Why Online Poker Is Still A Worthwhile Hobby

Online poker had a huge boost in popularity in the early 2000s. In those days, tournaments were shown regularly on ESPN and amateurs like Chris Moneymaker rose from the amateur ranks to compete at the World Series of Poker. Since then, however, the game has been in something of a decline, primarily because it was effectively outlawed in the U.S. in 2011. Amateur play online, at least for real money, has been less popular for roughly a decade.

Despite this, there has recently been a mild resurgence in online poker activity in the U.S. It’s not quite on the same level as the previous boom, but it’s certainly worth noting.

So why is poker being viewed as a worthwhile hobby again? There are a few clear reasons.

The Sense of Community

Like any good online game, competitive poker is only as good as the people you’re playing with. A good multiplayer gaming experience can turn an average game into a great one, and there are some terrific, growing communities within the online poker scene. Game platforms support lively chat between players, and there are also plenty of YouTube channels in which skilled players interact with viewers, providing tips, poker room reviews, and so on.

Its Easy to Pick Up

There’s a lot for beginning poker players to learn, but nailing down the basics is a pretty quick process. You really only need to know the rules, betting procedures, and the different hands in order to start playing games. Table etiquette is something that can be picked up from other players, and you’ll figure out your own style and strategy as you go. But between tips and guides, the aforementioned YouTube channels, and practical experience, advancing from newcomer to intermediate player is a fairly simple and quick process. Naturally, this makes it easier for people to get on board once an online poker trend like the one we’re seeing lately gets started.

It is Still Fun

This is probably the most important entry on this list, albeit the simplest. No one can deny the thrill that comes from winning a big hand of poker! It is the reason the game has been a mainstay in casinos and in pop culture for as long as it has been. The game has natural tension and drama, and when it pays off there’s nothing quite like it. Online poker is continually doing a better job of capturing this aspect of the game, and in doing so is essentially always improving. So in a sense the bottom line here is that online poker is more fun than ever before.

It Can Be Done From Home

We’ve all learned over the past year how valuable it can be to have ways of doing things from home. From work, to social activity, to personal recreation and entertainment, more and more things have moved to remote-only conditions, and in some cases the trend isn’t reversing. This is thought to be the main reason behind the renewed interest in online poker to begin with. The online game gives you all the fun and drama of a poker table without the need to dress up and go out in public. Indeed, online poker sites can even be thought of as having been slightly ahead of the curve in this regard, having had about two decades to craft and perfect the most immersive and satisfying possible online gaming experiences.

Considering all of these factors, it’s no surprise online poker seems to be getting trendy again.