The Evolution of Online Poker

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Poker is one of the world’s favourite games, enjoyed by millions of players around the world from all backgrounds. But where did it all begin, and how has the poker we know today changed over the years?

While the game’s roots are thought to date back thousands of years, most experts agree that it was born out of a 17th-century French game named Poque. 

This game involved players being dealt three cards, followed by the obligatory bluffing and betting on the outcome. French colonists then brought Poque to several North American cities, such as New Orleans, where English speaking settlers in the area took a liking to it. They quickly Anglicised its name to poker, and also added a raft of new components – such as holding five cards each, and having a fifty-two card deck. 

All of which effectively gave birth to the modern form of poker we know and love today. 

More recently, the advancement of the internet has completely transformed how the masses play poker. Not to mention, the sheer size of the global poker community, and how much poker people are playing on a regular basis. 

The whole thing really is progressing at a remarkable pace, making now the perfect time to reflect on how this iconic game has evolved over the years. 

The Past

Poker may be one of the world’s most popular card games, but it’s not something you tend to see a lot of in a conventional casino setting. All other types of card games play out at dozens of tables, but poker has a tendency to take a back seat.

This is because it doesn’t actually make them much money, which is (of course) the number-one priority for every casino. In fact, some experts have even estimated that poker only makes up one-percent of a casino’s revenues – sometimes even less. 

While there may be poker rooms dotted about the place, they can be incredibly intimidating for newcomers to visit. Casino poker rooms have traditionally been associated with high-rollers, along with those who take the game (and themselves) perhaps a little too seriously.

This left a huge gap in the market for a place where people could go to play poker, which was more welcoming and friendly to everyone.  

In the late nineties, the internet was in its relative infancy. Still, it was quickly adopted by millions, who recognised its extraordinary potential that was yet to be realised. 

Even at this early stage, the internet enabled the world’s more innovative poker fans to start playing against one another, which they first did in Internet Relay Chat rooms. Though these games were played with imaginary money, they gained a huge following and showcased how many people were into the idea of playing poker online.  

The Present

This high demand for online poker was quickly picked up on by a raft of businesses and developers, who began setting up the first dedicated poker site. Today, these websites are based in many different continents, bringing 24/7 online poker to more than 100 countries. 

In the Arabic part of the world, demand for online poker is as an all-time high, as many new players continue to experience the game for the first time through the internet. 

Luckily for them, they have Arabian Betting – home to the best Arabic online poker sites for 2022. The company’s knowledgeable experts gather together all the top sites, which offer the greatest playing experience, the safest transactions and the most amazing bonuses to take advantage of. 

Plus, they have useful guides that clearly explain the legality of online poker in their supported countries, so there’s no need to worry about breaking the law.        

Of course, it’s a similar story across much of the western world, where online poker continues to go from strength to strength. In the UK and across Europe, for example, millions of people now regularly play poker, who prior to playing online had never held a poker chip in their lives.

Along with the convenience being able to play from home on a 24/7 basis, the fact that online poker can be played for free is a huge draw. Ideal for getting to grips with the basics, putting your own strategy together and building the confidence you need to make things happen at the poker table.

The Future

As we look to the future, there are plenty of exciting technologies already impacting the world of online poker. Many experts are even asking the question, will AI ever replace live dealers online? 

Live dealers have become a true fan favourite, completely transforming all-time classics such as blackjack and baccarat. Players get real-time video footage of a dealer who treats them exactly like they would in a real-life casino. 

But when it comes to poker, the dealer or host doesn’t interact with the players nearly as much. Primarily due to the fact that when playing poker in the conventional sense, there’s no reason for a separate dealer or host to be involved at all.

It’s perfectly possible AI dealers could make a major mark on the rest of the live casino scene, but are unlikely to alter the way online poker plays out.

By contrast, something that could transform the online poker landscape is the ever increasing availability of VR. Virtual Reality headsets used to be insanely expensive, but even the most advanced hardware is becoming much more affordable all the time. 

Sooner or later, it’s entirely likely that VR technology will be a staple feature in the vast majority of tech-friendly households. This could make a huge difference to the way people play poker online, as it will allow players to fully recreate the casino experience in glorious 3D, from the comfort of home. 

Of course, this will only be the case if and when the poker providers themselves choose to begin supporting and promoting the whole VR movement. But when you stop to think about the benefits VR could add to online poker, the whole thing really does seem like a no-brainer. 

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