Friday, March 2, 2012

Poker Takes The Online World By Storm


Poker’s fame did not end at brick and mortar casinos. Like a speed of light, it also took over the World Wide Web and reached even more players. When online casinos were introduced, it gave the players a new platform where they can enjoy poker.

1994—the evolution

Year 1994 is an important period not only in poker, but also in the whole online gambling industry. It was the year when Antigua, Bermuda implemented the Free Trade And Processing Zone Act. This act issued license to online casino operators.

The first online poker room

There have been debates on whether it was InterCasino or Planet Poker that first launched the online poker room in 1999. But if there was something really important that happened during this year, it was the increasing growth of online casinos that featured poker.

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Enter Chris Moneymaker


Chris Moneymaker is a prominent poker figure. Likewise, it is because of him that online poker gained more attention. After winning in an online poker marathon, it secured him a seat in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Much to the surprise of many, Moneymaker won in the tournament. He brought home a $300 million worth of prizes. Inspired by his story, the so-called “moneymaker effect” was coined to describe the unexpected rise of online poker players.

Online poker in Asia

Online poker’s growth is not limited to the western region. As a matter of fact, it has also reached the Asian territory. Studies and researches also show major developments in China and Vietnam. Actually, some of the most notable poker players such as Johnny Chan and Scotty Nguyen originated from those countries. While they are not online poker players, their presence is strong enough to trigger a growth of online poker players in the two regions.

Aside from China and Vietnam, a considerable growth can be also noticed in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Philippines.

Indeed, even the online world did not escape poker’s influence. The truth is, it even encouraged more players to join the poker bandwagon.

Source:
Silverstein, H (2007). The Everything Online Poker Book. Maryland: F+W Publications Inc.

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