you're missing the point, the password wasn't released generally because of a problem with the hidden password feature that should have released the password at the correct time. The people who played were forum regs who got access to the password because they had posted regularly and had access to it early via the qualified members forum and some people who got in because an ex member posted it on facebook because he already had access to the next 4 tournaments passwords for being a qualified member .he was banned this month because he ignored the warnings not to spread the passwords and last month he gave the password to his GF and step daughter and the family had 3 of the 14 entrants. The case was referred to pokerstars security once the family relationship was discovered and stars investigated their play and all three of them have been banned from stars, and people denied placings in tournaments have been compensated for the family's unfair play and presumably that compensation has come from money seized when their accounts were frozen.

If you want to take no active part in the forum and rely on a last minute release of passwords thats up to you, but if you got involved in the forum you wouldn't have to worry about last minute cockups preventing you from playing.