Online Poker is a popular pastime for millions of people around the world. People can play for free or for the smallest stakes imaginable, play to win satellite entries into prestigious live tournaments, or even play for multimillion dollar jackpots. They can do all of this from the comfort of their home and on whatever device they choose to use.
A large number of factors contribute to the popularity of Online Poker, including its accessibility, convenience and attractive bonuses. New technological advances have also made it easier for poker players to connect with one another and share advice. For instance, a video platform called Twitch allows fans to watch top poker players stream their games and interact with the community.
The popularity of Online Poker has risen in recent years, despite the fact that it was not always legal to gamble for real money in some states. However, a growing number of states are making it legal to play. This trend is expected to continue in the future.
Several studies have found that there are two groups of online poker players, to borrow Juran’s (1954) terminology: the trivial many and the vital few. The trivial many seem satisfied with the game’s lower stakes, while the vital few are playing much more aggressively and may have a larger bankroll. However, it is not clear whether this dichotomy holds true when studying individual player data. LaPlante et al. (2009) found that the “most involved” players spent more time and money on online poker than their counterparts, but that study was conducted over a decade ago.