Why Online Poker Is More Popular Than Ever

At one point in time, poker was the hottest thing going in online gambling. In the mid-2000s, it hit what many consider its boom years, and it seemed like it was starting to seep into pop culture as the game picked up millions of players during this era.

However, many are asking if online poker has declined? It doesn’t seem to have the status it once did, and optics suggest that its popularity has faded. Yet, if we look at the evidence, we can see that it’s still going strong. Numerous famous platforms are still very active, with massive user numbers. Today, you can play at PartyPoker just as you once did.

So, let’s list a few reasons why online poker has not only maintained, but grown.

Convenience

In its prime, online poker players had to sit down in front of a computer to play. Many may have forgotten, but in the 2000s, laptops were far rarer than they are now, and desktop computers were the norm. These were expensive, heavy machines that tied you down to your desk.

Nowadays, thanks to the invention of the smartphone, affordable internet, and free Wi-Fi hotspots, you can play poker at any time, from anywhere. The top sites provide dedicated apps that offer a seamless gaming experience from any mobile device. All you have to do is sign-up, fund your account, and play. You can even use payment options that provide anonymity and enjoy a comfortable, care-free card action, with instantaneous payments.

Bonuses and Promotions

Online gambling platforms are in a constant battle for customers. To lure you in and make you join, they offer fantastic promotional deals, usually, in the form of a welcome bonus, which is the norm for any online gambling site, poker platforms included. They also feature matching bonuses, reload bonuses, free chips, and more.

Many also have a loyalty program in place that rewards you for your patronage in the form of free playing money, access to exclusive tournaments, cashback deals, waived banking fees, special withdrawal limits, and other terrific perks. These programs vary wildly from site to site, and some may even offer vacation trips for the very top VIP members.

Variety of Games

Everyone knows that poker has many variants. Texas Hold’em may still be the king, as amateurs and pros alike have gotten into the game thanks to their exposure to No Limit. While, in the past, there wasn’t a great deal of variety in terms of the selection of poker variants available online, today, that’s no longer the case.

Platforms nowadays, not only have all the variations you are familiar with, but they are home to newly invented games that aim to boost entertainment value and attract new players. You can even head over to the casino section of many poker platforms and enjoy one of the dozens of video poker games, or try out a casino-poker variant such as Caribbean Stud, or Three-card poker.