OMAHAHEADSUP

Maestrrro Good point regarding recs for ecosystem. Great point!

Thought you handled the Joey interview well Phil. Still gutted there are only anonymous tables. Understand why but am gutted personally. I was generally very happy with the message you put out. Looking forward to update 3

I believe RIO could compete with Stars if the message and goal isn't diluted from the original which the community intrinsically craves. Lower rake, promise of rake beatable games, integrity and then after those core principles innovation, the first innovation has to be actually in the core principle sector. RIO wanted its own network to set its own rules and therefore deliver rake lower than say Ipoker allow if RIO had become a skin. Respect for that and having the balls to do it and seemingly having finger on pulse of what community wants. Integrity Stars had after bailing out FTP, lost it with supernova elite. There is a chance for RIO to address this, at core principles level with rake and integrity. From branding point of view how great a acquisition would Ike Haxton be for RIO when he voluntarily left Stars the minute the lost their perceived integrity with SNE. Maybe I'm in fantasy land but I'd still love to see merger of sorts with RIO and Polk just for his image and promotional skills then it would be off to market in Russia and so on. Realistically Polk wont merger to push it and it be a different market approach but I'm on record here saying if it does stick to core principles and market well it will do well maybe great. The message, I thought was.... beatable games whatever that really means and a better choice of a place to play at in terms of experience overall. Basically caring about players and poker. Lot of pressure for Phil, lot of people to please. Keeping centred to the original message in policy and decisions will be key. PS sorry if my opinion adds pressure do appreciate someone taking this on!

Well if the weakest players are informed they are clueless by their avatars that would suck for them initially, then winning players over time. More money would be passed around everyone would learn to be a TAG they would rarely aspire to a sub optimal avatar grouping it will raise the fish bar and effectively be a stealth rake increase if you will more money being passed around variance and luck becoming more paramount to progression and be terrible for a player winning now wishing to increase their win rate at this site. Gutted if this is the case.

1.PEOPLE KNOW MY STAT AFTER A DAY People wont know its ''your'' strategy that they are seeing when hole cards revealed after 24 hours as they wont have a name to tie the hand to they will just know what that guy on btn had when he was on the bb and it went xc xc xf river had 2 pair and didn't own him.. OTB would not have reveled his secrets if he played anonymous tables no one could have studied him, as they would never know who was who in theory at the tables. (Non Issue)
2. FISH SHOULD NOT BE TOLD THEY SUCK WITH AN AVATAR. Fish wont se the avatar expression that is not shark like and be offended or realise they need to improve, they will see the avatar they chose, only the other players will see the dynamic avatar based on his playing style. ( Non issue)
3. ANONOMUS TABLES DUMB DOWN POKER Won't anom tables still dumb the game down to a large degree shouldn't say balance for example barely being required. Shouldn't there be standard tables also to make this site fill the mission statement or goal promoted initially of a site that Phil himself would rather play on vs other options (stated on Joeingram podcast) and to also act like a Noah's Ark preserving what Phil and my generation perceived to be as poker being a skill game which is fun and beatable for with a skill level. I find it hard to believe that Phil would prefer to only ever play against people he didn't know who they were or that he prefers a dumbed down version of poker soley to be available for himself to play. While Phil cant play the site himself the point was to make a site he would prefer to play typically over others. A better site. I'm sure he enjoys the evolution of strategy and history against a player and obviously knows its where a large skill edge comes from in a pool or field. The goal of this site initially was a better choice than alternatives that preserves the game of poker as a beatable game also and even effects rake policy of some competitors therefore preserving the concept of poker as we know its . I think there should be many forms of poker and one should be regular tables and without them the goal of the site is compromised initially fracturing brand image and loyalty from offset. maybe the goals changed over time but thats a dangerous slope we dont need another Amaya we got one already I hope I got the only anom part wrong and if not hope you can change it our at least here a explanation as to why this is the case (issue imo) Lastly the anom tables will greatly reduce edges for players who are better at what I believe is defined as poker
ps I like playing anom tables sometimes for some reasons as I like playing other forms of poker sometimes and for some reasons but can someone tell me ther are also standard tables I'd love to be confused here

Avatar idea is cool but it does change strategy a lot and allow unbalanced play styles. I feel if you don't know who you are playing it dumbs the game down somewhat as balance is no longer important that much at all. Don't know how I feel about this makes the game more robotic and less intellectually stimulating aka fun. I would much prefer anonymous tables and regular with dynamic avatars, without HUDS for variation personally.

