The European Poker Tour (EPT) kicks off proceedings at its stop in Barcelona today as the tour continues celebrations of its 20th anniversary. While the action on the felt gets underway, developments regarding several rule changes have emerged.
Recently, PokerStars Ambassador Kenny Hallaert shared details on Twitter/X of changes to the rules and procedures that will be implemented at EPT Barcelona in the coming weeks. The rule changes concern hotly-debated topics within the poker community, including banning the use of GTO-solvers and charts in the tournament area and updated guidance on the usage of electronic devices at the table.
Additionally, changes have been made to the timebank/shot clock structure at EPT events, with a reduction in time on first action from 30 seconds to 15 seconds. The final adjustment concerns table redraw policy, with a new random table breaking order that starts with five tables left.
According to Hallaert, these rule changes will "come into play [at] EPT Barcelona."
Response to WSOP controversy
The changes made by PokerStars can be seen as a response to the recent controversy at the World Series of Poker Main Event. It's been just over a month since Jonathan Tamayo took home the poker world's most-coveted prize and, in that time, the much-discussed laptop-on-the-rail controversy has taken center stage.
PokerStars' implementation of a strict ban on GTO solvers/charts at all times within the poker tournament area positions the operator at the forefront of an ever-evolving issue. The exact wording of the new rule reads as follows:
"Players are not permitted to use at the table or anywhere in the tournament room area at any time game theory optimal (GTO) solver software, GTO charts (whether used on an Electronic Device or otherwise) or any AI tool or similar algorithmic software that is capable of affording the user a competitive advantage in the Tournament. We also don’t allow any spectator to make any use of electronic devices with solvers inside the poker tournament area."
Clearly, PokerStars has decided to take a strong line when it comes to negating the use of these tools at its live events.
Dealing out cheaters
As well as the issue of real-time assistance, the use of devices at the table has also come under scrutiny after recent cheating allegations from Matt Berkey. On his Only Friends Podcast, Berkey shared details regarding a highly-sophisticated cheating ring operating in casinos and its usage of miniature camera technology to record the underside of cards as the dealer pitches them to players.
PokerStars considered the removal of all electronic devices from the table, including the rail area, but, according to Hallaert, instead opted for a solution in which, "dealers will be taught to slide cards instead of pitching over the course of the next EPTs."
The purpose of implementing a new dealing style — sliding the cards on the felt to players, rather than pitching them through the air — serves to make these methods obsolete. You can check out the podcast episode above for the full story and further details on how exactly the cheating system operated.
