Online poker has been popular for many years but it grew in stature during the pandemic. And the online gaming market is predicted to register a compound growth rate of around 11% by 2026, with online poker being one of the biggest areas of growth. This means that even now the pandemic has begun to subside, online poker is still on course to grow – even more so than in-person games.
But, why? Well, many people favor online poker due to several advantages that outweigh traditional poker. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of these benefits.
Easier accessibility
With online poker, there is no need to travel to a casino and wait for an open seat. All that players’ need is a compatible device and a stable internet connection. The numerous online poker sites like PokerStars and partypoker allow players a variety of options. Additionally, there is almost always an available table for them. Unlike traditional poker, online poker provides people with the choice to play at any location no matter the timezone.
Quicker play
One notable advantage of online poker is that it is much faster to play online. Everything is automated including the shuffling and card dealing. All moves are done with a single click or push of a button, too. Compared to playing poker in a casino, it is much easier to figure out how much money to raise online. After all, all the information is readily available on the screen, reducing the need for mental calculations. Players are able to make decisions almost instantly, making the game much faster. Online poker is much better in the long run because faster plays mean more games, increasing overall knowledge and experience.
Better learning opportunities
Taking notes is made easier when playing online poker. Some online poker rooms, like 888Poker, have built-in features that allow players to make notes on opponents as the game goes on. Other rooms allow players to mark other players with a certain color, so they can be categorized for example as ‘amateur’, ‘aggressive, and ‘passive’ so people can keep track of who to look out for. This note-taking and color-coding feature lets online players review their notes for long-term strategies so that they can adjust their play in accordance with who they are playing against. In traditional poker, players would have less time to write more detailed notes or even have to hide them from opponents.
More payment options
Traditional poker games typically prefer cash or card transactions when it comes to payments. On the other hand, online poker accepts more payment methods such as e-wallets and even cryptocurrency. E-wallet solutions combine traditional payment methods and digital poker payment systems.
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency is becoming popular at many online games and services, including online poker, because it’s fast and cost-efficient. More payment methods provide online poker players with options that are in accordance with their comfort and convenience.
Bonus offers and promotions
One unique advantage of playing poker online is that many sites offer bonuses and promotions to players. Traditional poker does not provide this, even to regular players. However, online poker rooms have numerous offers to regulars and newcomers alike. Some of the offers include a welcoming bonus for free plays, cash-back rewards, deposit bonuses, and discounted memberships. There are even anniversary bonuses for loyal players. These bonuses and promotions allow online players to earn and play more, which is something they otherwise would not get from traditional poker.
Overall, online poker provides players with more benefits compared to traditional poker. These include better accessibility, more learning opportunities, quicker plays, various payment methods, and possible bonuses.