Not going to keep hoping for mergers and mentioning it, I just felt it was right to once, motivated by a distaste towards the culture of oligopoly style rake increases. Want RIO poker to crush. In a poker site I personally factor :-
1Trust with capital
2 Rake
3 Rake (lol)
4.Game types
5 Player quality
6.Software
7.Expirence while playing there (depends on many factors)
Hope RIO holds true to such principles. Would like to add some value to this in beta, how/ when can we help or know if we can try out the beta software after application? So curious to know what the software is like, feel like a Indian man seeing his arranged marriage wife for the first time!! LMAO

Hey Phil. I have been looking forward to RIO poker, think your HUD inspired dynamic avatars are unique. Feel you have really thought outside the box there and changed the game for the better looking forward to seeing the feel that creates. I believe you are going to be successful and dream about you having worlds highest traffic and the impact you can have on poker rake, perception, perceived integrity. It's only good for the game. I went to Dusk till Dawn poker room in the UK last night, annoyed me couple of people I mentioned RIO to couple of people who didn't know about it. Mildly bothered me, I remember years ago Nintendo Gameboys had more sold and were more popular in the UK than Sega Gamegear which was way better and way more powerful and even in colour ha ha. Everyone had a Gameboy for years after they should population wise. This was a marketing issue. I already believe in your product intrinsically, I just fear marketing disconnect and awareness issue. Dream RIO could do a merger with Doug Polk and his unnamed company if the conflict of interests could be removed a merger it would reduce competition in the training space, free you up to work together and for the good of poker in more vital arenas. I think you will have a great product from what I know from the outside, and succeed overall either way but how quickly and on what level I don't know. I will use your product but I had a Gamegear/Atari Lynx you need the Gameboys types. I believe DP would evolve for the cause and for financial gain but that he is too scared of perceived rejection to ever reach out at all but could be resecptive to seeing if anything reasonable could be worked out. I get this is an outside the box idea in some ways, in others I think it feels natural, I wont mention again cos of the sensitive nature. Really want you to do well and respect what you have done thus far. GL Phil and team PS ready to beta test :) signed up ages ago ... :)

Suggestion to fix the HUD vs no HUD dilemma...

RIO has built in software accessible to anyone for just 6 universal stats without any additional permitted software
1. VPIP
2. PFR
3. 3bet
4. Fold 3bet
5. Aggression Factor
6. No of hands
No HEM2 no PT4 just 6 never expanding stats that should help stop the nerds feeling dizzy and lost without stats and encourage multi-tabling, while leaving the recs perceiving a level playing field. Note to never add or subtract by popular demand or list would be never ending.

JDGskychaser I'm hopeful for RIO poker for online poker least being run by a person the community have some faith, in who gets the game and will have learnt for the Full Tilt chronicles. There is a thread under the ''About Run It Once'' section of threads in this website. Currently with the Oligopoly of poker rake fixing style tactics within the industry its hard to find a great game rake wise. If ever you want to check rake for sites there is only ipoker, microgaming, stars, party, 888 anyone else these days usually not legal any poker site with weird name will usually be a skin of one of the above networks so you only need know the networks rake not each skin's. Asian poker sites have very ugly uncapped rake that while it can be beaten with rake back they do ask consistently winning players to kindly stop playing there. So not a long term solution RIO maybe a beacon of hope, I joined Coral poker on ipoker network via VIP GRINDERS it to receive what is sold as 60% rake back then I get 20% with the deposit bonus I got putting me 80% rake back but isn't as good as it sounds cos they use a ''Real Player Value'' way to calculate rake that is like a politicians way of twisting numbers I think I really get 40% off them plus my deposit bonus making 60%(go big when depositing ) but least its a safe site and for 200 PLO and 100 PLO the rake is reasonable there stars made me do that with their 2nd to last rake increase the one posted above lol

I am so hopeful to see how this the site works out and actually excited have applied my email for invitation play and am excited I hope the awareness and sell campaign makes enough people aware I'm so excited, SPORTS BETTERS CASINO GAMERS lol can you get those guys linked anyway or advertise to casino games market also it does actually bring in the sort of people who very recreational! re deposit! Spew! and are great for economy..I would see that as a essential element to get softer games and a natural way to counter the pro players a site like RIO could swing in creating better eco system and adding profit and sustainability to site. I only play poker but tbh love the softer players ipoker can get that are sports bet/ casino cross over players :) Hope to get accepted for BETA test or whatever I applied for really excited :) I no doubt stating the obvious but I didn't hear anyone mention it.

@ JDGskychaser Sorry you have not shopped around for the best deal unless you play an a site that is illegal (one that excepts Americans and will likely have accounts seized as is SOP) as Pokerstars was the best for the stakes I was playing the rake cap at 100 PLO heads up was .75 sense they upped to $1 this is every hand. So in 40 hour week that really adds up infact if you do the maths this quote you wrote '' I saw an inspiring graph a few days ago on a Rio video here. It showed someone winning $40k over 400k hands. Winrate 1bb/100.at .50/$1. '' well that player would not be a 1bb/100 winner after an equal increase he would be a loser steadily over the 40K hands losing seral times as many bb/100 as he was previously winning. They do this every 2 to 3 months and have been for years Tom Dwan wouldn't have existed if was turning 18 in 2018 this is a serious issue and Pokerstars are the industry leaders currently hence the focus and attention.

