Poker is gaining a lot of momentum around the world. At least 100 million people around the globe play the game today, and even though poker has an intimidating status – or a rather romanticized one if you believe Hollywood movies – the game is appealing to more players. There are many reasons why this is.
Indeed, blockbuster movies contribute to the game’s veneration with flicks such as Rounders and Casino Royale really helping inspire more people to try their hand at the green felt. Of course, there are contributing factors and we take a look at all of those.
Popular Culture Contributes to Poker Popularity
The first reason is undoubtedly to do with the fact that there are so many references to poker in popular culture. The game enjoys a high status in in many movies that have become absolute hits at the box office, with Rounders and Casino Royale perhaps two of the best known movies amongst poker fans.
Then, there is Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels which is another brilliant stroke of cinematic genius that allowed the game of poker to come front and center. Although these movies have been criticized for their factological inaccuracy and lack of realism in how the actual game of poker is being played, many people have at least tried poker because of seeing those flicks. Some even go on to become pretty decent players, and this is a fact.
A Close-Knit Community of Idealists
Poker community has not always been a thriving one. In fact, there have been many challenges to making poker work as an ecosystem and these challenges had to be weathered for years on end. Some have suggested that making poker into a global network of tournaments and localized events would be impossible, but many people within the community – and the idealists of the community – have stuck together to make poker a thriving industry.
As a result, poker is today a global and thriving phenomenon and much of this is owed to the early-day pioneers who realized and recognized the potential of the activity and said that they would do their best to turn poker into a thriving ecosystem.
Rugs-to-Riches Stories Inspiring New Players
As the Internet advanced, so have the stories of people making money from poke proliferated. Some have lambasted those stories as mere strokes of luck or “gambling,” but those who have kept a closer eye on the game of poker know that it’s all about skill. The fact is real money poker is won not through luck, but through understanding of the game and consistently making the correct decisions in the long-term.
This is human. Many players, including Chris Moneymaker, started out small with just a few cents at times, and went on to win millions playing poker. This has really rubbed off on people who suddenly realized that poker can be a grand career pursuit, although many admit – the risks are there, and success is not guaranteed.
Softer Regulatory Climate and Landscape
Another important change that happened over the past years is that it’s much easier to introduce poker across various jurisdictions these days. In the United States, for example, land-based poker is legal almost everywhere. Then, there is online poker which is also growing.
All of this regulatory laissez-faire has allowed poker networks to grow and become thriving organizations. The early-day regulation of poker in places like Nevada, allowed the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to exist today. The format has been evolving over the years with more and more people interested in playing online and WSOP obliging.
The fact that laws have been rather beneficial to hosting large-scale events has also led to much better prize pools. WSOP is now awarding millions of dollars to the winners of its Main Event. Although much money gets invested by the players for a shot at making it to the top, this is a calculated risk.
Another big and important win for poker is that the game is consistently recognized as a game of skill which has decoupled it from the institution of “gambling,” giving it yet another legal boost.
The Arrival of Online Poker Platforms
Accessibility has been a huge part of why poker is so popular these days. What this means is that more players can play the game without spending a fortune. One of the reasons why this is the case is because there are online poker platforms. These platforms allow players to onboard quickly and easily and play with budgets that are much smaller than the money you would need to muster to play in the WSOP Main Event, for example.
Online platforms let you play with all sorts of bonuses and promotions. Sometimes you may even play with as little as $0.10 or be granted a ticket for a qualifying event. You can turn a single free event into a WSOP Main Event entry and showing without ever spending any money. All of this is possible precisely because of how accessible the game has become.
There is no need to have a large bankroll. All that matters is whether you are skilled enough player to bring your game and hand to a success. If you are – then poker will reward you. Of course, online poker platforms need to grow a lot more before they can be competitive and comparable.
Many Resources to Learn Poker
The game of poker used to be shrouded in mystery but these days, it’s easy to find enough resources online to find out more about the game and how it works. Players who are new to the experience will be able to pick up the ropes on streaming platforms such as YouTube. There are even dedicated podcasts and Twitch streams that will teach you specifically about the ins and outs of poker.
Becoming acquainted with the game of poker, where to play and how to play are all much easier these days and they will make it simple for you to get a head start!