World Poker Views Blog

The poker world was fairly unexciting in 2008. There were no huge legal developments that changed the structure of online poker (like the UIGEA did in 2007). No significant arrests were made (unlike in 2007 when the founders of Neteller were arrested). And the game did not display any noteworthy growth. For example, the Main Event at the WSOP increased by less than 10% from the year before, still down nearly 2,000 players from its high in 2006.

So while 2008 was boring, it wasn’t exactly a bad year for poker. The uncertainties that surround the game from a legal standpoint leave most people feeling that no news is good news.

The problems that face the poker world for 2009 have less to do with game-specific regulations (such as the UIGEA) and more to do with the state of the global economy. In the U.S., a new administration and a heavily-Democratic Congress make it all but certain that no further anti-online gambling legislation will be passed. (But let’s not take it too far; those who are hoping that Barack Obama will overturn the UIGEA are nuts). So the main threat to the poker world in this new year is an economy that forces many casual players out of the game.

Thus far, it appears that the world’s economic problems aren’t affecting poker too significantly. Online poker prize pools, in particular, have been doing especially well. Just last week, PokerStars held a $200 buy-in tournament that attracted over 13,000 players and a $10 buy-in tournament that set a Guiness World Record with 35,000 players! According to PokerScout.com, a site that tracks trends in online poker rooms, the past six months have actually seen an increase in the number of online poker players during a time when most major financial indexes have dropped 20%!

Could it be that a global economic slowdown will actually lead to growth in the poker world? High-stakes cash games and tournaments will probably decrease in popularity. There will simply be less “rich fish” willing to casually risk money on a card game. However, it certainly seems possible that small-stakes online poker games could experience a burst amidst a global recession. People have more time on their hands and are generally more desperate for money. This coupled with the fact that small stakes games seem harmless (after all, how much can you really lose playing $.25/$50?) and fields of 35,000 players in a $10 tournament might become more common.

Watch for a shift to occur in the poker world this year. The pyramid will become more heavily weighted towards the bottom as high-stakes games dry up while low stakes games are fueled by a barage of newcomers with too much time on their hands. Stay one step ahead of the curve and polish up on low stakes poker strategy. This could be a very opportunistic year for those patient enough to grind it out in small stakes games.