I know it sounds crazy, and at the start of 2009 and 2010 I would have said the same thing, but in 2011 expect Full Tilt Poker’s growth to outpace the growth of Poker Stars. Many online poker players, especially those that give poker rooms a lot of action, have been unhappy with Poker Stars lately. Some have even openly discussed how Full Tilt Poker has been doing a much better job lately.

Early in 2010 Full Tilt Poker made a major change to their no limit offerings. Instead of the standard 20-100 big blind tables they split up their no limit offerings. There are four sets of No Limit Texas Hold’em tables. There are 20-40 big blind tables, 35-100 big blind tables and 75-200 big blind tables. The 75-200 big blind tables also include an ante of 20% of the big blind. There are also cap tables. At those tables a hand is capped when a player has 30 big blinds in the pot. Once players have acted behind the player with a total of 30 big blinds in the pot he is allin.

Poker Stars countered this move with something many players feel was a mistake. They created 20-50 big blind tables, 40-100 big blind tables and 100-250 big blind tables. The 100-250 big blind tables include a 20% ante as well. Many players have complained that now the action has fallen down to the 20-50 tables. Most serious players despise short stack no limit. Short stackers change the complexion of the game. Now players have been forced to drop down to 50 big blind tables to find the action because of the overlap between short stack and normal no limit tables.

There is also another issue with this. Since PokerStars is still a dealt VIP site short stackers, who often give little action, get the same number of VPPs as other players with deeper stacks with more at risk. The fact that PokerStars still uses the dealt method also hurts the game quality. In my opinion the games at Full Tilt Poker are far superior to PokerStars.

While the no limit debate is one of the bigger issues Full Tilt Poker has also improved their customer relations. First they are active at Two Plus Two. There is a monthly FTP Answers thread. Also they have come up with solutions for players that do not get rakeback. If a player does not have an affiliate they move the player in house. Some players that have an affiliate are given a large bonus that equals 27% rakeback.

Full Tilt Poker also started its Black Card promotion during 2010. High volume players are rewarded with special perks including double FTP Points and freerolls.

Even though Poker Stars is double the size of Full Tilt Poker today I see that gap closing over the next year. It wouldn’t surprise me if Full Tilt Poker actually caught up to Poker Stars.