PokerSoftware Podcast Welcomes PlayerGPS

The third PokerSoftware Podcast was released at PokerSoftware.com featuring host Sean Gibson and guests Ryan Nelson of PlayerGPS and software expert Jayme Lyttle.  Nelson started off the show by explaining that PlayerGPS was invented two years ago with the goal of letting users know when a specific poker player would log in.  It wouldn’t matter whether if were a big name pro like Phil Ivey or a micro-stakes fish; they had the goal to put a system together that would allow anyone to get that information immediately.

The SMS text message and e-mail alerts were the first two features incorporated and after that, AIM and Skype were added as notification options.  For the beginner player, PlayerGPS can help find the big-name pros so that they know when to watch and improve their game.  Nelson also explained that micro-stakes players can look for fish to help them table select properly.  PlayerGPS features a “Now Playing” page, which is one of the site’s biggest features and shows subscribers where players are seated.

Use of the site to high-stakes players seems obvious and Nelson conceded that PlayerGPS is tailored to mid- and high-stakes poker players.  However, he noted that quite a few $0.25-$0.50 and $0.50-$1 regulars use the service as well, so it doesn’t really discriminate among levels.

Gibson noted that he has put his own screen names into his alert list and receives a text message, IM, and e-mail if he ever logs on.  Although there haven’t been any security breaches thwarted as of yet, many players are using PlayerGPS as a secondary security tool.

Nelson also discussed his poker background, which started when he injured his knee as a star tennis player at the University of Kentucky.  While recuperating from his injury, some friends introduced him to PartyPoker, where he racked up over $35,000 in just two months.  He got a job at Bluff Magazine, where he made a wide range of contacts.  Finally, he came up with PlayerGPS and was able to leverage his contacts to develop the site and get big-name endorsements from some of the world’s top pros.

There are new sites and networks that have been added to the service.  Once it acquired PlayerStalker, PlayerGPS was able to track UB.com, Absolute Poker, PartyPoker, and the iPoker Network on top of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.  Nelson revealed that support for Ongame Network tables will be available within a couple of weeks.

Lyttle joined the program for his popular “What’s New in Poker Software” segment.  The first topic on the table was the new Poker-Edge 5, which has a brand new interface and HUD subscription system that taps into billions of hands.  There’s also a new detailed player reporting and notification system within Poker-Edge 5 that should have players buzzing.

Next up were updates for Poker Copilot 2, its new support for Rush Poker tables and Absolute Poker.  This Mac-only product comes with a free 30-day trial and Gibson testified that from his own usage on a MacBook Pro, this software is worth a look.

Finally, Gibson and Lyttle discussed rumors circulating about a few of the most popular online poker sites.  The biggest rumor discussed was that PokerStars is finally considering changing the buy-in structure to its cash game table lineup.  That would mean PokerStars would follow suit to other sites like Full Tilt Poker, PartyPoker, and Everest Poker and all regular tables would have a 35 big blind minimum buy-in, eliminating short-stacked play.

PokerStars representatives, who have said that changes are under consideration and a decision will be made in mid-April, confirmed the rumor on the TwoPlusTwo forums.

Check out this month’s installment of the PokerSoftware Podcast.