Poker Trends to Look Out for in 2020

2020 has been such a turbulent year for everyone around the world. Getting put into quarantine has forced many of us to look for new things to pass the time, or to revisit old hobbies to avoid boredom.

This has somewhat led to another, albeit smaller, poker boom. People around the world have turned to online poker to pass the time, maybe perhaps to even make another source of income, and why not? Playing poker is an effective boredom killer, and the swings of the game are bound to make anyone feel excited, even if some mistakenly think that it’s purely a game of luck. That’s more fish to eat for the actual poker players, at least.

But why limit poker to a hobby, when it has been proven time and again that anyone can make money consistently off of it? Anyone who takes the game seriously knows that poker is a very viable way of supplementing their income, some even have it as their main source of income. Nonetheless, whether you’re a recreational poker enthusiast who simply plays the game to pass some time, or a regular player who dreams to go pro someday, or even if you’re actually a pro who eats fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, keeping watch of trends is something that can help you stay in the loop and make your playing experience better.

Here are some trends to keep an eye on in 2020:

The persistent rise of mobile and handheld gaming

With how things are going today, it’s not particularly safe for all of us to hit the tables outside, so most of us are planted at home and turn to online poker instead. Although those who take the game seriously know that playing on desktop is optimal since it’s possible to multi-table and to have a HUD by their side, mobile and handheld gaming has also proved to be a very convenient option for recreational players, especially now that most of the online poker rooms we have also have their respective mobile applications. Apart from poker, online gambling has also seen a trend in moving to mobile and handheld platforms. According to pokerfuse.com, it has been found in the UK that online gambling operators like online casinos have grown to account for 39 percent of the gross gambling yield of the gambling industry

An upsurge in video poker 

Online poker may seem like a massive adjustment especially for those who’ve made a living playing live poker, or even for those whose main poker experience comes from live games, whether at the casino or in casual home games. Nothing beats the intensity of looking your opponent dead in the eye while you put all your chips in the middle with a busted flush draw. Thankfully, some online poker rooms have introduced video poker in their platforms. Seeing your opponents’ facial expressions and other physical tells introduces a whole new aspect to playing online. This may also entice even more people to try their hand in online poker, knowing that they can now implement their reading skills even when playing online.

The implementation of AR and VR in online games

Why limit ourselves to video poker when we can simulate the entire atmosphere of a live game even when playing online? Steps are being taken to introduce the use of AR and VR when playing online, allowing for a more exciting way to play the game. Gone are the days of clicking away your chips, when actually seeing the action unfold right in front of you might be the very thing you need to get in the zone. This is however in its early stages as of now, so don’t expect top notch graphics that would make you believe that you’re actually in the casino.

An increase in the use of cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is beginning to get incorporated by many casinos in their various operations, particularly in payment. Essentially, instead of giving away sensitive details such as bank and credit card information to furnish your bankroll, you can use cryptocurrency when making deposits and withdrawals. This method is way more expedient and secure as opposed to making deposits using your bank account or card. Moreover, using cryptocurrency also lets you enjoy lower transaction fees so you get to keep more of your winnings from the tables.

Utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning

Many online casinos have started adopting the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the user experience of their beloved customers. Through the use of these technologies, online gambling sites are able to keep track of the data generated from the users’ time on the tables, and use this data to find ways that can improve customer satisfaction, such as through improved customer service, customer suggestions, and even the detection of a gambling problem to ensure that you keep yourself in control.

With the various developments in the poker world, players from all skill levels are given ways to enjoy the game even more, and make playing convenient and hassle-free.