Online poker’s growing popularity
In the past decade or so, the time-honored game of poker has benefited from an earnest revolution and a continuing evolution. Chris Moneymaker’s pivotal win at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event effectively proved, without a shadow of a doubt, that aspiring amateur poker players can earn the opportunity to square off against the world’s best poker pros through grinding games on online poker tournaments. The subsequent “Moneymaker effect” not only refers to the sudden upswing in interest in poker after Moneymaker’s WSOP victory; it also signifies the legitimacy of online poker as both an auxiliary training tool and a platform to win satellite seats through online qualifying tournaments.
Nowadays, online poker continues to evolve and adapt to the constantly changing technological landscape of the 21st century. The sheer ubiquity of iPhones and Android devices has enabled online poker websites to port over their game rooms to the mobile space of both operating systems. This unprecedented level of accessibility and convenience has played a tremendous role in enticing a younger and technologically savvier poker-playing fan base to learn the basics of the game and compete against fellow like-minded players – for both real or play money – at their own time and pace.
The stupendous ultra-broadband access and interconnectivity provided by mobile telecommunication networks has allowed players to create a new account and start playing immediately from a wide variety of low-stakes cash games, Sit N Go tournaments, Multi Table Tournaments, and fast-forward pools. As a matter of fact, Fast Forward Poker – a new feature where players can fold their cards whenever they want and instantly be moved to a new table ready to play a new hand – has pretty much been turbocharged due to the incredible advances in Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G networks.
Visually, online poker websites have taken to incorporating a cleaner and decidedly modern design aesthetic that doesn’t detract from the overall playing experience. James Curtis, an interactive graphic designer based out of London, had previously worked with partypoker to design a sleek landing page that showcased the brand-new features of the company. The predominantly white and orange color scheme of Curtis’ landing page reflected the company’s revamped branding; the updated website and poker rooms were eventually released to the public back in September 5, 2013.
Clearly, online poker’s massively successful foray into the mobile gadget realm has enticed poker players from all sorts of backgrounds to stay “one touch ahead” of the competition.