Persistent technical problems don't help, but I think it goes deeper than that.

Clearly, the aim of many of the changes in the last 4 years have been to encourage membership. I get that; the site should give you payback on effort.

But player numbers have declined markedly and I doubt that membership has grown.Why?

For me, the decline began with the changes that were designed to produce a better standard of play.

You only see that in tournaments though. I'd immediately lift all tournament bonuses if you want to attract/bring back decent players.

In general play, there has been NO improvement of standards as a result of things like:
- Having to make 10k to get off the baby tables
- The IP based refill rule

The internet is a fickle place..short attention spans...Why not remove some barriers?

I liked being able to move up to the $200 table ($2000-40,000)with say only 5k, or go to the $1000 table with only 10k - NO BARRIERS!

If you have flexibility in general play and real rewards for the 30-60 minutes spent in tourneys, traffic will improve, along with satisfaction

It's a shame to see a site as good as this fading away.