PokerWorks

There are nearly 100 online gaming sites on the Microgaming Network, and there are a good number of them on the subsidiary Microgaming Poker Network, all of which implemented a new rake program as of January 5, 2010. All sites, including the popular European site Ladbrokes, switched from a contributed rake system to a weighted contribution system, meaning the rake is now calculated by the amount of money in the pot.

The previous system involved rake, meaning the commission taken by the online site as a charge for the poker hands, that was determined by the number of players in the hand and irrelevant of the amount of money in the pot. But the weighted contribution method allows the rake to be set according to how much money is in each pot, which is the preferred method of many low- and middle-stakes players who often cannot afford to play over a long period of time and accumulate any type of profit. The new system will more accurately reflect the needs of the players.

Ladbrokes Poker was one of the sites affected by the change and posted a message to players on its website. “Ladbrokes Poker believes this change (taking place across the whole Microgaming Poker Network) will be a fairer way to reward players and give credit to those who actually deserve it. For this reason, it also means that it is fairer to players who are learning the game and takes into account a player’s style of poker play.”

Company executive Kate McLennan added, “It’s also important to emphasise that this is a change to how rake is allocated, and that there will be no increase to the rake taken.”

Microgaming poker sites will now be operating under the same rake system as other European sites, most of which are ranked higher in popularity with online poker customers. Executives hope this change will bring more customers, especially low-limit players, back to the Microgaming sites.

Microgaming Poker Channel Lead Andrew Clucas said of the change, “Microgaming is pleased to announce the adoption of the Weighted Contribution method of rake calculation to the Microgaming Poker Network (MPN) which will change the way in which rake is allocated. We believe that this will result in a fairer method of rake distribution and improve the game experience overall for the greater majority of poker players.”