In the early 2000’s, online Poker saw a huge rise in popularity – taking it from the game that was often hidden in back rooms, to being a mainstream pastime.
Thanks to advancements in technology, there’s plenty of classic casino online games for you to explore, with Poker being one of the most famous staples. And this was proven in the period between 2003 and 2006 when the game became so beloved and easily accessible that it was considered to be booming.
But what exactly is the Poker boom, how did it start, and how did it affect casino gaming? Read on to find out!
The Poker Boom
During the early 2000’s, when Poker was at the height of popularity, there wasn’t just one variant of the classic game that was enjoyed by the masses – no – there was Texas Hold’em, which was the firm favourite, and others such as 7-Card Stud, 5-Card Draw and Omaha Hi-Lo.
At the time, both new and existing Poker rooms competed to attract new customers. Online tournaments were hosted and developers worked hard to ensure gameplay was a smooth, seamless and authentic experience.
Video Poker was introduced rather than just Poker rooms, and different variations of the game became available to play anywhere you had internet access.
What caused the boom?
There wasn’t one single factor that triggered the start of the Poker boom. In fact, it was a series of events that contributed to the game’s rise in popularity.
The first of these was the story of Chris Moneymaker, an American accountant who made a name for himself after playing online Poker before going on to win the Main Event at the World Series of Poker in 2003.
Moneymaker was the first person to qualify for the Main Event by playing online, and so many others attempted to follow in his footsteps.
Another factor was the 1998 film Rounders. Staring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, the film features some intense Poker scenes and is credited by many professional players for getting them interested in the game in the first place.
At this time, Poker was also widely televised and had grown an audience since The World Poker Tour was broadcast on the Travel Channel at the start of the millennia.
Games were aired on television much like any sport was, capturing the imagination of many and inspiring plenty of people to give the game a go.
The effect on casino gaming
It’s clear that many people flocked to online casino sites to try out this newly-glamorised game, and even in the modern-day, you can still find a dedicated Poker streaming network called PokerGo, as well as plenty of classic and newer variations of the game at online casinos.
You can even play live dealer Poker, in which a real-life professional dealer will host the game, where you can experience different themes, from the comfort of your very own home, at any time you fancy – in real-time.
Who knows if continued advancements in technology will lead to another Poker boom? But we do know for sure, that this game is one of the most famous names to ever come out of the casino industry.
