What Makes Online Poker More Popular Than Other Casino Games

Poker has been one of the most popular card games for a long time. Even before the internet, many people have had a chance to play one variation or another at home with friends and family and fall in love with the game.

At the turn of the century, online poker has experienced a huge boost in popularity, largely driven by Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP win.

In the years to follow, Texas Hold’em has become more popular than any other casino game you can think of. Millions of people all over the world wanted to learn the game, many of them with no previous gambling experience or affinities.

This article will try to answer why poker became so popular so quickly, and why it’s more appealing than other games found in a casino.

Easy to Learn & Fun to Play

The number one reason why Hold'em was picked up so quickly by people worldwide is its seeming simplicity. Hold'em rules are easy to learn, and it won't take you more than a few minutes to figure out how to play.

In many ways, poker is a very beginner-friendly game.

Of course, more experienced players know that there is much more to this game than meets the eye, but this knowledge comes later. To start with, you can learn the rules and jump straight into the action.

Of course, this is true for many other casino games like roulette or blackjack, but the difference is, these aren’t as fun or as sociable.

Playing a poker tournament or a cash game in a casino or at home with friends can be super-entertaining and exciting, even if the stakes are small. The challenge of outplaying and outsmarting your opponents is often enough of a motivation.

It’s a Fine Mix of Luck & Skill

Another reason why poker is more popular than other casino games is the fine balance of skill and luck present in this game.

With almost all casino games, there is no real suspense – the house always wins in the long run.

In poker, you're playing against other people, and it's you against them. The house only takes a small percentage of every pot, known as the rake, and the game isn't “rigged.” No one has the inherent advantage.

Of course, more experienced players who study the game will win more in the long run, but everyone has the same starting position.

Low Barrier to Entry

If you take $20 and take it to casino tables, the odds are, it won’t last you very long. The minimum bet at a blackjack table is often $2 or $5, so unless you get very lucky, you’ll be out before you even start to have fun.

With online poker, you can take that same $20 and really make it work for you.

With tournaments starting as low as $0.10 and cash tables featuring blinds of $0.01/$0.02, $20 or $30 can be quite meaningful, especially if you have the discipline to stick to good bankroll management.

If even this is too rich for your blood, there are dozens of freeroll tournaments running every day, offering you a chance to play poker, have fun, and win some real cash without risking a single cent.

A Significant Competitive Element

Poker is one of the few games you’ll find in a casino that is heavily dependent on the player's skill.

With slots, another popular casino game, the player can find a bit of an advantage with daily free spins no deposit offers, and some other bonuses, but they can’t influence or control the outcome of the game in any way.

However, good poker strategies can almost guarantee a win.

Since skills and knowledge play such an important role, the game is very competitive. Being a winning poker player means something. It means you’re actually better than most other players you cross paths with.

This doesn't exist with casino games. There are no blackjack leaderboards or all-time money lists and for a good reason. There are no winners at blackjack, especially these days when card counting, the only strategy that can turn the tables on a casino, has been all but eradicated.

The Glitz & Glamour of Live Poker

Televise poker has certainly contributed to the game’s popularity. Watching players go head to head for huge tournament prizes or fighting it out for six and even seven-figure pots often feels like magic happening before your eyes.

When you see a player lift up the trophy and there is a pile of money right in front of him, there is always that feeling that it could be you in his place.

There is no TV coverage of other casino games because they’re simply not competitive or fun to watch. Sure, someone can catch a lucky streak on roulette, but everyone knows it’s just a matter of time before that money ends up back in the casino’s coffers.

A Shot at Winning Life-changing Money

There is no other casino game (or a game in general) that makes it possible for a random stranger to sit down, play for a few hours (or a few days), and walk away with life-changing money without putting their entire life work or savings on the line.

It is only in poker that you can enter a tournament for a few thousand, or qualify for that same tournament for just a few hundred bucks, and then walk away with a truly life-changing amount of money.

Chris Moneymaker did it first, and many followed in his footsteps, keeping the poker dream alive. It's a far-fetched dream, to be sure, but you won't get to experience it playing any other casino games.

With all this being said, there is nothing wrong with blowing off some steam at the tables as long as you’re smart about it. If you’re a fan of poker, a casino game that might be to your liking is Ultimate Texas Hold’em.