While it was expected that WSOP would finally upgrade its classic software in Nevada and New Jersey, the operator has instead rolled out an even newer version to WSOP Pennsylvania.
On Wednesday, May 22, WSOP introduced a new desktop table layout for Pennsylvania online poker players, marking one of the most substantial upgrades since the operator launched.
Based on the screenshots seen by pokerfuse, it appears that WSOP PA has received the latest version of Poker 8, which focuses on a new table design and aims to enhance various aspects of the table experience. This is the same version that 888poker deployed in the global dot-com market earlier this year.
WSOP PA players will notice redesigned table layouts with larger tables, new table felts, smoother graphics, a revamped betting interface, improved note-taking features, new throwables, and emoji reactions, among other enhancements.
Another notable change is the increased prominence of the red and black color scheme. When WSOP launched Poker 8 in Pennsylvania and Michigan, these two colors were used to differentiate it from the global 888 software. With the new table design, these colors have become even more prominent.
The text color showing players’ screen names and their chip stacks has been changed from white to black.
However, one missing feature is the “sneak peek menu” at tournament tables. When 888 deployed this new table design in February 2024, its most notable feature was the live lobby feature right on the tables.
Positioned at the top left of the table, the feature provides MTT players with real-time updates on crucial tournament data, such as the current blind level, payouts, next money jump, and the number of remaining players, all without the need to leave the table.
This feature seems to be missing from WSOP PA. The reason for its omission is unknown, but it appears to be due to a bug.
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Mostly Negative Response to the Redesigned Table Layout
The response to the revamped table layout on the Discord server dedicated to Pennsylvania online poker has been mostly negative so far. Many users find the red text color difficult to read. A few players have pointed out the absence of valuable information from the tables, such as players’ positions in the tournament, the late registration period, and other crucial info. It appears this information was meant to be available on the new “sneak peek menu.”
However, a couple of players have found the software upgrade to be more tolerable than the previous version. One player commented that hands are being dealt faster in cash games.
Another player noted smoother play when using one table. However, as soon as they opened a second table, the gameplay became unplayable, with frequent freezes.
“Still awful. One table with nothing else open on WSOP, [and] it’s playable. [Opening] one more table made it totally unusable. [It] freezes every action for 30 seconds or so, [and you] can’t even switch between tables,” a player wrote.
What About Other States?
The new table layout has only been deployed in Pennsylvania so far. WSOP Michigan, which is on course to merge with the WSOP New Jersey and Nevada player pool, remains on the older Poker 8 version. Meanwhile, the WSOP NV app and WSOP NJ app continue to use the classic 888 software.
However, this is set to change soon as all WSOP US platforms will soon support Poker 8. WSOP is currently conducting private testing on its three-state shared liquidity network, involving Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. Pokerfuse understands that this development is just days away from coming out of the testing phase.
New Jersey and Nevada will have their software upgraded to Poker 8, and the classic 888 software will be phased out. Initially, WSOP NJ and WSOP NV will run on the previous version of Poker 8, with the latest upgrades to follow later.
The upcoming online bracelet series will run on the new tri-state shared liquidity network featuring the new software. The announcement of the online bracelet schedule for all four states is expected to take place this Friday, May 24. The announcement will also likely include details about the impending shared liquidity and software upgrades.