PokerStars Slides into the Future: Why Card Pitching is Out and Slide Dealing is In

The poker room was packed. Chips clicked in rhythm, players leaned forward, and the air carried that unique cocktail of intensity and expectation. As the dealer reached for the deck, something felt different—not in the energy of the table, but in the motion of the deal itself. Gone was the crisp flick of the wrist, the iconic pitching of cards across the felt. In its place, a smoother, more deliberate action: slide dealing.

This wasn’t just one quirky dealer’s preference. It was part of a sweeping new rule change by PokerStars, one of the biggest names in global poker. The company recently announced that all of its live events—including the prestigious European Poker Tour (EPT), the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), and other regional series—will now feature slide dealing, officially phasing out the traditional card-pitching method that has long been a staple of live poker.

It’s a move that has stirred discussion across the poker community, sparking debates from the felt to online forums. But why the change, and what does it mean for players, dealers, and the future of live poker?

The Reason Behind the Shift: Protecting the Cards, Protecting the Game

While the change may seem cosmetic at first glance, PokerStars has cited clear functional reasons for the move. The most critical among them? Minimizing card damage.

Pitching cards, particularly at high speeds and over long sessions, puts significant wear and tear on decks. The cards can become marked, bent, or scratched—compromising game integrity and potentially opening doors for angle shooting or unintentional unfair play. By contrast, slide dealing is gentler on the cards, extending their life and keeping games fair and professional.

Moreover, slide dealing is generally more consistent, reducing dealer errors and enhancing the uniformity of gameplay. This is particularly important in international tournaments where thousands of hands are dealt across hundreds of tables each day.

For a brand that prides itself on setting standards in poker excellence, the shift makes practical sense.

Dealer Reactions: Adapting to the Slide

For seasoned dealers, the transition isn’t entirely seamless. Card pitching is a skill that many professionals have honed over years, even decades. The wrist action, the accuracy, the flair—it’s part of the live poker experience.

Yet, most dealers are embracing the change, understanding that uniformity and durability trump tradition when it comes to delivering a world-class poker experience.

“Slide dealing may not feel as showy at first,” one veteran EPT dealer commented, “but it’s more precise, and once you get used to it, it actually speeds up the game.”

PokerStars has also committed to ensuring that dealer training reflects the new standard, equipping all staff with the tools and practice needed to make the transition smooth across global events.

Players Weigh In: Mixed Emotions at the Felt

Unsurprisingly, players have voiced mixed reactions. While some purists lament the loss of the pitched card’s iconic snap, others welcome the shift as a sign of modernization.

“It’s poker. The dealing style shouldn’t matter if the game is fair,” said a pro grinding the EPT circuit. “If anything, slide dealing keeps the cards cleaner and sharper for longer. That’s a good thing.”

Others noted that slide dealing reduces the risk of accidentally exposing a card during a deal—a not-uncommon issue in large field events where even small errors can lead to floor rulings and disruptions.

For recreational players, the change may go unnoticed. But for the seasoned grinder or the televised final table star, the method of delivery is part of the show. And as poker becomes more global and more watched than ever before, presentation and precision are key.

What This Means for Live Poker in 2025 and Beyond

PokerStars’ adoption of slide dealing isn’t just a rules tweak—it’s a symbol of poker’s evolution.

Live poker is adapting. As the game grows across new regions and finds new audiences through streaming, social media, and major global tournaments, standardization and integrity are taking center stage.

And it’s not just PokerStars making moves. Other operators are likely to follow suit if this shift proves successful, especially as they look to align with international standards and enhance player trust.

For players, it’s a small change in motion with a big impact on how the game feels and flows. For PokerStars, it’s another example of how the brand continues to lead in shaping the future of the game.

Final Thoughts

In poker, every detail matters—from the texture of the felt to the shuffle of the deck. While the move from card pitching to slide dealing may seem like a subtle change, it represents a broader trend toward modernization, fairness, and consistency in live events.

PokerStars’ decision sets a precedent—one that other tournament series will likely watch closely. As live poker continues to evolve in 2025, one thing is certain: the action on the felt remains as thrilling as ever, even if the cards arrive a little more smoothly.

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