I was playing on 'Stars last night. Yup, you heard me correctly. They own the Business now, so I thought I'd take a look at what they do these days, & how. I was amongst the first ever players on 'Stars, around 16 (?) years ago, but I moved on after a while, & had not been back since. In fact. I've been "exclusive" to Sky Poker the last decade or so.
Anyway, I'm sat there quietly, two tabling some PLO8 MTT's, and a link flashed up. Cant remember exactly what it said, but it said that some bloke had qualified for "The Deal Jackpot", and if I clicked the link I could watch it happen "live".
So I clicked the link, & sure enough, there was a geezer sat there, waiting to see if he won. I quickly looked him up on Sharkscope, assuming he'd be a high volume hotshot. I was wrong, his average stake was $0.63. Not exactly a nosebleed hotshot then.
Than this sort of "Wheel of Fortune" thing started spinning.
This is not last night's one, but it looked like this;
In a perfect world they keep Sky Poker as is but they give us the Stars software.
I really hope this doesn't happen.... I know the stars software is technically better, but I love the classic layout on skypoker and it's one of the main reasons I play here and not on stars - or elsewhere. When I do occasionally play on stars, no matter what table layout I try I always seem to struggle sometimes in following when it's my turn to make a decision - on classic view it's dead easy because the timer is in the middle of the table for you!
In a perfect world they keep Sky Poker as is but they give us the Stars software.
I really hope this doesn't happen.... I know the stars software is technically better, but I love the classic layout on skypoker and it's one of the main reasons I play here and not on stars - or elsewhere. When I do occasionally play on stars, no matter what table layout I try I always seem to struggle sometimes in following when it's my turn to make a decision - on classic view it's dead easy because the timer is in the middle of the table for you!
Change they table to hyper simple - much easier to follow if multi tabling
It is really cool that micro players get the opportunity to win and you will rarely see regs win this prize, but thats because the regs no that this is long term a rake haul.
I think the jackpot has to get over £240,000 for the game to become profitable and you can only play 1 hand every 8 hours for it to be so.
That being said I dont have anything against this sort of thing as its no different to sticking a quid on the lottery
Im also just bitter iv never come close to winning anything like that sort of money haha
Change they table to hyper simple - much easier to follow if multi tabling I already use hyper simple but even so I still struggle to see when it's my turn to act sometimes! Maybe it just takes time to get used to it.
Thank you for the update which, given the restrictions placed upon you, is very informative.
I used to play a lot of mixed games on Poker Stars as I prefer a wider variety of poker games than just holdem. However, in recent years, I found myself spending less time on Pokerstars and more time on Sky to the extent that I really play exclusively on Sky. However, I miss playing mixed games and would love the opportunity to play such games on Sky with just the Sky player pool.
I appreciate I might be in the minority here wanting a wider selection of formats of poker and it might dilute the player pool across the various games, but wondered if the merger with Pokerstars and the use of the Pokerstars software and coding for such games might make this possible in the future without Sky needing to develop the IT itself for these games. I note your comments about CMA restrictions and hence not expecting a reply or comment here, but just wanted to mention it as a possibility for the future that I would be very interested in and which might be considered when the CMA approve the deal.
@tootrue: don't think Sky has the playerbase for mixed games... PLO8, whilst popular at the DYM level thanks in part by tikay, I don't think I ever see a cash game running for them. So can imagine the same being true of even less popular formats.
@Tikay10 Thanks so much for all of your posts, you continue to do a brilliant job. If I see you out in Vegas in 2019 then I will definitely come over and have a chat next time:)
A few weeks ago, I did my best to Update you all on the future plans for Sky Poker, in the light of the deal with TSG. Really, it was a "no update-update", as those who read the thread will have seen. Even so, there was cause for optimism that Sky Poker will continue as a standalone, but with new software.
Yesterday, I was up in the Leeds Office, so was able to sit down with Sam & be briefed on where we are now.
It's still much the same really - TSG & SB&G are one Company now, but they still can't discuss anything with each other, or propose plans. Bit odd really, but that's how it is.
What was great to see yesterday though is that Sky Poker have a road map as a standalone for the whole of 2019. All the usual promos, plus various new ones, are mapped out to take place or be considered in 2019. These plans could all end up in the bin, once the business integrate, of course, but integration won't happen in weeks, or even months - 18 months is the minimum timescale to integrate the Businesses. So, my understanding is that Sky Poker, as we know it, could well continue right through 2019 & beyond. No guarantee of course, it COULD all change.
Clearly, new software is needed, & there are numerous options under consideration. Too early to be sure as to the what, how & when, but from what I saw, there is a very good chance that most of you will be very pleased indeed. Again, nothing is certain, or even half certain, but personally, I was thrilled (yes, thrilled) with what was on the table as "probables".
