PokerStars has introduced a new system to protect rookie players from the predatory practices of some more experienced regulars.

The island based online gaming giant says the ’active waiting lists’ system is designed to ’ensure an enjoyable, safe and fair experience’ for players.

In a statement on its blog, PokerStars assured customers that the new feature is ’about making the game fairer and the experience better for most players.’

The new system has been designed to encourage engagement and action, while deterring players whose only objective is to join games with weaker opponents.

The company operates the largest online poker site in the world and employs around 300 people at its offices at Onchan Head.

It says: ’Our latest feature, Active Waiting List, is all about making the game fairer and the experience better for most players.

’We created this new system for those who like to play cash games with us and it is primarily designed to combat predatory behaviour and level the playing field.

’It achieves this goal by making it more difficult for some players to seek out our less experienced or more recreational players.

’We expect Active Waiting List to have many other positive effects on our community too because it will reduce the time players spend waiting for a seat in a cash game and increase the number of games running, which benefits everyone.’

PokerStars acknowledged that some sections of the poker community wouldn’t agree with the latest move: ’We understand that people who use waiting lists to hunt weaker players will not be happy with this change, but our intention is to make the online poker lobby a fairer place and to ensure the game’s ongoing health.

’We are confident that this will be a positive step forward for the online poker environment and will be listening to feedback and analysing how this is received as we look ahead to additional features and updates.’

Under the rules of the Active List system, a player won’t be forced to change seats after a certain period, however, they won’t be able to join a waiting list unless they are active in cash games with similar stakes.

PokerStars continues: ’Whenever we create a new feature, the customer experience comes first.

’Our goal is to provide access to what you want when you want it and to when you get there. We also know every player is different, so we ultimately aim for a balance that is acceptable to everyone.’

Some online poker operators in the past have looked to tackle this issue by banning the use of seat scripts; coding which helps a player easily find a softer table. Other operators have also made games anonymous by removing table names.