Thursday, February 21, 2008

PokerStars rebuy glitches

So now I've played about 250 rebuys on Stars and usually play a set of 8 where I could have up to 5 going at the same time if everything goes well. I often play a couple sng's at the same time to keep me busy. I found a number of small issues with the PokerStars software that will hopefully get addressed in upcoming releases. Here is what I sent to PokerStars:

I know some of this has been discussed multiple times on different forums (p5, 2+2) but I thought I would try and outline an area of software implementation that isn't working as well as it could and suggest possible solutions.

I often multi-table rebuy tournaments and really have a problem with the manner in which I have to interact with the software in order to rebuy when my stack reaches the point where a rebuy is possible. Quite often I end up playing hands with a low stack because I was unable to rebuy during the very very small window where the software allows it.

There are a few quirks in the rebuy process. The best way for me to explain is with examples:

Start with the assumption that the original stack is 1000 chips, and you are allowed to rebuy once your stack is at or below 1000 chips.

example 1) I start a hand with a stack of 1100 chips. I lead out 100 chips, somebody shoves, and I fold. The hand continues with other players in it. For some reason I cannot rebuy during this time. I only have 1000 chips as I have folded out of the hand in progress. Next hand I am dealt AA but I only have 1000 chips....TILT !!!. Please allow me to rebuy once I am out of the hand if my stack is low enough to allow it.

example 2) I have the auto dbl rebuy option selected so I feel that if my stack ever hits 0, I should start the next hand with 2000 chips. I start a hand with 900 chips because I missed an opportunity to rebuy so I'm already semi-tilted. I use the lobby to rebuy while the hand is in play. This is allowed because I started the hand with a rebuy eligable amount of chips. Then during the hand my flush draw misses and I bust out. What then happens is that I start the next hand with 1000 chips instead of 2000. Please respect the dbl-rebuy option in this scenerio.

example 3) This is a small thing but would be helpful for multi-tablers. I am currently playing 6-8 tables and a new rebuy tournament that I have pre-registered for begins. By the time I notice that I am in it it is my turn to act in the first hand. I have not added the extra chips and there are 4 ppl already allin each with 2000 chips and I am staring at 78 suited. So I shove and win 5000 chips when if I had rebought in time I would be sitting pretty with 10K. Please add the ability when registering for a rebuy to pre-select that you would like to start with the max chips at dbl cost.

example 4) The rebuy period ends and the tournament is on break. Please allow me to addon as soon as my hand is over (while the message that the break will start as soon as the current hands are finished is on) So many times as I am waiting for that message to end other tables will pop up and I will miss my chance to addon. I effectively have no way of knowing if I have added on or not. Remember I am multi-tabling. I often try adding on multiple times to some tables and not at all on others. If you added a pop-up box with the options to rebuy,addon (if eligible), addon, or do not addon. Then completing that dialogue would be enough to know that window has been taken care of.

I would like to ask again if you could add a new option for rebuys where if selected you would always rebuy once your stack was eligable. That would reduce so much frustration for those that would like it as we could just keep playing.

I'll keep playing them regardless but these changes would help me do so without hair falling into my green tea.