MPN to Allow Frequent Screenname Changes

The Microgaming Poker Network, MPN, will be allowing frequent screenname changes starting on September 22nd this month. Players will be allowed to change their screennames either every 1,000 hands that are played for real money, or every 30 days, whichever occurs sooner.

The new screenname feature will be introduced on a number of the MPN online poker sites by September 22nd, and is likely to be available at all of the network’s online poker sites by the end of the month.

Frequent Screenname Changes Helps Weaker Players

The opportunity to change screennames more frequently is a great help to those who are weaker poker players. Since there are a large number of recreational players on MPN, it is possible for those who are stronger players to track the weaker players and target them once they are sitting at the poker tables. Stronger players can then play against the weaker poker players, giving them an unfair advantage.

Microgaming has made the decision to ensure that weaker players are not exploited by those who have far greater poker experience. In order to help the weaker players, Mirogaming has introduced the more frequent screenname changes. In this way, it is harder to keep track of how well players can play the game.

While some may object, most likely the stronger players, this method is fair, and somewhat similar to a live poker scenario where players are seated at the poker players randomly. It will still be possible to identify the weaker and stronger players, however, the player history will be shorter.

High Volume Poker Players Protected

Those who play a low number of hands are not targeted by parasitic experienced players. Those who play approximately 100 hands are not likely to be noticed, however, those who play a large number of games can give those who are targeting weaker players the chance to pick up patterns and playing styles. For this reason, MPN has chosen to allow players to change their screennames at 1,000 hands, however, the number can easily be changed if it is deemed necessary.

Alex Scott, the MPN Chief Executive Officer, commented on the change, noting: “The intention behind this is simple - we want to stop parasitic players from ruthlessly pursuing weaker players. We also want regs to play each other once in a while, and we don’t want players to create a new account with a new poker room just because their alias is unlucky. So we’re making the alias change feature quite prominent and I hope that a lot of players will use it.”