It’s 20 years since the poker boom of 2003 and even today it’s the coolest casino game in town. Here’s why…
Poker hit the mainstream in the early 2000s. Perhaps softened up by the 1998 movie Rounders, and 1999’s Late Night Poker, the combination of online poker and the broadcast of high octane poker TV shows saw the game emerge from the shadows and jump into the mainstream. When the appropriately named Chris Moneymaker won $2.5m at the 2003 World Series of Poker, having bought in for $86 at an online poker room, the world went poker crazy.
Legislative issues emerged worldwide as companies tried to cash in on the boom both online and in live poker clubs and although the hype may have died down, poker remains a hugely popular game in British casinos – and for good reason.
Poker is different to other casino games in many ways. Unlike typical games, such as blackjack and roulette, players play against each other instead of being against the house. The casino charges a commission, known as the rake, from each pot (usually 5-10%) for running the game and providing a dealer, which is different from games against the house, when the casino doesn’t charge commission but ‘wins’ because they have a small mathematical advantage which proves profitable in the long term.
Poker is also something of a marathon compared to other casino games. Cash games run 24/7 in many London casinos, with players grinding out a profit in full day sessions. Knockout tournaments, popular as they offer an opportunity to win big from a small entry fee, typically last anything from around 10 hours to several days depending on the structure. This is very different to blackjack and roulette, where players can jump in and out of the game after playing just a hand or two.
As a result, Texas Hold ‘Em poker is a real connoisseur game. Many fun casino clients like to book poker tables on their own, either to host their regular home game or as a special event, and while there remain an almost infinite number of poker variations, Hold ‘Em has remained by far and away the most popular.
It’s an easy game to learn and, because the system of community cards means that everyone knows at least three of the five cards being used by their opponents, it combines a devilish blend of skill, mathematics, cunning, bravery and luck.
We love poker and are happy to run everything from learn to play sessions, through to home games and full scale tournaments, as well as providing poker tables as part of our regular fun casino offerings.
Want to know more? Feel to drop us a line and find out how we can create a brilliant poker party for you.
