Opening Thoughts
When the internet entered the equation, all casino games had to undergo a significant change; it was a genuine test of which companies would move with the times and which would be relegated to the backbenches of history.
There was still a market for land-based casino games, and out of all the potential options, poker and slots were two that many felt would have a place in the land-based world, regardless of the changes enacted by the new digital frontier that was expanding in front of us. Like every other casino game, poker has flourished in the digital market. As with other games, entirely new constructs and ideas have emerged only due to the internet.
Expanding Into The Online Poker World
Poker software developers have seamlessly expanded into the game’s PC and desktop versions, and recent adaptations, such as Bovada’s online poker, have grown into the market.
While the early days of online poker were marred by traditionalists who said it didn’t embody the finer elements of the game that had endeared it to a global audience, within a few years, the market was booming, with hundreds of online poker tournaments and even some of the game’s elite players and experts seeking out online poker options instead of opting for their traditional alternatives.
Within a few years, online poker providers sought alternate payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, which were part of another burgeoning market erupting online. The memecoin boom in the crypto market has highlighted just how much money is in the crypto sector, and how the online casino industry is crying out for options for customers who want to use their online assets in a practical environment that they recognize.
So, what are some reasons online poker has become such a massive hit with the professionals, and why have the pros taken to it with such great aplomb? Let’s take a look.
Exploring The Appeal Of Online Poker
Online poker isn’t just a digital version of the land-based game; it is a totally different package in many ways. It focuses on the quality of the hand, and due to its online nature, the elements often so crucial in land-based tournaments, such as bluffing, psyching out opponents, and trying to read other players and the dealer, are redundant.
This is the game at its most authentic. Although the professionals have commented that there isn’t a genuine replacement for high-profile land-based tournaments, such as the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) – where the prize pools can spiral into seven-figure territory, it helps the professionals keep the cobwebs off, work on strategies that revolve on hand probability rather than table personality, and give them the option to do this from the comfort of their own home.
Online poker can branch into other areas of the poker world, too. There are dozens of variations, and online poker can integrate this with some of the most cutting-edge systems—including online Chinese poker, where you can sharpen your skills by playing against AI rather than human competition.
For professionals and regular everyday players like you and me, online poker gives players a chance to unwind and play without worrying about some cantankerous behaviour in land-based poker games and tournaments. However, there’s an added incentive for the professionals, as many get hounded for tips, advice, and selfies – so online poker provides a great sanctuary away from that.
Other Considerations
Some professional poker players revel in the atmosphere of a land-based casino; they often use a range of loud and aggressive tactics to put other players off their game. So, the idea of online poker isn’t something they are immediately drawn to.
Other poker players have successfully implemented some of their other skills at land-based events. For example, Maria Konnikova, who has a PhD in psychology, leverages it at the poker table to try and get the upper hand against some of her fellow professionals.
While online poker tournaments can be lucrative and offer prize pools in the six—or seven-figure range, they don’t have the same appeal or market as land-based events. The key ones are televised and tap into the social element that many poker players feel when playing in a casino or having a poker night with their friends.
So, while some pros enjoy spending hours at online tables and flicking between different rooms and tournaments, they haven’t completely taken business away from the traditional side of the game.
Summary
In a nutshell, poker players are drawn to online tables because they give them a sense of freedom and privacy. Instead of putting up with some of the antics of people in a land-based establishment, they can use a digital platform to keep their skills sharp, work on strategy, and cut out some of the noise that can turn a land-based poker game into a headache.
Granted, this has limitations, but there are many positives, which is why more pros attend online poker events to expand their skills and awareness of the game’s future direction.
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