PokerStars has been making a number of changes to its policies, rewards and tournament structures in an effort to improve grow its brand, increase market share and give players a better and improved overall experience. One of the biggest changes that the brand made in 2017 was to drop a number of its iconic tournaments such as the European Poker Tour and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure much to the dismay of thousands of poker players all over the world.
PokerStars decided to run just two live tours called PokerStars Festivals and PokerStars Championships. The company decided to introduce new stops and believed that the new structures and events planned for these live tours would be much better than the old format. So far, the feedback from players has not been that great and while PokerStars continues with its experiments, the company has confirmed one change for 2018.
PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Back In 2018
The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) has been re-instated by the company by popular demand and it will take place as usual in January 2018 from the 6^th to the 14^th. The company had replaced the PCA in 2017 with the PokerStars Championship Bahamas and changed the entire format. The PCA was launched back in 2004 and used to be a favorite with poker players as it was one of the premier tournaments at the start of each year.
Given the fact that it was held in the Bahamas, a number of poker players planned their vacations around the PCA as it gave them time to relax, enjoy themselves, spend time with their families and start the year with some great poker action. The PCA used to have around 30 events each year and the highlight of the PCA was always the $10,300 Main Event.
PokerStars Championship Bahamas Dropped
The new PokerStars Championship Bahamas which was held in January 2017 had 98 events and it did not go down well with players who found the schedule too hectic. The popular $10,300 Main Event was also scrapped and replaced with a $5,300 Main Event which players found not very exciting as it was too low for a Main Event when compared to previous editions of the PCA.
Poker players have been taking social media and popular forms such as the Two Plus Two poker forum to voice their opinions and share their views on all of the changes that PokerStars has rolled out during the last 24 months. PokerStars has paid close attention to player feedback and complaints but has generally adopted a stance that change is generally uncomfortable and players will grow into it over time. However this time around, it appears that player feedback on the PCA has been taken into consideration and the company has decided to give in to the players and bring back the popular PCA.
PokerStars Listening To Its Players
In a statement, Eric Hollreiser, Director of Corporate Communications for PokerStars said “This feedback included suggestions that we restore the PCA name and improve the quality of that event to reflect the great heritage and unique experience that made PCA one of the most-anticipated poker events of the year. We’re restoring the name and reinvigorating the event to ensure it remains a premier poker festival.”
Hollreiser also confirmed that the 2018 PCA will go back to its old format and feature just 31 events and the popular $10,300 Main Event will also be reintroduced. The 2018 PCA will take place as usual at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas. PokerStars has also decided to make a number of other changes to the 2018 PCA in an effort to please its players.
Some of those changes include reducing the overall tournament rake by $30,000 which will help to boost the overall tournament prize pools. Players who take part in any PCA event during the 9 day tournament will be eligible for a $50,000 freeroll that will be held on January 14.
Players were happy to hear that PokerStars had taken their feedback seriously and was planning to reintroduce the PCA in 2018. Some players suggested that only after the 2018 PCA was concluded, would they be in a position to say if the PCA was back to its best.