- The latest update of the PokerStars software client has quietly included the introduction of a mobile device icon which is displayed by a player’s avatar at the table.
- A discussion reddit suggests that this is a gift to grinders who may now more easily recognize weaker players.
The latest update of the PokerStars software client quietly included the introduction of a mobile device indicator displayed along with a player’s avatar at the table. A discussion on reddit suggests that this is “a gift” to grinders to identify weaker players.
The principle that players are debating is the extent to which the appearance of the icon indicates a weak player. The assumption is that the better players are unlikely to be playing on a mobile device which does not easily support multi-tabling or the use of third party poker tracking software.
The issue has been partly confused by the PokerStars January Daily Challenge promotion which includes challenges that can only be accomplished by playing on a mobile device.
There are now two new items in the Options menu under Table Display which allow players to control the icon’s appearance. Players have the option of displaying their own mobile device icon, and whether to to display the icons of other players.
Unless a change is made by PokerStars to disable the indicator by default, or until the recreational players are alerted to adjust their options, online grinders will likely continue to target those players displaying the mobile indicator. As one player commented on reddit, “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t 3betting a lot lighter all day at the zoom tables thanks to this change.”
