British online poker pro Alex Milar surprised a stunned online poker community when he announced that he was walking away from Poker Stars and their sponsorship of him. Milar initiated the separation shortly after Poker Stars announced major reductions in its VIP rewards program. Poker pros from all over the world were outraged with the reduction in the bonus program and it is likely to cost Poker Stars far more customers than if they had left well enough alone.
Milar has been one of the most successful online poker players in history with over $4 million in lifetime winnings from playing cash games. Milar said that his decision so part ways with Poker Stars was the right thing to do because of his own objections to the reductions in the bonus program.
Milar took a stand for high volume grinder type players who will be the most adversely affected by the bonus reductions. Milar believes that the bonus reductions are a classic bait and switch tactic by Poker Stars which is not fair to long time loyal players.
Milar was also disappointed that the poker pros themselves were not consulted on the changes in the bonus structure by the Poker Stars management. Few examples of ignorant management could be better illustrated than Poker Stars changing the bonus structure without actually consulting the experts that play the games. Milar said that the changes will not affect him nearly as much as the grinder players and that the environment will become much more predatory.
