PokerStars are suspending all services in Russia

[stank12345]

I think it is very hard for companies to not do anything when faced with a invasion situation ,right or wrong they cant stay on the fence poor public relations

 

[Rui Ferreira]

I am against any type of war, I am in favor of sanctions, but sanctions that affect a smaller number of ordinary citizens, a sanction like this as the PS did, I am against it because it generally affects only ordinary citizens

 

[johnnylawford]

I'd wonder if other operators (i.e. GGPoker, 888, PP, etc...) will see an increase in Russian traffic, and if those other poker clients will follow suit. If it's just one client suspending services it's just going to move the player base from one site to another (except for the few that have their whole bankroll locked up on Stars). Just a guess, but I suspect most people won't stop playing online poker just because their preferred client isn't available.

 

[ramdon p358]

This will affect the tournaments, it will decrease the prize pool. I also think that in some way it will affect Venezuela because the only method of deposits and withdrawals is through a Russian platform, not having a way to withdraw and deposit the site would be practically useless for those players.

 

[jj6m]

all russian players on all platforms should be banned

 

[dino]

I think all of them will plug the plug and drop the hammer on russian and belorussian players now, and will continue with pressure on them.

 

[Sschafell]

man I just know that in war everyone loses, I would really like to end this war as soon as possible!

 

[DS3]

I also want to add that I played on pokerstars in cash at the nl10 limit on 9-max tables, every evening the game was played on 30-40 tables, this is only on 9-max. Yesterday I went to Pokerstars to see how the game is going, on all cash tables at all limits, there were about 30 tables in total, this is a disaster, that is, there is no cash game on Pokerstars now.
With tournaments, too, not everything is good, apparently we will have to reduce the number of tournaments and reduce guaranteed payouts.
I also noticed that players from other countries began to leave Pokerstars.

You know, when you make the wrong decision, that is, the expression shoot yourself in the foot, so in this case, Pokerstars shot itself in the head.

You never shoot yourself in the foot when taking the higher ground and making a moral decision.

 

[DS3]

I condemn both war and sanctions. I think this and that is hypocrisy and double standards. I understand that writing here will not lead to anything. Therefore, I express only my opinion. Those who rejoice in the sanctions forget that innocent people also suffer.

Nobody rejoices in sanctions but they do back them as a tool to make Russian citizens aware their government is killing Ukrainians for no good reason.

You have no sense of irony as you say people 'forget innocent people also suffer'. Innocent Russians or innocent Ukrainians for god's sake?

Just imagine for one minute St. Petersburg had been destroyed to the same degree that Kharkiv has been. How would you feel? Then imagine that destruction taking place all over Russian and how would you feel?

Russian is in a bad place of its own making. If PokerStars decision makes a few more Russians wake up to the violence its government is inflicting then I am all for it.

 

[Poker Orifice]

I'd wonder if other operators (i.e. GGPoker, 888, PP, etc...) will see an increase in Russian traffic, and if those other poker clients will follow suit. If it's just one client suspending services it's just going to move the player base from one site to another (except for the few that have their whole bankroll locked up on Stars). Just a guess, but I suspect most people won't stop playing online poker just because their preferred client isn't available.

I've noticed an increase in numbers on some sites on the tables I play on.

I believe they'd need to already have money in their accounts in order to play as I'm pretty sure it's become impossible (almost impossible?) to deposit and WD on sites.

 

[MickGreed]

This is such a sad situation, in modern times like this, greed, power, war, controling ppl, but its time for the ppl to stand up for what is right an wrong, all of russia may not be fault but they can all work together to stand together to make it right, they can change this.

 

[fundiver199]

This will affect the tournaments, it will decrease the prize pool.

I have been playing a lot on Stars the last few days, and the effect on the tournaments dont seem to be that big. Sure the fields have been a bit smaller, and there have been a few small overlays, but certainly nothing major. And personally I dont mind smaller fields at all, since I think, fields are usually to large on Stars. Large fields makes it difficult to reach the final table and win the prices, that really matter.

The more profound effect might actually be on SnGs, where some formats definitely run less often without russian players. But it will be interesting to see, how Sunday Million perform tomorrow. This cant really be changed to "Sunday 800.000" without losing the brand value. So if Sunday Million start to run with overlays, we will probably see Stars try to do something about it with more freerolls and satellites etc.

 

[Plut41]

Yep PS isn't working anymore here in Russia. I always stuck to PS considering it safe and legit place to play, never expected them to act like cheap scammers. Not sure what exactly they're trying to achieve by doing this. A great exuse to steal players money I guess, well played pokerstars!

