Internet game preservation

[amulet]

i find that people sit out often at internet poker sites and then the games fall apart. therefore, i have written the below letter. i hope some of you who also hate switching games every 10 minutes will take this letter and send it to the sites you play.

Dear Partypoker,

I feel that a significant problem exists at partypoker in the area of game preservation. The real money games fall apart very easily and therefore, it hurts both the players and your business.

The players are hurt because we now have to look for a new game, sometimes putting ourselves on a waiting list. Then often entering a game that has new players that we must now learn how they play, and the new game may not be as “good” (different average). Frequently I have had two games fall apart simultaneously, then had to wait on the list for what seemed like a long time to enter two new games.

Party poker is hurt in two ways by the game falling apart; first, some players just leave the site when the game breaks, second, when a game falls apart and players are waiting on a list you are not making your rake from those players (or from the game that fell apart). Of course once they get into a new game, your rake continues, however, given how often games fall apart at partypoker I know that you are loosing significant moneys until the players all get into new games.

Since this hurts both the profit and enjoyment of the players, and hurts the number of players and your rake (therefore your profit), both the players and partypoker have an interest in trying to hold together the games.

I have a few ideas.

There seem to be two main problems:
1. Players who consistently sit out (and then the system kicks them out).
2. Players who the moment another player sits out they then sit out and then leave the game.

To address the first problem, the players who consistently sit out (and then the system kicks them out), I suggest you implement a system similar to your disconnect protection system. The current rules allow a player to sit out for 25 hands , however many players abuse this. If a player sits out without returning more then the set 25 hands repeatedly in a set period of time, then they loose the privilege to sit our more then let’s say 10 hands (10 hands still allows them to take care of personal business), but stops them from hurting the game as badly as they do now).

As for the second problem, Players who the moment another player sits out they then sit out and leave, I have not come up with a great suggestion to address this problem. I think you should institute some type of rewards program, for the players who stay in one game for a certain period of time thus encouraging this productive behavior. And this benefits you by making certain that you continue to earn your rake.

Additionally, John Feeney wrote a book entitled INSIDE THE POKER MIND. In that book there is an essay on game preservation. I am sure if you credit the book, Mr. Feeney would allow you to print that essay on your web site.

I hope you address this problem. As a regular customer of partypoker I find this to be a major disruption.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,