tournament where there is 100's not 1000's means even for the amateur fun players like myself, there's a possibility of running deep in a reasonable playing time. If like me you play for fun(and not as a living )...4/5 hours an evening is as much as you want with work the next day....the bigger it gets, the less likely 1 or 2 will stay in place

I am just one player but it's almost a guaranteed certainty that should SkyPoker morph into a much larger entity and lose 1) above and subject to whether 2) happens as well..I'm outa here....I play to chat, banter and every now and then win a little and if I win an SPT seat, meet up 3-5 times a year, that will do for me

If not then I'm gone!- Pity as the number of really nice people you meet and play with will be 'lost in translation' and that's what makes Skypoker work

kapowblamz

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

Ye the optimal play for everyone would be to keep the uk ringfenced, no doubt about it. It would help Stars keep their UKGC issues nice and tidy.

DoyleBrun

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

Sky You can't really compare them Stars is huge and yes it gets exciting when you go deep, not so exciting when you finish just off final table and win about a $1 an hour for playing several hours poker. Even with the odd moaner Sky is much friendlier and you do recognise some of the players names you are playing and have an idea how good/bad they are. If Stars just took over and amalgamated Sky with them I think I would not play as I do now.

TheEdge949

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

I play on both sites but if I had to choose it would be Sky. Would I prefer more non b.h. mtts and a bigger pool yes. But you don't know what you have until its gone.

stokefc

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

no brainer, the thought of playing on stars again terrifies me

HaveaA1Day

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

Not played here for awhile, came back for this Stack Builder - what a great promo btw, please keep this - but will be leaving if you go over to Stars, just got so much hate for that place.

goldon

This is a very bias poll ...... feel I have to stick up for the underdog here. It's in the Stars

We all need "Stars" they twinkle at night and hide during the day, they don't trouble anyone & have you're horoscope handy if you need it, today mine said, " You will be alone today "

TOOTRUE

Sky (with a few tweaks to it's platforms).

As someone that does not play on any other site, should Sky materially change then I think i would give up playing poker. HU PLO8 sng games are not that readily available elsewhere. I would also mention that since playing on Sky if I have a bet, I do so on Sky bet and don't use any other bookmaker, not because I prefer Sky Bet to the others, but purely for convenience. However, should Sky change I would simply withdraw all my "bankroll" from the poker account and then not bother using Sky Bet. As an overall losing gambler (I suspect), Sky / Stars would not only be losing a poker customer, but also a betting customer. Would probably return to Ladbrokes that I used to use before Sky. Am I alone in thinking this? Not sure, but something that I feel Sky should factor in when considering what the implications might be when if a loyal Sky Poker customer also enjoys one or more their other offerings.