Lee Jones, representative of PokerStars confirmed that PokerStars has indeed launched legal actions against the data-mining site Poker Table Ratings, which tracks and records hand histories at PokerStars and at all the major poker rooms and networks. They sell these hand histories in great quantities to players, who can have unfair advantages on fellow players by seeing a vast amount of hand histories describing their playing style, agression factor, lifetime winnings and many more. There are several other sites like this operating, but their activity is not permitted by any poker site.
An easy way of purchasing hand histories:
An easy way of purchasing hand histories:
PokerStars is the first room to launch a legal attack on one of these sites, which can be the beginning of a landslide, and can mean the end of data-mining websites, if the case succeeds.
Jones said:
"Obviously some of you are frustrated at how long it’s taken us to act,but the people behind PTR have taken considerable steps to hide their activity and shield themselves from action. But we are on their trail now and will keep at it. We’ll keep you informed as we make progress."
Despite the fact that many players use and appreciate Poker Table Ratings, most people in the industry agree that data mining websites are harmful for the future of poker and the edge players using such services get is unfair.
