The poker boom of the early 2000s has seen the game enter the mainstream, and with it the viability poker as a profession. Gone are the days of sitting around a smokey casino or a basement home game. Professional players can now play low- and high-stakes alike from the comfort of their own homes.
Websites like PokerStars, partypoker, and 888poker report consistent players and boast robust poker cultures. Although limited to a number of legal states in the U.S., sites like Ignition/Bovada and Americas Cardroom see visitors from all corners of the country. Regulations outside of the U.S. are much more lenient, with many European countries seeing fewer restrictions.
Promotion
With the slow reintegration of online poker back into the mainstream market after what is known as “Black Friday”, PokerStars has attempted to bring recreational players back to their computers. Teaming up with MMA juggernaut UFC, their recent cross-promotion has helped to regain the larger player pools not seen since the late 2000s.
What it Means for Professional Players
Success for professional poker players hinges on the popularity of the game worldwide. As the number of casual poker players goes up, so does the game’s profitability. Whether you are a tournament or cash game player, finding a place to play has become more straightforward year after year. After a significant overhaul between late 2018 and early 2019, partypoker has become one of many viable contenders in the poker market place, seeing almost 40% growth.
Online Poker Benefits
Aside from ease of access, there are numerous benefits exclusive to online poker rooms. Deposit bonuses and rakeback are excellent sources of extra income outside your winnings, a perk you’ll only find through online platforms. Maybe you’re a Pot Limit Omaha or a Sit and Go tournament grinder—either way, both have massive volume across some of the most popular sites, making them excellent options for any player! The ability to game-select and find your specialty in the online poker world has never been more convenient. With the rise in online popularity, your winnings at the table will follow suit.