PokerStars is planning on introducing a “run it twice” option. The feature that would reduce all-in variance may become available for testing in the TestPokerStars client in August.
"Running it Twice" as seen on FTP
The latest PokerStars feature to be introduced is a “run it twice” option that may debut in the TestPokerStars client this month, according to a short summary published by the room via the 2+2 forum.
“Run it twice” is a feature to deal the rest of the board twice upon the agreement of the players if they get all-in before the river card is dealt. In case both players win one of the two boards thus created, the pot is split. This is to decrease all-in variance in these situations. The concept gained popularity in TV shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark and was introduced in a number of online poker networks and rooms, including Full Tilt Poker in 2009.
In these cases, ”Running it Twice” only occurred when both parties allowed it in the client prior to the hand in question. In TestPokerStars, a similar function has been visible for a while, with options to allow or disallow it, or to decide for each individual table. However, it has been inactive.
“We actually expect a prototype on TestPokerStars to be available later in August for player testing (subject to changes). Based on stability of the feature it might be released soon to main clients or might stay on TestPokerStars only for a longer period of time,” wrote "PokerStars Stefan" on the 2+2 forum.
Even though this feature is of little importance for the majority of the players, it was popular with nosebleed stakes pros and higher stakes regulars on FTP, which justifies its introduction on PokerStars as well.