In the short term - between now & Xmas - they have a really vibrant set of Promos scheduled, starting next month & running through Autumn & up to Xmas. All the usual ones, but some really cool new ones. These include proposals for MTT, DYM & Cash Game promos. It's the best set of Promos I've seen in my time here, & as they are short-term (now until Xmas), I'm confident all or most WILL happen.
Right now, of course, it's a sort of triple-witching hour, with the usual seasonal downturn, the World Cup & hangover from it, & the ridiculously hot weather all conspiring together to dampen traffic levels.
Well all of that will soon pass, the Promos start in, I think, August, & there's some really cool stuff lined up.
So nothing is cast in stone - or even concrete - but personally, I came away more excited by the future of Sky Poker than I have ever been. I've been wrong before, of course - many, many times - but right now, Team Glass Half-Full are 1-0 up against Team Doom & Gloom.
PS - big thanks to my Manager, Sam, who treated me to a lovely lunch.
I'm not sure the Office will love me for this spoiler, but......
I know many of you are still worrying about Sky Poker's future, especially Team Doom & Gloom, so you might be pleased to know that the schedule for the next UKOPS has been finalised, completed & agreed between the Suits, including the satellite structure, & some really cheap ways to get seats for it.
It's also going to be Sky Poker biggest UKOPS ever, measured by Guarantees.
Mum's the word though, don't tell a soul, right?
Also, lots of really cool stuff lined up for August & September. Promise, Scouts honour.
Great news about UKOPS! If you had a to speculate... hypothetically... off the record... would you say it's likely to be in the usual November slot, or coinciding with Stars WCOOP in September?
Great news about UKOPS! If you had a to speculate... hypothetically... off the record... would you say it's likely to be in the usual November slot, or coinciding with Stars WCOOP in September?
Well, just speculating, off the record, hypothetically, whistling in the dark, I would be very surprised indeed if UKOPS and WCOOP had a date clash.
Those with long memories will recall we tried to keep everyone up to date as to the deal between SB&G & TSG, & especially Sky Poker. You may also recall that everything was at a standstill until the CMA ruled on the deal.
Today TSG ('Stars) announced that the CMA had cleared the deal, & so that's formalised everything.
This was quickly followed by all of the SB&G Team receiving an e-Mail from the Big Big BIG Boss at Stars, also one from Mr Flint at SB&G.
What all that means for Sky Poker I genuinely have no idea, & it might be that they don't know yet either.
There have today been a bunch of changes at the top of SB&G, new responsibilities etc, none of which, as far as I am aware, will directly impact upon Sky Poker in the short-term. Long-term, I have no idea. The changes were all internal - nobody has, or will as far as I know, been drafted in from TSG to rule the roost at SB&G, which will continue to operate as a unit just as it always has.
I said back in July that Sky Poker had all sorts of stuff planned for this Autumn, & that remains the case, much of which you have already seen via various Promos, & the promises were kept.
It also reminds the case - & this is up to date news - that planning, discussions & negotiation for SPT 2019 are in progress, as is planning for other 2019 Promos. Of course, that does not mean much, it might all change tomorrow morning. Or it might not, but I think you now know as much as most of the Sky Poker team do.
If I hear any more, I'll keep you informed, assuming I'm able. So, for now, we are back to our old friend, Mr BAU, aka Business As Usual.
Comments
I was playing on 'Stars last night. Yup, you heard me correctly. They own the Business now, so I thought I'd take a look at what they do these days, & how. I was amongst the first ever players on 'Stars, around 16 (?) years ago, but I moved on after a while, & had not been back since. In fact. I've been "exclusive" to Sky Poker the last decade or so.
Anyway, I'm sat there quietly, two tabling some PLO8 MTT's, and a link flashed up. Cant remember exactly what it said, but it said that some bloke had qualified for "The Deal Jackpot", and if I clicked the link I could watch it happen "live".
So I clicked the link, & sure enough, there was a geezer sat there, waiting to see if he won. I quickly looked him up on Sharkscope, assuming he'd be a high volume hotshot. I was wrong, his average stake was $0.63. Not exactly a nosebleed hotshot then.
Than this sort of "Wheel of Fortune" thing started spinning.
This is not last night's one, but it looked like this;
...and the guy won....
$125,000
Pretty cool, huh?
I think the jackpot has to get over £240,000 for the game to become profitable and you can only play 1 hand every 8 hours for it to be so.
That being said I dont have anything against this sort of thing as its no different to sticking a quid on the lottery
Im also just bitter iv never come close to winning anything like that sort of money haha
Change they table to hyper simple - much easier to follow if multi tabling
I already use hyper simple but even so I still struggle to see when it's my turn to act sometimes! Maybe it just takes time to get used to it.
Thank you for the update which, given the restrictions placed upon you, is very informative.
I used to play a lot of mixed games on Poker Stars as I prefer a wider variety of poker games than just holdem. However, in recent years, I found myself spending less time on Pokerstars and more time on Sky to the extent that I really play exclusively on Sky. However, I miss playing mixed games and would love the opportunity to play such games on Sky with just the Sky player pool.
