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| Why online poker is good for the game |
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| Source: Wikimedia -
Photo by
Nyks.
CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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Not too long ago,
when Phil Hellmuth barely had a
WSOP
bracelet to his name, regulated poker games were only available at casinos.
Fast forward 20 years, and the revelation that is the internet was born. This
impacted so heavily on all aspects of society, and poker was no exception. The
subsequent partial migration from casino floors to online card rooms
hasn’t all been positive - many players still prefer ‘live’
poker - but as a whole it has been beneficial to the game.
Inspiring a generation
Not to say that the younger
generation wouldn’t have picked up the game anyway, some certainly would
have, but it is safe to say that in poker embracing the online revolution, far
more technologically-adept youngsters have been drawn to the game.
The
reason for this is that it hit a whole new demographic, ensuring that the
younger generation who have been brought up surrounded by technology had a
platform on which to play poker that is most relatable to them. Additionally,
with online poker streamed through sites like Twitch and YouTube, there is more
exposure to the game for those who are on these sites regularly, which may
subsequently lead to an increase in its interest.
What's more,
there’s a complete anonymity with online poker, meaning those who may be
intimidated by mixing it up with regulars at a casino can enjoy the game from
the comfort of their own home playing behind their on-screen
alias.
Build a community
Twitch is a
prime example of how communities through online poker can be built. The likes
of Lex Veldhuis, perhaps the most prolific poker streamer on the site,
have built up a viewership in the thousands who tune-in to his channel up
to six times a week. Not only does his persona and gameplay (being an
aggressive medium to high-stakes pro), entertain his viewers, but he also adds
an educational side to his streams by talking through his thought processes to
try to better his viewers’ poker ability.
This would not have been
possible without online poker to act as the medium that brings all of these
people together. The online poker scene itself has by default created its own
community. Similarly to how all the live high-stakes tournament regulars will
frequently meet at tables and casinos, certain tournament and games attract a
very specific type of player. Therefore, regular online players of these games
will begin to be familiarised with one another, and they have the tool
online through game chats to even interact
amongst themselves.
More accessible
The main, and most obvious, reason online poker is beneficial to
the game as a whole is that it makes it more accessible to players across the
world. Theoretically, all that is needed is an internet connection and a poker
account to play online poker. Before the internet, and when online poker
was established - around 1998, players would
have to travel to a casino to play live if they wanted to find a real game of
poker (as opposed to games organised by themselves among friends for
instance).
Providing poker is legal in the location, a person can access
a card room and potentially play a number of variations of poker at all
different stakes. They will be able to connect with thousands of other players
instantly, and even have the freedom to play hundreds of hands an hour by
multi-tabling.
Incentives
Live poker
games at casinos rarely have incentives to encourage players to play, and
in fact rake is often higher in live games than online - assumingly down to the
fact that the dealers are costing the casino money. Having said that, most
casinos do offer bad-beat jackpots where if a player loses a hand with
four-of-a-kind or better, they win a large sum of money.
Of
course, casinos do have independent offers, but online poker rooms are the most
lucrative when it comes to bonuses and rewards. FullTilt for instance, are
currently offering an
ultimate
player's trip around the world. This is significant to the sport as it
simply entices players to continue to play, where they may not were certain
incentives not there. |
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| Source: Wikimedia -
Photo by
Raul654.
CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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In conclusion...
Chris
Moneymaker's WSOP Main Event win in 2003 was a significant event in poker
history. As a complete amateur to the game, he saw off a field of 838 other
competitors to win $2.5m. The next year saw entrants to the main event triple.
Moneymaker generated interest by giving every amateur player genuine
belief that they could replicate his huge win.
Although he helped
catalyse an increase in participation of professional (or organised) poker,
without a large enough platform to showcase the game the amateur levels would
not see the benefit. Ensuring that people are attracted to poker, and thus
begin to play at an amateur level, is vital for the long-term
growth and sustainability of the game. So, without that bridge
for new players to enter and begin to learn the game, the future of
poker would be under serious threat.
Online sites gave poker that
accessibility to the masses, and ensured amateurs could play regularly and
develop their skills without having to go up against the pros - who'd simply
crush them everytime. The online revelation also later rejuvenated the game,
forcing it to evolve as its popularity grew. All in all, online poker has
been crucial in supporting the continued success of the discipline of poker,
and it will definitely prove to be instrumental to its progression in the
future. |
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