Poker Network Ends Data Mining

[BridKid]

Isle Of Man-based online games software provider Microgaming is hoping to appeal to recreational players by ending the practice of data mining on its Poker Network ‘with immediate effect’.

Affecting such popular sites as 32RedPoker.com, SpinPalacePoker.com and PokerTime.eu, the change means that hand histories on observed tables will no longer be stored on players’ computers.

Designed as a way to create a more conducive environment for recreational players, Microgaming also stated that it would cease the practice of downloading and storing hand histories in bulk.

“Third-party software, which analyses hand histories collected by data mining, has over time changed from a useful tool for plugging leaks in a player’s game to more of an exploitative tool,” read a statement from Microgaming.

“By using third-party software, a player can more efficiently isolate another player’s weaknesses, thus giving the player with the most information on his opponents a greater edge.”

Earlier this month, Microgaming announced that it was changing the way that it calculates rake on games of poker by shifting from the ‘contribution’ method to the ‘weighted contribution’ system.

“Concern has been rising over the long-term effect of third-party software upon the poker industry as a whole and in particular the negative effect it has on the recreational player demographic,” said Andrew Clucas, Head Of Poker for Microgaming.

“The decision to put a stop to the practice of data mining on the Poker Network is part of Microgaming’s overarching network strategy to support operators in attracting and retaining recreational players. It further demonstrates commitment in providing a secure and fair playing environment.

“I would like to emphasise that with this change, as with the change to ‘weighted contribution’, Microgaming is not seeking to alienate its winning players. There has been a move in the industry towards penalising winners and we believe that is the wrong approach. There will always be winners and losers in poker. What we are trying to achieve is a more level playing field for all the players.”