Things are continuously changing in the poker world, and the past few years haven’t been any different. Technology, in general, is progressing at such a rapid pace that it can sometimes feel hard to keep up. We are now at a point where mobile poker has risen to such a level that almost everyone with access to a phone has at least heard about it. But the question on everyone’s mind is whether mobile poker is now more common than physical poker. Let’s find out.
Barrier to entry
An area in which online poker play shines far brighter than its physical counterpart is in its low barrier to entry. If you are playing at a brick-and-mortar casino, the minimum bet requirement is likely to be too high for some people – not outrageous, but enough to make people think twice. That’s where online poker sites in the UK differ. They have introduced something called micro-bets, which allows players to bet very small amounts, sometimes as low as 10p.
This has, of course, made these platforms far more accessible, because people will be more willing to try their luck for a minuscule amount of money. Not only this, but making smaller bets can help your bankroll last much longer.
Growing accessibility
Much like subscription game services have made general gaming much more accessible to a wider audience, mobile casinos have had the same effect on the casino industry. No longer do you have to get to a physical casino if you want to gamble; this could also bring with it many other expenses that you may not have previously considered, such as travel costs, a hotel room and food, all of which you would have to be able to afford to make such a trip.
But with mobile poker, you can just play from your home or anywhere you wish, as long as you have a stable internet connection. This can also help you control your spending. If you were to travel to a casino, you may be tempted to spend a lot of money, as it is not every day you have the opportunity to go, but with an online option, you could just pop in for a round or two.
The benefits of being able to play poker on your mobile device are almost endless. Playing a round of poker used to be such a difficult thing to achieve, but now, it’s as easy as downloading an app.
The growth of communication technology
Something you may hear is that physical casinos are better because of the social aspects; you get to meet people, talk to them and build connections. While this is true, and face-to-face socialization is always best, online platforms aren’t just you staring at your screen, especially with the introduction of live-dealer games. These can be incredibly immersive, as you can enjoy a live stream of a dealer dealing the cards in real time, along with a chat function that allows you to communicate with other people while playing, all from the comfort of your own home.
The lasting effects of the pandemic
Although it may be something most of us are desperately trying to forget, we cannot ignore the effects of the pandemic when talking about whether online poker is more common than its physical counterpart. Of course, all physical businesses were heavily affected, most having to shut for a time, and when they could re-open, only doing so at a massively reduced capacity. This led many people to find alternatives, such as online poker, for example.
This didn’t last forever, and although some business sadly turned off their lights permanently, casinos are back up and running, as grand as they ever were. But the industry will never be the same. It may have been the pandemic that caused a lot of people to discover online poker, but its clear benefits are what keep them around.
Speedy play
Sometimes, if you just want to play a quick hand or two, you don’t want to have to wait for the dealer to do his thing; it can get rather frustrating. Well, in mobile poker, the cards are shuffled automatically, meaning you no longer have to wait. All calculations and winnings are also done automatically, so you don’t have to worry about someone counting up the total value of the pot or how much you have won; it all happens instantly.
Poker face
This can be seen as both a positive and a negative, depending on your own experience and how you look at it. With online casinos, you lack the means to tell if someone is bluffing or not; you cannot see their body. This could be bad if you rely on this ability to win hands, but could be a really good thing if you have an infamously terrible poker face, as you won’t need to fear bluffing and pretending that your poor cards could actually win you the hand.
Conclusion
The short answer is yes, online mobile poker is now more common than physical play in a professional setting. Of course, there will always be people holding social poker nights or just playing with their friends, but these are impossible to account for.
There are many reasons for this, mainly due to the convenience of the platforms and how anyone can try a hand of poker without having to commit much money at all. They are extremely accessible, either being a site you visit or an app you download. The downside is that the social experience won’t be the same, but you can still chat to the dealer and other players at your virtual table.