Poker - The Global Force in Card Playing

19.09.2022

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Poker is the most popular card game in the world, period. Blackjack doesn’t hold a candle to it. And neither do modern games like Magic: The Gathering, or any variety of the Pokemon card series. In the United States alone, there are over 60 million poker players.

Poker is a global force not just in card playing, but in gaming, period. It’s a classic, ubiquitous, and still growing. Here’s what makes poker the juggernaut it undoubtedly is, the game’s history (and future), and how you can join the fun.

Poker is a Global Game

Poker dominates in the United States, but it’s a truly global game. Casinos are dotted all over, not just in big gambling locations like Las Vegas or Macau. Poker games are also popular in an unofficial capacity, with friends often getting together to drink beer and put a few dollars down on cards.

But what’s really launched poker to another level is the availability of online poker. It widened the reach of the game, with players being able to play online poker from Ireland to Peru and Vietnam, you name it.

In countries like Malaysia, where there is only a single casino and no live poker tables, the game moving online has been a true gift. With laws for land-based casinos being what they are, Malaysians (and those from many other countries) are now able to join players from all over.

Quick History of Poker 

With poker having such a strong global presence, it’s difficult to think of a time when it didn’t even exist. The modern version we know and love today spread in the 19th century, when the game became popular first along the Mississippi River through riverboat crews.

Before that, the Germans played a variation of the game known as Pochen. In France, the game was developed and refined, being given the name of Poque. The French adoption was a crucial point for poker, as it was then exported to New Orleans, from where it evolved into today’s table game.

Since the American Civil War, when the game exploded in popularity, it’s been a staple of card playing life. Particularly popular in North America, the game is also part of the furniture in Europe. Online casinos are also helping to spread poker everywhere, with countries like Indonesia and Brazil seeing an upsurge of active players.

Not Just a Single Poker

These days, there are a lot of poker variations you can play. The most popular of them all is undoubtedly Texas Hold’em. It’s the one that is available in most online casinos, and it’s also heavily televised with live tournaments featuring famous names of the game. Learning how to play Texas Hold’em is easy, but getting to an expert level is a whole other business.

Other variations of poker include Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7-Card Stud, 2-7 Triple Draw, and HORSE. And that’s just a very limited list. It may seem a little daunting at first, but once you get into the swing of things, you’ll realise that at its core, poker is based on a set of similar rules.

Want to Join? Poker Beginner Tips

This poker thing sounds pretty good, right? If you’re part of the uninitiated, the game may seem a little intimidating. You’re playing for real cash in some cases, amongst seasoned players, and you don’t want to embarrass yourself.

Not to worry, we all have to start somewhere. For beginners, this is what will help you through the start:

- Low stakes. Poker beginner’s luck is a thing. Don’t think you’re a legend just because you’ve won a few hands. Play low stakes for the first few months, at least.

- Stick to a single table. Multi-tabling is for the professionals. You need to be a seasoned veteran to do it well. As a newb, stick to a single table and absorb all the knowledge that you can.

- Invest in learning time. The mistake a lot of players make is that they just want to play, without really learning the basics of the game. You can learn while you play, sure, but invest proper time away from the table.

Will Poker Keep Growing?

With online casinos and card companies consistently releasing new and exciting games, can poker continue to compete? After all, it’s a traditional game and it’s old. But if you really think about it, poker still has room to grow. And the reason it’s ‘old’ and still around is that it’s fun. People enjoy it and no fancy card game can replace it.

Mobile penetration is on the up, and so are internet speeds in developing countries. Online casinos are continually improving what they have on offer, from new spins on old classics to fun live poker events. Even players living in countries with strict laws use sophisticated VPNs to join online poker tables.

So yes, as we look forward to 2023 and beyond, it’s clear that poker is here to stay. And then some. There’s little risk that you’ll load up your favourite online casino and find that the poker tables are empty.

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More interesting and useful articles from the world of poker you can read in our blog. Also search for poker clubs in the country or city, get to know about upcoming poker tournaments or cash games at PokerDiscover.com

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