Full Tilt Poker Overhauls Cash Games, 888poker Pauses Tournaments, PokerStars Boosts Spin & Go

Full Tilt Poker has implemented significant changes to its cash game format, including a new system for selecting games that resembles Rush or Zoom. The new system automatically seats players at available tables once they select their limit and buy-in. New tables open only when three players are gathered, and the system automatically merges tables with few players. The new director of Full Tilt, Domic Manzur, noted that these changes will be appreciated by poker enthusiasts familiar with live games, where players are seated by the poker room manager.

Full Tilt Poker has removed the head-up cash game format due to its unfriendliness to new players. The new system addresses some issues, but statistics show that players starting with head-up games are less likely to stay in the poker room for more than a month. Additionally, all unpopular disciplines, such as stud games, exchange games, and mixed games, have been discontinued. High-stakes games are also a thing of the past, with the maximum limit in no-limit hold'em and PLO set at $10/$20, in limit hold'em at $15/$30, and in pot-limit omaha high-low at $2/$5.

888poker has temporarily paused tournaments due to connectivity issues, offering players the option to have their buy-ins returned. PokerStars has increased the maximum limit for Spin & Go to $100, with a maximum prize of $300,000. Additionally, PokerStars is offering weekly bonuses on deposits, with prizes ranging from $5 to $100,000, using a Spin & Go-style random distribution.