 

[vivili171]

Very sad all this.

 

[Rocky87345]

Good for them (Pokerstars) for jumping on the international sanctions bandwagon. Hopefully, the remaining poker companies cease doing business with Russia as well. Until that nation ends all hostilities and peace is reestablished. ✌️

 

[partz]

That's nasty. But not gonna add nothing more on this subject. Russian people don't have any fault on this. They didn't asked for a war nor American people does. Someone else doing this but they doing it without being into the spotlights.

 

[fletchdad]

Yep PS isn't working anymore here in Russia. I always stuck to PS considering it safe and legit place to play, never expected them to act like cheap scammers. Not sure what exactly they're trying to achieve by doing this. A great exuse to steal players money I guess, well played pokerstars!

I have not been following this thread so sorry if this has been addressed, but do you not have a possibility to withdraw your funds?

I have stated that I do not agree with punishing an entire nation of people but this is what sanctions are so I also understand that this is inevitable. But to freeze your funds is unacceptable behavior from PS if this is what is happening. Blocking Russia from playing (but letting the players withdraw their funds) is shitty but, again, this situation is anything but fair in so many ways.

If players can withdraw their funds, it sucks that the Russian players can no longer play, but then it is not a scam. If PS refuses to let players withdraw their funds, then it is very scammy IMO.

 

[barbados]

I think this is the right decision. The war must be stopped! There should be good neighborly relations. And only in this case you can play poker.

 

[fundiver199]

I have not been following this thread so sorry if this has been addressed, but do you not have a possibility to withdraw your funds?

I have stated that I do not agree with punishing an entire nation of people but this is what sanctions are so I also understand that this is inevitable. But to freeze your funds is unacceptable behavior from PS if this is what is happening. Blocking Russia from playing (but letting the players withdraw their funds) is shitty but, again, this situation is anything but fair in so many ways.

If players can withdraw their funds, it sucks that the Russian players can no longer play, but then it is not a scam. If PS refuses to let players withdraw their funds, then it is very scammy IMO.

As I understand it, russian players funds have not been "frozen", but no methods for deposit or withdrawal are working because of the international sanctions. I suspect, its the same with all other poker sites, except those that will allow transactions in crypto currency.

 

[Plut41]

I have not been following this thread so sorry if this has been addressed, but do you not have a possibility to withdraw your funds?

I have stated that I do not agree with punishing an entire nation of people but this is what sanctions are so I also understand that this is inevitable. But to freeze your funds is unacceptable behavior from PS if this is what is happening. Blocking Russia from playing (but letting the players withdraw their funds) is shitty but, again, this situation is anything but fair in so many ways.

If players can withdraw their funds, it sucks that the Russian players can no longer play, but then it is not a scam. If PS refuses to let players withdraw their funds, then it is very scammy IMO.

Well I can launch PS software but I can't withdraw money. I can't even send the money to another player.

 

[fundiver199]

Well I can launch PS software but I can't withdraw money. I can't even send the money to another player.

Then I guess, the funds are actually frozen, until sanctions are lifted. That obviously suck for everyone, who got caught up in it.

 

[balo]

Well I can launch PS software but I can't withdraw money. I can't even send the money to another player.

My understanding is this is only a temporary situation until the war is over, or "special operation" is over if you believe Putin.

So it could take weeks, months , or even years.

 

[pasha poltava]

this is very good

 

[fletchdad]

this is very good

No, it is not very good. Necessary and unavoidable perhaps, but not good.

Every Russian who plays poker is being punished. As far as I am concerned, every Russian who supports Putin and his "special military operations" should not only lose their poker savings but a whole lot more as well..... And just as well, I know some are buying into the bullshit that the media presents, so discussion is perhaps needed as to where the culpability actually lies with these people, but the argument is definitely there that Putin supporters are complicit.

An average Joe in Russia (or average Jane) who not only does not support this shit, but is also negatively affected by it, is just another example of an innocent casualty. And while a BR - and the freedom to play poker - are probably justifiably last on the list of casualties, it still is anything but good.

 

[IzzyMoreno]

I have been playing a lot on Stars the last few days, and the effect on the tournaments dont seem to be that big. Sure the fields have been a bit smaller, and there have been a few small overlays, but certainly nothing major.

Are you sure ? I see a lot of tournaments starting the next hour and with Buy-ins over $100 with zero player already in.