Gaming is an extremely common and a popular activity for many. The gaming industry is reporting billions of USD in annual revenue and consistent growth each year and it continues to grow.
Experts predict that the gaming industry will continue to grow and prosper over the next decades, and they have also focused on the different gaming genres that make up the gaming industry.
One of the most popular genres within the gaming industry is casino gaming. Just like the gaming industry at large, the casino gaming sector counts millions of active gamers and is growing year after year.
It also generates several billions of USD in annual revenue and successfully attracts new demographics of players. These are all signs that the casino gaming sector is performing well and will continue to expand over the following decades.
There are many famous casino games that contribute to the genre’s success. One of these is poker.
Poker is a classic casino game that has seen a boost in its popularity over the last few years. There are several reasons behind players’ renewed interest in the game.
These reasons will be discussed in this article.
The origins of poker
Poker is an old and traditional casino game. According to most experts and historians, the game was first invented during the 16th century in modern-day Germany.
That first version was not exactly the modern game of poker that most people know. However, it laid the foundations for it.
The 16th-century poker version was eventually brought to the United States. Records suggest that the game first appeared in the US around 1810-1825, approximately three centuries after it was invented.
In New Orleans, a new poker variation was born. This became the original poker version.
That being said, the game of poker continued to change even after that. In New Orleans, players received five cards from a 20-card pack.
Most poker versions now use a 52-card deck with dealers giving a varying number of cards to players depending on the poker variation.
There are many poker variations available. Two of the most popular ones include Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi-Lo.
As will now be discussed, the number of variations available are contributing to the success and growth of poker in the Western world.
Why is poker growing in the West?
As the game’s history and origins show, poker has always been a popular casino game. However, the game has grown and expanded over recent decades.
Why is poker so popular in the West? Here are some of the main reasons.
1. Online poker options
Poker is now available online. This is the most important reason behind the newfound popularity of the game.
Playing poker online is so much easier and convenient for players. They can now play whenever and wherever they want.
They no longer need to visit a land-based venue to play a quick poker game. They now have instant access to thousands of different online casinos, poker variations, payment options, gaming options, and more.
Playing poker is now easier than ever.
2. Poker variations
For some players, poker was such an old casino game that it was boring. They had played the game too many times and knew its rules too well.
There was nothing new nor exciting about it anymore. But that was before new poker variations were introduced.
Poker companies and developers realized that they had to reinvent the game of poker to stay relevant. They began to work on creating new variations and invented online poker games based around them.
This made poker feel new, exciting, original, innovative, and inventive. It changed the game’s image and the public’s perception of it.
Suddenly, new,and experienced gamers wanted to play poker. They wanted to try out all the variations available.
Nowadays, there are new poker variations almost every year. These versions have boosted the game’s popularity in the West.
3. Celebrities and intellectuals who play poker
Poker is seen and depicted as a sophisticated and intellectual game in the West. One only needs to watch a James Bond film to see this.
Poker has earned this reputation because it requires some math skills and the use of probability.
Many math geniuses excel at poker. They are able to predict their winnings and losses based on the cards they get.
Many celebrities also enjoy this game and use it as a way to unwind. Famous celebrities who enjoy poker include Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Jordan and Rafael Nadal.
These beloved Western celebrities have all boosted the popularity of poker in the West.
Final thoughts
These are three of the main reasons behind the growth and popularity of poker in the Western World.
There are many more reasons behind poker’s success, but the ones listed above have had the most impact on its growth.
