On February 1st, a variety of changes will purportedly take effect on PokerStarsfollowing a meeting between players and site officials, according to the former. After assessing the results of the summit, which was held after PokerStars made changes to its rake calculation in recent weeks, the original poster in a PocketFives thread commented over the weekend, “PokerStars shows again why it is number one.” Let’s check out the alleged results.

After officials from PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker room, met with several players, the results were posted on TwoPlusTwo for all the world to see. The statement led off with, “VPPs will continue to be awarded according to the weighted contributed system.”

It added, “Overall rake has been reduced by about 2% from the 2011 rates, which is giving more back to the players than the 1.5% loss in VIP rewards.” PokerStars noted that the recent change from the dealt to weighted contributed calculation would mean a loss of 1.5% to players. Now, with a 2% reduction in rake, players could actually see a net gain going forward.

In terms of what changes PokerStars Supernovaand Supernova Elite members could experience in 2012, players on TwoPlusTwo revealed that the following would take effect starting on February 1st, which is just a few days away:

1. Supernova and Supernova Elite kept for 2013 as long as monthly VPP maintenance requirements are met in 2012 (this year only).

2. Supernova and Supernova Elite lasts for 12 months instead of nine when monthly requirements are met and the right to miss one extra month is taken into account.

3. Supernova monthly VPP maintenance requirement lowered to 6,500 VPPs per month.

Changes didn’t just affect high-stakes PokerStars players. Instead, PokerStars’ micro-stakes clientele could see a reduction in rake. Text found on TwoPlusTwo noted, “About 40% of the rake changes are associated with micro-stakes games. Every game at the micro-stakes has seen a rake reduction.” As a tradeoff, rake increases will be introduced at $25/$50 games and higher. These rake increases will be funneled in part into rake decreases at lower stakes games.

Why could PokerStars justify a rake increase at the higher buy-in tables? The same thread revealed, “Associated costs with these games are much higher due to detecting collusion, fraudulent deposits, monitoring games, etc.” Essentially, larger maintenance requirements at higher-stakes games could warrant higher rake.

At the lower stakes tables, PokerStars will introduce two new levels: $0.03/$0.06 and $0.08/$0.16. The same thread explained, “This will make it easier for players to move up/take shots at a higher level and should help to ‘unblock’ the micro-stakes. If these prove successful, new stake levels will be considered.” PokerStars has maintained its billing as the busiest site in the world despite vacating the U.S. market following Black Friday and is also rumored to be increasing the maximum number of tables that its members can play.

As part of its recently announced changes, PokerStars acknowledged that it might have erred in announcing its most recent rake changes. As a result, the site has vowed to keep the lines of communication open going forward: “It will invite player representatives to discuss issues with PokerStars twice a year in April and November.” PokerStars announced that it would be switching from the dealt method to weighted distributed method on December 28th, with the changes set to be implemented just a few days later.

On the TwoPlusTwo forums, posters reacted to the results of the meeting with PokerStars officials. One member of the poker community wrote, “First of all, wanted to thank all the reps for their hard work. Seems like a pretty intense group of sessions, a lot of time involved, little gain on your parts, and you’re clearly looking out for the best interests of the poker community. Thanks a lot.”

Later this year, PokerStars officials will reevaluate their rake calculations. The same discussion thread included the following assessment: “PokerStars has agreed to revisit the rake figures later in the year and if the actual rake differs significantly from the projected rake, then they may make further rake reductions.”

According to the traffic watchdog site PokerScout, PokerStars is the largest site in the world in terms of cash game traffic and sports a seven-day running average of 25,400 real money ring game players. During peak hours, over 50,000 ring game players can call the site home. Year-over-year, cash game traffic on PokerStars is off 20%.