PokerStars Adds Mobile Player Indicators

Recently, PokerStars updated its client to allow players to identify which of their opponents might be playing on a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android device.  The introduction of the new feature is not revolutionary; however, an unintended side effect of this update is that a simple indicator can potentially assist sharks by placing virtual targets on the fish.

PokerStars players on a mobile device, by default, display a mobile device indicator over their avatars (see picture).  All PokerStars players have the ability not to display their own indicator to other players.  There is also a setting if you are not interested in knowing if other players are on a mobile device.

While having the ability to disable the mobile device indicator is a must-have feature, I believe it is not enough to protect a casual player having fun playing poker on his phone or tablet.  The setting should be turned off by default or players should know they have the ability to do so before playing poker on a mobile device.

Many grinders believe that the majority of people playing mobile poker are either casual players most likely to be fish or people using a mobile app in the case of an emergency.  Although playing on the PokerStars mobile app is generally a great experience, you do not have the ability to play more than a few tables at once or use third-party software such as a HUD.

Ben “Fabaz” Farrell is a tournament grinder who only plays poker on his smartphone in emergency situations such as when his internet connection goes down.  Fabaz told PokerSoftware, “Anyone displaying the mobile device icon is instantly labeled a fish.”  He went on to say, “Unless I have prior experience with this player, I assume he is ready to punt his chips.”

While we are sure there are good players who are intentionally displaying their mobile device indicators on PokerStars as a matter of deception, for the most part, players are likely unaware they are even giving others a clue that they are inadvertently becoming a target for poker sharks to hunt.

PokerStars has arguably the best real money mobile poker app out there.  Some players might enjoy having a mobile device indicator to tell others they are on a mobile device for informational purposes.  For example, this is a simple way to explain that they aren't going to chat on the tables or let their opponents know they are not playing slowly intentionally since they may have a slow wireless connection.

Adding a mobile indicator gives players options to present themselves to others at the table in a different way than ever before.  However, it is sometimes the smaller, unannounced changes that have unintended, adverse effects on the casual players they are most likely trying to help.  It will be interesting to see if PokerStars changes its default setting here since most fish do not realize the tells they are giving off about their style of play just by displaying a simple indicator.

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