I see a glimmer of light too but only a glimmer, this does feel like a David and Goliath type situation taking on the poker industry culture of today :/ .. In that story David used his intellect to beat the odds, the reason why I see some light at the end of the tunnel I have some faith in Phil both with strategy for business (no brainer why) and as a moral and ethical person who will have as good a chance as anyone regarding putting players equal to profits and finding ways the two can live more symbiotically than in other models. I have only seen a oligopoly of poker networks in regards to rake and choice offered and to disrupt that effectively to (hopefully) the point of across board change in the industry that would kind of make Mr Sweets OMG Poker Jesus LMAO so you know! No pressure Phil ;)
Seriously hope this site becomes bigger than is maybe reasonable to hope. Love for poker and what I have seen within the industry on a macro level have brought me to this place.. of emotionally craving change!
I would even happily use my free time to add any sort of value to the team in any way on this subject any way at all just to make any difference, even boring grunt work. I personally want to make a difference and don't want poker to become like roulette its year's to come, its close enough already ty online poker providers with the rake, short time banks, need I go on??
PS I'm prepared to spend my time on this and if I had a rival training site and poker media sources I would even consider working with RIO poker if something could be worked out in any way for the sake of poker, just saying ;) i hope others would think the same too?
Quote John Lennon ' You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one' GL

Best coach on RIO imo

If you liked PLO I would and still will NL message me :)

Reminded me of Trueteller Avatar also ...

Reading this I like the way Phil's brain is gearing ups for what is to come I like the game he is playing. It may be about more than profits here it may be about the future of online poker. It is war business but also war for poker to be a beatable game where skill is mixed with luck and fun not sad faces due to unbeatable rake. Nobody wants to feel raped while playing the game they love. For credibility for RIO poker I believe Ike Haxton for obvious reasons would be a good and hopefully cheap (only for the cause) alignment for Phil and ROI. This is David and Goliath but David has truth quoting Augustine of Hippo — ‘The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.’ People should recognise the truth or they are not poker players at heart they are fish and should be put down and ridiculed for playing poker at stars vs a beatable game. This is poker not Roulette god dam it this issue gets to me

Thinking now the comobs of bulffs are likely enough less than value to just fold. Unless TJQ with Ah or without Ah and you have 2 queens this just makes it a clear fold river imo now hey i have maybe improved from thinking this through hence someone respond top my study team add lol P

Yeah BB pots river many players no not have enough bluffs there. As a default i would not exactly know what to do here close spot likely why u posted. Wraps bricked wraps with K or A high flush blocker could be raised by some players sometimes they would continue but is he the sort to do this? Very unlikely he would pot a lower flush for value imo or is it I ply mainly 100 HUPLO not 400 idk pool tendenies. Does this guy raise NFD or 2nd NFD flop or strengthen his XC range flop? If i didn't know I'd guess based on standards at stakes. Need 33% chance we good to call and if sort to raise a wrap I'd consider a call but would likely need to feel he is frustrated or alike to make the call If seems to not show too many bluffs I'd try and fold but its so close I'd factor in dynamics and mood considerations as tbh I look for a reason to call here with 3rd nuts maybe thats a leak idk if in disciplined mood i would likely fold. Not sure however

If u are not interested specifically then structure studies with min 66% playing time to 33% study or i prefer these days least 80% playing time. Ignore commentators thought processes if watch any poker on TV at all and the stuff in my above post is gold too

IMO playing heads up is fastest way to learn poker especially against better players once reviewed and discussed and basically improved upon. I'm looking for a study partner or group possibly but the focus would be on heads up PLO I've left a thread if you would like to do that. GL at the tables

LOL At the comments its heads up PLO. He is in position and can not fold pre lol
Against a player type u describe fold ur bottom 15% hands up to and limp next 35% making 50 % raised call 90% plus 3bets bet consider opening 2.2 or 2.5x as opposed to 3x. Then When he 3bets and leads a lot the pot is smaller each bad bet size steal he tries and you have power of position to play more over as to as deeper in SPR. This naturally counters his style. As for hand in question. You should have maybe opened small or limped called vs this player type if less than 120bbs effective stacks you could have raised got it in if u believe he will often call any (inc lower flush) if not then whats the point just for fold eq its not worth a bluff raise then fold to 3bet either and if deep you can not raise flop unless as bluff maybe semi bluff so it seems like the hand its self may be hard to win but you could have put the odds more in your favor pre imo is all with the above

We cant check call as we are sb. If u are asking if u should value bet and you don't know if he would check a higher flush riv or value bet it then safer option would be for u to bet 2nd nuts plus for value here maybe your hand if you have a dynamic or if you have a very bluffy style as then you need to value bet here to balance that. What do you think?