[theben]

After reading numerous posts here, I've seen some people say that the addition of the side bets/BJ might be beneficial to good players by bringing in or retaining more 'fish' to the party. The reasoning is that the fish would enjoy these -EV features because they enhance the overall experience. Through this heightened experience, some reason there will be more vending machines attracted to PP. However, the addition of these new features may actually have the opposite effect. As you read this, please bear in mind everything here is speculation, and I am just tossing out some ideas. I cannot actually predect what will happen.

1. BJ - - Although the BJ tables should bring in a few more fish to PP, they will result in drawing a lot more fish away from poker to the blackjack games. Rather than dumping money to the good players and the rake, they'll sit at the BJ tables and give it to the house. This is not the only problem: BJ will not only draw fish away from the tables, but it'll also drain thier rolls and prevent them from returning to the tables. The money will flow to the house from BJ games and won't ever get to be risked on the poker table.

2. Sidebets - - I see the sidebets possibly attracting more fish to PP and also keeping them at the table. (BJ may bring some more fish to the site, but pull many away from the tables. fortunetly, sidebets wont directly draw players away). Good thing about the sidebets is that it doesnt draw away players. The bad news? Its highly -EV and could very quickly drain the fishes rolls, eventually making them leave. I dont know its exact -EV value, but i saw house edge was about 17%. This could quickly consume fishes rolls and the money will never reach the tables for us to grab [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

The verdict:

This might make PP more profitable but it may hurt us. If the fish go broke more quickly, it could also lead to a gradual decline in fish presense at the tables which could eventually destabalize the 'partypoker online economy'.

These new features might add some quick revenues, but they will definetly not add as much as they take in because the BJ and sidebets will surely canabalize some rake away. With decreased action at the tables, who knows what type of effects this could have.