I appreciate I might be in the minority here wanting a wider selection of formats of poker and it might dilute the player pool across the various games, but wondered if the merger with Pokerstars and the use of the Pokerstars software and coding for such games might make this possible in the future without Sky needing to develop the IT itself for these games. I note your comments about CMA restrictions and hence not expecting a reply or comment here, but just wanted to mention it as a possibility for the future that I would be very interested in and which might be considered when the CMA approve the deal.
Thank you so much for such an honest and comprehensive update.
Whatever the future holds, I hope TSG realise that more Tikay is better
Afternoon all.
A few weeks ago, I did my best to Update you all on the future plans for Sky Poker, in the light of the deal with TSG. Really, it was a "no update-update", as those who read the thread will have seen. Even so, there was cause for optimism that Sky Poker will continue as a standalone, but with new software.
Yesterday, I was up in the Leeds Office, so was able to sit down with Sam & be briefed on where we are now.
It's still much the same really - TSG & SB&G are one Company now, but they still can't discuss anything with each other, or propose plans. Bit odd really, but that's how it is.
What was great to see yesterday though is that Sky Poker have a road map as a standalone for the whole of 2019. All the usual promos, plus various new ones, are mapped out to take place or be considered in 2019. These plans could all end up in the bin, once the business integrate, of course, but integration won't happen in weeks, or even months - 18 months is the minimum timescale to integrate the Businesses. So, my understanding is that Sky Poker, as we know it, could well continue right through 2019 & beyond. No guarantee of course, it COULD all change.
Clearly, new software is needed, & there are numerous options under consideration. Too early to be sure as to the what, how & when, but from what I saw, there is a very good chance that most of you will be very pleased indeed. Again, nothing is certain, or even half certain, but personally, I was thrilled (yes, thrilled) with what was on the table as "probables".
In the short term - between now & Xmas - they have a really vibrant set of Promos scheduled, starting next month & running through Autumn & up to Xmas. All the usual ones, but some really cool new ones. These include proposals for MTT, DYM & Cash Game promos. It's the best set of Promos I've seen in my time here, & as they are short-term (now until Xmas), I'm confident all or most WILL happen.
Right now, of course, it's a sort of triple-witching hour, with the usual seasonal downturn, the World Cup & hangover from it, & the ridiculously hot weather all conspiring together to dampen traffic levels.
Well all of that will soon pass, the Promos start in, I think, August, & there's some really cool stuff lined up.
So nothing is cast in stone - or even concrete - but personally, I came away more excited by the future of Sky Poker than I have ever been. I've been wrong before, of course - many, many times - but right now, Team Glass Half-Full are 1-0 up against Team Doom & Gloom.
PS - big thanks to my Manager, Sam, who treated me to a lovely lunch.
Just to add, all of that is 100% true, except Sam never got me dinner, in fact he never even got me a coffee. Unbelievable.
respect your elders Sam
I know many of you are still worrying about Sky Poker's future, especially Team Doom & Gloom, so you might be pleased to know that the schedule for the next UKOPS has been finalised, completed & agreed between the Suits, including the satellite structure, & some really cheap ways to get seats for it.
It's also going to be Sky Poker biggest UKOPS ever, measured by Guarantees.
Mum's the word though, don't tell a soul, right?
Also, lots of really cool stuff lined up for August & September. Promise, Scouts honour.
Well, just speculating, off the record, hypothetically, whistling in the dark, I would be very surprised indeed if UKOPS and WCOOP had a date clash.
Just my opinion, like.
Those with long memories will recall we tried to keep everyone up to date as to the deal between SB&G & TSG, & especially Sky Poker. You may also recall that everything was at a standstill until the CMA ruled on the deal.
Today TSG ('Stars) announced that the CMA had cleared the deal, & so that's formalised everything.
This was quickly followed by all of the SB&G Team receiving an e-Mail from the Big Big BIG Boss at Stars, also one from Mr Flint at SB&G.
What all that means for Sky Poker I genuinely have no idea, & it might be that they don't know yet either.
There have today been a bunch of changes at the top of SB&G, new responsibilities etc, none of which, as far as I am aware, will directly impact upon Sky Poker in the short-term. Long-term, I have no idea. The changes were all internal - nobody has, or will as far as I know, been drafted in from TSG to rule the roost at SB&G, which will continue to operate as a unit just as it always has.
I said back in July that Sky Poker had all sorts of stuff planned for this Autumn, & that remains the case, much of which you have already seen via various Promos, & the promises were kept.
It also reminds the case - & this is up to date news - that planning, discussions & negotiation for SPT 2019 are in progress, as is planning for other 2019 Promos. Of course, that does not mean much, it might all change tomorrow morning. Or it might not, but I think you now know as much as most of the Sky Poker team do.
If I hear any more, I'll keep you informed, assuming I'm able. So, for now, we are back to our old friend, Mr BAU, aka Business As Usual.
Or, in the words of Liam Gallagher......